Property management fee calculator
Add up management, leasing, renewal and maintenance fees to see the true yearly cost and the real percentage of rent. Compare quotes side by side.
Fee schedule
Summary to compare managers
Why the headline percentage is not the full cost
Most managers quote a monthly percentage of rent. The full cost also includes leasing fees each time a new tenant moves in, renewal fees, markups on maintenance and smaller monthly charges. Adding them up gives a true yearly cost you can compare between managers.
Worked example
On $2,500 rent with an 8% fee, 20 vacancy days, a 50% leasing fee, 2-year average tenancy, a $250 renewal fee, a 10% markup on $2,000 of maintenance and a $300 setup fee over 3 years, the true cost is about $3,318 a year. That is about 11.1% of yearly rent, not 8%.
Questions to ask a manager
- Is the fee charged on rent collected or rent due?
- What is the leasing fee and what does it include (photos, showings, screening)?
- Is there a renewal fee, and is it a flat amount or a percentage?
- Do you mark up maintenance invoices, and by how much?
- Are there monthly technology, inspection or admin fees?
- How fast do you answer rental inquiries, and who covers evenings and weekends?
The last question matters because days vacant often cost an owner more than the fee difference between two managers. See the cost of vacancy calculator.
Questions people ask
How much do property managers charge?
Fees vary by market, property type and service level. Most managers charge a monthly percentage of rent plus a leasing fee for new tenants, and many add renewal fees, maintenance markups or monthly admin fees. Use this calculator with the real quotes you receive.
What is a leasing fee?
A one-time fee charged when the manager places a new tenant, often quoted as a percentage of one month’s rent. It usually covers marketing, showings and screening.
Is a lower management percentage always cheaper?
No. A low percentage can come with higher leasing, renewal or maintenance charges. Compare the true yearly cost, and how quickly each manager fills vacancies.
Is the fee charged on rent due or rent collected?
It depends on the contract. Many managers charge on rent collected, so the owner does not pay a percentage on months with no rent. Ask before signing.
Can property managers use this with owners?
Yes. Copy the summary to show an owner exactly what they would pay, line by line.
Last updated October 30, 2026. Built by Hasham Akram, founder of Closing Scale. Estimates only, not legal, tax or financial advice.