There are two ways to run a rental once you own it: pay someone to manage it, or manage it yourself with the right tools. Both are legitimate. The choice comes down to how much you value your time, your control, and the slice of rent a manager takes.
In short: a property manager handles the work — finding tenants, collecting rent, coordinating repairs — in exchange for a recurring cut of your rent (commonly around 8–12% for full management, plus tenant-find fees). PropFlow doesn't do the work for you; it gives you the systems to self-manage — rent tracking, reminders, documents and reports — for a flat, low fee. Choose a manager for hands-off; choose PropFlow for control and lower cost.
What a property manager does for you
Hiring out is real value, not just expense. A good manager:
- Finds and screens tenants, and handles viewings and paperwork.
- Collects rent and chases arrears so you don't have to.
- Coordinates repairs through their own contractors.
- Tracks compliance — safety checks, deposits, notices.
- Gives you your time back. You can ignore the property for months.
If you're remote, time-poor, or scaling fast, that's often worth every percent.
What it costs you
The trade-offs are just as real:
- A recurring percentage of rent, for as long as they manage it — the single biggest cost.
- Set-up and tenant-find fees on top, often a portion of the first month.
- Less control over how tenants are chosen and how repairs are spent.
- Less visibility — you see their reports, not the underlying numbers.
What PropFlow does instead
PropFlow is the self-manager's toolkit. You keep the percentage a manager would take, and in return you do the work — with software that makes it fast:
- Automatic rent roll with overdue flagged for you.
- Email reminders for rent, lease renewals and maintenance.
- Documents filed against each property and lease.
- Dashboards, reports and exports your accountant can use.
Property manager vs self-managing with PropFlow
| Property manager | Self-manage with PropFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | They do | You do |
| Cost model | % of rent, ongoing | Flat fee (free up to 2 properties, then €12/month) |
| Control over tenants & repairs | Limited | Full |
| Visibility into the numbers | Their reports | Every figure, in real time |
| Time required from you | Minimal | Some, but streamlined |
| Best when | Remote, hands-off, scaling fast | Hands-on, cost-conscious, want control |
"A manager rents you their time. Software rents you back your margin." — PropFlow
Which is right for you?
- Hire a manager if you're remote, value hands-off ownership above cost, or are scaling faster than you can manage personally.
- Self-manage with PropFlow if you want to keep the management fee, stay close to your tenants and numbers, and have the systems to do it without it eating your evenings.
Plenty of landlords do both — a manager for distant units, PropFlow for the ones nearby. It isn't all-or-nothing.
Key takeaways
- A property manager trades a recurring cut of rent for doing the work and giving you time back.
- PropFlow trades a flat, low fee for the systems to self-manage — you keep the percentage.
- Manager wins for hands-off and remote; PropFlow wins for control and lower cost.
- Start free up to 2 properties — create an account or compare the plans.