What Are the Fees for Property Management Services?

Anthony A. Luna • September 18, 2024

What Are the Fees for Property Management Services?

What Do Property Management Services Cost?

 

Property management fees vary based on asset type, size, and complexity. The structure should always be clear and documented.

 

At Coastline Equity, multifamily management fees range from 4.75 percent to 7.90 percent, depending on unit count and monthly minimums. Commercial management fees range from 4.00 percent to 5.00 percent, depending on the number of spaces and revenue.

 

In addition to the core management fee, there may be leasing fees, onboarding fees, and direct maintenance costs. What matters most is not only the percentage, but what is included, how maintenance is billed, and whether reporting and controls are disciplined and transparent.

 

If a firm cannot clearly define its fees in writing, you are exposed to surprise costs.

Understanding Coastline Equity’s Pricing Structure

If you are considering hiring a property management company for your multifamily or commercial property, one of the first questions is:  What will this cost me?


We specialize exclusively in:

  • Multifamily properties with 16 units or more
  • Commercial real estate

Transparency is central to our operating model. Below is a full breakdown of how our pricing works.

Management Fees

What Is the Management Fee?

The management fee covers day-to-day operations, including:

  • Rent collection and delinquency tracking
  • Tenant communication and service coordination
  • Vendor oversight and maintenance management
  • Property inspections
  • Monthly financial reporting and KPI review

It is the core operating fee.

Multifamily Management Fees

Units Monthly Minimum Fee Percentage
16 to 24 $1,325 to $1,825 6.90%
25 to 50 $1,875 to $3,125 5.90%
51 to 60 $3,175 to $3,625 4.90%
61 and up $3,675 and up 4.75%

As portfolio size increases, the percentage decreases.

Commercial Property Management Fees

Spaces Monthly Minimum Fee Percentage
1 to 5 $400 to $900 5.00%
6 to 15 $1,000 to $1,850 5.00%
16 and up $1,900 and up 4.00%

Commercial properties often require lease administration, tenant coordination, and expense oversight tailored to each lease structure.

Leasing and Placement Fees

What Are Leasing Fees?

Leasing fees cover:

  • Marketing the property
  • Showing units or spaces
  • Screening applicants
  • Preparing lease documents
  • Coordinating move-in

Multifamily Leasing

  • 50 percent of the first month’s rent per unit
  • No renewal fees

Example: If rent is $1,500 per month, the leasing fee is $750.

Commercial Leasing

  • 3 percent of total lease value
  • Applies to new leases and renewals

Example: A lease totaling $120,000 results in a leasing fee of $3,600.

Working With Outside Leasing Agents

If you choose to use an outside leasing agent:

  • We do not charge an additional leasing fee
  • You will not be double-billed
  • We only charge leasing fees when Coastline Equity performs the leasing work

Maintenance Fees

How Maintenance Is Handled

Maintenance costs are either:

  • In-house technician labor
  • Outside vendor invoices

In-House Maintenance

  • $155 per hour

Example: A three-hour repair costs $465.

Outside Vendors

  • No markup
  • No coordination fee
  • You pay the vendor invoice directly

Example: If a landscaping contractor charges $500, you pay $500.

Maintenance billing should never be a hidden profit center. It should be documented and traceable.

Onboarding Fees

What Is the Onboarding Fee?

The onboarding fee covers:

  • Initial property assessment
  • Account setup and accounting configuration
  • Tenant communication regarding transition
  • Compliance review
  • Data transfer and system configuration

Equivalent to the first month’s management fee. Charged before management begins.

 

Example: If your management fee is $2,125, the onboarding fee is $2,125.

Are There Hidden Fees?

No.

We do not add surprise coordination fees, percentage markups, or vague administrative charges.

All fees are clearly defined in the management agreement. If it is not in the agreement, it is not billed.

What Is Included in the Management Fee

Included

  • Rent collection
  • Delinquency tracking
  • Vendor coordination
  • Maintenance oversight
  • Monthly reporting
  • Lease administration as applicable

Separate or As Needed

  • Leasing and placement
  • Onboarding
  • Direct maintenance labor
  • Major capital project management if applicable

Clarity prevents misunderstandings.

 

How to Compare Property Management Proposals

If you are evaluating multiple firms, ask:

  1. Is the fee based on collected rent or scheduled rent?
  2. Are there monthly minimums?
  3. Are leasing fees charged on renewals?
  4. Is maintenance marked up?
  5. Are there coordination or administrative fees?
  6. What exactly is included in the base management fee?
  7. What reporting cadence will I receive?
  8. Are financial variances explained monthly?

The lowest percentage does not always produce the lowest total cost. Weak controls, vague billing, and poor reporting often cost more than the difference in fee percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any hidden fees?

No. All charges are outlined clearly in the management agreement.

How are maintenance and repair costs handled?

In-house technicians are billed at $155 per hour. Outside vendors are billed at invoice cost with no markup.

What if I prefer to use an outside leasing agent?

You are free to select your own leasing agent or use one we recommend. We do not charge an additional fee if an outside agent handles leasing and renewals.


Do you offer customized service packages?

Yes. We tailor our services to property type, size, and operational complexity.

Do commercial and multifamily fee structures differ?

Yes. Multifamily pricing scales with unit count. Commercial pricing reflects lease structure, revenue profile, and administrative complexity.

Final Thoughts

Understanding property management fees allows you to evaluate proposals clearly.

Fees alone do not determine performance. Discipline, transparency, and operational controls determine whether your NOI improves or erodes.

If you would like a written proposal outlining scope, reporting cadence, and a full fee breakdown tailored to your asset type, schedule a consultation today.

Let's elevate the property management industry together. Share this blog with fellow investors.

More about Coastline Equity

  • Property Management Services

    Our team will handle all your property needs, offering specialized services such as in-depth inspections, liability management, staff recruitment and training, and round-the-clock maintenance—expert support tailored to the unique requirements of your real estate assets.

    Explore Our Services
  • About Us

    Our dedicated team transforms property management challenges into opportunities. From tenant management to streamlined rent collection and proactive maintenance.

    Our Company
  • Property Management Excellence

    As a contributing author for Forbes, Anthony A. Luna brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the property management industry, real estate sector, and entrepreneurship, providing insights and thought-provoking analysis on a range of topics including property management, industry innovation, and leadership. Anthony has established himself as a leading voice in the business community. Through his contributions to Forbes, Anthony is set to publish his first book, 'Property Management Excellence' in April 2025 with Forbes Books.

    About Our CEO
  • Insights

    Learn more about Coastline Equity's property management practices & processes and how we support our clients with education and a growth mindset. Coastline Equity Property Management is your partner as you continue to learn and grow.

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