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Property Manager Job Description
Property manager job description: leasing, rent collection, maintenance, budgets and fair housing duties, plus licence and certification requirements.
The role in brief
A property manager runs residential, commercial or industrial property on behalf of the owner, either employed directly by the owner or through a property management firm. The job covers filling units (marketing, showings, screening and leases), collecting rent and fees, paying bills and preparing budgets, arranging maintenance and repairs, inspecting grounds and equipment, resolving tenant complaints and enforcing lease terms, keeping rental records, and reporting occupancy, lease expirations and financial results to the owner. All of it has to be done in line with fair housing law and local landlord-tenant rules. In most US states a property manager needs a property management licence or a real estate broker's licence, and the rules vary by state, so check yours before writing the qualifications.
- Market vacant units, show them to prospective tenants, and screen applicants consistently under a written criteria policy
- Prepare, execute and renew leases, and enforce lease terms and property rules fairly
- Collect rent, fees and deposits, follow up on arrears, and manage notices and evictions in line with state and local law
- Prepare the annual operating budget, pay bills and invoices, and track income and expenses against budget
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Applying for a role like this? Practise the assessment free →Responsibilities
- Market vacant units, show them to prospective tenants, and screen applicants consistently under a written criteria policy
- Prepare, execute and renew leases, and enforce lease terms and property rules fairly
- Collect rent, fees and deposits, follow up on arrears, and manage notices and evictions in line with state and local law
- Prepare the annual operating budget, pay bills and invoices, and track income and expenses against budget
- Report to the owner on occupancy, rent roll, lease expirations, delinquencies and financial performance
- Schedule routine maintenance, arrange repairs, and hire and manage contractors and vendors for services such as landscaping, cleaning and security
- Inspect grounds, buildings, units and equipment regularly, including move-in and move-out inspections
- Respond to tenant requests and complaints, and coordinate after-hours emergency repairs
- Comply with the Fair Housing Act and other anti-discrimination laws, plus building, safety and habitability codes
- Keep accurate tenant, lease, maintenance and financial records in the property management software
- Supervise onsite staff such as leasing agents, maintenance technicians and porters, where the property has them
Required skills
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Nice to have
Qualifications
- 1High school diploma or equivalent for onsite residential roles; a degree in business, real estate, finance, accounting or public administration preferred for commercial or portfolio roles
- 2Property management licence or real estate broker's licence where your state requires it, or the ability to obtain one
- 3Experience in leasing, property management, real estate sales or customer service (state the level the role needs)
- 4Completion of property management training or a designation from a professional real estate association, preferred
- 5Valid driver's licence if the role covers more than one property
- 6Willingness to live onsite, if the role requires it (say so in the posting)
Work environment
Work environment
Career growth
Property managers progress from assistant or leasing roles to property manager, then senior or portfolio manager, regional manager and director of property management. Others move into real estate asset management, commercial leasing, community association management or brokerage.
Common questions
What are the roles and responsibilities of a property manager?
A property manager leases units, collects rent, pays bills, prepares budgets, arranges maintenance and repairs, inspects the property, handles tenant complaints, enforces leases, keeps records and reports results to the owner, all within fair housing and landlord-tenant law. An onsite manager focuses on one property's day-to-day running, while a portfolio manager oversees several properties and spends more time on budgets and owner reporting.
Does a property manager need a licence?
In most US states, yes: a property manager needs a property management licence or a real estate broker's licence, and managers who buy or sell property need a real estate licence. Some states also licence community association managers. Requirements, exemptions (for example for onsite employees of the owner) and renewal rules differ by state, so check your state real estate commission before listing the requirement.
What is the difference between a property manager and a community association manager?
A property manager runs income-producing property for an owner: leases, rent, tenants and returns. A community association manager works for a condominium, co-operative or homeowners' association, usually hired by a volunteer board, and focuses on association budgets, assessments, common areas, board meetings and enforcing the community's rules. The CMCA credential from CAMICB is specific to community association managers.
How do you screen property manager applicants?
Give applicants a realistic in-tray: a short rent roll with three late payers, an overnight leak report, a tenant complaint about a neighbour and a contractor quote that is over budget, and ask them to prioritise and say what they would do first and what they would send to the owner. It shows judgement, knowledge of notice and fair housing rules, and written communication. Then check any licence your state requires.
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