Perth property management fees: a landlord's guide for 2026

The main ongoing cost, charged weekly as a percentage of the rent collected. It covers rent collection, tenant communication, maintenance coordination, compliance oversight, monthly reporting and owner disbursements. This is the fee most agencies lead with in their marketing.

Perth agencies typically charge between 7% and 10% plus GST. At the lower end you will generally find boutique or specialist agencies. Higher-volume franchise agencies tend to sit toward the upper end of this range. Some agencies charge a flat rate regardless of rent level; others use a tiered structure where higher-rent properties attract a lower percentage.

The management rate is worth comparing, but it is the least reliable indicator of total annual cost. A 7% agency with a full schedule of add-on fees can cost more than a 9% agency that includes everything.

Charged when a new tenant is placed. It covers advertising, home opens, tenant screening, reference checks, lease preparation and bond lodgement. You only pay it when a tenancy starts, so a tenant who stays three years means one letting fee across that period.

The Perth market standard is 2 weeks rent plus GST, though some agencies have reduced this for higher-rent properties. At $700 per week, 2 weeks rent plus GST is $1,540. It is worth asking whether the letting fee is negotiable or whether it scales with rent level.

A per-vacancy cost covering professional photography, listings on the major portals (realestate.com.au and domain.com.au), a signboard, and in some cases a floor plan or virtual tour. This is not an ongoing charge.

Quality photography and a premium listing position directly affects how quickly a property leases and the calibre of applicants you attract. One additional week of vacancy at $700 per week costs more than the entire advertising package, so underinvesting here is a false economy.

Some agencies bundle advertising into the letting fee. Make sure you know what is included and at what quality before assuming this is covered.

The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) permits a maximum of four routine inspections per year. The first cannot occur until three months after the tenancy starts, and subsequent inspections must be at least three months apart. Written notice is required before each inspection.

Routine inspections document property condition, identify maintenance issues early and create a record that is important if a bond dispute arises at the end of a tenancy. Most agencies charge separately for each inspection. The price range reflects variation in report quality, technology used and who conducts the inspection.

Charged when a tenant renews their lease. Covers the rent review process, market assessment, tenant negotiation, updated documentation and tenancy continuation planning. A proactive property manager will begin this process two to three months before expiry and advise on whether and by how much to adjust the rent.

This is a per-event cost, not ongoing. If your tenant stays for five years and renews twice, you pay the renewal fee twice across that entire period.

A legally required document recording the state of the property before a new tenant moves in. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), it must be provided to the tenant within seven days of the tenancy commencing.

The PCR is also your primary evidence in any bond dispute at the end of the tenancy. A detailed report with photographs and condition notes for every room is worth doing properly. Most Perth agencies charge $150 to $350 plus GST depending on property size, though some boutique agencies include it as part of their service. Always ask before assuming it is included.

Conducted when a tenant vacates, the FBI compares the property's current condition against the original PCR to determine whether any bond deductions are warranted. It is a critical step in protecting your investment at the end of each tenancy.

Most Perth agencies charge $150 to $250 plus GST for this inspection. As with the PCR, some agencies include it. It is worth confirming which approach your agency takes before you sign anything, as these two fees alone can add $300 to $600 per tenancy change.

Many agencies charge fees that do not appear in the headline management rate. Common examples include a monthly administration fee ($10 to $15 per month), an EOFY financial statement fee ($50 to $100 per year), a title search fee at commencement ($20 to $30), database and tenancy history checks ($15 to $20 each, typically twice per year), a debt collection subscription ($60 to $80 per year) and maintenance invoice processing surcharges of 5% to 10% of each invoice.

These can add $300 to $600 or more per year above the advertised management rate. The only reliable way to compare total cost is to request a complete written fee schedule covering every possible charge, not just the headline percentage.