Basically I am an onsite manager but also have a real estate license and have several off-site management gigs. On the block that I live and manage, there is what looks like a very poorly managed 14 unit building, which I know I could handle much better. There has been a vacancy in one of the units for over 6 months now and I am having a hard time finding it advertised anywhere aside for some street flags and sign. Based on the sign it is managed by one of the larger companies here in Los Angeles. Is it wrong of me to write the owner a letter stating I could get the place rented and manage the property more efficiently since I live right next door. Is this violating an existing contract? In real estate sales you wouldnt approach an owner until a listing expires. Thanks in advance.

Disclosure: I am neither a property manager or an agent so I am not familiar with the applicable laws or any existing written ethics guidelines. That being said, this may be one of those gray areas like trying to steal away employees from other companies - it's legal but may be sort of shady.

Then again, I see poor management in my local market all day long and to be frank, those managers don't deserve the business. They are doing a disservice to the property owners and to the community. Personally, I'd go ahead and do it.

VAinvestor, great disclosure...so I will state the same I am neither a property manager or an agent so I am not familiar with the applicable laws or any existing written ethics guidelines.

real estate agents send out flyers everyday to potential listings in the neighborhood and insert disclose at bottom that usually reads something like, "this advertising is not intended to solicit business from another agency"

In my opinion, I would contact the owner. You were not alerted of the property from the current property managers advertisements. It is not like because of some action for the current management company you found them.

You are simply next door. This is a competitive world, you have every right to call on that business.