Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy federal ESIGN requirements (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are demonstrated.

Is notarization required to make it valid?

Not usually for a management agreement itself, but local rules may require notarization or additional formalities for deed transfers or filings; check state notary rules before relying on a notary exception.

Who can sign on behalf of an entity?

An authorized officer or manager with authority under the entity’s governing documents should sign. Verify signer capacity and include a statement of authority or attach corporate resolution if needed.

How do I revoke or terminate the manager’s authority?

Follow the termination clause in the agreement, provide the required notice, and obtain final accounting; for immediate revocation address access to tenant funds and change account signatories.

What supporting documents should be attached?

Include a property list, proof of insurance, manager license (if applicable), bank trust account details, and any owner resolutions that delegate signing authority.

Are digital signatures enforceable in court?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act and UETA. Exceptions exist for testamentary documents and certain court filings, so confirm applicable exclusions.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Management Agency Agreement

Real Estate Management Agency Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT

This Real Estate Management Agency Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into by and between Agency Name: with principal place of business at (Manager), and Owner Name: (Owner).

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

Property Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description

APPOINTMENT; AUTHORITY

Owner hereby appoints Manager as exclusive agent to manage, lease, operate and maintain the Property subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Manager is authorized to perform all acts reasonably necessary to operate the Property, including marketing and leasing, collecting rents and deposits, contracting for maintenance and repairs within approved limits, and enforcing lease terms.

TERM

Term Commencement Date: — Term Expiration Date: .

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Manager shall provide the following services: advertising and marketing the Property; screening and selecting tenants; executing leases; collecting rents, security deposits and other sums; coordinating repairs and maintenance; performing move‑in and move‑out inspections; enforcing lease terms; and preparing periodic financial reports to Owner.

Leasing Authority (maximum lease term Manager may execute without prior Owner approval) Emergency Repair Authorization Threshold

COMPENSATION AND FUNDS

Management Fee: Owner agrees to pay Manager a management fee equal to of gross collected rents for each accounting period.

Leasing Fee (for new leases or renewals) Handling of Security Deposits Trust Account for Rents and Deposits (Bank & Account Name)

MAINTENANCE; CONTRACTS; EXPENDITURES

Manager shall arrange and supervise routine maintenance and repairs. Manager may approve expenditures for maintenance or repairs not to exceed the Emergency Repair Authorization Threshold without prior Owner consent. Expenditures in excess of that amount require Owner approval, except where immediate action is required to avoid imminent harm or legal liability.

Preferred Vendor Instructions / Restrictions

INSURANCE; RISK ALLOCATION

Owner shall maintain property and liability insurance covering the Property in commercially reasonable amounts and shall name Manager as an additional insured with respect to Manager’s activities under this Agreement. Manager shall maintain general liability insurance covering its operations.

REPORTING; RECORDS; ACCOUNTING

Reporting Frequency

Monthly Quarterly On demand / as requested

Manager shall keep complete and accurate books and records of all transactions and shall provide Owner with periodic statements showing receipts, disbursements, charges, and balances for the Property.

TENANT SCREENING AND LEASING

Manager is authorized to screen applicants, conduct background and credit checks consistent with applicable law, execute leases on behalf of Owner within the Leasing Authority, collect security deposits, and execute notices and other lease‑related documents.

Screening Criteria or Restrictions

DISCLOSURES

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Yes No

Known Mold or Water Intrusion: Yes No

Prior Structural or Material Damage: Yes No

If yes, explain

DEFAULT; TERMINATION; REMEDIES

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party upon providing written notice and a day cure period. Upon termination, Manager shall deliver all funds, records and keys to Owner and shall render a final accounting.

INDEMNIFICATION; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Owner shall indemnify and hold harmless Manager from and against liabilities, claims, damages, costs and expenses arising from Owner's negligence, breach of warranty or failure to maintain insurance. Manager's liability to Owner for any claim related to this Agreement shall be limited to direct damages and shall not include consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

NOTICES

Manager Notice Address Owner Notice Address

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of . This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings.

AMENDMENT

No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and executed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The parties agree to cooperate in good faith to execute any documents necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

Manager Printed Name:

Manager Signature:

Date:

Owner Printed Name:

Owner Signature:

Date:

What the Real Estate Management Agency Agreement Is

A Real Estate Management Agency Agreement is a contract that appoints a manager or management firm to operate, lease, maintain, and account for one or more rental properties on behalf of an owner. The agreement describes duties, scope of authority, compensation, term, insurance and reporting requirements, and procedures for handling tenant deposits and maintenance. It creates fiduciary and contractual obligations and is commonly used by landlords, investors, homeowner associations, and property management companies to document expectations and reduce disputes during the management relationship.

Why a Clear, Written Agreement Matters

A written Real Estate Management Agency Agreement clarifies roles, limits liability, and establishes accounting and reporting standards. It reduces disputes over authority, ensures compliance with state landlord regulations, and documents delegated powers such as signing leases, evicting tenants, and handling funds.

Who Typically Uses This Agreement

Property owners and professional managers commonly use this agreement to formalize responsibilities and protect financial interests.

Independent landlords with multiple rental units seeking delegated day-to-day management and consistent accounting practices.
Property management companies that require a standard contract to define fees, services, and reporting deliverables.
Homeowner associations or investor groups appointing a manager for maintenance, vendor oversight, and tenant relations.

Use a tailored agreement when transferring operational authority, onboarding a management firm, or documenting a change in compensation or scope.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Property Owner

An owner or corporate representative authorized by title documents. The owner retains ultimate legal responsibility for the property and must ensure the manager’s powers are correctly limited in the agreement.

Property Manager

An individual manager or licensed management company authorized to act on behalf of the owner within the contract’s stated authority, including lease execution, rent collection, and vendor engagement.

Essential Sections to Include in the Agreement

A professional Real Estate Management Agency Agreement includes clear, actionable clauses that define authority, compensation, reporting, and termination procedures to avoid disputes and ensure regulatory compliance.

Scope of Services

Specify exact services (leasing, rent collection, maintenance oversight, evictions) and any excluded activities so both parties understand operational boundaries and responsibilities.

Authority Limits

State monetary thresholds for repairs, lease concessions, or vendor hires, and require owner approval for expenditures above set amounts to prevent unauthorized commitments.

Compensation

Detail management fees (percentage or flat), leasing commissions, reimbursement procedures, payment timing, and billing cadence to avoid accounting disputes.

Accounting & Reports

Define reporting frequency, required accounting formats, bank account arrangements for trust funds, and access rights to ledgers and receipts for owner review.

Insurance & Indemnity

Require manager liability insurance, specify required coverages, and include indemnity clauses allocating risk for negligence, third-party claims, and regulatory violations.

Term & Termination

State initial term, renewal mechanics, notice periods, termination for cause, and post-termination transition obligations including final accounting and transfer of tenant records.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize a valid management agreement with clear responsibilities.

01

Prepare Draft: Populate property and party details; tailor scope and fee clauses.
02

Owner Review: Owner or counsel reviews terms and requests changes if needed.
03

Manager Approval: Manager confirms operational capacity and insurance compliance.
04

Execute: All parties sign, date, and exchange fully executed copies.

Configuring the Online Completion Workflow

Set up a digital workflow that enforces required fields, signer order, and authentication to reduce errors and speed execution.

Field	Configuration
Required Fields	Mark names, addresses, fees, and signature as mandatory
Signer Order	Owner signs first, manager signs second
Authentication	Use email plus SMS code or ID verification for stronger identity assurance
Notifications	Enable reminder emails at 3 and 7 days

Where to Send or File the Completed Agreement

Determine distribution and storage destinations before executing so records are accessible and responsibilities are clear.

Owner Copy: Send a signed PDF to the owner and retain originals for financial records.
Manager Copy: Provide the manager a fully executed copy for operations and vendor onboarding.
Accounting Records: Route final agreement to accounting and escrow bank account administrators.
Legal Counsel: If reviewed by counsel, store the redlined and final signed files together.

Digital Signing and Integration Considerations

Choose a platform that supports secure e-signing, audit trails, and common integrations used by real estate teams.

Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA options
File Types: PDF and DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and accounting integrations

Ensure the chosen provider supports HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 only if the agreement interacts with regulated healthcare or FDA-regulated records; otherwise prioritize audit trail quality and storage controls.

Key Deadlines and Notice Periods to Track

Track effective dates, renewal windows, and reporting intervals so both parties meet obligations and avoid breach.

Effective Date:

Date entered as MM/DD/YYYY when obligations begin

Initial Term:

Typical 6–24 month duration defined in contract

Renewal Notice:

Owner or manager gives 30–90 days notice to decline renewal

Financial Reporting:

Monthly or quarterly accounting reports to owner

Termination Notice:

30–60 days notice commonly required for termination without cause

Essential Data Elements to Include and Protect

Party Names: Full legal names

Property ID: Street address or parcel

Compensation: Fee amounts and schedule

Authority Limits: Monetary thresholds

Bank Details: Trust account information

Insurance: Required coverage limits

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

Using vague authority language that allows managers to commit funds without explicit owner approval, which can lead to financial disputes and fiduciary breaches.
Failing to specify accounting frequency and format, causing delays and disagreements when reconciling rent, expenses, and reserve accounts.
Omitting explicit termination and transition procedures, which complicates handover of tenant files and vendor contracts after contract end.
Not confirming insurance and licensing requirements for managers, leaving owners exposed to liability for unlicensed activities or inadequate coverage.

Risks and Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Agreement

Breach Claims: Damages and litigation risk

Fiduciary Liability: Owner may face third-party claims

Tax Exposure: Reporting errors or penalties

Regulatory Fines: Violations of landlord laws

Vendor Disputes: Contractual disputes for unpaid invoices

Operational Loss: Missed rents or maintenance failures

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Compare common eSignature vendor starting prices and key features relevant to executing Real Estate Management Agency Agreements.

	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	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Real-World Examples of Use

These brief examples show how an agreement is used in typical scenarios and the outcomes achieved.

Residential Portfolio Manager

A regional investor engaged a management company for 50 units to standardize leasing and repairs

Manager implemented monthly reporting and vendor panels
Result: consistent invoicing, faster repairs, and clearer owner accounting for tax purposes.

HOA Management Transition

A condo board replaced a volunteer manager with a professional firm using a written agreement

The contract defined reserve funding and maintenance schedules
Outcome: improved vendor performance and documented emergency authority during storm repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common legal and practical questions about execution, validity, and post-signature handling of management agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy federal ESIGN requirements (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are demonstrated.
Is notarization required to make it valid?
Not usually for a management agreement itself, but local rules may require notarization or additional formalities for deed transfers or filings; check state notary rules before relying on a notary exception.
Who can sign on behalf of an entity?
An authorized officer or manager with authority under the entity’s governing documents should sign. Verify signer capacity and include a statement of authority or attach corporate resolution if needed.
How do I revoke or terminate the manager’s authority?
Follow the termination clause in the agreement, provide the required notice, and obtain final accounting; for immediate revocation address access to tenant funds and change account signatories.
What supporting documents should be attached?
Include a property list, proof of insurance, manager license (if applicable), bank trust account details, and any owner resolutions that delegate signing authority.
Are digital signatures enforceable in court?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act and UETA. Exceptions exist for testamentary documents and certain court filings, so confirm applicable exclusions.

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