Understand property management fees in Ottawa.

Compare the agreement, not just the headline.

A monthly percentage, a fixed amount per unit and a portfolio quote describe different arrangements. Check what each fee covers, when it applies and which services cost extra before comparing offers.

Request the same written scenario from each company: the same units, monthly rents, occupied months and expected tenant changes. Ask for an itemized fee schedule before trying to compare subtotals.

Percentage or flat monthly fee: a worked example

For a hypothetical rental with $2,000 in rent collected each month, an 8% management fee is $160 a month, or $1,920 over 12 occupied, fully paid months. A flat $170 monthly fee totals $2,040 over the same period. At $3,000 monthly rent, the 8% fee becomes $240 a month or $2,880 a year, while the flat fee stays $2,040.

These are illustrative inputs, not offers or typical Ottawa prices. The two examples are equal at $2,125 of monthly rent if the scope and billing terms are identical. Vacancy, arrears, minimums and service differences can change the comparison. These subtotals exclude placement, taxes, other fees and property expenses.

Model your own fees

How to compare tenant-placement costs

Keep a placement fee separate from recurring management. In a hypothetical example, one month’s rent on a $2,000 rental means a $2,000 placement charge; half a month means $1,000. Check whether the quoted fee is earned at signing or move-in, whether a minimum applies, and whether photography or advertising costs extra.

A published placement price does not establish that the service is available without ongoing management. Ask for the standalone price, included work and replacement conditions. A fee described as included may depend on a particular management package.

Understand placement-only services

Which extra fees should you ask about?

Ask for a written schedule covering onboarding, inspections, lease renewal, maintenance coordination and contractor markups. Establish whether each item is included, separately priced or still unconfirmed, and what triggers the charge. Do not treat an omitted fee as zero.

Record the tax treatment beside each amount. Confirm any cancellation, account-closing or transfer charges before signing. Request the same rental scenario from each provider so the resulting subtotals cover the same work.

What to get in writing

• Percentage basis: rent due, rent collected, gross rent or another amount?
• Minimum charge and tier boundaries: per unit, per property or across the portfolio?
• Vacancy, arrears and partial-month charges.
• Placement, lease renewal, onboarding, inspections and emergency attendance.
• Maintenance coordination, contractor markups, project oversight and approval limits.
• HST treatment, cancellation terms, account closing and transfer of records.

Use a scenario without manufacturing certainty.

The fee calculator accepts your own numeric assumptions. It separates recurring management from placement fees and labels their sum “Subtotal of entered fees”. Unknown taxes, other charges and property costs stay outside that subtotal.

Do not enter one attractive tier as if it applies to every unit. Ask for a confirmed rate when the price depends on assessment, rent bands, minimums or occupancy. No company-specific scenario is prefilled.