How much does property management cost in California?
The short answer: 8–12% of monthly rent for long-term rentals plus a leasing fee, or 20–35% of revenue for short-term rentals — but the all-in number is what matters. Here's the full breakdown, plus the fees managers don't advertise.
Typical California property management fees
California property management pricing has a few standard components. Knowing each one lets you compare quotes on a true all-in basis instead of a headline percentage.
| Fee | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly management | 8–12% of collected rent | Rent collection, maintenance coordination, reporting |
| Leasing / tenant placement | 50–100% of one month's rent | Marketing, showings, screening, lease signing |
| Lease renewal | $150–$500 or 20–30% of a month | Renewing an existing tenant |
| Maintenance markup | 10–20% on each repair | Added on top of the vendor's invoice |
| Short-term / Airbnb | 20–35% of revenue | Listing, pricing, guest comms, turnovers |
Hidden fees to watch for
A 8% headline rate can cost more all-in than a 10% rate once you add a full-month leasing fee, renewal fees, and maintenance markups. Before you sign, ask any California manager for:
- The leasing/placement fee — and whether it repeats on turnover.
- Whether maintenance carries a markup over the vendor invoice.
- Renewal fees, reserve/setup fees, and vacancy fees.
- Whether marketing or photography is billed separately.
How Hearth prices
Hearth keeps it to one number. 8% of collected rent for long-term rentals and 15% of revenue for short-term / Airbnb management — with no separate leasing fee, no renewal fee, and no markup on maintenance. That covers leasing, rent collection, maintenance coordination, California compliance, and clean monthly owner statements with direct-deposit payouts.
Get an all-in quote for your property
Book a free strategy call and we'll show you your net after fees — line by line — for your specific California rental.
Book a free strategy call →Frequently asked questions
What is the average property management fee in California?
Most California property managers charge 8–12% of collected monthly rent for long-term rentals, plus a separate leasing/tenant-placement fee of half a month to a full month's rent. Short-term / Airbnb managers typically charge 20–35% of revenue. Hearth charges a flat 8% for long-term and 15% for short-term, with no separate leasing fee and no maintenance markup.
Are there hidden property management fees to watch for?
Yes. Common add-ons include leasing/placement fees, lease-renewal fees, maintenance markups (10–20% on every repair), reserve/setup fees, vacancy fees, and marketing fees. Ask any manager for an all-in number. Hearth's 8% covers management, rent collection, maintenance coordination, compliance, and reporting.
Is a property manager worth the cost in California?
For most owners, yes — a good manager reduces vacancy days, prices to live comps, screens tenants properly, and keeps you compliant with California's strict deposit, notice, and rent-cap rules. The avoided vacancy and legal risk usually more than covers the fee.
How does Hearth's pricing compare?
Hearth is a flat 8% of collected rent for long-term rentals and 15% of revenue for short-term rentals — no leasing fee, no renewal fee, no markup on maintenance. On a typical rental that's meaningfully cheaper all-in than a 10% + one-month-leasing structure.