Property management in Metro Detroit costs a monthly management fee (usually a percentage of rent), a leasing fee each time a new tenant is placed, and a few smaller one-time or optional fees; at JMZ Management that means 10% of monthly rent with a $100 monthly minimum, plus a leasing fee equal to the first month's rent. Below is the full 2026 fee breakdown, with worked examples so you can estimate your own cost.
Fees vary from company to company, so the only reliable comparison is a written proposal from each manager you are considering. This article uses only the fees JMZ Management publishes on its pricing page and rental owner FAQ. Where JMZ does not publish an amount, we say so rather than guess.
The quick answer: JMZ's 2026 fee schedule
| Fee | What JMZ charges | When it applies |
| Monthly management fee | 10% of monthly rent, $100 monthly minimum | Every month the home is rented; none while vacant |
| Leasing fee (residential) | First month's rent | Only when JMZ fills a vacancy; none if a tenant is already in place |
| New client fee | One-time; amount not published | When you start management |
| Lease renewal fee | Applies; amount not published | When a tenant renews and JMZ's legal team drafts the new lease |
| Eviction Protection | $25 per month per door (optional) | Covers court filings, attorney time, one hearing and a Writ of Eviction if needed |
| ACH deposit fee | $1, charged by the bank | When owner funds are sent by direct deposit |
Lower rates may apply for large portfolios, multifamily properties and commercial properties, which are priced by proposal.
What the monthly management fee covers
The management fee pays for running the property month to month. At JMZ that includes online rent collection and late-fee enforcement, a dedicated property manager, maintenance coordination with a 24-hour emergency hotline, monthly statements in the AppFolio owner portal, and a 1099 and annual statement at tax time. On-time rent (paid the 1st through the 7th) is disbursed to owners between the 12th and the 17th.
The $100 minimum matters most on lower-rent homes. Any home renting for less than $1,000 a month pays the $100 minimum rather than 10%.
What the leasing fee covers
The leasing fee pays for filling a vacancy: an updated rental analysis before listing, professional photos, marketing on the JMZ website, more than three dozen rental sites and through real estate agents, showings, and screening. Every applicant over 18 is screened for credit, criminal or civil litigation and income, and you receive the full applicant packet to approve. JMZ reports an average of 17 days from listing to signed lease when a home is priced to market.
Worked examples: year-one cost at three rent levels
These examples assume a home that JMZ leases at the start of the year and that stays rented for 12 months. They include the management fee and leasing fee only. They leave out the new client fee and renewal fee (amounts not published), repairs, and optional Eviction Protection, so treat them as a starting point, not a quote.
| Example monthly rent | Monthly management fee | 12 months of management | Leasing fee | Year-one total |
| $900 | $100 (minimum applies) | $1,200 | $900 | $2,100 |
| $1,500 | $150 | $1,800 | $1,500 | $3,300 |
| $2,500 | $250 | $3,000 | $2,500 | $5,500 |
In year two, if the same tenant renews, there is no new leasing fee; you pay the monthly fee plus the renewal fee. Adding Eviction Protection costs $300 a year per door ($25 times 12).
Costs that are not management fees
Repairs and maintenance
Owners pay for most repairs. JMZ emails you for every work order, and anything over $500 needs your approval with a contractor estimate first. You are not required to use JMZ's contractors. JMZ puts a typical turnover between tenants at $200 to $500, often covered by the tenant's security deposit when damage is beyond normal wear and tear.
City rental compliance
Many Metro Detroit cities require rental registration and inspections, and the city fees are separate from management. JMZ's Cert Assist Program can handle the forms, fees, inspections, violation repairs and the passing certificate for you.
Optional rent protection
The Guaranteed Rent Program is a separate agreement with its own terms and fees (not published). For tenants JMZ places and approves for the program, JMZ pays the guaranteed rent for 12 months even if the tenant stops paying.
Is property management worth the cost?
The fee is easiest to judge next to the cost of an empty month. A home renting for $1,500 loses about $49 for every day it sits vacant ($1,500 times 12, divided by 365). JMZ's own vacancy calculator on its city pages uses an illustrative 45-day vacancy for a self-managed home against JMZ's reported 17-day average. On that assumption, the 28-day difference is worth about $1,380 in rent on a $1,500 home, before you count your time spent on showings, screening and late-night repair calls. Try your own numbers with the potential savings calculator, and see our comparison of self-managing vs hiring a property manager.
How to compare property management quotes
- Get every fee in writing, including setup, renewal and any fee not on the website.
- Ask whether the monthly fee is charged while the home is vacant. JMZ does not charge one.
- Check the repair approval limit and whether you can use your own vendors.
- Ask who keeps late fees. At JMZ they customarily go to the manager to offset collection costs, and that term is negotiable.
- Ask how fast homes lease and how the manager sets rent. Our guide on how to set rental rates in Metro Detroit explains why pricing drives vacancy.
- Read the termination terms before you sign. Our checklist of what makes a property management contract good covers what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
How much does property management cost in Metro Detroit?
Fees vary by company, so compare written proposals. JMZ Management charges 10% of monthly rent with a $100 monthly minimum, plus a leasing fee equal to the first month's rent when it places a new tenant.
Do property managers charge a fee when the home is vacant?
Some do, but JMZ Management does not charge a management fee while a home is vacant, because the fee comes out of rental income.
Is there a leasing fee if my house already has a tenant?
No. At JMZ there is no leasing fee when a tenant is already in place; the leasing fee applies only when JMZ fills a vacancy.
Are there discounts for multiple properties?
Yes. JMZ says lower rates may apply for large portfolios, multifamily and commercial properties, and custom packages are available.
What does eviction cost with a property manager?
With JMZ's Eviction Protection, $25 per month per door covers court filings, attorney time, one hearing and a Writ of Eviction if needed. See our Michigan eviction timeline for how the process works.
Related guides and resources
- Detroit property management pricing: what you need to know
- How much would it cost to hire a property manager?
- Single-family home and condo management
- Local pages: Novi, Livonia, Troy and Canton
The bottom line
In 2026, the real cost of property management in Metro Detroit is the monthly fee plus the leasing fee, plus a few smaller items you should get in writing. At JMZ that is 10% of rent with a $100 minimum, the first month's rent when a new tenant is placed, and nothing while the home sits empty. With 20+ years in Metro Detroit and 1,000+ properties under management, JMZ Management will give you a written proposal with every fee spelled out.
Want to know what your rental should earn and what management would cost? Get a free rental analysis at jmzmanagement.com/freerentalanalysis or call 248-284-6990.
CONTACT US to learn more about professional property management in Michigan.
