Property managers play an essential role in maximizing the profitability of real estate investments while relieving landlords of the day-to-day responsibilities of property management. These professionals are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from collecting rent and handling maintenance issues to screening tenants and enforcing lease agreements.

Property managers act as the middlemen between landlords and tenants, ensuring that both parties are satisfied and that the properties are well-maintained. They have a deep understanding of local real estate markets and rental trends, which allows them to set competitive rental rates and attract quality tenants.

But, how much do property managers charge? Let's find out in this article.

There are two ways rental property managers set their rental property fees: as a percentage of collected rent or as a fixed rate.

Most charge between 8% and 12% of the property's rental income. If you own a 10-unit multifamily residential complex that brings in $20,000 of rent every month, the property management company would charge between $1,600 (8%) and $2,400 (12%). When rents go up, fees go up.

Although less prevalent than the percentage model, some management companies charge a fixed rate for their services regardless of how much rent is collected. Owners might employ the fixed-rate model to keep it simple, but it doesn't motivate them to be more active managers as the rent percentage system.

On top of monthly service charges, rental property managers charge for extra services or circumstances. Here are a few of the most common fees managers may charge.

Managers typically charge between $300 and $500 for new accounts. The fee covers initial administrative costs and one-off tasks like onboarding and renter transition, if applicable.

A leasing fee covers finding new tenants and placing them in a rental unit. It also pays for background checks, eviction histories, prospective tenant vetting and any actions necessary to prepare the unit for occupation.

Property managers charge a fee for a unit that's vacant and therefore not generating rental income. The fee takes care of the costs of maintaining the empty unit, keeping utilities intact and making up revenue lost in the vacancy. It may also cover inspections, open houses and lease preparation.

When a tenant misses their monthly payments, the property manager may charge a penalty. The late payment fee is either a fixed rate or a percentage of the rent bill, usually between 5% and 10%.

This fee covers emergency repairs and maintenance on the rental property. Maintenance fees may be charged on a per-ticket basis or as part of the monthly base fee the company charges. Managers might mark up the cost of repairs to cover labor and materials for a certain job.

This fee encompasses the costs of routine property inspections. Some inspections are routine, while others happen around tenant move-ins and move-outs. Tenant complaints or regulatory compliance needs can also trigger inspections.

Property managers may be forced to evict certain tenants for nonpayment, property damage or other lease agreement violations. In most cases, tenants have a chance to resolve the issue. If they don't, owners serve notice and file an eviction complaint. The eviction is completed in a court hearing. If a tenant doesn't vacate in time, the property manager is free to authorize physical removal of the tenant and their property.

This triggers the imposition of eviction fees that cover:

Eviction fees also involve costs related to cooperation with law enforcement.

A property owner can be charged a fee for exiting the contract early. Early termination may happen if the owner is dissatisfied with the service. Some of the most common reasons for this include:

Termination fees cover administrative costs, lost income, service transition, staff training and material costs. Legal issues may arise when an owner ends a management contract, so it's not a step to be taken lightly.

Other costs that may be part of a rental property management contract, including fees related to:

A company may charge additional fees for property-specific expenses. Review your contract thoroughly to discover incidental or hidden charges.

Property management charges hinge on several factors specific to the property and ownership involved. Here are some of the most common ones:

Single-family homes have different needs than multifamily homes, and commercial rental properties have an entirely different set of demands from either. Managers may charge more to accommodate the property's specific needs.

Management companies may charge more for properties with bigger square footage or more units. Such cases could require more administrative jobs and maintenance as well as more finessed tenant relations.

An older property may need more extensive repairs or renovations than a newer one. Depending on the workload and manpower involved, managers might charge owners more to ease upkeep costs.

Properties in neighborhoods where incomes and demand are higher may incur higher management fees. Property taxes and utility expenses also differ by area, so that also may play a part in pricing.

Some markets for rental property management are more competitive than others. Managers may price their services at a discount to attract more clients. On the flip side, management companies in less competitive areas have more room to raise their fees.

Property management companies can offer a broad range of services: rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance, accounting and leasing, just to name a few. Other companies may have more limited offerings.

Rental property management cost structures spin from one of two different concepts: rent due and rent collected. Although the difference may be obvious, its impact on management fees is profound.

Rent due refers to the total amount a property's tenants owe as outlined in their lease agreements. It's the aggregate of how much the owners expect to receive by a specific date. Rent due states the total amount owed to the owner, regardless of whether tenants pay their rent on time.

In contrast, rent collected refers to how much the property owner has earned from tenants before the deadline. It only considers the money that's been received.

Owners and property managers should address which model they want to use in their contracts. In theory, the rent-collected model is more beneficial to owners because it incentivizes property managers to be diligent and consistent about collecting rent. Although the rent-due model may be more predictable, it's also riskier.

Property management companies relieve many of the burdens that owners must deal with. The more complicated or complex your rental property needs are, the more valuable those managers can be. The relief an owner feels from delegating everyday property tasks may justify the fees the company charges. Take time to compare management firms that will give you the best service for a reasonable price.