Why the interview matters
Many foreign owners hire the first English-speaking manager they meet—and discover gaps only after a missed cleaning or an unexplained repair invoice. A short, structured conversation protects both sides.
Use these questions when you compare companies on RunMyRental’s property management category, or when a cleaner/caretaker offers “full management” as an add-on.
Scope of service
Ask what is included every month versus charged per job:
- Which towns and building types do you actually cover today?
- Do you manage short-term rentals, long-term tenancies, or both?
- Who handles guest messaging, and during which hours?
- Are cleaning, linen, and key handover in-house or subcontracted?
- What happens if two turnovers land on the same afternoon in peak season?
- Will I have one named contact, or a rotating team?
If cleaning is subcontracted, ask whether you can meet the cleaner and see the checklist they use.
Fees and money movement
Avoid vague “standard commission” answers:
- How is the management fee calculated (percent of rent, flat monthly fee, per turnover)?
- What is excluded: deep cleans, consumables, parking, laundry, platform fees, contractor mark-ups?
- How quickly are guest payouts or rent forwarded to the owner?
- Do you take a mark-up on repairs, and is it disclosed on invoices?
- What deposit or float do you require for emergencies?
- Can you share a sample monthly statement (anonymised)?
Write the fee formula into the contract. Verbal “about 20%” is not enough.
Guest experience and house rules
For short-term rentals, clarity prevents review damage:
- Who writes or edits listing copy and photos?
- Who sets pricing, minimum stays, and discounts?
- How do you handle late check-ins, luggage storage, and early departures?
- What is your noise / party policy, and who enforces it on site?
- How fast do you respond to guest messages at night?
- Which languages can your team use with guests?
Ask for examples of how they handled a complaint in the last season (without sharing private guest data).
Maintenance and emergencies
Remote owners need hard limits:
- What can you approve without calling me?
- Which tradespeople do you use for plumbing, AC, and electrics?
- How do you document damage before and after guests?
- What is the emergency protocol for leaks, power cuts, or lockouts?
- Do you coordinate with the building manager / HOA?
Request photo reports for any repair above your approval threshold.
Reporting, access, and data
- How often will I receive occupancy, revenue, and cost reports?
- Which tools do you use (spreadsheet, PMS, WhatsApp-only)?
- Who holds keys, codes, and platform login access?
- How do you return access and data if I end the contract?
- Are owner funds kept separate from company operating cash?
If a company resists giving a written offboarding process, treat that as a risk signal.
Compliance and paperwork
Do not expect a manager to replace your accountant, but do ask:
- Which registration or tourist-stay tasks do you perform for owners?
- Which documents do you need from a non-resident owner?
- Who is responsible if a guest stay is not reported correctly?
- Can you work with my lawyer or tax adviser?
Verify legal and tax duties independently. A directory listing is not a recommendation or guarantee.
Red flags
Pause if you hear:
- No written contract or only a one-page “gentleman’s agreement”.
- Unwillingness to itemise cleaning and repair costs.
- Guaranteed occupancy or income figures without assumptions.
- Pressure to hand over all platform logins before you see a sample report.
- No local phone number or no ability to visit the apartment with you (or a proxy).
A compact scorecard
Score each candidate 1–5 on: local coverage, communication, fee clarity, cleaning quality process, maintenance network, and reporting. Hire the highest total that you also trust in a 30-minute call.
Related reading
For the wider remote-owner setup—not only the manager interview—see How to manage a rental apartment remotely in Montenegro.
Sources
- Common commercial terms used by coastal property managers and caretakers.
- Contract and tax details should be reviewed with your own lawyer or accountant.
- Do not treat marketing claims as verified performance.