Finding a trustworthy property management company has never been more important, or more confusing.
Property owners today are bombarded with paid “best of” lists, polished websites, glowing testimonials, and online ads that all promise the same thing: better tenants, higher rents, and less stress. At the same time, rental scams, fake listings, and unverified management companies have become more common, especially in large, high-demand markets like Chicago.
So how do you actually know if a property management company is legitimate, experienced, and capable of protecting your investment?
One increasingly reliable way is third-party, performance-based verification. That is exactly why Landmark Property Management was recently ranked #1 Property Management Company in Chicago and #6 nationally by PropertyManagement.com, based not on votes or paid placement, but on verified operational data.
This article breaks down how landlords can verify a property management company, what performance-based rankings really measure, and why Landmark’s data-driven results matter if you are evaluating management options.
Why Property Owners Are More Cautious Than Ever
Many landlords start their search for a property manager after a bad experience.
Some have dealt with:
Poor communication
Late or missing rent payments
High vacancy and turnover
Inconsistent financial reporting
Compliance mistakes that create legal risk
Others are simply cautious because they have heard stories about rental fraud or unlicensed operators. Online forums and consumer watchdog sites are full of examples where renters or owners were asked to wire money, deal with unverified representatives, or interact with companies that turned out to be shell operations.
In a market as regulated and tenant-friendly as Chicago, choosing the wrong management company can cost far more than management fees. That is why verification, transparency, and measurable performance matter more than ever.
Landmark Ranked #1 in Chicago and #6 Nationally Based on Real Data
In 2025, Landmark Property Management was ranked:
#1 Property Management Company in Chicago
#6 Property Management Company in the United States
This recognition came from PropertyManagement.com, a national platform that evaluates property managers using its proprietary TrueMatch™ scoring system.
Unlike many industry awards, this ranking is:
Not based on popularity
Not influenced by advertising spend
Not pay-to-play
Not driven by self-submitted testimonials alone
Instead, it is based on verified performance data, compliance checks, and owner validation.
Landmark earned a TrueMatch Score of 95.70%, reflecting strong results across cost efficiency, trust, experience, and operational performance.
What Is TrueMatch™ and Why It Matters to Landlords
TrueMatch™ is PropertyManagement.com’s data-driven verification system designed to help property owners identify capable, legitimate property management companies.
Rather than relying solely on marketing claims or online reviews, TrueMatch evaluates managers using real operational indicators that directly affect owners’ returns and risk exposure.
Key principles of TrueMatch verification include:
Data-Driven Scoring
TrueMatch scores are calculated using actual performance data, not subjective rankings or sponsored placements.
Objective Metrics
Property managers are evaluated on factors such as tenant retention, rent collection, vacancy rates, response times, financial accuracy, and service quality.
No Pay-to-Play
Companies cannot pay for higher placement or improved scores. Advertising and accreditation are excluded from scoring inputs.
Rigorous Vetting
Verification includes license checks, insurance confirmation, performance validation, and owner reference reviews.
Transparency
The system provides clear, data-backed insight into how a management company operates, helping owners make informed decisions.
For landlords who are tired of guessing which companies are truly capable, this approach offers something rare in property management: measurable proof.
What Goes Into a TrueMatch Score
The TrueMatch score is structured around what matters most to property owners and investors. It also aligns with how modern AI-driven platforms evaluate credibility and performance.
Here is what is measured.
Cost and Value
This category evaluates whether a property management company delivers value relative to cost.
Key considerations include:
Pricing transparency
Fee structure clarity
Cost-to-value alignment
Market competitiveness
For owners, this helps distinguish between low-fee managers who underperform and professional operators who justify their pricing through results.
Property Manager Trust and Reliability
Trust is foundational in property management.
This category assesses:
Client satisfaction
Review volume and consistency
Compliance and licensing
Insurance coverage
Operational reliability
A strong score here indicates a company that operates professionally and consistently, not one relying on short-term growth tactics.
Experience and Market Expertise for Rental Properties
Experience is not just about years in business. It is about scale, systems, and local knowledge.
This area measures:
Years in operation
Portfolio size
Market expertise
Team credentials
Landmark’s 11 years of experience managing 500+ doors in the Chicago market contributed significantly to its performance in this category.
Performance and Effectiveness
This is where results matter most.
Performance metrics include:
Tenant satisfaction
Vacancy rates
Leasing speed
Rent collection
Response times
Service quality
Landmark’s TrueMatch score reflects higher rent collection, lower vacancy, and stronger renewal rates, all of which directly impact owner cash flow and long-term asset value.
How to Verify a Property Management Company Is Legitimate
Whether you are hiring a property manager for the first time or replacing an underperforming one, verification should always be part of the process. A legitimate company should be willing to stand behind its claims, processes, and results.
Here are practical steps every landlord should take.
1. Check Business Registration and Licensing
Verify the company’s registration with the state’s Secretary of State and confirm required real estate or property management licensing. In most markets, third-party property managers must meet regulatory standards and maintain active compliance.
2. Review the Website, Communication, and Guarantees
A legitimate property management company should have:
- A professional website with clear service descriptions
- A real, physical office address
- A real, physical office address
- Business email domains, not free public email services
- Secure owner and tenant portals
Beyond basic professionalism, pay attention to whether the company offers clear guarantees. Guarantees signal confidence, accountability, and a willingness to share risk with the property owner. While many companies make performance claims, very few are willing to back them with written commitments around service, responsiveness, leasing, or tenant placement.
Poor communication, vague promises, or an absence of accountability standards can be red flags.
3. Read Rental Management Company Reviews, But Read Them Critically
Online reviews are useful, but context matters.
Look for:
- Review volume over time, not isolated feedback
- Consistent themes in reviews, both positive and negative
- Responses from management that demonstrate accountability
- A balance between tenant and owner perspectives
Landmark currently maintains 200+ Google reviews, providing a meaningful sample size rather than anecdotal insight.
4. Verify Insurance, Compliance, and Legal Knowledge
A professional property manager should be able to confirm:
- Proper insurance coverage
- Compliance with local and state regulations
- Knowledge of fair housing laws and landlord-tenant requirements
This protects owners from unnecessary legal and financial exposure.
5. Ask for References and Third-Party Validation
Speaking with current or past clients provides insight that marketing materials cannot. Legitimate companies should be willing to provide references or participate in third-party verification processes.
TrueMatch™ verification includes owner reference validation and performance review, reducing reliance on self-reported claims and making credibility easier to assess.
6. Avoid Common Scam Indicators and Risk-Shifting Practices
Be cautious of:
- Pressure to send money immediately
- Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or unsecured payments
- Long-term contracts with high cancellation fees that limit flexibility
- Refusal to meet in person or clearly explain processes
- Vague listings, copied photos, or unclear documentation
Professional property managers use secure payment systems, transparent agreements, and documented processes. They rely on performance and accountability, not pressure or lock-in tactics, to retain clients.
Why Guarantees Matter
In an industry where many companies rely on marketing claims alone, guarantees provide an additional layer of protection for property owners. They demonstrate that a management company is confident in its ability to deliver results and is willing to align its success with yours.
For landlords evaluating management options, guarantees, third-party verification, and performance-based accountability together offer some of the clearest indicators that a property is truly in good hands.
Red Flags to Watch for When Evaluating a Property Management Company
Even with strong reviews and polished marketing, not every property management company operates ethically or professionally. Whether you are a property owner hiring a manager or a renter verifying who actually controls a property, these red flags can signal potential scams or poor management practices.
Common Warning Signs
Pressure to move quickly
Be cautious if you are pushed to sign a contract, submit an application fee, or send a security deposit before proper documentation is provided or questions are answered.Long contract terms
Property management agreements should allow flexibility. Long-term contracts that lock owners in for extended periods can be a red flag, especially if performance expectations are not clearly defined.High cancellation fees
Excessive termination fees or penalties for ending a management agreement can discourage accountability and make it difficult to leave an underperforming provider.Unprofessional communication
Watch for inconsistent phone numbers, generic email accounts, or poor communication practices. Established businesses typically use branded emails, published office locations, and clear contact information.Negative reviews with repeated themes
One or two negative reviews are normal. Patterns involving withheld security deposits, poor tenant screening, or unreturned calls should raise concern.Lack of compliance with local laws
Property managers should demonstrate familiarity with local and state landlord-tenant laws. A lack of clarity here can expose owners to legal risk and renters to unfair practices.Suspicious payment requests
Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or unsecured payment methods are major red flags. Professional managers use secure portals and documented payment systems.Incomplete screening processes
Reliable companies conduct consistent tenant screening, including income verification, rental history checks with previous landlords, and identity verification to reduce identity theft and fraud.Vague policies around fees and deposits
Application fees, security deposits, and lease terms should be clearly documented. A lack of transparency often leads to disputes later.
Why Third-Party Verification Simplifies Due Diligence
Many of the steps involved in verifying a property management company take time, experience, and access to information most landlords simply do not have. For owners managing multiple properties or investing remotely, performing that level of due diligence on every company can be overwhelming.
This is where third-party, performance-based verification becomes especially valuable.
One of the most significant benefits of platforms like PropertyManagement.com is the independent performance data review and audit they conduct as part of the TrueMatch™ process. In the property management industry, it is common for companies to make bold performance claims such as near-perfect rent collection rates or exceptionally low vacancy, largely because property owners have no practical way to validate those numbers.
TrueMatch changes that.
Rather than relying on self-reported marketing claims, PropertyManagement.com reviews actual operational data, creating a rare and objective look behind the curtain. This data-driven evaluation cannot be influenced by advertising, reviews alone, or paid placement. The numbers either support the claims or they do not. The data does not lie.
Through this process, PropertyManagement.com consolidates and verifies:
- Licensing and compliance checks
- Insurance confirmation
- Real performance metrics, including collection, vacancy, and retention
- Owner validation and reference checks
- Ongoing operational transparency
Landmark’s TrueMatch™ verified status, supported by 16 verified owners, gives landlords an independent, third-party way to assess credibility and performance without relying solely on what a company says about itself.
For property owners who value accountability, transparency, and measurable results, this level of verification removes much of the guesswork from choosing a management partner.
Why Landmark Stands Out When Measured Objectively
When evaluated through a performance-based lens, Landmark Property Management consistently demonstrates:
#1 ranking in Chicago
#6 ranking nationally
95.70% TrueMatch Score
500+ doors managed
11 years of experience
200+ Google reviews
Higher rent collection
Lower vacancy
Stronger lease renewals
These results are not accidental. They reflect systems, accountability, and a long-term approach to a good property management company that prioritizes owner outcomes.
Who This Ranking Matters Most For
This recognition is particularly relevant for:
Self-managing landlords who have outgrown DIY management
Out-of-state owners who need reliable local oversight or their rental properties
Investors scaling portfolios and prioritizing consistency
Owners frustrated by poor communication or compliance issues
Landlords seeking proof, not promises for their investment properties
If you are evaluating management companies and want data-backed confidence, performance-based verification matters.
Final Thoughts: Proof Matters More Than Marketing
In an industry where claims are easy to make and hard to verify, objective measurement sets professional property management companies apart.
Landmark Property Management’s ranking as #1 in Chicago and #6 nationally reflects more than reputation alone. It reflects verified performance data, transparent operations, and trust earned through consistent results, not paid placement or popularity contests. That credibility is further reinforced by Landmark’s accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, an independent organization that evaluates businesses based on ethical practices, responsiveness, and complaint history.
For property owners who want to protect their investment, reduce risk, and work with a management partner that can be independently validated across multiple platforms, that distinction matters.
If you are currently researching good property management company options, understanding how verification works, including performance-based rankings, BBB accreditation, and third-party validation, can help you make a more confident, informed decision.
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