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Managing a house, a condo or a small apartment building

Short answer

The basics are the same, but condos add HOA rules and approvals, small apartment buildings add shared spaces, utilities and more tenant turnover, and single-family homes put more upkeep (yard, roof, systems) on the owner. Choose a manager with experience in your type of property.

Single-family home

One tenant, often longer stays. The owner usually covers more of the upkeep (roof, systems, sometimes landscaping). Ask how the manager handles inspections and seasonal maintenance.

Condo or townhome

HOA rules can limit rentals, require tenant registration or approvals, and set move-in rules. The HOA handles common areas; the owner and manager handle the unit. Ask whether the manager works with your HOA and how they pass on HOA notices.

2 to 4 units

Shared spaces, utilities and more frequent turnover. Some rules depend on unit count and whether you live on site. Ask about turnover times, utility billing and how they handle neighbour issues.

5 or more units

Closer to commercial operations: budgets, on-site staff, vendor contracts and reporting. Look for managers who list apartment buildings and multifamily in their services.

On our city pages, each company card shows the property types it lists on its website.

Written by The Property Management Directory team. Last checked October 2026.