The Differences Between a Property Manager vs Landlord

Keeping up with rental properties is quite the task. There are professionals all over who do it day in and day out. The interesting thing is that there is no single way to manage it though. When someone moves into a rental, there are a whole host of people that they may face when it comes to pay rent, request a repair, or whatever may come up. It raises some questions. What is a property manager vs landlord, two of the most common people who manage such property? What are the differences, and what can you expect when dealing with one versus another.

Here in Georgia, we need to know the ins and outs of these roles. Our Atlanta property services cover everything that is involved with the responsibilities, and so knowing where one ends and the other begins is truly important. It’s totally what we do. In this article we will cover the following:

• Differences Between a Property Manager vs Landlord – We will cover many of the key differences between property manager vs landlord.
• FAQ – We will go over a number of the main questions that people often ask in relation to the topic.
• Why Not Hire a Property Manager? – And finally, we will touch on how hiring the right property management company can solve many of your problems.

Differences Between a Property Manager vs Landlord

When people talk about renting, the terms “landlord” and “property manager” sometimes get used like they mean the same thing. We get that a lot. But if you’re involved in renting or managing property, the differences actually matter quite a bit. Knowing the difference means understanding their thinking in a lot of ways.

A landlord typically owns the property. That’s the biggest thing to remember. They’re the ones who put up the money (or took out the loan) and ultimately profit from the rent. A property manager works on behalf of the landlord or owner, handling the day-to-day tasks so the landlord doesn’t have to. That can include everything from marketing the units when the time comes to setting up repairs to dealing with late rents. They do a bunch of the everyday so other people like landlords don’t have to.

Another big difference is who holds the final authority. Landlords make the final decisions—especially on big things like evictions, lease terms, or renovations. Property managers might recommend actions, but they follow the landlord’s instructions, unless they’ve been given more decision-making power through a management contract.

Lastly, the roles of property manager vs landlord can feel really different in terms of time and effort. Landlords who self-manage are on the hook for everything, which can be overwhelming. Property managers, meanwhile, are hired specifically to lighten that load. They often manage multiple properties and bring experience to things like screening tenants or handling local regulations, especially in places with unique rules like when dealing with Georgia landlord-tenant laws or other states such as Maryland. So while they’re connected, the roles aren’t interchangeable.

FAQ

Is a property manager a landlord​ also?

The answer is that it is usually not described that way. A property manager and landlord are not typically the same person… but it can happen. A property manager is usually someone hired by the landlord to take care of the day-to-day operations… things like rent collection, repairs, and tenant communication. But sometimes a landlord might manage their own properties, which makes them technically both landlord and property manager. It just depends on whether they’ve outsourced the work or kept it in-house.

Is a landlord the same as a property manager​?

Nope, they’re not the same thing… even if they work closely together. Here we outlined a lot of the differences between property manager vs landlord. A landlord owns the property and makes the big-picture decisions. A property manager handles the nitty-gritty, often acting as the go-between for tenants and the landlord. They might feel like the same person from a tenant’s point of view, but behind the scenes, they can have different roles.

When should a landlord hire a property management company​?

Usually when things start to get overwhelming or time-consuming. If a landlord has multiple properties, lives far away, or just doesn’t want to deal with midnight plumbing calls, bringing in a property management company can be a smart move. It takes a load off and puts the daily responsibilities in the hands of people who do this stuff for a living.

Why Not Hire a Property Manager?

Keeping up with all the responsibilities, whether property manager or landlord, can stress anyone out. It becomes a lot. However, when you hire an all-around professional property management solution, you can feel at peace knowing your rentals are managed and are kept compliant every step of the way.

Contact Us Today! 

Bay Property Management Group is your answer. We offer comprehensive rental management services in Smyrna and Atlanta areas, as well Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and elsewhere. Contact BMG today if you need assistance managing your rental business.