HCM Property Management Blog

By HCM Property Management - Monday, September 28, 2026

How to write a rental listing that attracts quality tenants

Most landlords treat a rental listing like a classified ad. Throw in the bedroom count, mention it's "updated," and wait for the phone to ring. And sometimes that works. But in a market as competitive as Southern California, where a tenant might be comparing your un...

By HCM Property Management - Thursday, September 24, 2026

Landlord vs. tenant maintenance responsibilities: who fixes what

Owning a rental property sounds simple until your tenant texts you at 9 p.m. on a Friday about a leaking pipe, a broken disposal, or an HVAC unit that stopped working in the middle of August. Then the question becomes: do you fix it, do they fix it, or is this somehow debatable?F...

By HCM Property Management - Wednesday, September 23, 2026

How much does property management cost in Los Angeles California

Most owners we talk to come in with the same question. They've gotten one or two quotes, the percentages look close, and they can't figure out why there's such a price difference between companies. What they're really asking is whether any of it is worth it.That&#...

By HCM Property Management - Monday, September 21, 2026

What to do when a tenant pays rent late

Most landlords handle a late-paying tenant the same way. They wait. They send a text. They get a "I'll have it to you Friday, I promise." And then Friday comes and goes.If you're a rental property owner dealing with this right now, you're probably wondering ...

By HCM Property Management - Wednesday, September 16, 2026

How to set up online rent collection for landlords

If you've been chasing down checks, refreshing your bank account after the 1st, or texting tenants to confirm a Venmo went through, you already know this system isn't working. And if you own even two or three units in Southern California, where rents in Irvine tend to run...

By HCM Property Management - Tuesday, September 15, 2026

What security deposit clauses landlords can and can't include

If you're writing your own lease or inheriting one from a previous manager, there's a good chance it has at least one security deposit clause that won't hold up in court. That's not an exaggeration. Across the roughly 1,600 properties we manage throughout Southern...

By HCM Property Management - Wednesday, September 9, 2026

How to handle unauthorized occupants on a lease

Most landlords find out the hard way. A routine inspection, a noise complaint from the neighbor in unit B, or an off-hand comment from your tenant tips you off — there are more people living in your rental than you agreed to. Now what?This situation sits in a legal gray zon...

By HCM Property Management - Sunday, September 6, 2026

What happens when a tenant breaks a lease early

Most landlords know it's coming eventually. You get a text, an email, or sometimes just a note slipped under your door. The tenant needs out. Job relocation, a breakup, a better apartment across town. Whatever the reason, they're leaving before the lease is up, and now yo...

By HCM Property Management - Wednesday, September 2, 2026

How to handle lease renewals and when to raise rent

Most landlords spend a lot of energy finding a good tenant. Then the lease ends and they have no idea what to do next.Do you raise rent? By how much? Do you send paperwork or just have a conversation? What are you legally allowed to do? These are the questions that trip people up...

By HCM Property Management - Tuesday, August 25, 2026

HCM Property Management Featured in Redfin

HCM Property Management was recently featured in a Redfin article, “Upgrades That Keep Insurance Costs Down,”where our Portfolio Manager, Matthew DeBoth, shared his professional perspective on how proactive maintenance and proper documentation can help property owners...