Unit 20 Flashcards

1
Q

Learning Objective: Describe a property manager’s functions and the basic elements of a management agreement.

A

Answer: A property manager serves as an agent of the owner, handling administration, marketing, and physical management of the property. Functions include supervising maintenance, hiring staff, collecting rents, and managing budgets. The management agreement outlines the manager’s duties and responsibilities, establishes the relationship with the owner, and includes a definite termination date per Texas law.

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2
Q

Learning Objective: Explain the property manager’s role in budgeting, renting, and maintaining property.

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Answer: A property manager prepares a budget that accounts for income and expenses, including fixed and variable costs, and planned renovations. They establish rent schedules based on neighborhood conditions and market demand, screen tenants, collect rents, and ensure maintenance of the building’s physical integrity.

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3
Q

Learning Objective: Identify techniques a manager may use to attract, select, and retain quality tenants; the characteristics of an effective rental collection policy; and a property manager’s responsibilities regarding compliance with consumer protection and privacy laws.

A

Answer: Techniques to attract tenants include marketing and fair treatment of applicants. Managers screen tenants based on financial capability while complying with anti-discrimination laws. Rental collection policies must be firm and consistent. Compliance includes adherence to the Fair Credit Reporting Act when rejecting applicants and maintaining privacy standards.

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4
Q

Learning Objective: Distinguish the property manager’s responsibilities for handling environmental and risk management concerns.

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Answer: Property managers address environmental issues like contaminated groundwater or ventilation problems and implement risk management strategies such as securing adequate insurance, including liability, casualty, and workers’ compensation policies.

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5
Q

Key Term: Business Interruption Insurance

A

Definition: Protects property owners from income losses resulting from events like fires or other disasters that disrupt business operations.

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6
Q

Key Term: Casualty Insurance

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Definition: Provides coverage against losses such as theft, vandalism, and destruction of property.

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7
Q

Key Term: Depreciated Cost

A

Definition: The value of a property or asset after accounting for depreciation over time.

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8
Q

Key Term: Fire and Extended Coverage Insurance

A

Definition: Covers damage to property caused by fire and other specific hazards.

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9
Q

Key Term: Liability Insurance

A

Definition: Insures against claims made by individuals injured on the property.

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10
Q

Key Term: Management Agreement

A

Definition: A contract between a property manager and an owner defining the manager’s duties and responsibilities.

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11
Q

Key Term: Multiple Peril Policies

A

Definition: Comprehensive insurance policies covering multiple risks, such as fire, theft, and liability.

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12
Q

Key Term: Property Manager

A

Definition: An individual or firm responsible for managing income-producing properties on behalf of the owner.

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13
Q

Key Term: Replacement Cost

A

Definition: The amount required to replace a damaged property without considering depreciation.

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14
Q

Key Term: Risk Management

A

Definition: The process of minimizing potential risks through measures such as insurance and safety protocols.

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15
Q

Key Term: Surety Bond

A

Definition: A bond that protects against employee dishonesty or non-performance.

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16
Q

Key Term: Workers’ Compensation Insurance

A

Definition: Insurance covering medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job.

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17
Q

Key Point Question: What is a management agreement, and why is it important?

A

Answer: A management agreement is a contract that defines the relationship between the owner and the manager, specifying the manager’s duties, responsibilities, and authority.

17
Q

Key Point Question: What are the primary responsibilities of a property manager?

A

Answer: Property managers handle administration, marketing, and physical management, which includes collecting rents, maintaining the property, and dealing with tenant issues.

18
Q

Key Point Question: What is the first step a property manager should take after signing a management agreement?

A

Answer: The first step is to prepare a budget, accounting for income, expenses, and proposed renovations.

19
Q

Key Point Question: How does a property manager determine rental rates?

A

Answer: Rental rates are based on an analysis of building condition, market demand, and neighborhood trends.

20
Q

Key Point Question: What does routine property maintenance include?

A

Answer: Maintenance includes cleaning, repairs, and adaptations to meet tenant needs and market demands.

21
Q

Key Point Question: What are the basic types of insurance a property manager should secure?

A

Answer: Insurance types include fire and extended coverage, casualty, business interruption, liability, and workers’ compensation.

22
Q

Key Point Question: When is a real estate license required for property management in Texas?

A

Answer: A license is required if the manager leases or lists properties for others, unless exemptions apply (e.g., onsite managers or owners).

23
Q

Key Point Question: What termination requirements apply to property management agreements in Texas?

A

Answer: The Texas Real Estate License Act requires a definite termination date that is not subject to prior notice.

24
Q

Question 1: Which type of insurance coverage insures the property owner against the claims of employees injured while on the job?
A. Business interruption
B. Workers’ compensation
C. Casualty
D. Surety bond

A

Answer: B – Workers’ compensation.
Reasoning for the answer: Workers’ compensation insurance covers claims for employees injured on the job, ensuring their medical and financial needs are met.

25
Q

Question 2: Repairing a boiler is classified as which type of maintenance?
A. Preventive
B. Corrective
C. Routine
D. Construction

A

Answer: B – Corrective.
Reasoning for the answer: Corrective maintenance involves repairs to restore equipment or systems to their proper functioning.

26
Q

Question 3: From a management point of view, apartment building occupancy that reaches as high as 98% might indicate that
A. the building is poorly managed.
B. the building may need repairs.
C. rents should be lowered.
D. rents should be raised.

A

Answer: D – Rents should be raised.
Reasoning for the answer: High occupancy rates often suggest that rental rates are below market value and could be increased.

27
Q

Question 4: A delivery person slips on a defective stair in an apartment building and is hospitalized. A claim against the building owner for medical expenses will be made under which of the following policies held by the owner?
A. Workers’ compensation
B. Casualty
C. Liability
D. Fire and hazard coverage

A

Answer: C – Liability.
Reasoning for the answer: Liability insurance covers claims for injuries occurring on the premises due to unsafe conditions.

28
Q

Question 5: Which should NOT be a consideration in selecting a tenant?
A. The size of the space versus the tenant’s requirements
B. The tenant’s ability to pay
C. The racial and ethnic background of the tenant
D. The compatibility of the tenant’s business with other tenants’ businesses

A

Answer: C – The racial and ethnic background of the tenant.
Reasoning for the answer: Discrimination based on race or ethnicity violates fair housing and anti-discrimination laws, making it an unlawful consideration.

29
Q

Question 6: Contaminated groundwater, toxic fumes from paint and carpeting, and lack of proper ventilation are all examples of
A. issues beyond the scope of a property manager’s job description.
B. problems faced only on newly constructed properties.
C. issues that arise under the ADA.
D. environmental concerns that a property manager may have to address.

A

Answer: D – Environmental concerns that a property manager may have to address.
Reasoning for the answer: Property managers must handle environmental concerns to protect tenant health and ensure regulatory compliance.

30
Q

Question 7: An owner-manager agreement should include all of the following EXCEPT
A. a statement of the owner’s purpose for the building.
B. a clear definition of the manager’s authority.
C. that portion of the property manager’s personal operating expenses that will be paid by the owner.
D. a listing of previous owners of the property.

A

Answer: D – A listing of previous owners of the property.
Reasoning for the answer: Historical ownership information is not relevant to the operational responsibilities outlined in a management agreement.

31
Q

Question 8: An apartment building burns to the ground. What type of insurance covers the landlord against the resulting loss of rent?
A. Fire and hazard
B. Liability
C. Business interruption
D. Casualty

A

Answer: C – Business interruption.
Reasoning for the answer: Business interruption insurance compensates property owners for lost rental income during disasters such as fires.

32
Q

Question 10: Property manager Frieda hires Albert as the full-time janitor for one of the buildings she manages. While repairing a faucet in one of the apartments, Albert steals a television set. Frieda could protect the owner against liability for this type of loss by purchasing
A. liability insurance.
B. workers’ compensation insurance.
C. a surety bond.
D. casualty insurance.

A

Answer: A – Liability insurance.
Reasoning for the answer: Liability insurance protects the property owner against claims for losses resulting from employee actions.

32
Q

Question 9: Apartment rental rates are usually expressed
A. in monthly amounts.
B. on a per-room basis.
C. in square feet per month.
D. on a prorated yearly basis.

A

Answer: A – In monthly amounts.
Reasoning for the answer: Residential rental rates are typically calculated and expressed as monthly payments for easier tenant understanding and management.

33
Q

Question 11: A property manager is offered a choice of three insurance policies: one has a $500 deductible, one has a $1,000 deductible, and the third has a $5,000 deductible. If the property manager selects the policy with the highest deductible, which risk management technique is he using?
A. Avoiding
B. Sharing
C. Controlling
D. Transferring

A

Answer: C – Controlling.
Reasoning for the answer: Opting for a higher deductible reduces insurance costs, meaning the manager assumes more of the financial risk, a form of risk control.

34
Q

Question 12: The manager’s responsibility for the maintenance of a property includes all of the following EXCEPT
A. adapting the interior space of the building to meet the requirements of individual tenants.
B. renovating buildings.
C. maintaining the present condition of the building and grounds.
D. meeting the needs of tenants regardless of the expense to the owner.

A

Answer: B – Renovating buildings.
Reasoning for the answer: Renovations are typically the property owner’s decision and responsibility, not the manager’s routine maintenance obligation.

35
Q

Question 13: If a property owner rejects an application for the rental of a property,
A. the applicant must be told that the credit-reporting agency did not make the decision to reject the applicant.
B. the applicant must be told that the credit report is confidential and, therefore, the reasons for rejection cannot be disclosed to the applicant.
C. the property owner may refuse to give the reason for the rejection if it was based on something other than the credit report.
D. the property owner is not required to provide the name of the credit-reporting agency used if the rejection was based on a credit report.

A

Answer: D – The property owner is not required to provide the name of the credit-reporting agency used if the rejection was based on a credit report.
Reasoning for the answer: Property owners must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which requires disclosing credit-related decisions, but providing the agency’s name is not mandated.

36
Q

Question 14: A property manager who enters into a management agreement as an agent to an owner is usually
A. a special agent.
B. a general agent.
C. a universal agent.
D. a designated agent.

A

Answer: A – A special agent.
Reasoning for the answer: A special agent is authorized for a specific purpose or limited scope of authority.

37
Q

Question 15: In preparing a budget, a property manager should set up which of the following for variable expenses?
A. Control account
B. Floating allocation
C. Cash reserve fund
D. Asset account

A

Answer: B – Floating allocation.
Reasoning for the answer: Floating allocations allow property managers to adapt budgeted funds to variable or fluctuating expenses.

38
Q

Question 16: When preparing a budget, why is it important to consider cash reserves?
A. To maintain operating costs
B. To handle unexpected expenses
C. To account for routine upkeep
D. To adjust tenant utilities

A

Answer: C – Cash reserve fund.
Reasoning for the answer: Cash reserves provide critical funds to handle unplanned maintenance or external disruptions.