Property Manager
A person or company paid to run a rental or condo for an owner, handling tenants, rent, repairs and records, with licensing set by each province.
A property manager runs a property on the owner's behalf. For a rental, that can mean advertising units, screening tenants, collecting rent, arranging repairs and keeping records. For a condo, the manager works for the condo corporation and its board. The fee and duties come from the management contract, so read it closely.
Licensing depends on the province and the type of property. In Ontario, anyone providing condominium management services must hold a licence from the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO). The rules are in the Condominium Management Services Act, 2015. In Alberta, condo managers and condo management companies have needed a licence from the Real Estate Council of Alberta since 1 December 2021.
In British Columbia, rental property management counts as a real estate service. Under the Real Estate Services Act, a person who provides it to others for pay must be licensed or exempt. An owner managing their own property is exempt, and so are employees who manage only for that owner.
In Ontario, hiring a manager does not end the owner's role as landlord. The Residential Tenancies Act defines a landlord to include the owner and any other person who permits occupancy. Landlord and Tenant Board guidelines say an owner and a manager who rents units and runs daily operations may both be landlords. A manager can also sign a notice of termination as the landlord's agent.
Representing an owner at a hearing is narrower. The Board may refuse an unlicensed property manager who provides legal services to several landlords without a Law Society exemption. Ask whether your manager uses a licensed paralegal or lawyer for Board cases.
Sources
- CMRAO: About licensing
- RECA: Condo manager licences are now required (1 December 2021)
- BCFSA: Application of the Real Estate Services Act to non-profit housing organizations
- Landlord and Tenant Board Interpretation Guideline 21: Landlords, tenants, occupants
Last reviewed October 16, 2026.
Go deeper
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General information only, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and vary by province; confirm the current details with the relevant authority before you rely on them.