Cernarus

Property Management Fee Calculator

This calculator estimates property management fees across common billing approaches: percentage of collected rent, flat fee per unit, hybrid models, placement (tenant-find) fees, and lease-renewal charges. Use the inputs to model monthly and annual costs and to compare effective rates against your collected rent.

Results are for planning and comparison only. Inputs such as occupancy and average rent materially affect outcomes. Always validate final contracts and state-level regulatory requirements with legal counsel.

Updated Nov 21, 2025

Ongoing monthly fee calculated as a percentage of collected rent (adjusted for occupancy). Shows monthly and annual fee and effective annual rate.

Inputs

Results

Updates as you type

Monthly management fee

$91.20

Annual management fee

$1,094.40

Effective management rate

800.00%

OutputValueUnit
Monthly management fee$91.20currency
Annual management fee$1,094.40currency
Effective management rate800.00%%
Primary result$91.20

Visualization

Methodology

For ongoing monthly fees, the tool first estimates collected rent by adjusting advertised rent for expected occupancy: collected monthly rent = monthly rent × units × occupancy rate. Management fees are then applied to collected rent or calculated as fixed per-unit amounts depending on the chosen method.

Placement and renewal fees are modeled as one-time events and reported as per-unit and total amounts. Where both percent and flat options exist (placement, renewals), the calculator uses the higher of percent-derived fee or flat fee as the applied amount to reflect common market rules.

Minimum monthly fees are applied when specified. The effective management rate expresses annual management fees as a percentage of estimated collected annual rent.

Worked examples

Example: 10 units at $1,200 rent, 95% occupancy, 8% management fee: collected monthly rent = $1,200 × 10 × 0.95 = $11,400. Monthly management fee = $11,400 × 0.08 = $912. Annual fee = $10,944.

Example: Flat fee $75 per unit for 10 units produces $750 per month and $9,000 per year. If a minimum fee of $1,000 is set, the applied monthly fee becomes $1,000.

Key takeaways

Use this multi-method calculator to compare fee structures on a consistent basis by converting all methods into monthly and annual amounts and by expressing impact as an effective rate relative to collected rent.

Treat outputs as planning estimates. Validate with actual invoices, signed management agreements, and local regulatory counsel before making contractual decisions.

Expert Q&A

How accurate are the results?

This tool uses user-provided inputs to model fees. Accuracy depends on the quality of those inputs and on local contractual terms. Use outputs for budgeting and scenario comparison; confirm precise billing rules and legal limits in signed agreements.

Do results include maintenance or repair pass-throughs?

No. This calculator models management-related fees and placement/renewal charges only. Maintenance, repairs, vendor mark-ups, and reserve accounts should be modeled separately and may be charged differently per contract.

How are vacancies handled?

Estimated collected rent is adjusted by the occupancy rate you enter. If your actual occupancy differs, recalculate with the updated rate to see the impact on effective management fees.

Are there regulatory constraints on management fees?

Fee rules and allowable practices vary by jurisdiction. Landlords and managers must comply with state and local laws governing fee disclosures, trust accounting, security deposits, and licensing. This calculator does not replace legal advice.

Can I model a minimum monthly fee?

Yes. Enter a minimum monthly fee to see how it affects applied monthly and annual fees where specified. The calculator applies the minimum to methods that support it.

Sources & citations