Can I fire my property manager?

Usually, under the agreement’s termination terms. Check notice periods and any cancellation fees.

Am I still responsible if my property manager breaks the law?

Owners can still be responsible for how tenants are treated. Choose carefully and stay involved.

Hiring a property manager for your rental

What property managers do, common fees, checking licenses and references, key terms in the agreement, and staying involved.

Quick answer

Property managers find and screen tenants, collect rent, handle repairs and follow landlord-tenant and fair housing laws. Most charge a monthly share of rent plus fees for new tenants and renewals; ask about repair markups. Many states require a real estate license, so check it, along with references and reviews. Read the agreement for how to end it, a repair spending limit, and a separate trust account for deposits. Review monthly statements.

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Your checklist

Know what they do
Understand every fee
Check license and references
Read how to end the agreement
Set a repair spending limit
Review monthly statements

Rather read it? Here’s the whole thing.

What they do

Market the property, show it, and screen tenants fairly.
Collect rent and handle late payments.
Arrange repairs and maintenance.
Handle tenant questions, move-ins and move-outs.
Follow landlord-tenant, deposit and fair housing laws.

Fees

Common fees include a monthly percentage of collected rent, a fee for placing a new tenant, lease renewal fees, and sometimes markups on repairs or fees for vacancies. Get every fee in writing.

Check them out

Many states require property managers to hold a real estate broker or salesperson license. Verify it, ask for references from current owners, and read reviews.

The management agreement

Look for:

How and when either side can end the agreement, and any cancellation fee.
A spending limit for repairs without your approval.
Tenant security deposits held in a separate trust account.
How fast they pay you and what reports you get.
Who handles evictions and legal costs.

Stay involved

Review monthly statements and visit the property sometimes. You’re still responsible for the property and how tenants are treated under the law.

Official sources, and where to look

HUD: fair housing for landlordshud.gov
IRS: rental income and expensesirs.gov

To find your local office, search for:

[your state] property manager license requirement
[your state] landlord tenant handbook

Pick sites that end in .gov. Official forms are almost always free.

Common questions

Is a property manager worth it?

It can be if you live far away, have several units, or don’t have time. Compare the fees to your time and risk. More ›

Can I manage one rental myself?

Many owners do. Learn your state’s landlord-tenant and fair housing rules first. More ›

What does a property manager do?

Finds and screens tenants, collects rent, handles repairs and tenant issues, and follows landlord-tenant and fair housing laws. More ›

How much do property managers charge?

Usually a percentage of monthly rent plus fees for new tenants and renewals. Get every fee in writing. More ›

Do property managers need a license?

Many states require a real estate license for property managers. Check your state’s rules. More ›

What should be in a property management agreement?

How to end it, all fees, a repair spending limit, how deposits are held, payment timing and reports, and who handles evictions. More ›

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Not yet reviewed by an expert. Last checked 2026-10-29. This is general help, not legal, medical or professional advice. Rules are different in every state.