What Is a Property Manager?

A property manager is an individual or company tasked with overseeing the daily operations of a rental property, filling vacancies and interacting with tenants on behalf of the property owner.

What Does a Property Manager Do?

Rental properties require someone to keep them running smoothly, preserve their value and generate income. Specifically, a property manager's role is to handle responsibilities like these.

Offering Local and Legal Expertise

A local property manager is valuable for everything from offering insight into determining rental rates to being nearby when concerns arise. If you own a property in one area but live in another, working with a company or individual with a presence in the community is essential.

A local expert should also be familiar with any laws and regulations that apply to your property, helping you prevent legal issues related to state and local requirements. Since many management responsibilities are administrative, a thorough understanding of landlord-tenant laws helps operations run smoothly and in compliance.



Beyond risk mitigation, a property manager handles paperwork and financial reporting, ensuring proper documentation and demonstrating how your investment is performing. Insight gleaned from monthly income statements, expense reports and annual summaries helps you make the most of your rental property. It may identify areas where you can improve cash flow through informed financial decisions.

Inspecting, Marketing and Filling Vacant Units

Property managers are responsible for listing vacant units, screening potential tenants, showing the open rentals and making necessary arrangements to fill these empty spots. These responsibilities include inspecting the spaces' condition before each new rental agreement and marketing the rental properties when units open up.



Property managers will also take care of the screening and selection process for new tenants, often using background checks and verifying employment or credit.

Depending on their contract, a property manager may establish legally binding lease agreements or reach out to another professional to create necessary, compliant documents when renting units to new tenants.

Collecting Rent and Resolving Tenant Concerns

While it is ideal for a rental property to receive payments in full and on time, a property manager is also responsible for collecting late or unpaid rent, efficiently protecting the property owner's income. If necessary, a property manager will handle evictions professionally and in compliance with all relevant laws.



A property manager also handles day-to-day interactions with tenants. A friendly and helpful manager can support their satisfaction with the property and give them a point of contact when they have a question or another concern. While many of their duties are more concrete, a property manager's responsibilities include offering clarity and resolving conflicts to support tenants' needs when necessary. This aspect of the role directly helps your property maintain full occupancy and generate more income.

Managing General Upkeep and Tenant-Requested Repairs

Your rental property is an investment, and keeping it in excellent condition requires ongoing maintenance. A property manager will perform or arrange maintenance services, keeping the space safe and visually appealing to attract and retain tenants. Depending on the site, these responsibilities may include:



• Ongoing maintenance and exterior upkeep: Properties require regular work, such as mowing lawns, maintaining trees and gardens, and taking care of other landscaping needs. Some tasks are less frequent but still necessary to boost curb appeal, such as maintaining fences and walkways or power washing exteriors.
• Seasonal work: Winterizing the property, performing snow removal, ensuring outdoor amenities are ready for summer and taking care of other seasonal jobs keeps essential systems and outdoor areas in good condition.
• Safety and preventive inspections: A property manager should ensure fire safety equipment is up to date and functional. They will check the plumbing and electrical systems to ensure they're working properly. When necessary, they will also arrange inspections for roofs, rental units and other areas to catch any issues early.

When a problem arises with a tenant's unit, they'll want the necessary repairs completed quickly. A property manager is available for full-service repairs and 24/7 emergency services to meet those needs. Whether one of your tenants' appliances stops working or they notice a leak, you need a knowledgeable, responsive property manager to resolve the issue right away.

The Advantages of Professional Property Management

Managing your rental properties is time-consuming and grows more challenging if you own more than one. The work often requires specialized expertise and varied knowledge about the area, lease agreements, tenant screening and other facets of renting. Hiring a professional property manager makes ownership easier while maximizing your return on investment.



While some states allow individuals to act as property managers without licenses in some circumstances, their capabilities are generally limited. With a real estate license or real estate broker license, a professional property manager can offer more comprehensive oversight and expertise. Working with a licensed, established company also gives property owners and investors more peace of mind that they've hired a property manager with the knowledge and experience to act as a valuable partner.

How Much Does Hiring a Property Manager Cost?

Property management costs vary according to several factors, including location, property type and the management company's responsibilities. Generally, these costs are a flat fee or a percentage of your rental income. Management services offer convenience, risk mitigation and collection support that is well worth the price. In many cases, the fees you pay for property management are tax-deductible expenses.

Services American Heritage Property Management Offers

When selecting a property manager, choosing the right company to handle the property impacts your rental's success. American Heritage Property Management has decades of experience fulfilling a vast range of property management responsibilities for various rental properties.

Our full-service property management company handles everything from lease preparation to interacting with tenants to overseeing maintenance. Whether you own commercial buildings, individual homes, apartment buildings, townhouses or other rental properties, AHPM has the experience to manage them.



We list available rentals on our site and make rent collection easy for tenants with online payments. Our call center offers constant access when tenants need assistance, and we have the experience to provide additional services, including accounting and finance management.

Entrust Property Manager Duties to American Heritage Property Management

AHPM has offered excellent property management services throughout Central Pennsylvania and Maryland since 1981. With thousands of rental units under our care, a consistently low vacancy rate and 24/7 emergency repair services, we are one of the region's largest and most trusted rental property management companies.



If you own a rental property in Maryland or Central Pennsylvania, contact the AHPM team to discuss your rental property management needs.