Quick Overview
If you’re drawn to real estate but not interested in sales, a property manager position offers the perfect alternative, combining communication, organisation, and business skills in a people-focused career. With growing demand across the UK rental and commercial sectors, this path provides excellent job security and long-term growth potential.
This guide covers:
✅ What a property manager does and typical daily responsibilities
✅ Why property management is a stable and rewarding career choice
✅ Essential qualifications and certifications (ARLA, RICS, IRPM, Diplomas)
✅ Step-by-step process to become a property manager in the UK
✅ Key hard and soft skills needed to excel in the role
✅ Salary expectations, benefits, and career progression opportunities
✅ Entry-level roles and training routes for beginners
✅ Future career paths — from facilities management to consultancy
Have you considered a career in real estate, but don’t want to deal with selling properties? Not a problem! Property management could be a perfect career option for you! This career offers good job security and the chance to work in the residential and commercial sectors of the UK real estate market. The best part is that you get to use your communication, organisation, and business management skills.
This comprehensive guide will go through qualifications required, training, skills, salary and salary growth and will help you get a good overview of the career.
What is the role of a Property Manager?
Property Managers work on a daily basis for residential or commercial properties for landlords, investors or housing associations. Property Managers maintain the properties and make sure they abide by the law, whilst ensuring them to be cost-efficient.
Typical Property Manager Job Description:
- Communicating with tenants and managing lease agreements
- organising repairs, maintenance and safety checks
- inspecting properties and ensuring housing regulations compliance
- managing rent collection, financial arrears and budgeting
- collaborating with contractors, surveyors, and letting agents
- reporting to landlords and investors
Property Managers act as a “middle person” between tenants and property owners. They understand the needs of both and ensure the smooth running of the operations.
Why Consider a Career in Property Management?
Property management offers one of the most flexible career opportunities in real estate. Working with different clients and customers, solving a variety of challenges, and seeing all of the challenges you’ve overcome at the end of the day is very gratifying.
Here’s why you should look into property management:
- Constant demand– there is an increasing demand for skilled property managers with the growth and expansion of the rental market in the UK.
- Career flexibility– you can specialise in residential, commercial, student, or any combination of these sectors, enabling you to work in multiple areas.
- Stability and flexibility– Property management is a constant in the industry, even with unpredictable market volatility.
- Greater opportunities– concrete experience opens up positions in senior management, strategic advisory, or even investment.
This is a profession with a definitive and attainable career pathway, whether you are entering the job market for the first time or seeking a career change.
Property Manager Qualifications and Training
You can start this job without a degree, but you will improve your job opportunities and salary range with formal education.
Recommended Property Management Courses and Licenses
- Level 3 ARLA Propertymark Award in Residential Letting and Property Management – this is a universally accepted entry-level certification in the country.
- IRPM (Institute of Residential Property Management) Qualifications – this is for you if you want to focus your career on leasehold or block management.
- RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Accredited Courses – best for people targeting senior or commercial positions.
- Level 4 Diploma in Property or Facilities Management – built for advanced understanding and leadership execution.
- University Degrees in Real Estate, Business, or Housing Management – optional, but would help when it comes to long-term advancement.
Lastly, for those who are just starting, trying an apprenticeship in property management or taking short professional courses would be ideal, as it provides training and practical experience at the same time.
Steps to Become a Property Manager
Starting out? Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to becoming a property manager in the UK:
Step 1: Obtain Basic Education and Understand the Industry
A-levels or the equivalent are usually required to get an entry-level role. However, taking courses in business, law, or property would help set a good groundwork.
Step 2: Obtain Professional Training
Qualify for an ARLA, IRPM or a RICS-approved course. These courses are designed to introduce core topics in housing law, maintenance, finance, and health and safety.
Step 3: Start Accumulating Work Experience
Take up positions such as:
- Assistant Property Manager
- Lettings Administrator
- Tenancy Coordinator
- Facilities Assistant
These positions are great for learning about property operations, tenant management and customer service.
Step 4: Get Your Certification or Membership
Become a member of:
- ARLA Propertymark (for residential lettings)
- RICS (for chartered surveyors and managers)
- IRPM (for residential block management)
Memberships illustrate professionalism and adherence to industry standards.
Step 5: Build on Your Expert Skills
Consider building a niche as you build your expertise in either commercial property, build-to-rent developments, or social housing, for example. Specialisation tends to higher salaries and more responsibilities.
Step 6: Move Up to Senior or Executive Position
After 3 to 5 years of experience, you can reach:
- Senior Property Manager
- Portfolio Manager
- Head of Property Management
- Regional Director
You can also complete your professional goal of self-employment. You can organise and manage for several clients as a property management consultant.
Property Management Certification Requirements
Although property management in the UK has no strict licensing requirement, a large number of employers will prefer individuals without property management certifications from UK property management bodies.
You can expect to complete:
- Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in property management or lettings
- An exam or assessment from ARLA, IRPM, or RICS
- Keep professional development (CPD) and regular training or educational activities.
Getting certified in the field helps in showcasing professionalism. It also helps in keeping you in the loop with recent trends in the housing and property legislation.
Skills Needed to be a Property Manager
Property management can be quite complex, hence the need for a mix of hard and soft skills. Here are the most important skills to acquire to become a property manager:
Hard Skills
- Understanding the law: housing law, health and safety, and compliance
- Financial management: the preparation and control of budgets.
- Understanding property management systems: Reapit, Arthur, MRI
- Managing contracts: negotiation and record keeping.
Soft Skills
- Communication: You will be in constant contact with tenants, landlords, and contractors.
- Organisation: You will be managing multiple properties and managing deadlines and paperwork.
- Problem-solving: Maintenance and tenant dispute issues will require decisive and calm control.
- Customer Service: Professional and approachable, helps maintain good relationships.
- Attention to Detail: Contracts, safety records, and inspections need to be correct.
Gaining these skills early will set you apart.
How long does it take to become a Property Manager?
This will depend on your starting point and the pace at which you do your qualifying.
Here’s a basic outline:
- For those just starting, including training and initial work experience, expect about a year or two of experience to provide value.
- If you’ve worked in real estate or customer service, you could transition into a property management position within 6–12 months.
- To reach senior-level or head of a department functions, expect to have cumulative experience of about 5–7 years in total.
If you take on an apprenticeship, you usually complete training in 12 to 18 months and can earn while you learn.
Property Manager Salary and Benefits
Salaries vary based on experience, location, and the type of properties managed.
Average Salary in the UK
| Career Level | Average Annual Salary |
| Entry-Level / Assistant | £22,000 – £28,000 |
| Property Manager | £30,000 – £40,000 |
| Senior Property Manager | £40,000 – £55,000 |
| Regional / Head of Property Management | £55,000 – £75,000+ |
Additional Benefits
- Bonuses or commission based on portfolio performance
- Company car or mileage allowance for property visits
- Flexible or hybrid working options
- Professional training and memberships funded by employers
The earning potential is strong, especially in London, Manchester, and other high-growth urban areas.
Entry-Level Property Management Jobs
If you’re just starting out, consider applying for entry-level property management jobs such as:
- Assistant Property Manager
- Lettings Coordinator
- Tenancy Administrator
- Block Management Assistant
- Maintenance Coordinator
These roles provide hands-on experience while allowing you to complete your certifications in parallel.
Many estate agencies and housing associations also offer trainee programmes designed to help newcomers build a solid foundation in the field.
Real Estate Management Career Path
Once you’ve gained experience in property management, your career can branch into several related areas, including:
- Facilities Management: Overseeing commercial or multi-unit developments.
- Estate Management: Managing large residential estates or private portfolios.
- Investment Management: Advising landlords on property value and ROI.
- Compliance and Auditing: Ensuring legal and operational standards are met.
- Consultancy or Self-Employment: Running your own property management firm.
The real estate management career path offers long-term stability and the potential to earn a six-figure income with the right expertise.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a property manager is a smart career move for anyone who enjoys working with people, solving problems, and managing diverse tasks. With growing demand across both residential and commercial markets, the field offers strong job security, flexible routes in, and plenty of opportunities for advancement.
By gaining recognised property management qualifications and training, building your core skills, and pursuing professional certifications, you can establish yourself as a trusted expert in the industry.
So, if you’re wondering how to become a property manager, the answer is simple: start learning, gain experience, and take every opportunity to grow — because property management isn’t just a job, it’s a career that opens doors to the entire world of real estate.