Minneapolis Property Management FAQ

Tenant screening is the most important service a property manager provides. A bad tenant can cost you thousands in lost rent, damages, and turnover. Our comprehensive tenant screening process includes:

• Verified photo ID for every applicant over 18
• National and state background checks (criminal, sex offender, terrorist)
• Detailed credit report with score and payment history
• Review of collections, judgments, and eviction history
• Employer verification (tax returns and bank statements for self-employed applicants)
• Confirmation of rental history and references from past landlords

We apply our “owner mentality” to screening: if we wouldn’t rent to someone in our own properties, we won’t recommend them for yours. Owners receive copies of all reports and make the final decision.

(Note: Minneapolis and St. Paul have tenant screening regulations. Mauzy Properties strives towards full compliance with local laws while protecting owners from risk.)

Unlike most companies, our fees are structured with an owner-first approach. We profit when your property succeeds—not from vacancy or turnover. With flat-fee pricing and handyman services included, we save owners thousands every year compared to traditional percentage-based management companies.

Our goal is long-term tenant retention. We notify tenants 90 days before lease expiration and maintain a 64% renewal rate. Every renewal also extends our Tenant Replacement Guarantee. When the market allows, we recommend modest rent increases to maximize owner returns.

Yes. Our management agreement allows either party to cancel with 30 days’ notice, no penalties. We retain over 96% of owners because of service quality, not because they’re tied down by contracts.

Most properties are rented within 30 days. If not, we adjust based on:

• Price – weekly review of calls, showings, and applications vs. market comps
• Presentation – cleaning, staging, and improvement recommendations
• Professional Marketing – we use professional photography, 4K video tours, and syndication to 30+ rental sites (Zillow, Trulia, Apartments.com, etc.)

Unlike some companies, we don’t profit from vacancies—our system is designed to keep properties occupied and generating income.

We run detailed rental comps, then monitor calls, showings, and applications weekly to adjust if needed. Our goal is a fair market rate that minimizes vacancy while maximizing income.

We conduct inspections regularly to protect your investment:

• Every 180 days (Spring and Fall focus)
• At every maintenance visit
• Move-in and move-out inspections with photo documentation
• Additional inspections for nonpayment or concerns

Routine inspections prevent small issues (like leaks or filter changes) from turning into costly repairs.

Rent is due on the 1st, with a grace period until the 5th. After that:

• Day 6: 48-hour late rent notice
• Day 8: 14-day breach notice (attorney-drafted)
• If unpaid: eviction filing with court date in 12–14 days

Our eviction rate is less than 1%, thanks to strict screening. If tenants can’t pay, we move quickly to find qualified replacements while pursuing collections for unpaid balances.

Some cities and counties have specific rules and timelines that may differ, and those would override our typical timeline

Tenants provide 60 days’ notice and receive a Move-Out Packet with cleaning and return instructions. After inspection, deposits are applied to any damages or cleaning (less any normal wear and tear), and the balance is refunded with a full accounting. We love returning full deposits because it means your property is rent-ready immediately.

We target lease end dates for spring/summer, when demand is highest and rents are stronger. This strategy minimizes vacancy and positions your property for peak market value if you decide to sell.

Yes. Repairs under $300 are handled automatically to keep tenants satisfied and issues resolved quickly. Anything over $300 requires owner approval, except for emergencies (water damage, gas leaks, flooding, etc.). Our in-house handyman services save owners money compared to outside vendors.

Owners decide whether to allow pets. Over 60% of renters have them, so allowing pets often reduces vacancy. We recommend deposits ($300–$500 per pet) and inspections to prevent damage. Fair Housing laws require acceptance of service and companion animals with proper documentation.

Yes, in most cases. We verify utilities are transferred to tenants before move-in. If some must remain in the owner’s name, we manage and account for those payments.

Our team is professionally trained by the St. Paul Area Association of Realtors (SPAAR), ensuring we follow industry best practices, a strict Code of Ethics, and remain up to date on Minnesota real estate regulations.

Owner statements and distributions are processed by the 15th of each month. Funds are deposited via ACH direct deposit, and statements are available anytime through the secure Owner Portal.

1. Contact us for a property consultation.
2. Complete a management agreement and property data sheet.
3. We typically begin marketing your property within 24 hours.
4. If switching from another company, we handle the transfer process.
5. Our team coordinates showings, tenant placement, and move-in inspections.