United States Property Licensing
Most states require property management companies to be licensed real estate brokers if they are collecting rent, listing properties for rent or helping negotiate leases. A property manager may be a licensed real estate salesperson but generally they must be working under a licensed real estate broker. Most states have a public license check system on-line for anyone holding a real estate salesperson or real estate broker's license. A few states, such as Idaho and Maine, do not require property managers to have real estate licenses. Washington State requires Property Managers to have a State Real Estate License if they do not own the property. Owners who manage their own property are not required to have a real estate license, See the State Laws [1] however they must at least have a business license to even rent out their own home. Owners who do not live near the rental property may be required, by local government, to hire the services of a property management company.
Generally, property managers who engage in only association management need not be licensed real estate brokers. In Connecticut, however, a broker's license is required. Some states, while not requiring a real estate license, do require association managers to register with the state.
Australia Property Licensing
Every state of Australia has different licensing requirements. To be able to trade as a property management company, the company has to be licensed with a principal or licensee in charge. Each staff member of the company has to have a certificate of registration.[citation needed]
Victorian Property Management includes new legislative requirements under the Owners Corporation Act 2006 (commenced 2008 and replaces the old Body Corporate provisions under the Real Estate Act). Owners Corporation Managers are required to be Registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria and hold insurance. Real Estate Agents are required to be licensed. Melbourne has seen significant growth in large multi unit apartment developments and Owners Corporation Management is evolving as a result. Owners Corporations can be residential, commercial or a mix.
New Zealand Property Licensing
Residential Property Managers in New Zealand currently come in two types. Those that are licensed and those that are unlicensed. The New Zealand Government is reviewing whether all forms of property management need any legislation.[citation needed] New Zealand licensed property managers offer a full and complete service with qualified professionals who collect rent through an audited trust account to protect both investment property owners and tenants. Also licensed property managers adhere to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand property management code of practice which outlines industry best practices for dealing with the public. Unlicensed property managers do not require any registration, minimum knowledge or skill, or adhere to any code of practice to offer a property management service.
Consequently, the services offered in New Zealand are varied where both licensed and unlicensed property managers have a mixed track record in delivery services to this industry.
Republic of Ireland Property Licensing
In the Republic of Ireland, there is no legal obligation to form a property management company. However, management companies are generally formed to manage multi-unit developments, and must then follow the general rules of company law in terms of ownership and administration.
No specific qualifications or licences are required to operate as a managing agent in Ireland. This is likely to change once the National Property Services Regulatory Authority is established on a statutory basis.
A Bill providing for the statutory establishment of this body is expected to be published by the Irish Government in 2008. The new authority will license and regulate managing agent services, but is not expected to have legislative power to investigate individual complaints against managing agents.
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has campaigned in this area, and in September 2008 it launched a website explaining consumer rights. The NCA does not have a legislative or regulatory function in the area, unless a consumer complaint is in relation to a breach of consumer law.
Source: Wikipedia