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Salem, MA · Essex County
Property Management in Salem, MA
Full-service management for Salem rental owners: tenant placement, rent collection, maintenance and accounting for historic homes, condos, 2-4 family homes and small commercial space.
Current tenant? Pay rent or request maintenance in the tenant portal
The Salem rental market
Renting Out a Property in Salem
Salem is a coastal North Shore city with one of the best transit links in the region. Salem station, downtown on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line, is about a 30-minute ride to North Station, and the seasonal Salem Ferry runs to Long Wharf in Boston. Salem State University in South Salem and a busy downtown keep plenty of people looking for a place to rent.
The housing is old and varied. The McIntire Historic District, just west of downtown, holds one of the largest concentrations of pre-1900 homes in the country, including the Federal-era mansions of Chestnut Street. The Point, south of downtown, was rebuilt after the Great Salem Fire of 1914 with brick row houses, apartment buildings and multi-family homes. Two- and three-family houses and condo conversions fill in much of the rest of the city.
Then there is October. Haunted Happenings draws close to half a million visitors, the MBTA adds weekend trains and detours buses, and downtown traffic and parking get tight. If your rental is near downtown, tenants will want to know how parking works that month.
Services
What We Handle for Salem Owners
One team for the tenant, the rent, the repairs and the books.
Tenant placement & leasing
Salem renters range from Salem State students and staff to commuters who walk to the train. We market the property to the right audience, screen applicants and prepare the lease. Tenant placement and leasing services
Rent collection
Rent is collected and reconciled every month in Buildium, so you can see what came in and what went out. How our rent collection works
Maintenance & repairs
Older Salem homes need steady upkeep: porches, roofs, heating systems and paint. We handle service requests, repairs and renovations, plus snow and grass, through our network of contractors, plumbers, painters and handymen. Property maintenance and repairs
Accounting & reporting
Monthly owner statements, expense tracking and bill pay, and year-end 1099s and tax-ready reports, overseen by a founder with a CPA background. Rental property accounting
Good to know
What Salem Landlords Should Know
A few rules and local realities that come up with Salem rentals.
Older homes and the Massachusetts lead law
Much of Salem’s housing was built long before 1978. Under the state lead law, before a lease is signed on a pre-1978 rental, the owner must give the tenant the Tenant Lead Law Notification form and any lead inspection or compliance letters. If a child under six lives there, the unit must be deleaded or brought under interim control.
Historic district reviews
Properties in Salem’s local historic districts, including the McIntire District, need Salem Historical Commission approval for many exterior changes visible from the street. Check before you replace windows, doors, porches or siding.
Security deposits and last month’s rent
At move-in a landlord may collect only first month’s rent, last month’s rent, a security deposit of no more than one month’s rent, and the cost of a new lock. Deposits must be held in a separate interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank, and tenants are owed interest on both the deposit and last month’s rent each year.
October in Salem
Downtown gets crowded on October weekends. Clear parking rules and good communication with tenants make the month go more smoothly.
General information only, not legal advice. Sources on mass.gov: Tenant Lead Law Notification, security deposit rules.
Nearby
Nearby Towns We Serve
Own rentals in more than one town? We manage across Metro North and the North Shore.
FAQ
Salem Property Management FAQ
Do you manage rentals near Salem State University?
Yes. We serve owners throughout Salem, including South Salem near the university, downtown, The Point, North Salem and the Willows.
Do you manage multi-family homes in Salem?
Yes. We manage 2-4 family homes, along with single-family homes, condos and small commercial properties.
How do Salem tenants request repairs?
Tenants log in to our Buildium tenant portal, where maintenance and service requests are tracked until the work is done. They can also pay rent online there.
How do I get started?
Call (617) 819-2485 or request a free rental analysis through our contact form, and tell us a little about your Salem property.
Own a Rental in Salem?
Request a free rental analysis and our team will be in touch.