10 Questions Every Investor Should Be Asking Their Property Manager

A high-performing investment doesn’t happen by chance, it’s driven by structure, strategy, and attention to detail.

Use the questions below to assess whether your current property management approach is protecting and optimising your asset.

1. Lease Structure

Is my property on the right lease type (fixed-term vs periodic), and do I understand the risks and benefits of each? This also includes who is living in the property, are they a lease holder? Are all tenants names listed on the bond? Or are there people living in the home sub-letting, that you don’t even know about…

2. Insurance Alignment

Does my lease and tenancy structure align with my landlord insurance policy, or could I be exposed to reduced loss of rent cover?

3. Rent Strategy

Are rent increases proactively planned and written into my lease, or handled reactively at renewal?

4. Pet Conditions

Do my lease terms clearly outline pet approvals, conditions, and end-of-lease requirements such as flea or urine treatments?

5. Furnished Property Protection

If my property is furnished, are there clear provisions for cleaning and maintaining upholstery, furnishings, and bedding between tenancies?

6. Break Lease Protection

Does my lease and management agreement include a structured break lease clause that protects me financially if a tenant breaks their lease early?

7. Routine Inspection Quality

Are inspections detailed, consistent, and documented in a way that protect me and supports insurance claims? Who inspects my property? Often times, an agency will outsource routine inspections, meaning there will be a delay up to a week, before the Property Manager even receives a copy. Imagine the inspector reporting a gas leak, and no action taken for a week. This leaves you open to huge amounts of risk.

8. Maintenance Planning

Am I receiving forward-thinking maintenance advice, or is my property being managed reactively? Are maintenance items actioned after every Routine Inspection, or is the same thing repeated again and again….

9. Bond Increases

Is the bond currently held for my property, the legally allowed amount? Or has a bond increase not been implemented after years of rent increases?

10. Legislative Updates

Has my property manager clearly explained recent legislative changes and how they impact my investment?

Re-Defining The Investor Experience

Would it be crazy to imagine a world, where your Property Manager proactively guides you through change, rather than reacting to it?

This is where experience matters.

With the right expertise, you gain more than management. You gain clarity, strategy, and control.

Are you getting the full picture?

If you’d like a more detailed assessment of your portfolio’s performance, call Lauren at L Residential, and we’ll have a confidential chat about how your property is performing.

About The Author

Lauren Thumwood – Director/Licensee, L Residential

Lauren Thumwood is a Property Management specialist with over 13 Years industry experience operating at Senior leadership levels within the Perth Residential Rental Market. Having led and optimised large rent rolls, Lauren is known for her structured, performance-driven approach focusing on efficiency, compliance, and measurable portfolio outcomes.

As the Director of L Residential, Lauren brings a unique perspective as both a property professional and investor, combining strategic oversight with hands-on experience in leasing, tenancy management, and asset performance. Her approach is built on transparency, accountability, and proactive management, ensuring clients are not only informed, but positioned to make confident, data-backed decisions.

Lauren founded L Residential to redefine the investor experience, delivering one point of contact, consistent communication, detailed reporting, and a clear strategy focused on performance, risk management, and long-term asset protection.