What Better Way Properties Offers Property Owners and Tenants in South Carolina

Better Way Properties manages residential rentals across South Carolina with a focus on single-family homes and small multifamily properties

Better Way Properties is a South Carolina-based property management company that handles day-to-day operations for landlords who own rental homes and small apartment buildings. The company takes on tasks like finding and screening tenants, collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, and managing lease agreements. If you own rental property in South Carolina and want someone else to run it, or if you are renting from a Better Way Properties-managed property, understanding how the company works helps you know what to expect.

The company operates across multiple South Carolina markets and works with owners of varying portfolio sizes—from people with one or two homes to those managing larger holdings. Better Way Properties handles the administrative and operational side of being a landlord, which means owners can step back from day-to-day tenant communication and repair coordination.

Key Takeaways

• Better Way Properties manages residential rental properties for owners who want to outsource landlord responsibilities like tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance coordination.
• The company works with single-family homes and small multifamily properties across South Carolina, not commercial or large institutional portfolios.
• Property owners should understand what services are included in the management fee and what costs are passed through separately, such as repairs or vacancy periods.
• Tenants renting from Better Way Properties-managed homes should know how to submit maintenance requests, pay rent, and contact the company with questions or disputes.

What Services Better Way Properties Typically Provides

Property management companies in South Carolina generally offer a core set of services, and Better Way Properties follows this model. The company handles tenant screening—running background checks, verifying income, and checking rental history before approving someone to move in. Once a tenant is in place, Better Way Properties collects rent, tracks payments, and follows up on late or missing payments according to the lease and South Carolina law.

Maintenance coordination is another central service. When a tenant reports a broken appliance, a plumbing issue, or a roof leak, Better Way Properties receives the request, arranges for a contractor or repair person to assess and fix the problem, and handles the billing. The company also manages lease renewals, handles move-out inspections, and coordinates cleaning or repairs between tenants. For owners, this means they are not fielding calls at odd hours or scrambling to find a plumber on a Saturday.

Better Way Properties also handles the legal and financial paperwork—preparing leases, documenting lease violations, and in some cases initiating eviction proceedings if a tenant stops paying or breaks the lease. The company provides owners with regular reports on property performance, rent collected, expenses incurred, and any issues that need attention.

How Management Fees Work

Property management companies charge owners a fee for their services, typically calculated as a percentage of the monthly rent collected. This percentage varies by company and by market, and it may also depend on the number of properties you own or the complexity of managing them. Better Way Properties, like other firms, charges a management fee, but the exact amount depends on your specific agreement with the company.

Beyond the management fee, owners should expect to pay for actual expenses separately. If a tenant's water heater fails and needs replacement, the owner pays for the new unit and installation—the management fee does not cover that. Similarly, if a property sits vacant between tenants, the owner is responsible for the lost rent, though the management company is still working to find a new tenant. Before signing a management agreement, owners should ask for a clear breakdown of what the fee covers and what costs are billed separately.

What Tenants Should Know About Renting from Better Way Properties

If you are renting a home or apartment managed by Better Way Properties, the company is the intermediary between you and the owner. You pay rent to Better Way Properties (or to an account they designate), and you contact them with maintenance requests, lease questions, or concerns about the property. The lease you sign is a legal contract between you and the owner, but Better Way Properties enforces it on the owner's behalf.

Maintenance requests should be submitted through the method outlined in your lease or in communications from the company—this might be a phone number, an online portal, or an email address. Emergency repairs (a burst pipe, no heat in winter, or a security issue) should be reported immediately and marked as urgent. Non-emergency repairs (a squeaky door, a slow drain, or a cracked window) are typically handled within a longer timeframe, often 7 to 14 days depending on South Carolina's landlord-tenant laws and the lease terms.

If you have a dispute with the property owner—over a security deposit deduction, a lease violation notice, or a maintenance issue the company is not addressing—South Carolina law gives you specific rights. You can contact the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or seek legal advice. Better Way Properties must follow state law regardless of what the lease says, so knowing your rights protects you if a situation escalates.

How to Contact Better Way Properties

Better Way Properties maintains a physical office and phone line for both owners and tenants to reach them. Owners typically have a dedicated account manager or contact person, while tenants can call the main office with questions or to report maintenance issues. The company's website or lease documents should list the phone number, mailing address, and any online portal where you can submit requests or check account status.

Response times vary depending on the nature of your request. Rent payment questions and lease inquiries are usually handled within one business day. Maintenance requests are logged and prioritized based on urgency—emergency repairs get faster response than routine ones. If you cannot reach someone by phone, sending an email or using an online portal creates a written record of your request, which is useful if you need to document that you reported an issue.

Understanding South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Law and Property Management

South Carolina has specific rules about how landlords and property managers must operate, and these rules apply to Better Way Properties just as they do to any individual owner. The state requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions, return security deposits within 30 days of move-out (with an itemized list of any deductions), and provide proper notice before entering a rental property. Property managers must follow these rules on behalf of the owner.

If you are an owner, working with a property management company does not shield you from liability if the company breaks the law. You remain responsible for ensuring the property meets code, that tenants' rights are respected, and that the company is handling finances correctly. If you are a tenant, you have the same rights whether the property is managed by a company or by the owner directly. South Carolina law is the baseline, and the lease cannot take away your legal rights.

Comparing Better Way Properties to Other Options

South Carolina has many property management companies, from large regional firms to small independent operators. Better Way Properties focuses on residential properties and smaller portfolios, which means they may be a good fit if you own one to several homes or small apartment buildings. Larger companies might offer more sophisticated software or more staff, but they may also charge higher fees or be less responsive to individual owner concerns. Smaller or independent managers might be more flexible, but they may lack the systems or backup staff that a larger company provides.

Some owners manage their own properties to avoid fees and maintain direct control. This works if you have time, knowledge of local law, and the ability to respond to emergencies. It does not work if you live out of state, have multiple properties, or do not want to handle tenant conflicts and repair coordination. Better Way Properties and similar companies exist because property management is time-consuming and requires knowledge of law, contractor networks, and tenant screening—skills not every owner has or wants to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I want to leave Better Way Properties and manage my property myself?

You can terminate your management agreement by giving notice according to the terms of your contract—usually 30 to 60 days. Better Way Properties will transition your property by providing final accounting, returning any escrow funds, and transferring tenant files and lease documents to you. Make sure you understand your state's requirements for security deposit handling and tenant communication before taking over.

Can Better Way Properties evict a tenant?

Better Way Properties can initiate eviction proceedings on behalf of the owner, but only a South Carolina court can order an eviction. The company must follow state law, which requires proper notice to the tenant and filing in the correct court. Evictions take time—typically several weeks to months—and the owner pays court and attorney fees. Better Way Properties handles the paperwork, but the owner bears the cost and the legal responsibility.

What if I disagree with a maintenance decision Better Way Properties made?

If you are an owner and believe the company made a poor repair choice or overpaid a contractor, you can raise it with your account manager and request documentation of the work and cost. If you are a tenant and think a repair was done poorly, you can request that it be redone or contact South Carolina's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation if the issue affects habitability. Documenting problems in writing creates a record if you need to pursue a complaint later.

Does Better Way Properties handle evictions for non-payment in South Carolina?

Yes, property management companies in South Carolina can file for eviction if a tenant does not pay rent or breaks the lease. The process requires proper notice (usually 5 days for non-payment) and filing in magistrate court. Better Way Properties handles the filing and court coordination, but the owner pays the court costs. The tenant has the right to appear in court and defend themselves, and the court decides whether to order eviction.

How do I know if Better Way Properties is licensed and legitimate?

South Carolina does not require property managers to hold a specific license, but the company should be registered as a business with the South Carolina Secretary of State. You can verify this online. Ask for references from other owners they manage for, check online reviews, and request a detailed service agreement before signing. A legitimate company provides clear pricing, responds to questions, and maintains professional communication.