​Turnover in property management is hitting record highs.

We look at the data behind why excellent Property Managers are leaving the industry - and why it’s rarely just about the salary.

If it feels like good property managers are harder to find and harder to keep these days, you aren't imagining it.

Recent industry data points to a sector-wide "mass exodus," with property management turnover rates hovering around 33–35%. That is significantly higher than standard real estate sales roles and a major pain point for agency principals trying to build stable, profitable rent rolls.

At Worth Recruiting, we speak to candidates on the front lines every day.

What we’re hearing isn't just normal career churn; it’s the sound of a workforce gripped by a "perfect storm" of burnout, increasing aggression, and systemic operational flaws.

If you are an agency owner wondering why your PM desk is a revolving door, or a PM wondering if you’re alone in how you feel, here is the reality of the current landscape.

1. The "Volume Trap" and The Death of Proactive Management

The single biggest reported driver of resignation remains unmanageable workloads.

In an effort to protect margins, many agencies have allowed portfolios to creep up to 150, 180, or even 200+ properties per manager.

At this volume, proactive management is impossible. PMs report their days are spent purely "firefighting" - reacting to urgent maintenance, arrears, and crises. This leads to a sense of professional failure; they know they aren't providing great service because they simply don't have the time.

Furthermore, the "always-on" expectation - answering calls and texts on weekends and evenings - has utterly destroyed work-life balance.

2. The "Punching Bag" Effect: Abuse and Mental Strain

We must talk about the emotional toll of this job. Unlike sales agents who deal largely with "happy" transactions, property managers exist almost exclusively in a space of conflict resolution.

A 2024 survey indicated that over 60% of property managers have dealt with aggressive or abusive behaviour. They have become the literal "punching bag" for tenants frustrated by rising rents and owners stressed by rising interest rates. This constant barrage leads to severe "compassion fatigue" and burnout.

3. The Regulatory Minefield

The legislative landscape for rentals is changing at breakneck speed. From tighter safety standards to complex new eviction laws, the compliance burden has exploded.

Every new law creates hours of new administrative work, rarely accompanied by a reduction in portfolio size. More importantly, managers are increasingly fearful of personal liability and terrified that an administrative mistake in an overburdened day could lead to legal action.

4. The "Dead End" Perception

A critical issue for retention is the lack of a clear future. Too many property agencies still treat property management merely as an “admin” role, rather than seeing it as a fully integral part of the lettings process where the property manager can be instrumental in client retention and better fees.

We frequently speak to talented PMs who love the operational side of the business but feel forced to leave because there is no clear pathway to roles like Senior PM, Department Head, or Operations Manager. When you combine a lack of career progression with training gaps and poor onboarding, talented people feel set up to fail.

The Critical Disconnect

Perhaps the most important takeaway for employers is this: data shows a massive gap between why managers leave and why owners think they leave.

• Company Owners usually think: They left for a slightly higher salary elsewhere.

• Property Managers tell us: They left because they felt unsafe, unsupported, and overwhelmed.

The Worth Recruiting Takeaway

The agencies that are successfully retaining staff right now aren't just throwing money at the problem. They are restructuring the role. They are capping portfolio sizes, hiring dedicated admin support, and strictly enforcing after-hours boundaries.

They are also considering how the property manager can add value to the business by increasing the fees and generating better reviews from happy clients.

If you are looking for resilient, long-term property management talent, you need to offer an environment where the property manager does not just survive but thrives!

Are you an agency looking to restructure your PM department for stability?

Or a Property Manager looking for a role that values your expertise?

Contact the team at Worth Recruiting today. – on 01372 238300 or by email: toptalent@worthrecruiting.me