Fowler Company: Property Management Services in South Carolina

What Fowler Company Does

Fowler Company is a property management firm based in South Carolina that handles residential and commercial properties on behalf of owners. The company takes on day-to-day operations—tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and lease enforcement—so property owners do not have to manage those tasks themselves.

If you own rental property in South Carolina and are looking into hiring someone to run it, Fowler Company is one option to research. Understanding what a property manager does, what Fowler Company specifically offers, and how to evaluate whether they fit your needs will help you make an informed decision about your property.

Key Takeaways

• Fowler Company handles tenant relations, rent collection, maintenance requests, and lease compliance for property owners across South Carolina.
• Property managers like Fowler Company typically charge a percentage of monthly rent or a flat fee, which varies by property type and location.
• Before hiring any property manager, you should review their service agreement in detail, including what is covered, what costs extra, and how disputes are resolved.
• South Carolina does not require property managers to be licensed, so verify the company's experience, references, and insurance coverage independently.

Services Property Managers Typically Provide

Property managers handle the operational side of owning rental property. This usually includes finding and screening tenants, collecting rent, responding to maintenance requests, enforcing lease terms, and handling tenant disputes. Some managers also handle evictions, coordinate repairs and upgrades, manage utilities or common areas, and prepare financial reports for owners.

The exact scope depends on what you and the property manager agree to in writing. Some owners want full-service management; others hire a manager only to collect rent and handle emergencies. Your service agreement should spell out which tasks are included in the base fee and which cost extra. Common add-ons include eviction handling, capital improvements, and specialized maintenance like HVAC or pool service.

How Property Management Fees Work

Property managers in South Carolina typically charge either a percentage of monthly rent collected or a flat monthly fee. Percentage-based fees often range from 8 to 12 percent of rent, though this varies by market, property type, and the scope of services. Flat fees are less common but may be offered for simple situations like single-family homes with stable tenants.

Beyond the base management fee, you may pay separately for leasing (finding new tenants), eviction costs, maintenance markups, or emergency services. Some companies charge a one-time setup fee when you first sign on. Before you commit, ask for a written breakdown of all potential costs and which services are included in the base fee versus which are billed separately.

What to Review Before Hiring

South Carolina does not require property managers to hold a state license, so the burden falls on you to verify their qualifications. Request references from current and former clients—ideally owners with properties similar to yours. Ask those references about communication responsiveness, how the company handles maintenance emergencies, and whether actual costs matched what was quoted.

Review the service agreement line by line before signing. Confirm what services are included, what the fee structure is, how long the contract runs, what happens if you want to terminate early, and how disputes are handled. Ask whether the company carries errors and omissions insurance and liability coverage. Check whether they are bonded (a bond protects you if the company mishandles rent money or deposits). Get everything in writing—verbal promises do not hold up if a problem arises.

Understanding Tenant Screening and Lease Enforcement

A key function of property management is screening prospective tenants. This typically involves credit checks, background checks, income verification, and reference calls from previous landlords. The goal is to reduce the risk of non-payment or lease violations. However, screening must comply with fair housing laws—the company cannot discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status.

Once a tenant is in place, the property manager enforces the lease terms—collecting rent on time, responding to complaints from other tenants, documenting lease violations, and initiating eviction if necessary. South Carolina has specific procedures for eviction, and a property manager should know them. If the company handles evictions, confirm that they follow state law and that you understand the timeline and costs involved.

Maintenance and Emergency Response

Property managers coordinate repairs and maintenance on your behalf. This includes responding to tenant requests, scheduling contractors, and ensuring work is done to code. Some managers have preferred vendors they work with regularly; others solicit bids for larger jobs. Ask how the company handles emergency repairs (burst pipes, no heat in winter, electrical hazards) and whether there is a 24/7 contact number.

Clarify who approves repairs and at what cost threshold. Many managers have authority to approve small repairs up to a certain amount (say, $500) without contacting you, but require your approval for anything larger. This speeds up response time but means you need to trust the manager's judgment. Confirm that the company will get competitive bids for major work and provide you with documentation of all repairs and costs.

Financial Reporting and Record-Keeping

Property managers should provide regular financial reports showing rent collected, expenses paid, and the net income from your property. Most companies send monthly or quarterly statements. These reports are important for tax purposes—your accountant will need them to file your tax return. Confirm what format the reports come in, how often you receive them, and whether you can access them online.

Ask how the company handles rent deposits and security deposits. Rent money should go into a business account and be distributed to you on a regular schedule. Security deposits must be held separately and accounted for according to South Carolina law. If a tenant moves out, the manager should document the property condition, deduct legitimate damages or unpaid rent, and return the remainder to the tenant within the timeframe required by law. Mishandling deposits is a common source of disputes, so understand the process in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a property manager, or can I manage my rental myself?

You can manage your own property, but it requires time, knowledge of tenant law, and availability to handle emergencies. A property manager handles those tasks for a fee. The decision depends on how many properties you own, how much time you have, and whether you want to be involved in day-to-day decisions.

What happens if I want to end my contract with a property manager?

That depends on your service agreement. Some contracts require 30 or 60 days' notice; others lock you in for a year. Read the termination clause carefully before you sign. Ask what happens to tenant files, security deposits, and rent collected during the notice period.

Can a property manager evict a tenant?

Yes, if your service agreement includes eviction services. South Carolina requires following specific legal steps, including written notice and a court filing. The process typically takes several weeks. Confirm that the company knows South Carolina law and will handle it correctly, because mistakes can delay the eviction or give the tenant grounds to challenge it.

What if there is a dispute between me and the property manager?

Your service agreement should outline how disputes are resolved—whether through mediation, arbitration, or court. Review this clause before signing. If a serious problem arises, document everything in writing and refer to the contract terms. If the company has bonding or insurance, you may be able to file a claim.

How do I know if a property manager is handling my money correctly?

Request regular financial statements and compare them to rent you know was collected. Ask to see the separate account where security deposits are held. If numbers do not add up, ask for an explanation in writing. South Carolina law requires property managers to account for tenant money properly, and violations can be reported to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.