Management Agreement
What a Management Agreement Is and When It Applies
Why a Management Agreement Matters for Risk and Operations
A Management Agreement clarifies responsibilities, limits liability, and records compensation and authority. It protects owners and managers by documenting insurance, indemnities, termination processes, and reporting obligations, supporting compliance with state law and industry standards.
Who Typically Completes a Management Agreement
Management Agreements are completed by parties entering a management relationship, including property owners and professional managers.
- Owners of commercial or residential properties that delegate day-to-day operations and financial management.
- Licensed management companies handling leasing, maintenance, vendor contracts, and tenant relations for multiple properties.
- Real estate investors, REIT administrators, or institutional asset managers seeking standardized oversight and reporting.
Use the agreement to set measurable performance metrics, payment terms, and termination rights before operations begin.
Representative Signers and Their Roles
Owner — Small Portfolio
Individual or family‑office owners of a handful of rental units who need clear fee schedules, maintenance thresholds, and monthly reporting. They typically reserve approval for capital expenditures, require financial statements for tax filing, and expect explicit dispute resolution and indemnity provisions.
Managing Company — Regional
Professional managers operating multiple properties who require delegated authority for leasing and vendor selection, defined reimbursement policies, indemnification language, and performance benchmarks such as occupancy and maintenance SLA metrics.
Step-by-Step: Completing the Management Agreement
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01Gather parties: Identify owner, manager, and legal entities.
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02Define scope: List services, exclusions, and decision limits.
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03Set fees: Specify base fees, reimbursements, and payment schedule.
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04Sign and retain: Execute signatures, notarize if required, and store securely.
Setting Up an Online Execution Workflow
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Order | Sequential or parallel signer order selection. |
| Authentication Method | Email link, SMS code, or KBA as needed. |
| Reminder Schedule | Auto-reminders and expiry notifications setup. |
| Storage Location | Specify cloud folder or document repository. |
How to Send, Sign, and Distribute the Agreement
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Upload Document: Import PDF or DOCX into the platform.
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Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields.
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Deliver Link: Send signer emails or share signing link.
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Store Copy: Save signed PDF plus certificate of completion.
Distribution Channels and Integration Options
Choose delivery and storage methods that match your tech stack and compliance needs.
- Email Delivery: Standard signer email notifications.
- Cloud Storage: Integrates with Box, Google Drive, and NetSuite.
- CRM Integration: Connectors available for Salesforce and Microsoft 365.
Use integrations to automate routing and archival; ensure the chosen platform supports required authentication and retention controls.
Key Dates and Notice Periods to Include
Effective Date:
Date when manager duties and obligations commence.
Signature Execution:
Date each party signs, used for service and timing calculations.
Initial Term Start:
Begin date and length of the initial contracted term.
Renewal Notice:
Number of days required to provide renewal or nonrenewal notice.
Termination Notice:
Days of notice required for termination without cause.
Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid
- Using vague scope language that leaves critical responsibilities ambiguous or disputed later.
- Failing to confirm authorized signers or corporate signing authority before execution.
- Omitting insurance and indemnity clauses or not specifying minimum coverages and policy types.
- Neglecting to include clear billing and reimbursement procedures, causing later accounting conflicts.
Consequences of Errors or Missing Elements
Common eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Agreement Execution
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Verify | Verify | Verify |
Real-World Examples: Management Agreements in Action
Martin Properties
Martin Properties centralized landlord obligations across multiple portfolios to reduce execution time.
- Adopted e-signature workflows for remote execution.
- "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."
Fertility Centers
A healthcare provider standardized management agreements to control vendor access and record handling.
- Added HIPAA addenda and audit logs.
- "The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."
Frequently Asked Questions About Management Agreements
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Can a Management Agreement be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures meet federal ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA standards when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are demonstrable.
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When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on state law and the subject matter; deeds and some powers require notarization, while many management agreements do not unless specified.
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Are witness signatures necessary?
Witness requirements vary by state and document type; wills and certain real estate instruments commonly require witnesses but most standard management agreements do not.
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What if a signer’s name differs on ID?
Mismatched names can cause banks and title companies to reject documents; confirm legal entity names and use consistent formatting before signing.
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How should I store signed agreements?
Keep a tamper-evident signed PDF, certificate of completion, and a secure copy in a compliant repository with retention policies aligned to applicable laws.
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Can I amend the agreement later?
Yes; amendments should be written, dated, and signed by authorized parties. Consider a defined amendment procedure and signature requirements in the original agreement.