How to Become a Leasing Agent or Property Manager in Florida

In Florida, about 2,600,000 people rent their homes. This means that if you've considered rental management as a career path, you're in luck. Here is more information on how to become a leasing agent in Florida.

Licensing Requirements for Becoming a Florida Leasing Agent

There are two scenarios for Florida leasing agents depending on the kind of employer they have. The first case is working for a commercial leasing and rental company.

When working for a property management company or getting paid by commission, leasing agents must have a real estate license. Because renting and leasing are considered real estate activities, Florida property laws apply. In short, here is what you need to get a real estate license in Florida:

• Be 18 or older
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Complete 63 hours of coursework
• Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission exam
• Submit fingerprints and pass a background check
• Pass the real estate licensing exam
• Find employment with a broker

When working for personally-owned properties AND on a salary, you do not need a license from the Florida Real Estate Commission.

Required Education for Florida Leasing Agents

Good news — becoming a leasing agent does not require specific education. Generally, a high school diploma is the minimum required for entering this profession. A high school diploma is also needed if you decide to go for a real estate license.

Skills Needed to be a Florida Leasing Agent

Here are the skills you'll need to be a successful leasing agent in Florida:

• Simple business mathematics
• Knowledge of leasing processes, rules, and relevant laws
• Relationship-building
• Sales skills, including property tours
• Basic business management skills

The most helpful skills to have as a leasing agent are building strong relationships with tenants and property owners and day-to-day business management skills. The main role of a leasing agent is to find tenants for properties, so people skills are especially important.

What Is It Like Being a Florida Leasing Agent?

There are several possibilities for leasing agents when it comes to the working environment. It is common for licensed leasing agents to work for property management or real estate companies. A leasing agent with a real estate license could also have their own business managing several properties for a variety of clients. Starting their own property management company is an attractive possibility for many licensed professionals.

If you do not wish to go for a real estate license, you can always find salary-based jobs for individuals who own rental properties.

Florida Leasing Agent Job Responsibilities

A Florida leasing agent can have many responsibilities, including:

• Working at the lobby/reception of a building
• Being the first point of contact for prospective tenants
• Scheduling property visits
• Guiding property tours
• Explaining the property's features and rules
• Processing tenant applications and security deposits
• Performing background and credit checks
• Coordinating with tenants for move-ins and move-outs
• Managing the daily affairs of the property
• Coordinating with service providers for repairs, renovations, etc.
• Providing agreed-upon services to tenants
• Managing marketing campaigns to find new tenants

Working as a leasing agent will put you in touch with all kinds of people from all walks of life. This work demands empathy, flexibility, and an ability to deal with people from different cultures. These skills will help in your work as a leasing agent in a multicultural environment like Florida.

If you are interested in a profession or career linked to real estate, a leasing agent is a wonderful choice. Since a huge chunk of people don't own their homes in Florida, there is plenty of work managing rental properties all across the state. Your biggest choice will be whether to obtain a real estate license to work with large property management and real estate companies or to work with individual property owners as a salaried manager.