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Residential property management firms

Residential property managers handle single-family rentals and small multifamily buildings: leasing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance and owner reporting.

Firms
59,151
States
51

Residential property management: what owners should know

What the work includes

A residential property manager handles the operating work for single-family rentals, duplexes, townhomes and small multifamily buildings. The scope usually includes marketing vacant units, screening applicants, preparing leases, collecting rent, coordinating repairs, conducting move-in and move-out inspections, sending owner statements and managing renewals. Some firms also handle eviction coordination and compliance with local rental ordinances.

How fees usually work

Most residential managers charge a monthly percentage of collected rent, commonly in the 8-12% range, plus a leasing fee when a new tenant is placed and sometimes a renewal fee. Maintenance markups, onboarding fees and early-termination charges can change the all-in cost. Compare the total cost for a typical 12-month tenancy, including leasing and renewal charges.

What to ask before hiring

Ask how applicants are screened, who approves repairs and at what dollar threshold, how after-hours emergencies are handled, what the owner statement includes, how security deposits are held, and what notice is required to terminate. Confirm licensing or registration where required and ask for proof of insurance. A sample owner statement and a copy of the management agreement are more useful than a brochure.

Updated 2026. The firms below are ranked by public review volume by default. Use the state links to narrow the list, or open a firm profile to compare ratings, contact details and local alternatives.

California 7,569Florida 6,046New York 3,692Texas 3,490North Carolina 1,887Illinois 1,839Pennsylvania 1,786New Jersey 1,775Georgia 1,771Michigan 1,710Maryland 1,678Massachusetts 1,608

Swami

Wilmington, CA 90744

1048 N Watson Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744

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Common questions about residential property management firms

How much does residential property management cost?+

Most US residential managers charge roughly 8-12% of collected rent, often plus a leasing fee of 50-100% of one month's rent. Renewal fees, maintenance markups and onboarding charges vary. Request a written fee schedule and compare the all-in cost for a typical tenancy.

What does a residential property manager do?+

Typical work includes marketing vacant units, screening tenants, preparing leases, collecting rent, coordinating maintenance, conducting inspections, handling renewals and move-outs, and providing monthly owner statements. Confirm the exact scope in the management agreement.

Is a property manager worth it for one rental?+

It depends on distance, time and risk. A manager is most useful when you live far from the property, travel often, dislike tenant communication or want help with screening, maintenance and compliance. If you live nearby and have reliable tradespeople, self-managing one unit can be cheaper.