Why the “Right” Tenant Matters

Great tenants pay on time, care for the home, and communicate early when issues arise. In a destination market like St. Augustine, FL, demand can be high—but speed shouldn't replace diligence. A consistent, documented process lowers risk and leads to longer, more profitable tenancies.

Build a Compliant Application

Use a written application that captures identity, income, rental history, and consent for screening. State your criteria up front (credit minimums, income-to-rent ratio, pet policy, and required documentation). Apply the same criteria to every applicant to align with fair housing laws.

Run a Full Background & Credit Review

• Credit report: Look for late pays, collections tied to housing, and overall utilization.
• Criminal records: Use a consistent, case-by-case review focused on safety and recent, relevant offenses.
• Eviction history: Prior evictions are a strong risk indicator—verify dates and outcomes.

Verify Income & Employment

Request recent pay stubs or tax returns (for self-employed renters), plus employer contact info to confirm status and tenure. Many landlords use a 3× rent guideline; if borderline, consider additional deposits (where lawful) or a qualified co-signer.

Call Prior Landlords

Ask objective questions: on-time payments, property care, rule compliance, notice given, and whether they'd rent to the resident again. Cross-check dates with the application to catch inconsistencies.

Set Clear, Written Rental Criteria

Publish your criteria on the listing and application page. Clarity reduces unqualified applications and supports consistent decisions. Keep a log of accept/deny outcomes and the objective reasons behind them.

Secure Deposits & Finalize the Lease

Collect approved funds via a secure method and execute a Florida-compliant lease with addenda (pets, pools, HOA rules, maintenance, mold/mildew, and hurricane preparedness). Complete a documented move-in inspection with photos/videos.

How We Help St. Augustine Landlords

Struck Property Management's tenant placement includes advertising, showings, thorough screening, lease execution, and a professional move-in. We combine local market knowledge with consistent processes—so you get a dependable tenant faster and with less risk.

Next Steps

Request a free rental analysis to benchmark your price and review your current screening flow.

Why Definitions Matter

When a lease ends, disputes usually focus on what's “normal wear and tear” versus “tenant damage.” Understanding the difference—and documenting it—keeps you compliant and protects your investment.

Normal Wear & Tear: Everyday Use

• Small nail holes, minor scuffs, and paint fading
• Traffic wear on carpet, sun-fade on blinds
• Hairline settling cracks

These items occur naturally over time and are typically the landlord's responsibility.

Tenant Damage: Avoidable & Chargeable

• Large wall holes, missing baseboards, unauthorized paint
• Pet stains, burns, or torn flooring
• Broken fixtures from misuse or negligence

Damage goes beyond normal use and can be charged back to the resident per the lease and Florida law.

Documentation That Stands Up

1. Move-in checklist: Signed by both parties with photo/video proof.
2. Mid-tenancy inspections: Every 6 months to spot issues early.
3. Move-out inspection: Same angles and lighting as move-in photos for apples-to-apples comparisons.

Apply a Fair, Consistent Method

Use a cost schedule and consider age, quality, and expected lifespan. For example, carpeting has a useful life; normal wear after several years isn't the same as fresh damage during year one.

Security Deposits, Simply

Charge only for documented damage beyond wear and tear, provide itemized statements, and maintain records. Clear communication—and photos—reduce disputes.

How We Help

Struck Property Management handles periodic inspections, meticulous documentation, and security deposit reconciliations for St. Augustine landlords—so move-outs are smooth and defensible.

Need a checklist?

Ask us for our move-in/move-out template and a sample photo log you can use on your next turnover.

Mistake #1: Rushing Tenant Screening

Skimming applications or skipping landlord verifications leads to late payments and turnovers. Standardize your criteria and verify credit, income, rental history, and ID every time.

Mistake #2: Pricing by Gut, Not Data

Overpricing inflates vacancy; underpricing erodes returns. Use current comps, days-on-market, seasonality, and amenities (garage, fenced yard, pet-friendly) to set a defensible rent.

Mistake #3: Slow or Unclear Maintenance

Delayed repairs reduce renewal odds and can snowball into bigger issues, especially with A/C and moisture near the coast. Define emergency vs. standard, publish response times, and track everything in a portal.

Mistake #4: Weak or Vague Lease Agreements

Ambiguity on pets, parking, HOA rules, late fees, or lawn care creates conflict. Use Florida-specific leases and addenda. Walk the tenant through expectations at move-in and get signatures on key policies.

Mistake #5: Poor Documentation

No photos, no paper trail. Document move-in/out with time-stamped media and keep work orders, messages, and invoices together for easy reconciliation and security deposit accounting.

How Struck Property Management Helps

From marketing and showings to screening, maintenance, inspections, and monthly owner statements, we provide full-service management for St. Augustine landlords who want reliable results without the day-to-day.

Curious what your home could rent for?

Request a free rental analysis—we'll send comps, pricing guidance, and a simple plan to maximize your next 12 months of cash flow.

Why Maintenance Drives ROI

Responsiveness is retention. When tenants feel heard, they renew. And when small issues are fixed quickly, you prevent bigger—and pricier—repairs.

Set Expectations in the Lease

• What qualifies as an emergency (water intrusions, no A/C in summer, electrical hazards)
• How to submit requests (portal, photos, preferred access times)
• Tenant responsibilities (air filters, minor bulbs, basic pest prevention when applicable)

Use a Centralized Tenant Portal

A portal timestamps requests, stores photos, and keeps messages in one thread—great for transparency and record-keeping.

Triaging Requests

Vendor Management 101

• Maintain a licensed, insured vendor list with service areas and rates.
• Confirm scopes and access instructions in writing.
• Collect photos and invoices; close the loop with the tenant.

Preventative Maintenance Saves Money

• HVAC: filter changes, annual service
• Plumbing: check supply lines and shut-offs
• Moisture: watch humidity, caulking, and ventilation—critical near the coast
• Exterior: gutters, roofing, yard drainage before storm season

How We Handle It in St. Augustine

Struck Property Management coordinates requests through a 24/7 portal, dispatches vetted vendors, and performs periodic inspections. Owners receive monthly statements with work orders and invoices attached for clear auditing.

Want our maintenance checklist?

Reach out for our seasonal schedule tailored to St. Johns County homes.