Property Management vs Labour: What’s Included and What’s Extra?

Managing a property sounds simple—until you realise that fully furnished homes, compliance requirements, and guest/tenant requests that seem “simple” into “seriously complex.”

At Property Providers, we believe in clarity, fairness, and transparency. That’s why we’re spelling out what’s included in standard property management and what falls outside that scope as labour or project management. Why? Because these distinctions matter. They help avoid surprises, keep relationships healthy, and ensure we can deliver the service you expect without compromising quality.

Why This Matters

Fairness for all

Clear boundaries mean owners, guests, and managers know what’s reasonable. There is a danger of scope creep in any professional services business, and we just need to make that there is balance. That’s what partnership is all about.

Thin margins are real

We operate on tight margins, and every minute counts. Time is literally money (this is particularly true when you think of rent!)

Time is finite

Tasks often take three times longer than people think especially when it involves getting into a car in Sydney—and that time takes us away from other critical work.

Furnished & Fully Equipped

The simple fact is that managing that there is far more to required to manage a fully furnished property than an empty one. This can be be three to four times more complex. Just think about appliances breaking down, furniture wear and tear etc.

In Scope – Standard Property Management

Our standard service covers the day-to-day oversight of your investment property. These are the “business as usual” tasks: 

• Effectively marketing the property (content management and channel distribution) 
• Managing guest and tenant relations (enquiry, application management) 
• Negotiating commercial terms and other business as usual logistics  
• Coordinating regular and routine maintenance 
• Scheduling and facilitating Opens and Inspections. 
• Organising, compliance, safety checks and meeting regulatory requirements. 
• Handling tenancy administration (lease renewals, inspections, key management) 
• Managing guest/tenant arrivals and departures 
• Resolving minor issues that can be reasonably handled within normal operational processes 
• Liaising with Strata and Body Corporates 
• Financial management i.e. trust accounting, rental arrears etc. 

These tasks protect your property, maintain compliance, and provide a smooth experience for owners and guests. 

Out Of Scope – Irregular Requests that are deemed “Outside” of Business as Usual

Here’s what typically falls outside standard management:

• Picking up rubbish left behind. 
• Replacing or refreshing household items (glassware, crockery, cutlery). 
• Refreshing and restyling the property for seasonal or marketing updates. 
• Creating, purchasing, and installing compliance measures (fire extinguishers, evacuation diagrams) 
• Skimming the pool or blowing down the property. 
• Changing light bulbs, replacing batteries, and reprogramming remotes 
• Cutting and testing keys for guests or trades 
• Purchasing, delivering, and installing linen elements (pillows, mattress protectors) 
• Designing, printing, and delivering Home Guides and House Manuals 
• Decluttering the property (packing away owners’ belongings) 
• Troubleshooting electrical equipment like Smart TVs or home automation. 
• Internet connectivity issues (i.e. having to deliver 5G modems etc). 
• Project Management involves major initiatives, multiple stakeholders, numerous touchpoints which naturally generate higher costs with multiple invoices.  Project Management diverges from Property Management which and we do have a policy that provides more direction 

So What’s The Bottom Line?

Managing a property is a partnership. By clearly distinguishing management from labour and projects, we maintain efficiency, fairness, and transparency—while protecting your investment and guest and tenant experience.  If you’re unsure whether something is in scope, just ask. It saves time, money, and misunderstandings.  We have to compartmentalize because these out of the norm tasks take time—often far more than what people may initially think. 

We are always happy to help however we know that everyone generally understands that every hour spent on labour is an hour taken away from marketing, guest/tenant experience, proactive property management and account management. We want to keep delivering high standards without cutting corners, and that means being fair and transparent about costs. 

At Property Providers, our core purpose is “Helping People Live Better”.  As Sydney’s most flexible residential rental agency, we are focused on Property Management and renting “Your Property, Your Way”. We have designed 6 different rental services covering all facets of Long-Term Leasing and Short-Term Stays. Unlike franchise real estate agencies, we see the value in pragmatism and flexibility. Whether you want to rent your property furnished or unfurnished, for 6 months or 5 years, we will manage your property, your way. Our bespoke marketing strategies deliver discerning international tenants who understand quality and are prepared to pay for it.  If you would like to learn more, please visit our website or call us on +61 2 9969 7599

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