What Perth property managers actually charge.

Charged on rent collected. It covers rent collection and disbursement, tenant communication, maintenance coordination, compliance, reporting and the day to day running of the tenancy.

Boutique and specialist agencies tend to sit at the lower end, higher volume franchises at the upper. Some charge a flat rate regardless of rent, others tier it so higher rents attract a lower percentage. Ask whether the fee applies to rent only or also to tenant reimbursables like water, because a percentage charged on money that simply passes through is a real cost that never appears in the headline rate.

Charged when a new tenant is placed. Advertising, home opens, screening, reference and database checks, lease preparation and bond lodgement. At $750 a week, two weeks rent plus GST is about $1,650.

Because it is per tenancy rather than ongoing, tenant retention is worth more than most owners realise. A tenant who stays four years means you pay it once. A property that turns over annually means you pay it four times, plus four advertising campaigns and four vacancy periods.

Per vacancy. Professional photography, portal listings, a signboard, sometimes a floor plan or virtual tour. Not an ongoing charge.

This is the one worth spending on. A single extra week of vacancy at $750 costs more than most full marketing packages, so saving $200 on photography to spend an extra fortnight on market is a poor trade. Check what is included and at what standard rather than assuming it is covered by the letting fee.

The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) permits up to four routine inspections in any twelve month period, with proper written notice before each one.

Inspections document condition, catch maintenance early and build the record that matters if a bond is ever disputed. The price range mostly reflects what you actually get: a two page PDF of phone photos and a detailed report with dated images are both called a routine inspection. Ask to see a sample before you sign.

Charged when a tenant renews. Covers the rent review, market assessment, negotiation and updated documentation.

Worth asking how far ahead the review happens. Rent can generally only be increased once every twelve months in WA, so a renewal handled late does not just delay an increase, it can cost you the whole year's worth of it.

A written and photographic record of the property before the tenant moves in. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), copies must reach the tenant within seven days of the tenancy starting.

It is also the document a disputed bond is decided on, because the ingoing and outgoing records get compared side by side in the Magistrates Court. Dated photographs and specific written descriptions are the evidence. Ticks in boxes are not. This is not a fee to shop on price for, but it is one to ask whether it is included.

Conducted when the tenant vacates, comparing current condition against the original condition report to work out what if anything comes out of the bond.

Together with the condition report this pair can add $300 to $600 per tenancy change. Some agencies include both. Confirm which approach applies before you sign anything.

Commonly: a monthly administration fee, an end of financial year statement fee, a title search at commencement, tenancy database checks, a debt collection subscription, and in some cases a percentage surcharge added to maintenance invoices.

Each is small. Together they can add several hundred dollars a year above the advertised rate. The maintenance surcharge is the one to watch, because it scales with how much work your property needs and it is the only fee on this list that rewards your agency for spending your money.

Generally 8 to 11 per cent of rent collected plus GST, with most agencies between 8.5 and 9.5. The headline rate is the least useful number for comparison, because condition reports, final bond inspections, statements and administration fees can add several hundred dollars a year on top. Ask for a complete written schedule before comparing anything.

On a $750 a week property, 9 per cent plus GST is about $74 a week or $3,860 a year. At 8 per cent it is roughly $66 a week, at 11 per cent about $91. Inspections, renewals and anything charged when a tenancy changes sit on top. The calculator above will do it for your rent.

Generally yes, in the year they are incurred. Capital works and borrowing expenses are treated differently and claimed over time. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and ownership structure, so confirm with a registered tax agent rather than relying on a website.

Advertising, photography, portal listing, home opens, screening, reference and database checks, lease preparation and bond lodgement. Around two weeks rent plus GST is the Perth standard, with some agencies at three. It is per tenancy rather than ongoing, so a tenant who stays four years means you pay it once.

That is a fair question to ask and the answer varies by agency. A percentage charged on money that simply passes through your account is a real cost that never appears in the headline rate. Worth asking specifically, because it is rarely volunteered.

Up to four in any twelve month period under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), with proper written notice before each one. Most agencies charge separately for each. Ask what the report actually looks like before you judge the price.

Monthly administration fees, end of financial year statement fees, title searches, tenancy database checks, debt collection subscriptions, and percentage surcharges on maintenance invoices. That last one is the one to watch, because it scales with how much work your property needs.

If your agency is reactive, hard to reach, surprising you with charges, or you have never seen a decent inspection report, it is worth looking. The process is simpler than most owners expect and does not disrupt the tenancy. Check your agreement for a notice period or exit fee first.