For a Complete Peace of Mind
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What types of properties do you manage?
We specialize in residential rental properties, with a strong focus on small to mid-size multifamily buildings. This allows us to deliver hands-on management, consistent oversight, and strong financial performance for our owners.
What areas do you serve?
We manage properties within Bristol County and some of Plymouth County (Bridgewater, Carver, East Bridgewater, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Rochester, Wareham, West Bridgewater.)
How do I get started with your company?
Getting started is simple. We’ll schedule an initial consultation to review your property, your goals, and ensure we’re a good fit. From there, we’ll outline next steps and handle the transition for you.
How much do you charge for property management?
Our management fees are based on the number of units in the building and are calculated as a percentage of rent actually collected (not rent billed).
Monthly Management Fees:
- 3–6 units: 8.5% of rents collected
- 7–19 units: 8% of rents collected
- 20–49 units: 7% of rents collected
- 50+ units: 6% of rents collected
As the property scales, the management fee decreases—reflecting operational efficiencies while maintaining a high level of service.
There are no hidden percentages or surprise markups built into the management fee. Any additional services are clearly outlined in advance.
What does the monthly management fee include?
The monthly management fee covers the day-to-day operational management of your property, including:
- Rent collection and delinquency follow-up
- Tenant communication and issue resolution
- Maintenance coordination and vendor oversight
- Financial tracking and monthly owner reporting
- Lease enforcement and compliance oversight
- Owner communication and account management
For properties with 50+ units, bill pay for recurring property expenses is included.
Are there additional fees beyond the management percentage?
Some services fall outside standard monthly management and are billed separately, such as:
- Leasing and tenant placement
- Evictions and legal coordination
- Large capital projects or renovations
- Extraordinary administrative or compliance requirements
All additional fees are fully disclosed upfront so you can make informed decisions.
Why do you charge a percentage of rent instead of a flat fee? (investor-focused trust builder)
A percentage-based fee aligns our incentives with yours. When your property performs well, we do well—encouraging proactive management, strong tenant placement, and long-term asset performance.
Are there any setup or onboarding fees?
We typically charge a one-time onboarding fee to cover account setup, lease reviews, vendor coordination, and transition management.
However, the onboarding fee is fully waived when a 24-month management agreement is signed.
Recapture Provision: If the Management Agreement is terminated by the owner before the initial 24-month term, the waived onboarding fee becomes immediately due and payable.
This policy allows us to invest the time and resources needed to properly set up your property while keeping long-term pricing competitive for committed owners.
Why is there a Recapture Provision if the agreement ends early?
Onboarding requires significant upfront work. The recapture provision ensures those costs are covered only if the agreement ends early—while allowing long-term owners to avoid the fee entirely.
Do you charge leasing fees?
Yes. Our leasing fee is 80% of one month’s rent, which is well within the standard market range for professional property management in Massachusetts.
This fee reflects the amount of work and risk involved in placing a qualified tenant and covers the full leasing process, including:
- Professional marketing and advertising
- Property showings and applicant communication
- Comprehensive tenant screening (credit, income, rental history, background)
- Lease preparation and execution
- Move-in coordination
Cutting corners on leasing often leads to higher turnover, unpaid rent, and legal exposure—making proper tenant placement one of the most cost-effective investments an owner can make.
Is there a leasing fee when a tenant renews?
Yes. A renewal fee applies when tenants are placed on a fixed-term lease.
That said, we strongly recommend month-to-month leases in Massachusetts. Month-to-month tenancies provide lawful flexibility in a state where landlord options are otherwise limited, while still allowing for rent adjustments and proper notice when changes are needed.
Month-to-month does not mean:
- No tenant protection
- No stability
- Arbitrary changes
All Massachusetts tenant protections still apply, including habitability standards, notice requirements, and Fair Housing laws. Our renewal approach is designed to balance tenant stability and flexibility with owner flexibility and risk management.
Is there a long-term contract?
Yes. Our standard management agreement is 24 months.
This term allows us to properly stabilize operations, place quality tenants, implement preventative maintenance strategies, and manage the property with a long-term, investor-first mindset.
To make this commitment more attractive, we waive the onboarding fee for owners who sign a 24-month agreement. If the agreement is terminated early, the waived onboarding fee becomes due, as outlined in the management agreement.
We believe in earning long-term relationships through performance, transparency, and results—not frequent contract turnover.
Can I terminate the agreement early?
Yes. Early termination is permitted with written notice, in accordance with the terms outlined in the management agreement.
If the agreement is terminated by the owner prior to the initial 24-month term, the waived onboarding fee becomes due and payable, as disclosed upfront.
We ask for written notice so we can:
- Ensure proper tenant communication
- Transfer records and funds accurately
- Coordinate a smooth and compliant transition
Our goal is to make transitions professional and orderly—protecting both the owner and the tenants.
What happens if the management agreement is terminated early by the manager?
In certain situations, we may need to terminate the management agreement prior to the initial 24-month term.
If termination occurs due to owner-related actions or omissions, the previously waived onboarding fee will be reinstated and become due. These situations may include:
- Failure to maintain required operating or reserve funds
- Failure to pay management fees or reimbursable expenses when due
- Refusal to authorize repairs or actions required to meet legal or habitability standards
- Interference with our ability to manage the property effectively
- Conduct that exposes the property or management company to legal, financial, or reputational risk
If termination is initiated by the manager for reasons not related to owner conduct, the onboarding fee will not be reinstated.
Tenant Placement & Screening
How do you screen tenants?
We use a consistent, objective, and Fair Housing–compliant screening process for all applicants. Our goal is to place qualified tenants while reducing risk for owners.
Our screening process includes:
- Credit evaluation based on established criteria
- Income verification to confirm the ability to pay rent
- Rental history review, including prior landlord references when available
- Background screening in accordance with applicable laws
- Identity verification to prevent fraud
- Communication & Conduct to evaluate how applicants conduct themselves during the application process. Strong communication is a key predictor of a successful tenancy.
All applicants are evaluated using the same written standards, applied consistently to every household.
Do owners have final approval of tenants?
Yes. Owners retain final approval on all tenant placements. We provide you with a complete screening summary so you can make an informed decision.
For Fair Housing, privacy, and data security reasons, we do not share full rental applications or screening reports. Owners receive a screening summary and retain final approval based on that information.
How long does it typically take to fill a vacancy?
Vacancy timelines vary based on pricing, condition, unit type, and market demand. In most cases, well-priced and properly prepared units lease within 30–45 days.
Factors that can impact how quickly a unit is filled include:
- Rent price relative to the local market
- Unit condition and recent upgrades
- Time of year and seasonal demand
- Screening standards (we do not lower criteria to fill units faster)
Our priority is placing High Quality, qualified, long-term tenants, not rushing to fill a unit at the expense of future performance.
Rent Collection & Financials
How is rent collected?
Rent is collected electronically through The Resident Center, our secure online tenant portal.
Tenants can pay rent by:
- ACH (bank transfer)
- Debit or credit card (processing fees may apply and are paid by the tenant)
Electronic rent collection improves consistency, reduces delays, and creates a clear payment record for both tenants and owners.
Do you accept cash or checks?
No. To protect all parties and maintain accurate records, rent payments are processed through The Resident Center.
When do owners get paid?
Owner distributions are processed monthly after rent collection and expenses are reconciled.
Will I receive financial reports?
Yes. Owners receive detailed monthly financial reports through the Owner Portal.
Reports typically include:
- Rent collected and outstanding balances
- Itemized income and expenses
- Repair and maintenance costs
- Owner distributions
- Year-to-date financial summaries
Reports are available electronically, allowing owners to review property performance at any time.
Can I access reports outside of the monthly statements?
Yes. Owners can access real-time financial information, transaction history, and documents at any time through the Owner Portal.
Maintenance & Repairs
How is maintenance handled?
Maintenance requests are submitted and tracked through The Resident Center, ensuring timely response, clear documentation, and full transparency.
Our maintenance process:
- Tenants submit requests online through the Resident Center
- Requests are logged, time-stamped, and prioritized in our software
- Management reviews, coordinates, and assigns work to qualified vendors
- Progress, invoices, and completion details are documented in the system
This centralized process allows owners to see what’s happening without needing to manage day-to-day issues.
How are emergency maintenance issues handled?
Emergency requests (such as heat loss, water leaks, or safety issues) are escalated immediately and handled as a priority. Tenants are provided with emergency instructions, and owners are notified as appropriate.
Do owners need to approve maintenance repairs?
Owners set a maintenance authorization limit in advance.
- Repairs under that amount are handled promptly
- Repairs exceeding the limit are reviewed with the owner before proceeding, except in true emergencies
Do you mark up maintenance invoices?
No. We do not apply hidden markups to routine maintenance invoices.
Vendor invoices are passed through at cost and recorded transparently, so owners can see the actual expense, vendor details, and supporting documentation in their Owner Portal.
Are there any additional maintenance-related fees?
In certain situations, a project management fees may apply for non-routine or time-intensive services, such as:
- Large capital projects or renovations
- Extensive coordination involving multiple vendors
- After-hours or emergency oversight
- Extraordinary administrative or compliance requirements
Any such fees are disclosed in advance so owners can make informed decisions.
What is a Project Management Fee?
A Project Management Fee covers TCPPM’s oversight of non-routine, large-scale, or time-intensive projects at a managed property. These projects go beyond day-to-day maintenance and require dedicated coordination, planning, and supervision.
What types of projects typically require a Project Management Fee?
Project management fees generally apply to projects such as major renovations, unit rehabs, capital improvements, insurance-related repairs, multi-trade projects, large turnovers, vendor bidding, and phased or long-term improvement projects. Routine repairs and standard maintenance are typically excluded.
Why isn’t project management included in the monthly management fee?
Monthly management fees are designed to cover ongoing operational tasks, not episodic, high-effort projects. Project management requires concentrated staff time, higher-level decision-making, and increased financial and liability oversight. Charging it separately ensures owners only pay for this service when it’s needed.
How is the Project Management Fee structured?
Project management fees are typically structured as either a flat fee or a percentage of the total project cost, depending on the size and complexity of the project. All fees are discussed and agreed upon before work begins.
How are maintenance expenses documented?
All maintenance activities, invoices, and payments are logged in our software and reflected in the owner’s financial reports and are viewable in the Owners Portal real time.
Is there a maintenance authorization limit?
Yes. Owners set a pre-approved dollar threshold so urgent repairs can be handled promptly without unnecessary delays, while larger expenses receive owner approval.
Communication & Owner Involvement
How often will you communicate with me?
We provide regular updates through monthly reports and communicate as needed regarding maintenance, vacancies, or tenant issues. You’re informed—but not overwhelmed.
Will tenants contact me directly?
No. We serve as the primary point of contact for tenants, allowing you to enjoy truly passive ownership while we handle day-to-day operations.
Compliance & Risk Management
Do you handle legal compliance and Fair Housing laws?
Yes. We stay up to date on local and state regulations and ensure all leasing, notices, and procedures comply with Fair Housing and landlord-tenant laws.
What happens if a tenant needs to be evicted?
While eviction is always a last resort, we handle the process professionally and in compliance with the law. Eviction services are billed separately due to the additional time, documentation, and coordination required.
Why Choose Us
What makes TC Partner different from other property management companies?
TC Partners is built around three core principles that guide every decision we make: proven systems, investor-first decision making, and clear, accountable communication. These principles allow us to manage properties intentionally, reduce risk, and support long-term performance — especially in a tenant-friendly state like Massachusetts.
What do you mean by “proven systems”?
TC Partners operates with documented, repeatable systems for leasing, maintenance coordination, accounting, compliance, and reporting. These systems reduce errors, improve consistency, and ensure your property is managed professionally — not reactively or ad hoc.
What does investor-first decision making mean?
Investor-first decision making means every recommendation we make is evaluated through the lens of asset protection, risk reduction, and long-term return. We prioritize flexibility, cost control, and strategic planning over short-term convenience or emotional decision-making.
How do TC Partners communicate differently than other property managers?
We emphasize clear, timely, and accountable communication. Owners receive transparent explanations and documented decisions. Tenants receive clear expectations and consistent follow-through. This reduces misunderstandings, conflict, and unnecessary escalation while keeping everyone aligned.
Why does TC Partners’ approach matter in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is a tenant-friendly state where mistakes can be costly and difficult to correct. TC Partners’ systems, investor-first mindset, and strong communication help owners navigate this environment proactively rather than reactively.
Is TC Partners a good fit for long-term investors?
Yes. TC Partners work best with owners who value structure, transparency, and intentional decision-making. Our approach is designed for investors who want consistent performance, reduced risk, and a professional management partner — not just basic administration.