How Easy Is It Really to Switch Property Managers? (More Than You'd Think)
A lot of landlords stay with a property manager they're not happy with simply because they assume switching is complicated. It isn't. If you're in the northern suburbs, Hillarys, Padbury, Duncraig, Craigie, Carine, Sorrento, Mullaloo or surrounds, and you've had that nagging feeling that your current agent isn't pulling their weight, here's exactly what's actually involved.
The two agreements are completely separate
This is the part that surprises most landlords. Your tenant's lease is a Residential Tenancy Agreement between you and the tenant. Your relationship with your property manager is a completely different document, a Management Agreement between you and the agency. Switching property managers doesn't touch your tenant's lease at all. The tenant keeps living in the property under exactly the same terms. All that changes is who they pay rent to and who they call when something needs fixing.
That means you don't need to wait for a lease to expire, and you don't need your tenant's permission. You can switch mid-tenancy without any disruption to them at all.
What notice period actually applies
Every Management Agreement has a termination clause, and this is the first thing to check. Most WA agreements sit somewhere between 28 and 90 days' notice, though some run on ongoing terms that renew automatically each year unless you act.[1] Some contracts include a fixed exclusive management period upfront, after which you're free to leave without any exit fee at all.[2]
The notice has to be in writing. A phone call isn't always enough. It's worth checking your agreement for the exact wording before you send anything, so there's no ambiguity about your termination date.
This is something that Redfern Realty will help you with, we will send through the notice to your current agency on your behalf so that you don't have to.
What it actually costs
For most landlords, switching costs nothing beyond the notice period itself. Exit fees typically only apply if you're still inside a fixed exclusive management term, or if your property is currently being advertised and the agent has already spent money on marketing.[2] If you're unsure where you stand, it's worth simply asking your current agent directly, or having your new property manager review the agreement with you, we are happy to help here.
What actually happens during the switch
You review your current agreement and confirm your notice period and any applicable fees.
Sign new management agreement with your new agency.
Send written notice to your current agent, advising of handover date.
Your new property manager requests the handover file, leases, tenant details, bond information, inspection reports, maintenance history, and keys.
Your tenant is notified in writing of the new contact details for rent payments and maintenance requests. This is usually handled by the new agent.
Rent and bond details are transferred, and your new property manager takes over from the agreed date.
That's genuinely the whole process. Most landlords are surprised at how little disruption it causes, both to them and to their tenant.
P.S. At Redfern Realty we take care of steps 3 onwards for you, so once you sign a Management Agreement with us there is nothing left for you to do, and we keep you informed the whole time.
Why landlords actually make the switch
The most common reasons I hear aren't dramatic. It's slow communication, a rent review that never happened, a maintenance issue that dragged on for weeks, or simply never being able to get the same person on the phone twice. None of those things are emergencies on their own, but they add up, and eventually a landlord realises they've been quietly tolerating a level of service they wouldn't accept anywhere else.
If any of that sounds familiar, the good news is you don't have to just live with it until something forces the issue. The switch itself is straightforward. The harder part is usually just making the decision.
What switching to me actually looks like
I handle the entire handover personally, the paperwork, the notice to your current agent, the transfer of records, and the introduction to your tenant, so it feels seamless on your end. You deal with me directly from day one, not a call centre or a rotating cast of property managers.
If you're even slightly unsure whether your current agent is doing right by you, it costs nothing to have a conversation. I'm happy to take a confidential look at your situation and give you an honest read on where you stand.
Thinking about switching property managers? Get in touch, no obligation, just an honest conversation.
This article is general information only and doesn't replace legal advice specific to your circumstances. Always review your own Management Agreement for the exact terms that apply to you.
Sources
[1] Cubbi, How to Switch Property Managers Without Disrupting Your Tenant — https://www.cubbi.com.au/blog/how-to-switch-property-managers-without-disrupting-your-tenant
[2] Regal Gateway Property, How to Change Property Managers: A Frictionless 2026 Guide for Landlords — https://www.regalgateway.com/how-to-change-property-managers-in-atwell-a-frictionless-2026-guide-for-landlords/
