What’s included in a standard property management fee?
The management fee is the primary cost property owners pay. It is a percentage of the rent collected, and it covers the day-to-day operations of managing your property:
A transparent company’s cost structure will clearly outline what the management fee covers. If additional services are charged separately, they should be itemised in the agreement - and you should know before you sign whether the percentage is also added to maintenance bills and other outgoings, because that changes the true cost more than the headline rate does.
Aspire’s fees, in full (excl GST).
Our prices, explained
Our friendly team is happy to discuss any of the fees above.
How our fees compare to the NZ average.
| Fee type | NZ market range | Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 7-10% of rent + GST is typical; published guides quote 6-12% | 7.5% of rent collected (+GST), the same NZ-wide |
| Letting fee (new tenancy) | Usually one week’s rent + GST | One week’s rent - or spread it over the tenancy via a slightly higher management percentage |
| Routine inspections | $40-$100 per inspection | $55 per inspection; entry and exit inspections included in the management fee |
| Mark-up on maintenance & outgoings | Some companies add their percentage - or 4-10% - to maintenance, rates and water bills | Never. $0 - we do not add a margin to any bill |
Market ranges compiled from published NZ fee guides (Harper Properties, Opes Partners, Trade Me Property, Ray White 360), checked 1 September 2026. GST-exclusive unless stated.
A worked example
On a $650/week Auckland rental, Aspire’s 7.5% management fee is $48.75 a week (+GST) - and that is the whole management cost. If we also arrange a $4,000 rates payment and a $600 plumbing job in the same year, you pay exactly $4,600 for those bills, with nothing added. A company that adds its percentage to outgoings would charge around $345 more on those two bills alone.
Why property management fees vary
Fees depend on the property’s location, the type of property, the level of service and technology, and the experience and reputation of the company. It can be tempting to choose the cheapest manager, but low fees often come at a cost: managers handling too many properties may struggle to maintain service standards, respond quickly, or keep up with compliance. A slightly higher fee for quality service often delivers greater long-term value than the lowest possible rate - well-managed properties have fewer vacancies, fewer problems, and better rent returns. Check out our Google reviews to see how happy our customers are with our service.
The hidden cost most companies don’t mention: management fees added to maintenance.
A mark-up can seem small, but it adds up quickly. Over twelve months you could face:
That adds up to more than $500 in extra fees each year, on top of your main management fees. To avoid surprises, always confirm whether maintenance and outgoings are charged separately - transparent companies make it clear when the management fee covers all administrative costs.
The true property manager cost is not just the percentage rate you pay. It is about how well your property is managed, how tenants are selected, and how efficiently maintenance is handled. When comparing cost structures, transparency is key: choose a company that can clearly explain every fee, provide regular reports, and offers communication you can rely on.
Letting fees and other one-off charges.
Letting and advertising fees
When finding a new tenant, most companies charge a letting fee - usually one week’s rent plus GST - and an advertising fee to cover marketing. These pay for photography and listings, viewings, screening and vetting tenants, and preparing tenancy agreements and bond documentation. Our advertising fee is the fee that Trade Me charges us for your property listing - we do not add a mark up onto this and we give you the discount that Trade Me applies for our bulk buying. We offer two letting fee choices:
Inspection fees
Regular inspections keep a rental in good condition and most insurers require them every three months to keep your policy valid. Some companies include inspections in their management fee, others charge per inspection. Charging separately keeps the incentive to actually complete them - which is why we charge $55 per routine inspection, and include entry and exit inspections in the management fee. The inspection fee covers our travel time to and from the property, and our time completing the inspection and the comprehensive report.
Administration and statement fees
It is not uncommon for companies to charge extra for monthly statements, trust accounting, or end-of-year summaries. A well-structured management fee should already include administrative services - ours does, and we don’t charge for financial statements.
Photography fees
High-quality photos help properties rent faster and attract better tenants, and usually pay for themselves through shorter vacancies. Professional photos are from $250 with us - or we photograph your property free if you’d rather not pay for professional photography (however the professional photos are amazing and worth it).
Tribunal representation
If a dispute escalates to the Tenancy Tribunal, most companies charge an hourly rate for preparation and representation - usually between $70 and $100 per hour. Ours is $75 per hour, and disputes are rare when properties are well managed: we attend roughly eight times a year across 1,200+ properties.
Is a property management fee tax deductible?
Yes - property management fees are fully tax deductible as an expense against your rental income, and so are most of the one-off charges on this page. We break down exactly what that means for your rental income, with real numbers, in our guide: Did You Know Your Property Management Fee is Tax Deductible?
Choosing a property manager on more than price.
These questions reveal whether a company operates transparently and has the systems and staff to deliver consistent results. There is a longer read on this in our guide: how to choose the right property manager for your investment property.