Owner FAQs

Q: Do you offer protection from property damages caused by the tenant?

A: We do collect a security deposit from the tenant, which can be up to 2 times the monthly rent per California State Law. When the tenant vacates, the security deposit can be used to cover any unpaid rent, unpaid fees, and damages to the property.

Q: How do you qualify a tenant?

A: Per California Landlord/Tenant Law, we qualify applicants based on Income /Employment Verification; Rental History with Landlord Reference, and Credit Worthiness based on timely payment of credit accounts; bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, collections and evictions. All of this is included in the management fee; there is no extra charge.

Q: How long does it typically take for you to find a qualified tenant to rent out the property?

A: This depends on a few factors. Competitive market price, availability/competition, condition of the property and quality of the amenities. The key is to make sure the property is priced accurately for the market and that the property is marketed through all the appropriate channels.

Q: What avenues does your company use in order to advertise properties for rent?

A: We place a sign in front of your property (whenever possible), a full size detailed ad is posted on Craigslist.com with pictures, as well as advertising on our website. We also advertise in The San Jose Mercury News and other publications as determined by the property manager and the owner.

FEES

Q: Are there fees for contacting maintenance staff/third-party maintenance vendors to perform repairs?

A: No, you would only pay the vendor for their work. Major projects may have a fee involved which would be agreed upon in advance.

Q: Do you add a mark up to work performed by outside vendors?

A: No, we do not charge maintenance override fees. We do not add any mark up to their invoice. If the plumber charges $100, you would be charged $100.

Q: Do you charge fees if the unit is vacant for any of the following reasons: inability to find tenant, tenant moving out, transition periods between finding old and new tenants?

A: No.

Q: Do you charge start-up, turnover, or leasing fees?

A: No.

Q: What are the property management fees?

A: The management fees vary based on the type of property. Please call for more information. If a unit is vacant, we are not collecting a management fee while a tenant is being found.

Q: What is your fee for tenant placement?

A: $0 Our management fee is based solely on the collected monthly rent. If we are not collecting rent for your property, there is no fee.

OTHER QUESTIONS

Q: Does your company provide itemized monthly financial statements?

A: Yes we do. Our monthly statements consist of a computer generated cash flow and a detailed general ledger.

Q: How available is the property management staff to respond to tenant needs?

A: Our office is open Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. In the event of an after hours or weekend emergency, we have an experienced Property Manager on call available to assist the tenants at all times.

Q: How experienced and responsive is your maintenance staff and/or third-party maintenance vendors?

A: Cal Western has a well-experienced and well-rounded maintenance staff. We screen vendors for liability and workers compensation insurance. We have a long list of trusted vendors for virtually anything in needs of repair.

Q: How many properties does your company currently manage?

A: We currently manage approximately 1,000 properties in Santa Clara County.

Q: How much experience does your company have in property management (not including experience in real estate sales)?

A: Cal Western has been doing Property Management since 1969. That is our specialty. We are not a Real Estate Sales Office so we don’t normally sell property. However, the owners are Licensed California Real Estate Brokers so we are able to sell property at the owner’s request.

Q: What steps are taken to ensure that the property is in "rentable" condition? Re-painting walls? Walk through? Etc. Are there charges associated with that?

A: We will coordinate all repairs and walk through inspections needed to ensure the property is in rentable condition. From carpet, linoleum and paint to changing locks, light bulbs, and smoke detector batteries…we can handle everything. We don’t charge for coordinating the repairs. The only charge is the cost of the work.

National Association of Residential Property Managers
Equal Housing Opportunity
National Association of Realtors
Better Business Bureau
California Apartment Association
California Association of Realtors
Multiple Listing Service
Santa Clara County Association of Realtors

What People Are Saying About Us

Google
1.0/5
Aug 14, 2025
Google - Josh Marron - Cal-Western Property Management
Google
1.0/5
Aug 12, 2025
Google - Walter Chen (Walter Chen) - Cal-Western Property Management
Diana Cortez didn't showed up in a rental property. It's so far the worst experience ever. If you don't want to show up, stop your listing. To reply to the owner: Yes. It was confirmed, and I am one of the family on the site. There might only be 2 people making reservation - Their family is more than 2 people. Make sense?
Google
5.0/5
Apr 12, 2025
Google - Lin Yuan - Cal-Western Property Management
I am a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University and have been renting a 1-bedroom apartment in Palo Alto from Patricia Espinoza for the past year and a half. The entire experience has been outstanding! I originally found the listing on Zillow, and from the very beginning, Patricia was incredibly professional, responsive, and reliable. Whether I reached out via text, phone, or email, she was always quick to respond and very helpful. The rent was very reasonable for the area, and it remained consistent throughout the lease—no unexpected increases. That kind of stability and fairness is rare and much appreciated. I highly recommend Patricia and her company to anyone looking for an apartment in the Palo Alto area. You’ll be in great hands!
Google
5.0/5
Jan 16, 2025
Google - John Yiamkis - Cal-Western Property Management
I've had the pleasure of working with Cal-Western Property Management Company, and my experience has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I engaged their services, it was evident that they are committed to delivering top-notch property management solutions. Their team is professional, knowledgeable, and responsive, ensuring that all my property needs are met promptly and efficiently. The attention to detail they demonstrate in managing my property is truly commendable. They handle everything, from routine maintenance to tenant relations, with the utmost care and diligence. One of the standout aspects of Cal-Western Property Management is their proactive approach. They anticipate potential issues before they become problems and offer practical solutions, which gives me peace of mind knowing my property is in good hands. Their transparent communication and regular updates keep me informed about every aspect of my property management. Moreover, their expertise in the local real estate market is invaluable. They provide insightful advice and have helped me make informed decisions that have positively impacted my property's value and performance. In summary, Cal-Western Property Management Company exemplifies excellence in property management. Their dedication, professionalism, and proactive strategies set them apart as industry leaders. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable and top-tier property management.
Google
4.0/5
Nov 7, 2024
Google - Joseph Morrison - Cal-Western Property Management
I rented through Cal-Western Property Management twice and have been satisfied with the prompt responses from the agents. I had to move from the first location in San Jose due to the passing of the condominium owner. I then returned to Cal-Western again when I located an affordable apartment in Sunnyvale, which met my needs. The staff at the office on Winchester were very helpful and seem to enjoy serving the clients needs.
Google
5.0/5
Aug 10, 2024
Google - Kathy Martin - Cal-Western Property Management
Grace Salgado at Cal-Western is detailed-oriented and went above and beyond in a professional and friendly manner.
Google
2.0/5
Dec 26, 2023
Google - AJ - Cal-Western Property Management
Google
5.0/5
Dec 20, 2023
Google - Babu Pillai - Cal-Western Property Management
I worked with Mary Joy from Cal-Western for my home rental needs. My experience was awesome. Our need was urgent as we lost our home in a fire and in dire need for a place to stay and start rebuilding. Mary Joy was instrumental in helping us get in to the house quickly. She worked with our temporary housing agent and was able to get the approval done in less than a day. She also helped us get information on furniture rentals and moved the application quickly so we were able to move in with in less than a week. She was also a joy to work with with an everlasting smile on the face. Cal-western also has a website where we can do rental payments, raise maintenance requests quickly. I will recommend this company for anyone searching for a home.
Google
5.0/5
Oct 7, 2023
Google - Jennifer Flora - Cal-Western Property Management
Thank you Sara for reaching helping us get after hours in getting a Plummer to our apartment so quickly! You’re the best!
Google
5.0/5
Sep 12, 2023
Google - Poojan Patel - Cal-Western Property Management
Share Your Experience

Want to Learn More?

If you’d like to learn more about our properties and what it’s like to work with Cal-Western Property Management, get in touch. We’d be happy to talk more about our rental properties, our application requirements, and our leasing process.

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Cal-Western Property Management

1270 South Winchester Blvd., Suite 127 San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 554-1818
Toll Free: (800) 393-1818
(408) 246-8941
info@calwestern.com
DRE #: 01191882