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Rental properties come with lots of responsibilities and it can be hard for you to handle everything especially if you have other things that you need to take care of such as running a business. Fortunately, you can be a hands-off kind of property owner, landlord or investor when you hire a property manager. Today there are professional property managers that you can fully trust in handling the property responsibilities as far as managing and leasing the property is concerned.

However, you should select the best and trustable manager to have peace of mind. To do this you can conduct an interview consisting of all relevant questions that make it easier for you to gauge the potential and suitability of the property manager.

What advertising strategies do you use? You want to have a property manager that is aggressive enough to make sure that your property does not remain vacant for long periods. A manager that uses extensive marketing strategies targeting both local and international markets can be an excellent manager for your property. Find out exactly what marketing channels they will use and skills they have around them.

How do you structure your rates? Most property managers charge for property maintenance and watch on a monthly basis and the fees can range depending on the size of the property and the services you want to enjoy from the manager. Choose a manager that offers more for less but still strives for quality service delivery.

What are your agreement termination terms? It is very normal to start a working relationship with a property manager only to realize that they are not what you expected. It makes it very important to find out beforehand what the contract terms are as far as termination goes so you can select a manager that gives you an easier time terminating the agreement. Ask about any penalties that could be attracted by a termination.

How do you conduct tenant applications? You might be desperate to have your property occupied but you also want it to be occupied by the best tenants possible. Find out what process the property manager puts in place to make sure that only the best tenants are given a chance to occupy the property. A vetting process that includes running of credit reports and checking of criminal records, current and past employment as well as proof of income can prove rewarding for you. You can at least have confidence in people renting your property.

How will you handle maintenance and repairs? To retain tenants you must have a property manager that acts swiftly in solving any issues that arise on the property. Find out whether the manager has maintenance crew or a handyman at hand and how they bill such services. Also find out what repairs the manager will be responsible for and how inspections will be done to make sure that tenants are responsible for damages they cause on the property during their tenancy.

Buying and selling property is always tricky, whether you’re a legal resident, buying a vacation home, timeshare, office building or simply investing in the Portuguese real estate market, buying or selling is always an adventure in bureaucracy. As with your home country, there are regulations, requirements and rules to consider. Murphy’s Law holds that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Knowing the ropes, due diligence and expert assistance can make your transaction move forward more easily, if not more smoothly.

Lawyer or no lawyer?

Portuguese law used to require a notary, which is kind of like a minor solicitor, but that is no longer required. It’s a good idea to retain an attorney (avogado) or solicitor (solicitador).

Licensed realtor

Unlicensed realtors abound, so ask for the realtor’s AMI number. It should be printed on all company collateral, such as Web sites, brochures, business cards and letter head.

A licensed realtor has the state-required qualifications and uses the required documentation.
The INCI, the government department regulating real estate, also bonds realtors.
Seller pays the agent’s fees, usually 3% – 5%, plus tax (21%).
The mortgage

Unless it’s a cash transaction, as a buyer you need a mortgage, whether fixed or variable rate. If you go to a Portuguese bank, you’ll need to supply the bank with:

Proof of income, including bank statements
Health records (to be sure you don’t die before you pay the mortgage off)
Life insurance to cover the mortgage (see above)
Property valuation, blueprints, etc.
Residency card, passport and identification
The process

If you are a first-time buyer, you’ll need a fiscal number (cartão de contribuinte) before you can open a bank account.

The local tax office (finanças) can provide you with one, and it’s very easy to obtain.
The bank will also need copies of your birth certificate and passport.
When you’ve agreed a price (buying or selling), there’s a legally binding promissory contract (contrato de compra e venda) to execute.

At that time, a 10% – 20% deposit is required.
A lawyer will (or has already) prepare the contract and it must be signed on licensed premises or before a notary. The contract will include:
Identification of the parties
Identification (article number) of the property
Price
Deposit amount
Signing date (closing date for the final deed-escritura)
Other considerations such as: use of the property before closing, etc.
Once signed, any default incurs penalties:

Seller’s default requires the seller to pay buyer double his deposit
Buyer’s default means seller keeps the deposit
As with any escrow, between signing the promissory contract and final deed, your legal representative will vet the property for:

Deed: use and planning restrictions
Clear title: no outstanding debt, liens, ownership or boundary disputes (unpaid debt follows the property, not the owner, including utilities and taxes)
Habitability: no unapproved building modifications and that the property has an occupancy license (licença de habitação)
Agreed fixtures and fittings in place
Once finalized, you’ll need to register the escritura with the Land Registry (Conservatoria do Registo Predial), tax office (Autoridade Tributária) and utility companies.

Registration with the Land Registry makes you the legal owner.
You’ll need your fiscal number for registration.
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Thinking of living, retiring or buying property in Portugal?

Click here for guides on living in Portugal [http://www.propdom.com/index.php/where/europe/portugal/portugal-overview]

Click here for guides on buying real estate in Portugal [http://www.propdom.com/index.php/where/europe/portugal/portuguese-real-estate]

James Harrison has lived on four continents with his family and is now the founder of PropDom:

PropDom – the worldwide property domain for all things regarding holidaying, buying a second home, investing in property and retiring abroad.

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