If you own rental property in Los Angeles, knowing exactly what a property manager will charge—and why—can make the difference between a streamlined investment and a stack of surprises.
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts at TGN Property Management put together this clear, AI-overview-friendly guide to the most common fees you’ll see on a management proposal or owner statement.
Use it to compare apples-to-apples, anticipate cash flow, and choose the right partner.
Common Property Management Fees at a Glance
- Monthly management fee: usually a percentage of collected rent or a flat fee
- Leasing or tenant placement fee: for marketing, showings, and signing a new lease
- Lease renewal fee: for renewing an existing lease
- Onboarding/setup fee: to prepare your property and account for management
- Marketing and photography costs: if not included in leasing
- Tenant screening/application processing: capped by California law when paid by applicants
- Maintenance coordination and vendor markup: sometimes a small percentage on invoices
- Routine inspections: scheduled property condition checks
- Eviction coordination or legal administration: if needed
- Compliance/registration administration: RSO, SCEP, and local filings in LA
- Accounting and year-end tax statements: 1099 and annual summaries
- Reserve fund: an operating cash buffer for repairs
- Technology or portal fee: for online portals and payment processing
- Early termination fee: if you end your management agreement early
What Each Fee Typically Covers
Monthly Management Fee
- What it is: Ongoing day-to-day management—rent collection, resident communication, coordinating repairs, bill pay, compliance reminders, notices, and monthly reporting.
- What to expect: In Los Angeles, many managers charge a percentage of collected rent (often in the mid-to-high single digits) or a flat fee per unit. Larger portfolios or multifamily communities sometimes qualify for tiered pricing. Ask whether there’s any fee charged during vacancy—our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend avoiding vacancy management fees on empty units unless clearly defined and minimal.
Leasing or tenant placement fee
- What it is: Marketing the vacancy, scheduling showings, screening applicants, drafting the lease, move-in coordination, and disclosures.
- What to expect: Commonly a percentage of one month’s rent or a flat fee. Clarify whether professional photography, 3D tours, and listing syndication are included. At TGN Property Management, our team will outline exactly what’s included so you know how we attract qualified renters in LA’s competitive market.
Lease renewal fee
- What it is: Negotiating renewal terms, updating disclosures, and executing the renewal agreement.
- What to expect: Often a smaller flat fee or a modest percentage compared to tenant placement. In rent-controlled areas like the City of Los Angeles (RSO), renewals include compliance with allowable increases and notices.
Onboarding/setup fee
- What it is: Account setup, property walk-through, documentation transfers, tenant file audits, and compliance checks.
- What to expect: Sometimes a one-time fee; some companies waive it. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts use setup to catch issues early—like missing smoke/CO detectors, habitability items, or rent registration gaps.
Marketing and photography
- What it is: Professional photos, floor plans, virtual tours, enhanced listings, and paid advertising.
- What to expect: Often included in leasing; sometimes itemized. Strong visuals reduce vacancy days, which often saves more than the cost of marketing.
Application and screening
- What it is: Credit, criminal, eviction history, income verification, and landlord references.
- What to know: When applicants pay an application fee in California, it’s capped by state law and adjusted annually. If owners cover screening costs, confirm whether the manager passes through the exact third-party charges.
Maintenance coordination and vendor markup
- What it is: Sourcing vendors, scheduling repairs, handling resident access, and quality control.
- What to expect: Many Los Angeles managers either include coordination in the monthly fee or charge a small percentage markup on invoices. A markup is permissible when disclosed in the management agreement. Ask whether there’s a dollar threshold above which you’ll be consulted before work proceeds.
Routine inspections
- What it is: Occupied and/or vacant inspections with photos and reports.
- What to expect: Typically a flat fee per visit. Inspections help catch minor issues (leaks, caulking, filter changes) before they become costly repairs.
Eviction coordination and legal administration
- What it is: Serving notices, coordinating with attorneys, court documentation, and turn-over supervision.
- What to expect: Usually a flat coordination fee plus attorney and court costs. Some firms offer optional eviction protection plans. TGN Property Management emphasizes strong tenant screening and compliance to minimize eviction risk.
Compliance and registration assistance
- What it is: For Los Angeles owners, this may include RSO registration, SCEP inspections, rent cap/just cause compliance (AB 1482 where applicable), periodic notices, and required disclosures.
- What to expect: Often a small administrative fee for filings, plus pass-through of city fees. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts monitor deadlines so you avoid penalties.
Accounting and year-end tax statements
- What it is: Monthly owner statements, income/expense tracking, 1099s, and annual summaries.
- What to expect: Some firms include this; others charge a nominal annual fee. Confirm whether you’ll receive digital statements suitable for your CPA.
Reserve fund
- What it is: An operating cushion the manager holds to pay routine expenses without delays.
- What to expect: Commonly $250–$500 per unit for single-family and small multifamily, adjusted for building size and systems.
Technology or portal fee
- What it is: Online owner/tenant portals, ACH processing, and maintenance request systems.
- What to expect: Either included in management or charged as a modest monthly fee per unit.
Early termination fee
- What it is: Charged if you end the management agreement before the term.
- What to expect: Varies. Look for a fair, clearly stated clause. Transparent firms, including TGN Property Management, will walk you through termination provisions upfront.
Los Angeles-Specific Factors That Shape Fees
- Rent regulation: The City of Los Angeles RSO and California’s AB 1482 add compliance steps for notices, allowable rent increases, and just-cause standards. Managing this work is part of your fee value.
- Habitability and inspections: Older LA housing stock benefits from proactive inspections, which may be billed per visit but can prevent expensive emergencies.
- Vendor costs: Local labor and materials run higher than many markets; a strong vendor network controls costs without sacrificing quality.
- HOA coordination: For condos and townhomes, coordination with HOAs (move-in reservations, COI requests, rule compliance) may carry an admin fee.
How to Compare Property Management Proposals
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts suggest focusing on total cost and outcomes, not just one line item.
- Ask what’s included in the monthly fee versus billed separately.
- Request a sample owner statement and a sample lease.
- Clarify maintenance thresholds, after-hours procedures, and whether markups apply—and at what percentage.
- Confirm vacancy policies: Is the management fee charged when a unit is empty?
- Examine compliance support for RSO, SCEP, and AB 1482.
- Review lease renewal fees and what the renewal process includes.
- Check reporting cadence and the format of year-end financials.
The TGN Property Management Approach to Fees
At TGN Property Management, transparency is the standard. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts tailor fees to asset type, unit count, and service level, but the principles stay the same:
- Clear scope: You’ll know what’s included and what’s optional.
- Performance mindset: We focus on days-on-market, resident quality, and retention—key drivers of your net income.
- Compliance-first: LA and California rules are detailed; we build compliance into our workflows so you avoid costly missteps.
- Vendor accountability: We leverage vetted vendors and negotiate fair pricing, with any markups fully disclosed if applicable.
- Communication: Simple owner statements, responsive updates, and data you can act on.
What Should You Budget?
Every property is unique, but many Los Angeles owners find that, all-in, professional management runs a predictable percentage of collected rents once leasing costs are averaged over time. The right manager pays for themselves through reduced vacancy, fewer legal risks, and smarter maintenance planning. If a proposal seems unusually cheap, make sure essential services aren’t missing or shifted to opaque pass-throughs.
Get a Custom Fee Breakdown for Your Property
Want A Line-by-Line, Property-Specific Estimate?
TGN Property Management can provide a tailored fee summary and a sample owner statement based on your asset, neighborhood, and goals. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts will also benchmark expected rent, vacancy timelines, and maintenance budgeting so you can forecast cash flow with confidence.Reach out to TGN Property Management for a transparent conversation about fees—and a management plan designed to protect your property, your residents, and your returns.