As a private landlord, hiring a professional property management company like Delavan PDX Property Management can be one of the smartest moves you make. Managing a rental property may seem simple at first, but between repairs, tenant issues, market shifts, and legal requirements (such as rent price changes and proper notice procedure), it can quickly become a full-time job. That’s where we come in!

At Delavan PDX Property Management, we help private landlords across the Portland metro area and Vancouver turn their rentals into profitable, low-stress investments. Many of our clients are surprised to learn how much money they were missing out on before they made the switch. You’re not just hiring us to collect rent; you’re hiring us to protect your asset, grow your income, and save you time and mitigate stress.

Let’s break down how a professional property manager actually makes you money.

1. We Help You Charge the Right Rent

Setting the rent price is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Charge too little, and you’re leaving money on the table. Charge too much, and your unit might sit vacant and incur too much time on the market. No one wants to pay for double mortgages! 

We study the local rental market, run comparative analyses (comps), and stay up to date on rental trends in neighborhoods like Beaverton, Tigard, and all across Portland and Vancouver. We know how to price your rental competitively so it leases quickly, all while maximizing your monthly income.

When it’s time to renew, we send you a report (about 120 days prior to issuing the official rent increase notice to tenants) with rental market updates, and help you decide whether to raise the rent to keep up with inflation, hold steady, or consider other options. If you’re considering selling, we will connect you with one of our trusted Realtors for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Know we also work with Outside Realtors as well and will work with you to get your home on the sales market! 

2. Saving Money with Utility Bill Back and Tenant Responsibility

Here’s one of the biggest money leaks we see with new clients: paying for tenants’ utilities or landscaping.

At Delavan PDX Property Management, we implement utility bill-back systems where appropriate. The laws can be tricky on utility bill-back but that is where our expertise comes in. Other property management companies are unwilling to do bill-back due to the extra admin time it takes. Not us. We are here to keep money in your pocket and maximize your monthly income. That means we split water, sewer, or other utilities to the tenant’s responsibility whenever legally allowed. We also recommend that tenants handle their own landscaping in most single-family homes. 

A majority of the private landlords who switched to us were paying these costs themselves without realizing how much they were losing each year. These may seem like small expenses at first but they add up fast! By reworking lease terms and billing processes, we save many of our owners thousands of dollars annually.

3. We Fill Vacancies Faster

Vacant homes don’t make money. Fast turnovers are a major key to profitability and our processes limit these vacant days. 

We photograph your property, write strong marketing descriptions, and list your rental on multiple platforms. With our professional process, strong vendor relationships, and pre-leasing efforts, we’re able to minimize vacancy and keep your rental income steady.

The homes which sit on the market for longer are those where our Owners are hesitant to drop the price – the market is the deciding factor on the rental price. It is your home and we will list at whatever price you request, but please know the market response has the final say. 

4. We Screen Tenants Thoroughly

Bad tenants cost money. From unpaid rent to property damage, one wrong applicant can create major headaches and cost private landlords thousands in legal fees or property damage.

That’s why we are diligent with our screening process. We look for applicants with:

• 700+ credit scores
• At least 2.5x monthly rent in income
• No eviction or criminal history
• Two years of landlord references
• And more!

These steps help ensure your property is rented to people who will take care of it, pay on time, and stay longer, all of which saves you money and stress in the long run. Please note we follow City of PDX screening criteria, which has lower criteria than for the rest of Oregon and Vancouver. We will never issue a tenancy offer until all reports have come back in full to avoid any surprises in the future. 

5. We Minimize Expensive Repairs & Keep You In Control

Suprise repairs can drain your profits, which is why we stay proactive. We conduct regular property walkthroughs (90 days after move-in and then every 6 months after that) to keep your investment in great shape. Each inspection (we like to also refer to them as walkthroughs) includes full interior and exterior photos, and we flag anything that needs attention before it turns into a costly issue. This way, you can have eyes on your property all year to know that it is being well-maintained. 

We also create Annual Maintenance Plans for items like gutter cleaning, HVAC servicing, and pest control so your property runs smoothly all year. When something breaks, we connect with our Owners before moving forward on any repair. Our in-house Delavan Contracting Services team can handle everything, from small fixes to full-scale renovations, but we also understand that some owners prefer to do their own work or use their own contractors. That’s perfectly fine, as long as the repairs are completed with professional quality, within required deadlines, and in full compliance with notice and access laws.

By staying hands-on and transparent, we make sure your property receives quality care, your tenants stay happy, and your investment continues to grow in value.

6. We Handle Rent Collection and Late Notices

Chasing rent is uncomfortable and unpaid rent hits both of us. At Delavan PDX Property Management, we don’t get paid unless you do. That’s why we take rent collection seriously. We collect monthly rent, send legal notices if it’s late, and follow all required timelines to keep things compliant and on track.

Landlord-tenant laws in Oregon and Washington change often. New forms, shifting timelines, and capped rent increases can trip up even experienced landlords. We stay on top of it all by attending continuing education courses year-round, so you don’t have to worry about what changed or whether notices will hold up in court.

Bottom line? You stay legally protected, tenants stay informed, and your income keeps flowing.

7. We Give You Clean, Clear Financial Reports

With Delavan, you’ll always know how your rental is performing. Each month, you’ll receive clear, easy-to-read reports (called Owner Statements) showing income, expenses, and maintenance costs. These are issued by the 10th each month. Each repair invoice is attached to your Monthly Owner packet as well to download and keep with your records. At the end of the year, we send mailed and digital 1099 statements and detailed cash flow reports to help you prepare for tax season with confidence.

But we don’t stop there. We also work closely with trusted Real Estate CPAs who understand the tax benefits that come with owning rental property. From depreciation to repair deductions and expense tracking, our partners help ensure that your tax return captures every available credit. Many general CPAs (and especially private landlords who do it themselves) often miss these important advantages.

Our accounting is transparent, accurate, and built to support your long-term financial success. 

8. We Protect You From Legal Issues

One of the biggest risks for private landlords is legal trouble. Between landlord-tenant laws, fair housing rules, ESA requirements, and state-specific notice timelines, it’s easy to make a mistake and those mistakes can be costly.

We’re licensed in both Oregon and Washington and take continuing education courses to stay current. Whether it’s handling an eviction, managing security deposits, or preparing a notice of entry, we keep everything by the book so you stay protected.

9. We Save You Time And Time Is Money

Every hour you spend dealing with repairs, tenants, or paperwork is time you could be spending elsewhere. That’s why we take care of the full process from start to finish:

• Tenant screening
• Marketing
• Repairs and upgrades
• Scheduling preventative maintenance
• Multiple yearly inspections
• Rent collection
• Renewals and notices
• Legal compliance
• Fast turnovers
• HOA compliance
• Accounting and reports

It’s full-service property management with a personal touch. Our team of three is passionate about this work, and we treat every property like it’s our own. Each member of our team is cross-trained and we care about it all – our Owners, the properties, and our tenants. When all 3 are taken into consideration, all 3 will thrive. 

So… How Do We Make You Money?

Simple. We help you:

• Get paid on time, every month (automatic disbursements into your own designated account)!
• Avoid costly mistakes and legal fees
• Fill vacancies faster
• Attract and keep great tenants
• Maximize your rent
• Keep your property in top shape
• Save hours of your valuable time

When you add it all up, hiring Delavan PDX Property Management doesn’t cost you money – we make you money.

Make the Call Today

Whether you have a single-family home in Tualatin or a duplex in Hillsboro, our goal is to help you succeed. We believe being a landlord should be rewarding, not overwhelming. And we’re here to make that happen.

Want to find out how we can help you grow your rental income and protect your investment? Reach out to Delavan PDX Property Management today. We’d love to show you what’s possible!

Serving Landlords Across Portland, Lake Oswego, Clackamas & More

We serve landlords across the entire Portland Metro Area and so many more cities, including, but not limited to:

• Portland
• Lake Oswego
• West Linn
• Clackamas
• Tigard
• Beaverton
• Oregon City
• Hillsboro
• Lebanon
• McMinnville
• Vancouver, WA

Explore More in Our The Big Question Series:

Questions Private Landlords Should Ask Before Hiring a Property Management Company

• Are Property Management Companies Worth It for Private Landlords?

• How Do Property Management Companies Make Me Money?  

• Will I Get Regular Updates From My Property Manager About My Rental?

• If I Hire a Property Manager, Can I Still Access and Work on My Rental?

• Why do property management companies get a bad rap? 

• Do Property Managers Really Make a Difference When Listing a Rental?

Explore More in Our Maintenance Advantage Series:

How Smart Repairs, Tenant Responsibility & Strategic Updates Maximize Rental Income

• “Who Fixes What?”: Understanding Tenant vs. Landlord Repair Responsibilities
  
• Annual Maintenance Services Every Rental Needs
  
• What Tenants Must Do to Keep Their Home in Good Shape
  
• The Hidden Dangers of Delaying Affordable Maintenance (and How We Prevent Costly Repairs)
  
• Beyond Repairs: Adjacent Services You Didn’t Know Property Managers Handle
  
• Turnover Tips: How to Refresh a Rental Without Overspending
  
  

Explore More in Our Unraveling Series:

What Do Property Management Companies Do?

• The Daily Grind: Tasks That Make Property Managers Superheroes (Without Capes)
  
• Tenant Relations: The Art of Keeping Tenants Happy (or at least not calling you at 2 AM)
  
• Bills and Balances: How Property Management Companies Handle Money Like Pros
  
• The Legal Jargon: Staying Out of Trouble with Laws and Regulations
• The Marketing Magic: How We Fill Vacancies Faster than You Can Say “Rent”