Los Angeles Rental Owner’s Guide • 2026
The 9 Best Property Management Companies in Los Angeles
Nine managers, one honest ranking — fees, portfolios, and who actually answers the phone.
Written by Johana Williams • Reviewed By: Peter Evering • Last updated: August 3, 2026
We have all heard the stories; you know the ones, the horror stories of the seemingly wonderful tenants in the beginning that turn out to be the cause of severe property damage or even lack of payments being received. Managing a Los Angeles rental is definitely not a one-man task. Because of this many property owners have discovered that hiring a property management company may be the answer to the countless problems that can arise with renting out a home.
So there comes a time when you, the owner, have to pinpoint all the qualities you wish to find in a property management company. Because finding a reputable property management company is key to your property’s success. The company you choose will steward one of your most valuable assets on your behalf. We manage property in Los Angeles ourselves, and we are here to help you understand the strengths of each company on this list (Utopia included — we put ourselves at number one, and we will tell you why).

The Local Rules
Why Hiring a Manager in Los Angeles Is Different
It only takes one lawsuit to ruin your year. Yet owning rental property in Los Angeles can still be one of the most fulfilling experiences you can have while reaching your financial goals. A good Los Angeles manager is constantly aware of the legal pitfalls that must be avoided in order to make sure that you are protected. From the just-cause eviction rules to the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance to California’s new rent cap, their primary concern every day is to safely navigate through these potentially dangerous areas.
Tenant selection and rent increases are the most regulated steps here. Careful attention must be paid to the timing of every increase, because the State of California now caps rent increases at 8.7% for the Los Angeles area in 2026 (even if the market would bear far more). Inside the city limits the Rent Stabilization Ordinance goes further, holding many older buildings to just 3% now, rising to a 4% maximum on July 1, 2026. If you are looking to raise the rent next year, now is the time to get the notice right.
The weather adds work of its own. From mold and mildew issues to backed-up gutters and damp crawl spaces, the rainy season keeps a maintenance team busy here, and small drainage problems become expensive framing problems when nobody is watching for them.
So there comes a time when you, the owner, have to pinpoint all the qualities you wish to find in a property management company. Because finding a reputable property management company is key to your property’s success. Each of the rules above, from the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance to the deposit clock, is a place where one wrong step can quietly turn into a cost, and the company you choose will steward one of your most valuable assets on your behalf. That is the standard the nine companies below are measured against, starting with the one we would trust with our own.
How Fast Do Homes Rent Here?
On average, when using an experienced property management company, it takes approximately four weeks to have your place rented. Without a management company, there is no telling. For a property owner, nothing is more expensive than maintaining a property that sits empty. Each day hundreds of potential tenants scour the internet to find the perfect home, and one-bedrooms here list at approximately $1,950 per month with the citywide average closer to $2,650, so every month of vacancy is well over two thousand dollars gone. A vacant property equals no incoming rent, but with Los Angeles vacancy sitting near 5.5%, the applicant pool is deep and demand stays strong nearly all year.
Before You Choose
What to Look For in a Los Angeles Property Manager
Track Record & Reviews
Research a company online — its website, social media, and the Better Business Bureau — and favor time-tested experience over a firm that started only a year or two ago.
Local & Legal Fluency
Every state has unique requirements for landlords, so make sure a manager can speak fluently to California’s rules — AB 1482, just-cause eviction, and Los Angeles’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
All-In Pricing
Understand which fees are included and excluded in the agreement — management, setup, leasing, renewal, and markup — so you can compare companies on an apples-to-apples basis.
Maintenance Model
Once a property is rented the real work starts, so ask whether repairs run through in-house technicians or outside vendors, and how after-hours emergencies are handled.
Communication & Reporting
Most owners feel better knowing someone is on the job and ready to answer questions quickly, so look for an owner portal, regular financial reporting, and a real person on the phone.
The Rankings
How the 9 Companies Compare
| Rank | Company | Founded | Mgmt Fee | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ★Utopia Management Top Pick | 1994 | 8–10% | ~9,000 properties |
| 2 | Beach Front Property Management | 1999 | 4.5–7% tiered | 14,000 units |
| 3 | Los Angeles Property Management Group | 1987 | ≤5% (capped) | MF / luxury / SFH |
| 4 | PMI Los Angeles | 2020 | 6/8/10% | 220+ units |
| 5 | Evernest (formerly Poplar Homes) | 2008 | 4% | 16,000+ rentals |
| 6 | Real Property Management Choice | 2015 | From 4% | ~242 units |
| 7 | Lotus West Properties | ~2000 | 5–6% | 1,100+ units |
| 8 | Bell Properties | 2005 | 4–7.9% by plan | 1,800+ units |
| 9 | Ziprent | 2019 | $150/mo flat | 4,546 units, 18 states |
“Contact” means the company does not publish that fee.
1. Utopia Management
Our Top PickAs a rental property owner, the main benefit of choosing Utopia is the peace of mind it brings you. In addition to being one of the West Coast’s largest property management companies, with more than thirty years in the field and 27 offices across five states, our property managers have the combined experience to handle your concerns. Utopia has been at this since 1994 and manages roughly 9,000 properties, with the Los Angeles office at 6080 Center Drive. Monthly management fees typically range from 8-10% of collected rent, and leasing fees are waived on properties under full management.
Utopia is committed to quick and quality customer service. With a full-time, in-house maintenance team and round-the-clock 24/7/365 call monitors, you won’t be left wondering when or if someone will be reaching out to assist you. Utopia is a full-service management company offering renter’s insurance at a competitive rate, grounds and property care, and an easy-to-navigate tenant portal. Tenants can fill out maintenance requests and even pay their rent online at any time of day or night. And if you choose to sign up for our Eviction Protection Program, it helps reduce the cost of an eviction by offsetting eviction-related legal fees such as attorney and court filing costs, though it does not cover every fee.
- Year founded
- 1994 (30+ years in business)
- Offices
- 27 across 5 states
- Monthly management pricing
- 8%-10% of monthly rent
- Tenant placement fee
- Waived on properties under full management
- Maintenance
- In-house maintenance team; 24/7/365 sales & service
- Portfolio size
- ~9,000 properties
- Property types managed
- Single-family homes, condos, multifamily, commercial, HOA
- Eviction handling
- Yes — optional Eviction Protection Program that helps reduce eviction-related legal fees such as attorney and court filing costs; it does not cover every fee
- Los Angeles office
- 6080 Center Dr — (424) 235-1111
2. Beach Front Property Management
First and foremost, Beach Front Property Management is knowledgeable of the local market. The firm has been working the Los Angeles area since 1999 and manages some 14,000 units across 700-plus properties, largely multifamily and affordable housing. Beach Front charges 4.5% to 7% of gross collected income on buildings up to fifteen units, easing to 4-5% at thirty-one units and beyond, with no upfront or onboarding fees and a 60-day money-back guarantee. The company also runs its own in-house crew of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to keep repairs prompt and professional. Spend some time researching whether a company has friendly staff and good relationships with their current owners and tenants; Beach Front’s scale leans toward larger multifamily buildings rather than one-off single-family homes.
- Year founded
- 1999 (founder Kyle Kazan)
- Monthly management pricing
- Tiered by building size: 4.5–7% (up to 15 units), 4–6% (16–30), 4–5% (31+), of gross collected income
- Tenant placement fee
- Not published (LA industry range is 50–100% of a month, per BFPM’s own guide)
- Lease renewal cost
- Not published (industry range $100–$300, per BFPM’s own guide)
- Onboarding fee
- None — no upfront or onboarding fees; 60-day money-back guarantee
- Portfolio size
- 700+ properties / 14,000 units (own count)
- Property types managed
- Multifamily, affordable/HUD housing, commercial, new-construction lease-ups, ADUs
- Eviction handling
- Handled as part of full-service management
- Reviews & standing
- Birdeye 4.6★ (3,125) · BBB A+
3. Los Angeles Property Management Group
Los Angeles Property Management Group has been in business since 1987 by BBB record, working across Los Angeles as a second-generation, family-run firm. Some firms adjust their percentage depending on the number of properties or services included; LAPMG keeps it straightforward with a published promise never to charge more than 5% — against the 6-12% it says is typical — and a policy of not getting paid while a unit sits vacant, covering multifamily, single-family homes, condos, luxury, and commercial property. Similar to any other business, not all managers are good managers — but an in-house licensed general contractor and two generations of local ownership say a great deal about how a company treats its owners. Keep in mind that the exact percentage under that 5% cap depends on the property, so you will need to request a quote.
- Year founded
- 1987 (per BBB; founder David Crown, now run with Kyle Crown)
- Monthly management pricing
- “Never more than 5%” (own published cap); exact rate quoted per property
- Tenant placement fee
- Not published. Contact for more info.
- Lease renewal cost
- Not published. Contact for more info.
- Onboarding fee
- None published; cancel anytime on 30 days’ notice, no early-termination fees; no fee while vacant
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- No additional fees stated; in-house licensed general contractor (Los Angeles Property Construction Inc.)
- Portfolio size
- 612+ units (per PropertyManagement.com)
- Property types managed
- Multifamily, single-family homes, condos, luxury, commercial
- Eviction handling
- Serves 3-day notices; evictions run with attorneys on owner approval (attorney costs are the owner’s)
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.3★ (515) · BBB A+, accredited since 2025
4. PMI Los Angeles
As a rental property owner, you want guarantees you can count on — and guarantees are precisely what PMI Los Angeles has built its reputation on. The firm is the local office of a national franchise, opened in 2020 under Robert Cho, charges a tiered 6%, 8%, or 10% of monthly rent depending on the plan, and backs its work with quality-tenant, eviction, and pet guarantees worth up to $5,000. When a tenant is placed under those guarantees, more of the risk stays off the owner, so it is very much to your benefit that PMI stands behind its placements the way it does. Keep in mind that renovation and maintenance coordination carries a 10% supervision markup, so price the whole plan, not just the headline rate.
- Year founded
- 2020 (local office, per BBB; the PMI franchise parent dates to 2008)
- Monthly management pricing
- Tiered 6%, 8%, or 10% (minimums $175/$225/$295); multi-unit buildings 4–7% by size
- Tenant placement fee
- 50% of one month’s rent (Gold/Platinum); $750 flat (Diamond)
- Lease renewal cost
- $195
- Onboarding fee
- None listed; no early-termination fee (published guarantee)
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- 10% supervision markup on renovation/maintenance coordination; $195 periodic inspection; $35 warranty dispatch
- Portfolio size
- 220+ units (per PropertyManagement.com)
- Property types managed
- Residential and multi-unit residential
- Eviction handling
- Eviction Protection up to $5,000; quality-tenant and pet guarantees to $5,000; 30-day rental guarantee
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.8★ (small count) · BBB A+
5. Evernest (formerly Poplar Homes)
Evernest has been in business since 2008 and manages some 16,000 rentals nationwide with a distinctly scaled, tech-enabled approach. Don’t want to deal with the day-to-day yourself? Evernest took over Poplar Homes’ Los Angeles portfolio when it acquired the company in early 2025, and runs single-family and small multifamily rentals on its national platform for a published 4% management fee, with placement at half a month’s rent and a $250 renewal. A big operator brings big infrastructure, so the systems and portals can be real time saved. Keep in mind that it is a large national operation rather than a local, in-person team, and its national reviews are polarized — a strong Google average alongside weak Trustpilot scores and a thick BBB complaint file.
- Year founded
- 2008 (acquired Poplar Homes, ~9,000 doors, in January 2025)
- Monthly management pricing
- 4% management fee (LA pricing page); discounts for multi-property owners
- Tenant placement fee
- 50% of one month’s rent, $500 minimum
- Lease renewal cost
- $250
- Onboarding fee
- None — no contracts, no setup fees; terminate on 30 days’ notice
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- No markup stated; owner approval over $500; optional condition report $149/yr
- Portfolio size
- 16,000+ rentals, 6,000+ owners, 50+ markets (own count; ~23,000 units at the Poplar acquisition)
- Property types managed
- Single-family homes, condos, small multifamily; Section 8 accepted
- Eviction handling
- Eviction Protection Plan: $200/yr covers eviction legal fees; pet-damage guarantee to $2,500 included
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.4★ (self-reported, national) · Trustpilot 1.4 · BBB A+, 251 complaints/3 yrs
6. Real Property Management Choice
Real Property Management Choice is the local office of a national franchise, opened in 2015 and run from Gardena for the West LA and South Bay markets. A written promise could mean a company is confident in its process. It could also simply be a strategy to beat the competition — but RPM Choice backs its promises up, with a 30-day rent promise that discounts the first month’s management fee if the home is not rented in 29 days, a 60-day satisfaction promise, and free tenant re-placement if a resident leaves within six months. Management fees start as low as 4%. Keep in mind that a one-time setup fee applies and its amount is not published, so ask for it up front.
- Year founded
- 2015 (per BBB and its DRE corporate license)
- Monthly management pricing
- As low as 4% (management only); as low as 6% for leasing + management
- Tenant placement fee
- As low as 48% of one month’s rent, with a free 12-month placement promise
- Lease renewal cost
- Not published. Contact for more info.
- Onboarding fee
- One-time setup fee applies; amount not published
- Portfolio size
- ~242 units (per PropertyManagement.com)
- Property types managed
- Single-family homes, condos/townhomes, multiplexes, small apartment complexes
- Eviction handling
- Optional eviction protection plan — the office pays eviction costs if needed; free re-placement within 6 months
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.8★ (132) · BBB A+, accredited since 2020
7. Lotus West Properties
Lotus West Properties is a locally rooted firm founded around 2000 by Ari Chazanas that manages 1,100-plus units across about 100 buildings, with a specialty in apartment buildings of eight units and up. A management company that you can communicate your needs and concerns with is one that will be able to help you, and Lotus West’s steady, no-markup approach suggests owners are getting exactly that — down to a full fee refund if an owner is unhappy in the first three months. The team will prepare a unit for showing, determine the optimal rent rate, and market your property effectively across the Westside and central LA. Keep in mind that its published rate runs a low 5% to 6%, so ask exactly which services that percentage covers.
- Year founded
- ~2000 (founder Ari Chazanas; site archived under the name since 2005)
- Monthly management pricing
- 5%–6% of monthly rent (varies by units and location)
- Tenant placement fee
- Not published — “determined by the situation”; some locations eligible for free vacancy leasing
- Lease renewal cost
- Not published
- Onboarding fee
- None published; month-to-month contract; full fee refund if unhappy in the first 3 months
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- None — “never marks up repairs or materials”; in-house repair crew
- Portfolio size
- 1,100+ units across ~100 buildings
- Property types managed
- 8+ unit multifamily is the specialty; also commercial; 16+ Westside/central LA neighborhoods
- Eviction handling
- Up to $1,000 eviction-cost coverage if its tenant screening fails; rent-by-the-15th guarantee
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.8★ (96) · AAGLA “Top New Property Management Firm” 2020–21
8. Bell Properties
Bell Properties is a family owned and operated organization that says it has served Los Angeles since 2005, focused on single-family homes, multifamily, and commercial buildings. From the coastal Westside to the inland San Gabriel Valley, each managed property has its own needs — multifamily buildings run a tiered 4% to 7% by unit count, while a single-family owner pays 7.9% on the Full Service plan or 11.9% on Premium. If you want a manager whose Premium plan wraps in insurance-backed eviction coverage up to $5,000 and eight weeks of lost rent, this is one of the most flexible companies on the list. Keep in mind that maintenance coordination carries a 10% fee and the minimum term runs six to twelve months before going month-to-month.
- Year founded
- 2005 (company claim; its broker’s DRE licenses date to 2011/2016)
- Monthly management pricing
- Multifamily tiers: 4.5–7% (≤15 units), 4–6% (16–30), 4–5% (31+); single-family: 7.9% Full Service / 11.9% Premium
- Tenant placement fee
- 100% of one month (placement-only); 50% (Full Service); 20% (Premium)
- Lease renewal cost
- $250
- Onboarding fee
- None published; $0 escrow reserve; 6–12-month minimum term, then month-to-month with no termination fees
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- 10% coordination fee on maintenance/repairs; $195 annual inspection; $75 home-warranty claims
- Portfolio size
- 1,800+ residential units across California (company claim)
- Property types managed
- Single-family homes, multifamily, retail/office, HOA
- Eviction handling
- Up to $1,000 in legal fees or pet damage; Premium plan adds SureVestor cover — eviction to $5,000, 8 weeks lost rent, $25,000 malicious damage
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.4★ (45, Arcadia HQ); no BBB profile
9. Ziprent
Don’t have time or energy for the effort it takes to get your property rented by yourself? Ziprent is built for exactly that, handling everything online since 2019 for a flat $150 a month rather than a percentage of the rent. Basically, you want to have as many outlets and opportunities for people to view your home as possible to cut down on vacant time, and Ziprent advertises across all the major listing sites to do it. Keep in mind that it is a lean, largely online operation rather than a local, in-person team.
- Year founded
- 2019 (founder Arvand Sabetian)
- Monthly management pricing
- Flat $150/mo per unit ($100/mo each additional); ZipGuarantee tier $250/mo
- Tenant placement fee
- $1,500 flat, due at lease signing (unlimited under ZipGuarantee)
- Lease renewal cost
- $250 (free under ZipGuarantee)
- Onboarding fee
- None; cancel anytime ($1,500 fee only if ZipGuarantee is dropped inside 6 months)
- Maintenance markup/coordination fee
- None — no maintenance fee; vendor cost passed through
- Portfolio size
- 4,546 units across 639 cities in 18 states (own live counters)
- Property types managed
- Single-family homes, condos, small multifamily
- Eviction handling
- Serves notices; court filings via referred attorneys; ZipGuarantee adds $15,000 rent/eviction/damage coverage
- Reviews & standing
- Google 4.8★ (61, LA office) · Trustpilot 4.9 · BBB B, accredited since 2020
Know the Rules
California and Los Angeles Rules Every Landlord Should Know
AB 1482 Rent Cap
Statewide increases are capped at 8.7% for the Los Angeles area in 2026.
RSO Rent Cap
Covered LA buildings are limited to 3% now, rising to a 4% maximum on July 1, 2026.
One-Month Deposit
Security deposits are capped at one month’s rent for most landlords.
During the hopefully pleasant and profitable period of renting out your Los Angeles home, one needs to bear in mind that California keeps adding new rules, and the ones below come up on real properties every single week.
The Statewide Rent Cap Runs on AB 1482
California’s Tenant Protection Act limits annual rent increases to 5% plus regional inflation, capped at 10%. For the Los Angeles area the ceiling is 8.7% for increases effective in 2026, set by 5% plus regional CPI. The date that governs is the effective date of the increase, not the day the notice goes out. Most single-family homes and condos owned by individuals are exempt when the proper written notice is served, but the exemption is lost the moment that notice is skipped.
Inside the City, the RSO Caps Increases at 3%
The City of Los Angeles’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance is stricter than state law. On covered buildings — generally those first built on or before October 1, 1978 — annual increases are held to just 3% through June 30, 2026, then a 4% maximum from July 1, 2026, rather than the 8.7% the state would otherwise allow, and no-fault terminations require relocation assistance that can run well into five figures. Getting the category or the timing wrong is where owners get into trouble.
Deposits Are Capped and the Clock Is 21 Days
Under AB 12, security deposits are limited to one month’s rent for most landlords, though a small landlord who owns no more than two properties totaling four units may collect up to two months. Either way, within 21 days of move-out the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions — and California now requires the supporting documentation behind every deduction, not just a mention of it, so receipts, invoices, or estimates for anything beyond normal wear and tear have to be included. Miss that deadline and an owner can be liable for the deposit plus penalties of up to twice its amount.
What Fees Should You Expect?
What kind of fees should you expect? The most common and broadest fees are the property management fee, a setup fee, and an optional leasing fee. Monthly management fees in Los Angeles typically range from 8-10% of collected rent on a property. Make sure you understand the potential fees included and excluded from your property management agreement. Once you review those details, make an apples-to-apples comparison between property management companies. Lower fees sound great until you find yourself spending a fortune on additional services that were not included in their baseline pricing.
Be wary of pricing that seems too good to be true. All fee agreements are negotiable. Before diving in, try negotiating the most affordable rate possible from the company that is number one on your list.
“Lower fees sound great until you find yourself spending a fortune on additional services that were not included in their baseline pricing.”
Prefer to hand it all to a local team? See how we work as your manager on our Los Angeles property management page.

A Few Tips From the Field
Just about every homeowner has heard some kind of horror story from a friend, neighbor, or family member about a renter and pet situation that went awry. As soon as they hear that an applicant has a pet, the mind can tend to conjure up images of destroyed yards, urine soaked carpets, and smells that will linger for years. Not saying these kinds of things do not happen, but this occurrence is not the norm. Many renters in Los Angeles are seeking pet friendly rental residences, and if you want to rent your home quickly, you need to appeal to the largest market share that you can. At Utopia Management we no longer collect a separate pet deposit; instead we charge additional pet rent of $50 a month per animal. There are plenty of ways to safeguard your home and investment, and less vacancy means more money in your pocket.
For an owner, vacant time is lost rent. One of the best ways to ensure the least amount of time between the lull of having your rental property vacant and rented again is to start advertising as soon as you get a notice from your tenant. Getting a jump on letting the world know your home is going to be available in the coming month will give you extra time to find a new occupant. Do not have the time to begin the advertising process? This would be a good time to start seeking a property management company to get the process started for you.
A Few Questions Before You Sign
While choosing an affordable property management team is important, the last thing you want to do is choose a property manager based solely on the lowest price. From marketing the property effectively to collecting and maintaining payment records ethically, it is important to do your homework to avoid the risk of hiring the wrong company to oversee one of your most valuable assets. Ask how they handle AB 1482 and the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Ask whether maintenance is in-house or subcontracted. Having to make this difficult decision can be very confusing; however, after keeping these important tips in mind, choose the property management company that at the end of the day you would be happy to work with.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do property managers charge in Los Angeles?+
Do you need a license to manage property in California?+
How can I check a Los Angeles property manager’s license and reviews?+
How much can I raise the rent in 2026?+
What is the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)?+
How long do I have to return a security deposit?+
How much can I collect as a deposit?+
What is the maximum tenant screening fee?+
What do NARPM and IREM mean, and should my manager belong?+
Is hiring a property manager worth it?+
Let’s Talk
Now that we have given you our list, you may have more questions that we would be happy to answer personally. You can call our Los Angeles office at (424) 235-1111 or e-mail us at losangeles@utopiamanagement.com and we will be happy to assist you.
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