Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Property Manager
What property managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review overnight maintenance requests and the vacancy report. From there, the day usually includes market and lease vacant units, screen applicants following fair housing laws, and collect rent and manage delinquencies. Most work full-time with some evenings and weekends, plus on-call emergencies.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a property manager working full time.
- Review overnight maintenance requests and the vacancy report.
- Meet the maintenance supervisor about a roof leak.
- Give a tour to a prospective resident.
- Review rent delinquencies and send notices.
- Get bids for parking lot repairs.
- Resolve a noise complaint between neighbors.
- Prepare the monthly owner report.
Where property managers work
Property managers work in on-site leasing offices and walk the property. Some manage several properties and drive between them.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time with some evenings and weekends, plus on-call emergencies.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Market and lease vacant units
- Screen applicants following fair housing laws
- Collect rent and manage delinquencies
- Coordinate maintenance and vendors
- Prepare and manage property budgets
- Respond to resident concerns
- Enforce leases and handle notices
Tools you’ll use every day
- Property management software such as Yardi, AppFolio or RealPage
- Online listing sites
- Spreadsheets
- Work order systems
- Resident portals
- Accounting tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Variety of tasks
- No degree required for many roles
- Growth to regional management
- Some roles include housing discounts
What’s hard
- Difficult residents and evictions
- On-call emergencies
- Pressure to hit occupancy and budget goals
- Many details at once
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like working with people
- I can handle conflicts calmly
- I’m organized with money and details
- I like a mix of office and walking the property
- I want a leadership path without a degree
- I can handle on-call emergencies
Not sure? Take the free Property Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow fair housing laws in every interaction
- Address safety hazards promptly
- Use caution entering units and follow notice rules
- Know emergency procedures for fires, floods and storms