Property management fees, explained

Three fees, three different occasions

The same rates apply to every owner. Placement and renewal are separate from monthly management. Leasing-only service is also available for owners who want help finding a tenant and plan to manage the rental themselves.

A $4,000 rental: what would you pay?

If $4,000 in rent is collected for a month, the management fee is $400. A new tenant placement at that rent is $4,000. A renewal at that rent is $2,000.

For an illustrative year with 12 full months of $4,000 rent collected and one new placement, management is $4,800 and placement is $4,000: $8,800 in management and placement fees. This example assumes no renewal in that period.

For a different year with the same rent collected and one renewal, but no new placement, the corresponding total is $6,800. Neither example is a forecast or a total cost of owning the property. Actual charges depend on collected rent and the services that occur.

Property expenses are a separate budget

Repairs, property upkeep and other ownership expenses are additional to service fees. Arjita does not add markups to vendor invoices. When comparing proposals, ask both what the manager charges and what property expenses you will need to fund.

For non-emergency repairs, Arjita's approval limit is $300. Larger non-emergency work requires owner approval. Emergencies may need immediate action to protect people or the property, with notice to the owner.

For a homeowner moving away, discuss any work needed before departure. For an investor, review upcoming maintenance alongside your other property expenses so a management fee does not become the whole operating budget.

What ongoing management covers

Arjita coordinates rental marketing, screening, leasing, rent collection, maintenance, inspections and owner reporting. You work directly with her, backed by Windermere Property Management South. The separately priced placement and renewal work sits within that broader service relationship.

Questions to bring to any fee comparison

• Is the monthly percentage based on rent collected or rent due?
• What triggers a placement or renewal fee?
• Are there vendor invoice markups or additional service charges?
• Who approves repairs, and how are emergencies handled?
• What work is included in leasing-only service, and what remains with the owner?
• What does the written agreement say about starting and ending service?

Compare the complete proposal and agreement, rather than just the advertised monthly percentage. Arjita can walk through how her published fees would apply to your property and plans.