What does that fee actually cover? Here's what's typically included:

• Rent collection – They chase down payments so you don't have to
• Tenant communication – Handling questions, complaints, and requests
• Maintenance coordination – Scheduling repairs and managing vendors
• Property accounting – Tracking income, expenses, and generating reports
• Lease enforcement – Making sure tenants follow the rules
• Online owner portal access – So you can check on your property anytime

Some companies offer flat-rate monthly fees instead of percentages. This can work in your favor if you have higher-rent properties, but make sure you're comparing apples to apples when evaluating different Tampa property management fees.

One-Time Fees: What You'll Pay Upfront

Beyond the monthly percentage, there are several one-time fees you might encounter when first getting your property set up with a management company.

Leasing or Tenant Placement Fee:

This is the fee charged to find, screen, and place a qualified tenant in your property. In Tampa, this typically runs 50-100% of one month's rent.

Yes, that's a wide range. Some companies charge half a month's rent, others charge a full month. The difference often comes down to:

• How thorough their screening process is
• What marketing they provide
• Whether they handle all showings personally
• The local demand for rentals in your area

A company charging 100% might include professional photography, virtual tours, and aggressive marketing. A company charging 50% might list it on a few sites and call it a day. Ask what's included before you sign.

Setup or Onboarding Fee:

Some Tampa property management companies charge a $100-$300 setup fee when you first bring your property on board. This covers the administrative work of adding your property to their system, conducting an initial inspection, and creating your owner account.

Not every company charges this, so it's worth asking upfront.

Renewal and Ongoing Fees

Your tenant signed a lease. Great. But what happens when that lease is up for renewal?

Lease Renewal Fee:

When a tenant decides to stay for another term, many companies charge a lease renewal fee. This typically ranges from $100-$500 as a flat rate, or 25-50% of one month's rent.

The renewal fee covers the paperwork, rent rate evaluation, and coordination with the tenant. Some owners grumble about this fee since it seems less work than finding a new tenant, but it's pretty standard across the industry.

Property Inspection Fees:

Regular inspections protect your investment. Most property managers conduct periodic inspections to check on the property's condition and ensure tenants are following lease terms.

Expect to pay $50-$150 per inspection. Some companies include one or two inspections annually in their management fee, while others charge separately for each visit.

If you want to keep your property maintenance costs down, regular inspections are actually worth the investment. Catching small problems early saves you from expensive repairs later.

Maintenance Markup:

Here's one that catches some owners off guard. Many property management companies add a 10-20% markup on repair and maintenance costs.

So if a plumber charges $200 to fix a leak, you might see $220-$240 on your statement. This markup compensates the management company for coordinating vendors, verifying work quality, and handling the logistics.

Some companies don't charge this markup but may have higher monthly fees to compensate. Others negotiate volume discounts with vendors that offset the markup. Ask how your prospective company handles maintenance billing.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rental Fees

Planning to run an Airbnb or vacation rental in Tampa? The fee structure changes significantly.

Long-term rentals (annual leases) typically see that 8-12% monthly fee we discussed earlier.

Short-term rentals are more management-intensive and command higher fees: 12-25% of rental income is standard.

Why the difference? Short-term rentals require:

• More frequent guest communication
• Cleaning coordination between stays
• Dynamic pricing adjustments
• 24/7 availability for guest issues
• More frequent property inspections
• Listing optimization across multiple platforms

If you're deciding between rental apartments vs. rental homes or short-term vs. long-term strategies, factor these fee differences into your investment calculations.

Other Fees You Might Encounter

Depending on your Tampa property management company, you might also see:

• Eviction fees – If a tenant needs to be removed, expect $200-$500 plus legal costs
• Advertising/marketing fees – Some charge extra for premium listing placements
• Home warranty coordination fees – If repairs go through a warranty company
• Early termination fees – If you cancel your management contract early

Always read the management agreement carefully. The best companies are transparent about every potential charge before you sign.

What to Look for in a Tampa Property Management Company

Price matters, but it shouldn't be your only consideration. The cheapest Tampa property management fees don't always mean the best value.

Here's what to evaluate:

Transparency – Do they clearly explain all fees upfront? Or do you have to dig through fine print?

Communication – How quickly do they respond? Do they have systems for keeping you informed?

Experience – How long have they managed properties in the Tampa area? Do they understand local regulations?

Reviews – What do other property owners say about working with them?

Services included – Compare what's bundled into the monthly fee versus charged separately.

A company charging 10% with excellent service and low turnover will likely net you more money than a company charging 8% that can't keep tenants or maintain your property properly.

When comparing Tampa property management companies, get everything in writing. Ask for a full fee schedule before signing any agreement. And remember that the goal isn't to find the cheapest option: it's to find the best value for protecting and growing your investment.

Have questions about what to expect from property management in the Tampa area? Reach out to our team anytime. We're happy to walk you through the details and help you make an informed decision.