Question 1

What's the minimum association size you manage?

Accepted Answer

We work with associations from 12 to 250 units. Our sweet spot is 12–250+ units, where the operational complexity justifies senior-level management. For associations under 12 units, we refer to specialist firms better suited to that scale.

Question 2

How does your Finance-Only tier work?

Accepted Answer

Finance-Only is a productized tier for self-managing boards that need professional financial oversight. It includes dues collection, AR/AP, monthly financial statements, board portal access, annual budget preparation, and 1099 prep. Operations remain with your board. It is a clean entry point with a clear upgrade path to Full-Service.

Question 3

How do you handle the transition from our current management company?

Accepted Answer

We handle the entire transition — document collection, financial cutover, vendor introductions, and resident notification. Most transitions complete in 30–60 days with zero gap in service. Your board does not manage the transition; we do.

Question 4

What credentials does your team hold?

Accepted Answer

Our senior property managers hold Illinois real estate licenses. We are active members of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Our team participates in ongoing education on Illinois condo law, the Chicago RLTO, and reserve study methodology.

Question 5

How quickly will we hear back when we contact you?

Accepted Answer

Every inbound communication receives a substantive response within 4 business hours — not an auto-reply, a real answer from a real person. For after-hours emergencies, our 24/7 line is staffed by Angel, our receptionist, with immediate escalation to the on-call team.

Question 6

What does Maintenance-Only service include?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance-Only includes 24/7 inbound tenant maintenance calls, work order dispatch, vendor coordination, repair documentation, and owner notifications. You keep control of leasing, rent collection, and tenant relationships. It is designed for self-managing landlords who want to eliminate the maintenance burden without giving up full control.

Question 7

Do I have to pay management fees if my unit is vacant?

Accepted Answer

No. Our Full-Service rental management fees are based on collected rent. If a unit is vacant and not generating rent, you do not pay a management fee for that unit. We align our incentives with yours.

Question 8

How quickly do you respond to tenant maintenance requests?

Accepted Answer

Angel handles all inbound maintenance calls 24/7. Routine requests are dispatched within one business day. Emergency requests — no heat, flooding, gas leak — are escalated immediately to the on-call team and our sister company, My Handyman Chicago.

Question 9

What does your free rental analysis include?

Accepted Answer

A market-driven rental estimate for any Chicago property — comparable units currently on the market, recent lease comps, neighborhood trend data, and our recommendations on pricing and positioning. No sales call required. We send a written report, not a verbal estimate.

Question 10

How is Altus different from other Chicago property managers?

Accepted Answer

Three things: we serve both associations and rental owners under one roof with equally deep expertise; we have a tiered service model (Finance-Only, Maintenance-Only) that no competitor offers in productized form; and our sister company, My Handyman Chicago, gives every client access to integrated maintenance without vendor markups. We are also investor-led — our principals own investment property, so we manage yours the way we manage ours.

Property Management Insights
for Chicago Boards & Investors.

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