Frequently asked questions about property management services in Charleston, SC. Happy Homes Property Manager is a veteran-owned company founded in 2016, managing residential rentals across Charleston, Daniel Island, Goose Creek, Hanahan, James Island, Johns Island, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and West Ashley. Below you’ll find answers about our pricing (10% of monthly rent, $150 minimum), tenant screening process, maintenance response, military discounts, and more.
Got questions about property management in Charleston? We’ve got answers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, reach out or call us at (843) 608-8845.
Services & Pricing
What’s included in your management fee?
We handle tenant placement, rent collection, maintenance coordination, financial reporting, and legal compliance. Full service is 10% of monthly rent with a $150 minimum. You only pay the management fee when rent is collected — if your property is vacant, you don’t pay.
What’s the tenant placement fee?
Tenant Placement Only is one month’s rent with a $2,000 minimum, plus a $400 onboarding fee. This includes a free rental market analysis, advertising on all major platforms, and full tenant screening with background checks. See our pricing page for details.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Our pricing is straightforward. The only add-on is a 12% surcharge for pre-1978 homes due to EPA-required lead-based paint protocols on all work orders. Everything else is included in your management fee.
Do you offer a military discount?
Yes. We’re a veteran-owned company and we offer a discount to active duty service members and veterans. Contact us for details.
What’s the difference between Full Service and Executive Rental?
Full Service covers standard long-term rentals (12+ month leases). Executive Rental is for fully-furnished, longer-stay setups in desirable Charleston areas — it includes hands-on management of utility and internet issues and is structured for the longer-stay resident experience.
Tenant Screening
How do you screen tenants?
We run credit checks, criminal and eviction history, employment and income verification, rental references, and pet screening where relevant. Our screening is designed to reduce turnover and protect your investment. We have a 92% resident renewal rate — that starts with placing the right people.
What are the red flags you look for in applications?
Inconsistent employment history, unverifiable references, prior evictions, credit scores that don’t match income claims, and gaps in rental history. We also verify that the income-to-rent ratio meets our standards. Learn more in our screening shifts guide.
What are your selection criteria?
We publish our full selection criteria so applicants know what to expect. You can review them at our selection criteria page.
Maintenance & Emergencies
Do you handle maintenance emergencies 24/7?
Yes. We provide 24/7/365 emergency response with a clear intake path and a vetted network of local contractors. Residents can submit repair requests online, and owners can track request status through the owner portal.
Do I need to approve every repair?
We offer flexible options. You can choose full service (we handle everything) or set an approval threshold so we get your sign-off on repairs over a certain amount. Either way, you have portal visibility into every maintenance request.
How does Charleston’s humidity and salt air affect maintenance?
Lowcountry conditions are tough on properties. HVAC systems, exterior paint, roofing, and outdoor fixtures all have shorter lifespans here than national averages. We build that into our preventive maintenance schedules. Check our component life expectancy guide and maintenance schedules for specifics.
Legal & Compliance
Do you handle evictions?
Yes. We manage the eviction process in compliance with South Carolina law, including the 5-day “Pay or Quit” notice and all required court filings. See our eviction process guide for the full step-by-step.
What happens with the security deposit when a tenant moves out?
South Carolina law gives landlords 30 days after move-out to return the security deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions. Miss that deadline and you could owe up to three times the deposit. We handle the move-out inspection, documentation, and deposit accounting. Details in our compliance checklist.
Is your company licensed under SC House Bill 3864?
Yes. We’re fully licensed and compliant with HB 3864’s property management licensure requirements. We know South Carolina’s landlord-tenant laws inside and out. Learn more about what the bill means for owners in our HB 3864 guide.
Service Areas & Getting Started
What areas do you serve?
We serve the entire Charleston Tri-County Lowcountry area: Charleston, Daniel Island, Goose Creek, Hanahan, James Island, Johns Island, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and West Ashley.
How do I get started?
Start with a free rental analysis — we’ll tell you what your property could rent for and recommend the best management package for your situation. Fill out the form on our homepage or call us at (843) 608-8845.
Can I switch from another property manager?
Absolutely. We handle the transition so there’s no gap in coverage. Review your current contract’s termination terms (most have 30-60 day notice), then we coordinate the handover of leases, tenant records, and security deposits. We’ll make sure your tenants are notified properly as required by SC law.
Do you manage short-term or Airbnb rentals?
No. We focus exclusively on long-term residential rentals (12+ month leases). This lets us build real relationships with residents and deliver consistent results for owners.
Owner Resources
What kind of reporting do I get?
Monthly financial statements, annual tax statements, and 24/7 access to your owner portal. You can see real-time ledger updates, maintenance requests, and repair approvals without chasing anyone for answers.
What’s a good ROI for a rental property in Charleston?
That depends on your neighborhood, property type, and financing. We’ve put together a Charleston ROI & maintenance reserve guide that walks through the math, and our best neighborhoods guide breaks down where the strongest returns are right now.
How do I set the right rental rate?
We provide a free rental market analysis as part of onboarding. For a deeper look at pricing strategy, check our guide to setting competitive rental rates.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help. Give us a call or fill out a quick form.