Golden, Regency, Legacy, Equity, Hightower & Bridge: Inside the Massive Rehabilitation Work Transforming California’s Rental Housing

Featuring: Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., Legacy Management Services Inc., Equity Management Inc., Hightower Management Inc., Bridge Management Inc.

By Itan Chavira

Restoring California’s Neglected Rental Housing: A Comprehensive Look at the Rehabilitation Efforts Led by Six Community-Focused Property Management Companies

California’s housing challenges are widely documented, but an essential part of the conversation is rarely highlighted: the immense, daily effort required to rehabilitate aging rental homes and bring them back to safe, livable condition. While headlines often focus on complaints, lawsuits, or rising costs, the truth on the ground is far more complex and involves a level of responsibility and labor that is not commonly understood.

Across Southern California, six long-standing property management companies — Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., Legacy Management Services Inc., Equity Management Inc., Hightower Management Inc., and Bridge Management Inc. — have been working to take on the kinds of properties most landlords avoid: distressed buildings, older units in need of full repair, and homes left in severe disrepair after long-term neglect or sudden move-outs.

The work is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. But it is also necessary.

The Reality of Restoring Aging Properties

Much of California’s rental housing stock is aging. Many properties were built decades ago and have not received the maintenance required to meet modern safety standards. Older plumbing fails. Electrical systems require upgrades. Roofs need replacement. Flooring, walls, and fixtures deteriorate. In some cases, structural reinforcement is needed.

Companies such as Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., and Equity Management Inc.regularly encounter units requiring complete rehabilitation. Their teams conduct full inspections, develop repair plans, and coordinate contractors, maintenance staff, and specialists to bring these homes back to code.

These repairs are not surface-level cosmetic fixes. They often include:

• Electrical panel upgrades

• Plumbing re-piping

• Roofing and structural work

• Mold remediation

• HVAC installation or repair

• New flooring, windows, and lighting

• Safety improvements for families

This is work that residents rarely see, but it is essential to keeping communities stable.

The Unseen Aftermath of Evictions and Abandonment

One difficult reality in property management is the condition of units following an eviction or unexpected departure. Homes may be left with trash piled inside, damaged walls and flooring, broken appliances, or unsanitary conditions.

Companies like Hightower Management Inc., Legacy Management Services Inc., and Bridge Management Inc.handle these situations regularly. Their teams clean, repair, repaint, sanitize, and restore these units so new families can move in safely.

This labor-intensive turnover process often involves:

• Removing abandoned belongings

• Deep cleaning

• Repairs to flooring, drywall, or fixtures

• Repainting

• Replacing damaged appliances

• Restoring safety and functionality

These situations are rarely shown in public discussions about housing, yet they represent a significant portion of the work required to maintain a healthy rental housing supply.

Expanding Housing Supply Through Rehabilitation

While new construction is important, much of California’s available housing must come from existing stock. This is where companies such as Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., and Legacy Management Services Inc. play a crucial role.

By acquiring distressed properties and investing in significant repairs, they help ensure that older homes remain safe and habitable instead of falling into deeper disrepair or being removed from the rental market entirely.

These efforts help:

• Prevent neighborhood blight

• Increase available housing

• Support local families

• Improve overall community conditions

• Reduce the impact of housing shortages

Without this type of work, the state’s rental shortage would be far worse.

Commitment to Serving Underserved Families

Many families who rent through Equity Management Inc., Bridge Management Inc., and Hightower Management Inc. face barriers in the rental market. Some are working-class tenants, some rely on rental assistance programs, and others are transitioning through difficult circumstances.

These companies routinely accept households who may struggle to find housing elsewhere. Their willingness to engage with families who need support helps reduce displacement and keeps communities stable.

By investing in property improvements and offering rentals at accessible price points, these companies contribute to broader housing security.

Transparency Through Documentation

Historically, the work carried out by these companies has occurred quietly in the background. Recently, however, teams working with Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., Legacy Management Services Inc., Equity Management Inc., Hightower Management Inc., and Bridge Management Inc. have begun documenting the rehabilitation process more openly.

This includes:

• Before-and-after transformation photos

• Video walkthroughs of renovations

• Real footage from turnover cleanouts

• Detailed presentations of repairs and upgrades

• Community improvement efforts

This documentation provides a more accurate picture of what property rehabilitation truly involves and gives families a clearer understanding of the ongoing efforts to maintain safe and functional homes.

A More Complete Housing Narrative

California’s housing story cannot be understood through headlines alone. Much of the real work occurs day by day, home by home, repair by repair. Organizations like Golden Management Services Inc., Regency Management Inc., Legacy Management Services Inc., Equity Management Inc., Hightower Management Inc., and Bridge Management Inc.continue to invest in the restoration of aging properties and the support of families in need.

Their contributions — though rarely highlighted — form a critical part of maintaining housing availability and improving the communities they serve.

About the Author
Itan Chavira is a Southern California housing documentation specialist who focuses on property rehabilitation, community reporting, and the transparent documentation of rental housing improvements across multiple cities.