Undercharging erodes your margin
Management fees set by gut feel — not market data — are often 1–2% below what the market will bear, costing thousands annually.
No per-service fee table = ad hoc charges
Without a published fee schedule, every lease prep, inspection, and maintenance coordination becomes a negotiation.
No formula = no basis for fee increases
When you can't show clients how your fee translates to annual income for the service provided, raising rates feels impossible.
Why property management pricing needs a system, not a guess
For self-employed property managers and small agencies, undercharging is the most common and most costly mistake. Management fees set by guessing what the market will accept — rather than benchmarking what the market actually pays — leave real income on the table every single month. This template gives you the data to set your fee schedule with confidence: management fee benchmarks across Australian markets, per-service rates for inspections, lease prep, maintenance coordination, and lease renewals, plus a formula to calculate your annual management income per property. Use the included AI pricing benchmark prompt to check your current rates against the current market in under two minutes.
What You Get
Management Fee Benchmarks
Australian market ranges for management fees, standard residential (5–10%), premium markets (8–12%), and regional properties. Includes typical inclusions and exclusions so you know what to bundle vs. charge separately.
Per-Service Fee Table & Formula
Rate benchmarks for routine inspections ($60–$120), lease preparation ($100–$200), maintenance coordination, lease renewals, and bond lodgement. Plus the annual management fee formula: (weekly rent × rate × 52) ÷ 12.
AI Pricing Benchmark Prompt
A ready-to-use prompt that asks an AI assistant to benchmark your current rates against the current Australian market for your property type, location, and service inclusions. Takes under two minutes to run.
Who It’s For
Built for self-employed property managers and small agencies managing Australian residential properties.
Self-managing landlords
Boutique property managers
Airbnb & short-stay managers
NDIS housing providers
Property investors with a portfolio
A preview of what's inside
Here are the benchmark rate ranges included in the free template:
Management Fee (Standard)
5% – 10%
Of weekly rent. Most common range across Australian residential property management.
Routine Inspection Fee
$60 – $120
Per inspection. Some managers include 2–4 inspections per year in their management fee.
Lease Preparation Fee
$100 – $200
Per new tenancy. Covers advertising, applications, reference checks, and lease signing.
Maintenance Coordination
5% – 10% of job
Commission on trade invoices coordinated on behalf of the owner. Charge upfront in your fee schedule.
Pricing Formula (Preview)
Annual management income = (weekly rent × management rate × 52) ÷ 12
+ Full fee schedule table, inclusions/exclusions breakdown, rate increase script, and AI benchmark prompt — all inside the free download.
ATO & Compliance Note
Important
All management fees, inspection fees, lease preparation income, and maintenance commissions are assessable income for property management sole traders. Software licences, professional memberships, inspection travel, and home office costs are all potentially deductible. Track all income and expenses in Sole throughout the year.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions
What is the typical management fee range for Australian residential property managers?
Management fees for Australian residential property managers typically range from 5% to 10% of the weekly rent, with the average sitting around 7–8% in most capital city markets. Premium inner-city properties and short-stay management may command 8–12%. Regional and rural properties can vary significantly. The key is to benchmark your rate against comparable services in your specific market, not against a national average.
Should I include inspections in my management fee or charge separately?
Both models are common in the Australian market. Bundling inspections (2–4 per year) into the management fee is simpler to sell and reduces client invoice friction. Charging separately ($60–$120 per inspection) is more transparent and rewards clients who need fewer inspections. Whichever model you choose, document it clearly in your management agreement and fee schedule so clients understand what triggers a fee.
How often should I review and increase my management fees?
Annual fee reviews are standard practice. Tie any increase to an anniversary date, a market benchmark update, or a significant change in your service offering. Give clients at least 30 days’ written notice of any fee increase. Frame the increase around the value you provide and the market benchmark, not just operational cost increases. Sole’s invoicing history makes it easy to confirm current fee arrangements before any review.
What is a lease preparation fee and when should I charge it?
A lease preparation fee covers the work involved in finding and onboarding a new tenant: advertising, processing applications, completing reference checks, preparing the lease, and completing an entry condition report. The typical Australian range is $100–$200 per new tenancy. This fee is separate from the ongoing management fee and should be clearly listed in your fee schedule and management agreement.
Can I use Sole to invoice both tenants and property owners for different fee types?
Yes. In Sole, you can create separate invoices for each service type and each client. This means you can issue management fee invoices to property owners at the end of each month, inspection fee invoices after each inspection, and lease preparation invoices when a new tenant is placed — all from the same platform. Sole’s invoice history gives you a clean record for both tax time and any client fee disputes.