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Who can manage a rental property in Florida?

  • RG
  • Jun 27
  • 3 min read

Under the state law, a licensed real estate broker can legally manage a rental property for you in Florida. In fact, under state law, any individual or company compensated for renting, advertising, or managing leases for another person's property must hold an active real estate broker's license.


If you rent, lease, advertise, negotiate rentals, procure tenants, or handle rent or deposits in connection with licensed rental/leasing activity or brokerage funds for another owner for compensation, the work usually falls under Florida real estate brokerage activity in F.S. 475.01 and requires an active Florida real estate license. A sales associate can do that work only under a licensed broker. A broker is the practical requirement for running a property management company, contracting directly with owners, supervising associates, and handling owner funds through the brokerage.


Must a Florida property management company have a real estate broker's license?


Yes. Key components of property management (renting and leasing) are considered a real estate activity under existing Florida real estate licensing laws. A property manager needs broker license if he or she is paid by commission and is handling rentals and leases for others. No license is required for managing personally owned properties. There is not a "Property Manager" license or certificate.


Are there any exceptions to the requirement that a Florida property manager have a broker's license?


Yes. For example, if a property owner employs someone to manage their property, and that employee is paid a salary, as opposed to being paid a commission or on a transactional basis, a broker's license is not required.

Before hiring a property manager to manage your Florida rental property, you should always check that he or she is licensed appropriately. You can check the license status of Florida property managers at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Licensee Search webpage.


Must Florida community association managers have a real estate broker's license?


No. However, a Community Association Manager (CAM) license under F.S. 468.431 and 468.432 is required if someone receives compensation for providing management services for the following types of associations:

  • An association with ten or more units

  • An association with a budget of $100,000 or greater


For more information on the Community Association Manager license, please contact the Florida Real Estate Commission.


A rental manager placing tenants for condo owners may need a real estate license. A manager handling budgets, notices, maintenance, and assessments for an HOA may need a CAM license. An owner managing only their own rentals may need either. A salaried onsite apartment leasing employee may fall into a specific exemption.


A full-service broker handling your property will typically manage:

  • Marketing & Advertising: Listing your property on multiple listing services (MLS) and rental platforms.

  • Tenant Screening: Running background, credit, and rental history checks.

  • Leasing & Escrow: Negotiating lease terms and securely holding security deposits in licensed escrow accounts.

  • Rent Collection & Eviction: Processing monthly payments and initiating legal proceedings if a tenant breaches the contract.

  • Maintenance: Coordinating repairs and overseeing vendor relationships.


Verify Your Professional’s License


Before signing a management agreement, you should always ensure your property manager or broker is credentialed. You can verify a broker's active status and view any disciplinary history directly through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).


What Does It Cost?


Florida managers typically charge 8–12% of collected rent plus placement and renewal fees.


Unlicensed Real Estate Activity


If the person is illegally operating as a real estate broker or sales associate, this is investigated by the DBPR.


 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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