Self-Managed vs Agency-Managed: Finding the Right Balance for Your Investment
When you buy an investment property, there’s a moment of excitement—then a big question follows: Do I manage this myself, or should I engage a property manager?
It’s a decision almost every landlord faces, and it often comes down to how much time, knowledge, and energy you want to put into the day-to-day running of your property.
The Self-Management Route
Managing a property yourself can feel appealing. You save on management fees, you have direct contact with tenants, and you get to make every call, from rent adjustments to maintenance approvals.
But it also means:
- Answering late-night calls when the hot water cylinder bursts.
- Understanding the ins and outs of Tasmania’s Residential Tenancy Act.
- Keeping up with compliance requirements like smoke alarms, safety checks, and bond lodgements.
- Advertising, showing the property, screening tenants, conducting inspections, chasing arrears, and managing disputes.
Self-management works best when you have the time, live close to your property, and enjoy being hands-on. However, it can quickly become overwhelming—especially if multiple issues arise simultaneously.
The Agency-Managed Approach
Engaging a property manager shifts those day-to-day tasks off your plate, saving you time and energy. A good agency doesn’t just take over, they become your middle person, communicating with tenants, coordinating trades, and ensuring legal compliance, while keeping you informed and in control.
With agency management, you gain:
- Peace of mind: Compliance, notices, and deadlines are handled correctly.
- Market expertise: Your manager knows what rent the market will support.
- Time back: No more running to inspections or arranging urgent repairs.
- Professional tenant screening: Access to databases and experience in identifying red flags.
- Balanced decision-making: Managers provide advice and options, but the final say is always yours.
For many investors, the biggest surprise is realising they’re not handing over control—they’re gaining clarity and confidence, with someone experienced guiding the process.
Striking the Right Balance
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some landlords prefer a let-only service, where the agency finds and vets tenants before handing over the reins. Others want full management, freeing them up entirely while still having the final say on key decisions.
What matters most is that your chosen path aligns with your goals, your lifestyle, and your appetite for hands-on involvement.
Final Thought
Self-management can suit some, but for many, the stress, risk, and time involved outweigh the savings. Agency management offers a partnership: you still have control, but with expert advice and support that keeps your investment protected and performing.
At MIX Property Group, we work with investors to find the right level of management for them—whether that’s guiding, supporting, or taking care of everything end-to-end. If you would like an obligation free consultation on your investment properties contact our experienced team today.