What's the typical monthly fee?

Percentage of collected rent is standard. Single-family and small multifamily typically run in the high single digits to low double digits as a percentage. Larger portfolios negotiate lower. Flat-fee models exist but are less common in California.

What's a leasing fee?

Charged when the PM places a new tenant. Often equivalent to one half-month to full-month rent. Covers marketing, showings, screening, lease drafting. Some firms charge separate showing fees or screening pass-through.

What's a renewal fee?

Charged when an existing tenant renews. Lower than leasing fee. Some firms waive renewal fees or roll them into the monthly. Confirm in the PM agreement.

Are maintenance markups standard?

Some PMs add a markup on vendor invoices for coordination. Some charge cost-plus, some pass through at cost. Always confirm whether vendor invoices are passed through transparently or marked up.

What about vacancy or other miscellaneous fees?

Watch for: vacancy fee (charged when unit is empty), inspection fee (annual walkthroughs), eviction-coordination fee, year-end accounting fee, ACH fee. A good PM agreement consolidates these. Ask for the all-in cost projection on a typical year.

Monthly · Leasing · Renewal · Maintenance

Property management fees. It's not just the monthly percentage.

The all-in cost is monthly + leasing + renewal + maintenance markup + miscellaneous. Sticker-comparing monthly percentages misses 30–40% of actual annual cost.

TL;DR

Monthly % of collected rent + leasing fee (~half to full month) + renewal fee + maintenance markup + vacancy/inspection/accounting miscellaneous. Compare all-in annual cost, not just the headline %. NGC publishes our complete fee schedule upfront.

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Common questions — PM fees

Monthly typical?

High single digits to low double digits % of rent.

Leasing fee?

Often half-month to full-month rent.

Renewal fee?

Lower; some waive.

Maintenance markup?

Confirm: cost-plus or pass-through.

Miscellaneous fees?

Vacancy, inspection, accounting, ACH — ask for all-in.