Whether you are new to commercial property management or are a seasoned expert, NAR offers useful information concerning leases, safety and security, marketing, and maintenance, and risk management for commercial properties.
Property Management
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References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require a password.
Property Management Issues & Trends
Go from Being a Good Property manager to a Great One with Budget Basics (NAR REALTOR® News Commercial Insights, Jul. 7, 2026)
Property manager budget responsibilities vary significantly across sectors, management agreements and by owner expectations. Many managers focus only on operating expenses. Those who fail to engage more deeply in the property’s budgeting process miss an opportunity to demonstrate their value to the owner and other stakeholders. “A good site manager can control expenses, but a great manager creates more income,” said Sal Dragone, CPM, CCIM, director of property management at Rubenstein Partners in Philadelphia, during a webinar hosted by the Institute of Real Estate Management on budgeting fundamentals for property managers. Leverage the budget management process to deliver more value to your clients, but first, make sure you understand the owner’s goals. “Different owners have different objectives,” Dragone says. “If you’re not in direct contact with the owner, talk to the owner’s representative to understand the bigger picture.” With the owner’s goals front of mind, take a deep dive into the budget to identify opportunities to generate income and reduce operating expenses.
Generative AI for Property Managers: A Beginner’s Guide (NAR REALTOR® News, Mar. 31, 2026)
“Property managers have long used technology to improve efficiency. Generative AI (GenAI) enables a growing range of efficiencies that reduce time spent on administrative functions, allowing managers to redirect that time to higher-value work. AI adoption for property management jumped from 20% in 2024 to 58% in 2025, according to Buildium’s 2026 State of the Property Management Industry Report. But, AI is not a replacement for a property management platform. Beware of its potential bias, legal issues, and hallucinations.”
3 Steps for Building Managers to Prepare for Emergency Events (NAR REALTOR® News Commercial Insights, Feb. 9, 2026)
When an emergency occurs in a managed building, tenants and owners look first to the property manager. “Waiting until there is a problem to develop a response plan is akin to a pilot being in mid-flight before learning how to land,” says IREM instructor Jeff Lapin, CPM, ARM, who recently presented during a webinar hosted by the Institute of Real Estate Management. “As property manager, you’re in charge,” Lapin says. “This means in an emergency, you’re in charge of the emergency response.” Lapin says the hardest part of developing emergency plans is getting started. He recommends three steps to make the task manageable and produce plans that will reduce your stress and liability during a crisis: Determine likely emergency scenarios; Create a logical sequence of events; and Test the plan and adjust as needed.”
The Work of Landlord Technology: The Fictions of Frictionless Property Management (Society and Space, 2024)
“[From abstract] With a proposition that new forms of material and affective labor are created by landlord technologies despite promises of frictionless living, this article focuses on the various struggles that workers and tenants face in using, maintaining, refusing, and, at times, organizing against property automation. Based upon collaborative research produced with Landlord Tech Watch, as well as ethnographic accounting of housing and labor struggles in New York City and Cluj, this article introduces friction as a critical analytic useful in assessing the uneven, gendered, and racialized labor formations that landlord technologies require and reproduce despite fictions of frictionless living”
What Is a Property Manager? (The Balance, Nov. 30, 2022)
“Property managers are hired to handle the operations, maintenance, and administration of property rentals for an owner. Their work, among many other tasks, includes marketing rentals and finding renters, ensuring rental rates are competitive while covering taxes and overhead, collecting rent, and complying with rental laws.”
Leases
Property Leases: What SMBs Need to Know (Business News Daily, Feb. 15, 2025)
There are several core elements of a commercial lease, such as the cost of rent, additional fees, the security deposit and the length of the lease.
Understand the Different Types of Commercial Leases (fitsmallbusiness, Jul. 25, 2024)
Full-service leases
- Most common type of commercial lease for office buildings
- Landlord is responsible for paying the expenses associated with the property, including property taxes and insurance, repairs and maintenance, and utilities and janitorial services
Net leases
- Single net lease: A tenant pays rent plus a pro-rata share of the building’s property taxes.
- Double net lease: A tenant pays a portion of the property insurance in addition to rent and property taxes.
- Triple net lease: A tenant pays the pro-rata share of property taxes, property insurance, and CAMS. Triple net leases are the most landlord-friendly and are most common with restaurants and retail locations.
Modified gross lease
- A compromise of the full-service lease and the net lease. A tenant might pay for their portion of their property taxes, property insurance, and CAMS, but they pay it as a lump sum payment along with their rent
Safety & Security
Effective Property Management Tips for Success (ESS Global Training Solutions, 2025)
- Communicate effectively with tenants, owners, and vendors by leveraging communication templates and technology.
- Be proactive in managing tasks, prioritize efficiently, and avoid procrastination.
- Stay updated with industry knowledge, trends, and regulations to ensure high-quality service.
- Maintain a positive attitude, remain resilient, and effectively handle challenges in property management.
- Implement a structured tenant screening process to find reliable, responsible tenants.
The Safety Series: Security Tips for Property Managers (NAR REALTOR® News, Nov. 18, 2024)
“Property managers face a unique set of safety concerns that other real estate pros don’t often need to think about. For example, some of the most potentially fraught moments in a property manager's day-to-day activities include delivering eviction notices to tenants and how to collect rent securely. A strong rental market like today’s can present opportunities for bad actors and make these activities all the more difficult. Host Tracey Hawkins talks to two experts from the “Show-Me” state of Missouri to hear their experiences in the property management field and share actionable safety tips.”
Criminal Acts and Activities: Landlord Liability FAQ (NOLO, May 23, 2023)
“Landlords have some degree of legal responsibility to protect their tenants from assailants, thieves, and fellow tenants. Landlords aren't expected to make their rentals into fortresses. But they are required to take reasonable precautions to protect tenants from criminal activity, warn tenants of known risks, and, when possible, take measures to protect their neighborhood from illegal activities committed by tenants.”
What Can You Do to Give Tenants a Sense of Safety? (American Apartment Owners Association)
“A safe place to live is priceless. A tenant who feels comfortable about the safety provided by their landlord is a tenant who will renew their lease over and over again.”
The Role of Property Management in Risk Mitigation (CRE Insight Journal, Apr. 14, 2025)
“Property management is not just about overseeing the daily operations of buildings—it’s a critical function that plays a central role in mitigating risks, protecting assets, and maintaining long-term value. Whether it’s preventing costly maintenance issues, ensuring the safety of tenants, or addressing potential legal and regulatory risks, effective property management practices can save property owners significant time and money. Proactive property management practices contribute to risk mitigation, preventing costly mistakes, ensuring the safety of tenants, and maintaining tenant satisfaction.”
Strategies For Effective Commercial Building Maintenance (Property Manager Insider, Mar. 1, 2024)
- Regular preventive maintenance, including seasonal inspections and repairs, extends the life of commercial building equipment and avoids costly breakdowns.
- Sustainable practices in building maintenance not only contribute to a healthier environment but can also result in cost savings through energy efficiency and potential green tax incentives.
- Asset management software is crucial for tracking maintenance schedules, service histories, warranties, and ensures compliance with regulations to prevent fines or legal issues.
- Customized maintenance programs tailored to the specific needs of each property enhance operational efficiency and ultimately protect the investment value of commercial buildings.
Maintenance
Strategies For Effective Commercial Building Maintenance (Property Manager Insider, Mar. 1, 2024)
- Regular preventive maintenance, including seasonal inspections and repairs, extends the life of commercial building equipment and avoids costly breakdowns.
- Sustainable practices in building maintenance not only contribute to a healthier environment but can also result in cost savings through energy efficiency and potential green tax incentives.
- Asset management software is crucial for tracking maintenance schedules, service histories, warranties, and ensures compliance with regulations to prevent fines or legal issues.
- Customized maintenance programs tailored to the specific needs of each property enhance operational efficiency and ultimately protect the investment value of commercial buildings.
The Work of Landlord Technology: The Fictions of Frictionless Property Management (Society and Space, 2024)
“[From abstract] With a proposition that new forms of material and affective labor are created by landlord technologies despite promises of frictionless living, this article focuses on the various struggles that workers and tenants face in using, maintaining, refusing, and, at times, organizing against property automation. Based upon collaborative research produced with Landlord Tech Watch, as well as ethnographic accounting of housing and labor struggles in New York City and Cluj, this article introduces friction as a critical analytic useful in assessing the uneven, gendered, and racialized labor formations that landlord technologies require and reproduce despite fictions of frictionless living”
The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Property Maintenance (Teletare, 2023)
“Commercial property maintenance is a major consideration for any real estate investor. If you’re going to purchase a property you need to know what your responsibilities will be and have a plan for how you’ll maintain all your assets.”
Useful Websites
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International
A primary source of information on office building development, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, legislation, occupancy statistics and technological developments
With an emphasis on executive profiles and industry and economic data, Commercial Property Executive also includes reports covering finance, sustainability, technology, property management, education and legal and regulatory issues.
IREM: Institute of Real Estate Management
The only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. IREM is an international organization that serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry. IREM offers the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation and Accredited Commercial Manager (ACoM) certification
SIOR: Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®
The leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association with more than 3,200 members in 20 countries. SIOR represents today’s most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists. SIOR offers the SIOR designation
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The ABCs of Property Management (eBook)
The Real Estate Property Management Guide (eBook)
Commercial Real Estate Investing (eBook)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Property Manager (eBook)
The Economics of Commercial Property Markets (eBook)
Happy About Apartment Management (eBook)
Facilities Management: Managing Maintenance for Buildings and Facilities (eBook) E
The Landlord’s Kit (eBook)
Landlord's Legal Kit for Dummies (eBook)
Opportunities in Property Management Careers (eBook)
Principles of Real Estate Management (eBook)
Property Management Kit for Dummies (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
Commercial Property Management Answer Book (New York: Vendome Group, 2008) HD 1394 C73
Managing and Leasing Commercial Properties (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2007) HD 1394 AL2ma
Shopping Center Management and Leasing (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 2005) HF 5429 In7sc
Spotlight on Security for Real Estate Managers (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 2005) HD 1394 In7o
Glossary of Real Estate Management Terms (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 2003) HD 1365 In7g
Office Building Management (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 2002) HD 1394 I2
The Tenant Retention Solution: A Revolutionary Approach to Commercial Real Estate Management (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 1995) HD 1394 In8
The Resident Retention Revolution (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 1994) HD 1394 In8r
Managing Your Maintenance Programs: A Guide to Implementing Cost-Effective Plans for Properties (Chicago: Institute of Real Estate Management, 2010) HD 1394 In7my
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The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.