So you try again. Just a “Hey, any update on the plumbing situation?” kind of thing.
And… still nothing.
If your property manager has mysteriously disappeared into the ether, leaving your emails unread and your questions unanswered, it might be time to ask the uncomfortable question: Are you being ghosted?
I know, “ghosting” feels like something that should only happen on dating apps. But let’s be real. In the rental world, it’s a modern horror story of its own. And it’s surprisingly common.
First, let’s define what ghosting looks like in property management
Not every slow reply is a red flag. People get busy. But if days (or weeks) go by with no response, no update, no acknowledgment, not even a “working on it”, that’s more than being swamped. That’s avoidance. And possibly neglect.
Some of the classic ghosting symptoms?
- Repeatedly ignoring emails or texts
- Never answering your calls (and never calling back)
- Promising updates or repairs that never happen
- Acting like your concerns are “no big deal”
- Making you feel like you’re the annoying one for following up
If any of that rings a bell, you might not be dealing with just a busy professional. You might be dealing with a bad property manager. Yep, I said it.
Let’s talk about the red flags you shouldn’t brush off
1. They disappear the moment the lease is signed
This one’s sneaky. Before you sign on, they’re charming, helpful, and ultra-responsive. After? Crickets. Suddenly, it’s like they took your rent money and vanished into another dimension.
As Chandler Property Management puts it, a good property manager doesn’t treat tenants like checkboxes on a to-do list. They’re supposed to maintain the property, not just cash rent checks. If they’re MIA from the jump, that’s not “laid-back.” That’s lazy.
2. Maintenance requests go into a black hole
Things break. Toilets clog. Appliances rebel. It’s normal. But it’s not normal for weeks to go by without a fix.
The majority of renters say “slow maintenance response” is their top frustration. You’re not being picky by expecting your living space to be, you know… livable.
If your repair requests vanish without a trace, your property manager isn’t doing their job. And yes, it is their job.
3. You’re always chasing them down
Ever feel like you’re doing all the work to keep the conversation going? Like you’re managing the manager?
That’s a red flag. You shouldn’t have to become a full-time email stalker just to get basic answers. And if they only reply when it’s time to raise the rent or issue a warning? Yeah. That’s not communication. That’s convenient. For them.
Okay, but is it always ghosting?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes it’s not about malice or laziness, sometimes it’s just an overwhelmed manager juggling too many properties and not enough support. Still not great for you, but different from outright negligence.
If they occasionally drop the ball but make an effort to own it and improve? That’s a human mistake. If they consistently ignore you and never seem to care? That’s a pattern. A bad one.
What to do if you think your property manager is ghosting you
First, document everything. I know it’s boring. But paper trails matter. Save emails. Take pictures. Log when you contacted them and what it was about.
Second, give them a chance. A direct, clear message like:
“Hi, I’ve reached out a few times about [issue]. I need an update by [reasonable deadline], or I’ll need to escalate this.”
Sometimes a gentle-but-firm nudge is enough to wake someone up. Sometimes it isn’t.
If they still don’t respond, you may need to go above them (like contacting the management company or landlord directly) or, in serious cases, check your local tenant rights. You do have options. And ghosting isn’t something you just have to put up with.
Why this matters more than you might think
Unresponsive property managers aren’t just annoying. They can cost you in time, in money, and in peace of mind. Whether it’s a leak that turns into water damage or a broken lock that never gets fixed, the consequences pile up.
And frankly, renters are not powerless here. You’re paying for more than four walls. You’re paying for livability, safety, and decent treatment. Basic stuff. Or at least it should be.
One last thing: trust your gut
If you constantly feel like you’re being ignored, undervalued, or left in the dark, that’s not a small thing. That’s your gut waving a big red flag.
Property managers are supposed to make your life easier, not harder. They’re supposed to be the bridge between you and the property owner. If they’ve ghosted you, that bridge might be broken.
And you deserve better than that.
