Boutique rental property manager
Manage rentals for a small group of local landlords from a home office, with a personal touch.
- A$6k-20k
- Part-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small licensed property management business. You find tenants, handle leases, rent collection, inspections and repairs for landlords, working mostly from a home office and visiting properties as needed.
Your first three steps
- Check your state or territory's fair trading or licensing body for the qualifications and experience needed to hold an agency licence
- Work out your costs for trust accounting, property management software and insurance, and set your fee structure
- Talk to local investors, accountants and buyers' agents about managing their first few properties
Who pays
Investor landlords and owners of one or a few rental properties who want more attention than a big agency gives.
How it makes money
A management fee on rent collected, plus letting fees for finding tenants, lease renewals and other charges that your state allows.
Skills that help
- Organised with paperwork and deadlines
- Firm but fair with tenants and owners
- Knowing tenancy law in your state
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Licensing rules differ by state; you usually need a licensed agent in charge, so check what applies to you
- Trust account rules and audits for rent and bond money are strict, check requirements with your state regulator
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and any fidelity cover your state requires
- Check with your local council about home-based business approval
- Tenancy laws change, so keep up with your state's rules on notices, repairs and bonds
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: boutique rental property manager
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a property management business from home?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $6,000 to $20,000, depending on your set-up, software, insurance and how much you spend on marketing to landlords. Treat it as a guide and price your own needs first.
How much can a boutique rental property manager earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many properties you manage and the fees you charge. Hours typically start at around 15 per week and rise as your portfolio grows.
What licensing and rules should I check?
Check your state's licensing rules, as you usually need a licensed agent in charge. Also check trust account rules and audits, insurance requirements, council approval for home-based business, and current tenancy rules on notices, repairs and bonds.
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