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How much should you expect to pay for property management fees in Massachusetts? Due to the varied number of services offered by these companies and the initial start-up costs, getting a firm grasp on your monthly bill can be challenging.
So, we put together this guide. It analyzes how much property managers charge in the Bay State so that you can go into discussions with some knowledge. As part of that analysis, we’ll discuss the most common pricing structures you’ll encounter, average fees in Massachusetts, and how TurboTenant can help you streamline self-management — for free.
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Common Costs
We analyzed the average property management fees that landlords pay in Massachusetts, and overall, we found they’re all pretty similar. The main differences stem from the property’s location. For example, companies in popular urban areas may charge higher property management rates than in smaller towns.
Here’s a helpful chart showing the common fees you’ll pay, their cost, and what they cover.
| Fee Type | Typical Cost in Massachusetts | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Management Fees | 8%–10% of the monthly rent | Communicating with tenants, daily management tasks, collecting monthly rent, etc. |
| Tenant Placement | 50%–100% of the first month’s rent | Marketing, property showings, rental applications, applicant communication, tenant screening, and lease agreements |
| Annual Inspection | $50–$150 (per inspection) | Locally-required inspections, yearly safety and unit condition inspection, and unit inspections at move-in and move-out |
| Maintenance | 5%–15% of the total repair cost | Communicating with tenants, sourcing a contractor, scheduling the repair, and checking on the work |
| Lease Renewal | $200–$500 per lease | Communicating with tenants, updating the lease agreement, and obtaining all signatures |
| Eviction Fees | $200–$500 plus court costs | Filing for the eviction, submitting all paperwork, attending court, and managing the eviction process |
| Vacancy Charges | $50–$200 per vacant unit | Visiting and monitoring the property, scheduling regular cleaning, and coordinating any maintenance |
When you select a property management company, they’ll likely charge you a sign-on fee. The company uses the initial fee to onboard your rental properties, complete the necessary paperwork, and begin your service.
After that, they’ll charge for their services in a few different ways. The most common option is a monthly management fee plus additional costs per service rendered. Examples include:
- Lease renewals
- Tenant placement
- Evictions
Keep in mind that some property management companies opt for a flat fee instead. Flat fees are easier to budget for since costs don’t fluctuate. Depending on the company, you may end up paying more on average, so make sure to shop around. Property managers with a monthly management fee structure typically charge for extra work on an as-needed basis, but flat fees bundle it in.
Ready to better understand property management fees? Massachusetts landlords, here’s what you should expect:
Monthly Management Fees
Every company sets its own terms for the monthly management fee. The monthly management fee covers all baseline tasks for daily operations, including:
- Rent collection (including chasing late payments and handling late fees)
- Leasing
- Daily management of the unit
- Communicating with tenants
- Coordinating move-in and move-out
Average monthly management fee in Massachusetts: 8%–10% of monthly rent
Tenant Placement
When you’re in between tenants, property managers are responsible for filling your vacancy. In most cases, tenant placement is not included in the monthly management fee. It’s either charged as an additional flat fee or a percentage of 1 month’s rent.
Most tenant placement fees include:
- Marketing the listing
- Showing the rental
- Handling all rental applications
- Screening applicants
- Creating the new lease agreement
Average tenant placement fee in Massachusetts: 50%–100% of first month’s rent
Annual Inspection Costs
Yearly inspections are essential for maintaining your unit in a safe and habitable condition. When you hire a property management company, they’ll take this annual task off your hands.
Most companies handle the following inspections:
- Annual unit safety and condition inspection
- Locally-mandated inspections
- Move-in and move-out inspections
Average inspection costs in Massachusetts: $50–$150 per inspection
Maintenance
Say goodbye to middle-of-the-night maintenance requests. When tenants report a repair request, property managers address the issue from start to finish. Most property managers in Massachusetts add a markup to the contractor’s invoice. The fee compensates them for the time it takes to:
- Source and hire a contractor to complete the work
- Schedule, oversee, and coordinate the repair
- Notify tenants and keep them informed of the repair process
Average maintenance fee in Massachusetts: 5%–15% of total repair cost
Lease Renewal
When a responsible tenant says they’d like to re-sign their lease, it’s music to a landlord’s ears. Long-term tenants keep rent flowing and prevent your unit from sitting vacant. Property managers take care of the lease renewal process by:
- Communicating with tenants about the re-signing process
- Updating the contract terms
- Collecting signatures from all parties
Average lease renewal fee in Massachusetts: $200–$500 per lease
Eviction Costs
From attending court to confirming the tenant vacates the unit, property managers take care of the eviction process on your behalf. Here’s what the fees pay for:
- Initiating the eviction process
- Filling out and submitting the paperwork
- Representing landlords in court
- Handling any tasks, like delivering notices, at the property
Average eviction costs in Massachusetts: $200–$500 plus court costs
Vacancy Charges
When your listing is between tenants, property managers spend time looking after the house or apartment. They charge a vacancy fee for the following work:
- Keeping the property safe and secure
- Hiring cleaning companies
- Handling any maintenance
- Being the first response for emergencies (leaks, storm prep, etc.)
Average vacancy charges in Massachusetts: $50–$200 per vacant unit
Costs in Popular Massachusetts Cities
Here’s a quick overview of the average property management fees in Massachusetts’ top cities.
Boston
- Monthly management fee: 8%–12% of 1 month’s rent
- Lease renewals: 20% of 1 month’s rent
- Maintenance: 10%–20% markup on invoice
- Vacancy charges: $0–$150 per unit
Worcester
- Monthly management fee: 8%–9% of 1 month’s rent
- Lease renewals: $150–$500
- Maintenance: 10%–25% markup on invoice
- Vacancy charges: Up to $100 per unit
Springfield
- Monthly management fee: 8%–12% of 1 month’s rent
- Lease renewals: 25%–50% of 1 month’s rent
- Maintenance: 10%–20% markup on invoice
- Vacancy charges: $50–$150 per unit
Cambridge
- Monthly management fee: 8%–12% of 1 month’s rent
- Lease renewals: 25%–75% of 1 month’s rent
- Maintenance: 10%–20% markup on invoice
- Vacancy charges: $50–$200
Brockton
- Monthly management fee: 8%–12% of 1 month’s rent
- Lease renewals: 25%–75% of 1 month’s rent
- Maintenance: 10%–25% markup on invoice
- Vacancy charges: $50–$150 per unit
The Final Word
From the monthly management fee to additional service fees, hiring a property management company entails a range of costs.
As an alternative to traditional property management fees, Massachusetts landlords can self-manage with TurboTenant for free. Sign up to access a complete landlord software with automated tools and free rent collection services that make landlording fast and easy.
Property Management Fees Massachusetts FAQs
What is the average property management fee in Massachusetts?
On average, property management fees start at 8%–10% of 1 month’s rent plus additional fees.
How are property management fees paid?
Property management fees in Massachusetts can be structured in several ways. The most common is a fixed monthly fee, a percentage of the monthly rental income, or a combination of the two.
What fees can a landlord charge in Massachusetts?
A landlord, different from a property manager in Massachusetts, can charge only the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, a security deposit, and the cost of a new lock (G.L. 186, §15B(1)(b)).
