Owning a rented house, flat, shop or plaza in Lahore takes more time than most owners expect. Tenants have to be found and checked, agreements drafted, rent chased, repairs arranged and legal steps followed. A property management company does this work for you. For owners living abroad or in another city, it is often the only practical option.
This guide explains what property managers do, the laws they work under, how fees are structured and how to pick a reliable one.
What property management covers
- Marketing the property and showing it to prospective tenants
- Tenant screening and CNIC verification
- Drafting the tenancy agreement and presenting it to the Rent Registrar
- Tenant registration with the police
- Rent and utility collection, with monthly statements
- Routine maintenance, repairs and emergency call-outs
- Periodic inspections with photo reports
- Move-in and move-out handovers, and security deposit settlement
- Handling notices, renewals and disputes, with a lawyer where needed
Services in this category
| Service | What it is | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Rental management for owners | End-to-end letting and management of a rented property | You own one or more rented units and lack time |
| Tenant finding and verification | Marketing, screening, documents and agreement | You want a good tenant but will manage day to day yourself |
| Maintenance and repairs management | Arranging and supervising plumbers, electricians, painters and other trades | Your tenant calls you for every repair |
| Overseas owner property management | Full management with remote reporting, payments and representation | You live abroad and own property in Lahore |
The legal basics in Lahore
Two Punjab laws matter most for rented property.
Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009
- A landlord must not let premises except through a written tenancy agreement (sections 2(m) and 5(1)).
- The landlord presents the agreement to the Rent Registrar, who records it and returns the sealed original (section 5).
- The agreement should state the rent, rate of increase, payment terms, period, and any advance, security or pagri (section 6).
- If no payment date is stated, rent is due by the tenth day of the following month (section 7(2)).
- If a tenancy does not conform to the Act, the Rent Tribunal will not hear the case unless the landlord pays a fine of 10% of the annual rent value, or the tenant pays 5% (section 9).
- Eviction grounds include expiry of the tenancy, rent unpaid 30 days after the due date, breach of the agreement, misuse and unauthorised subletting (section 15).
Source: Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009 (full text).
Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act, 2015
Whenever a house or hostel room is rented, the owner, tenant or property dealer must record owner, property and tenant details with the local police station or a Police Khidmat Markaz. Lahore Police says registration is free and takes about 15 to 20 minutes (Lahore Police).
A good manager handles both steps as standard, not as extras.
How to choose a property manager
- Ask how they verify tenants. CNIC checks, employment or business proof, previous landlord references.
- Read their management agreement. It should list services, fees, reporting, spending limits for repairs and how either side can end the contract.
- Check how money moves. Rent should go to your bank account, or be passed on with a monthly statement and receipts.
- Ask for sample reports. Inspection photos, rent ledgers, repair invoices.
- Check their legal support. Do they have a lawyer for notices and Rent Tribunal cases? Lawyers should be enrolled with the Punjab Bar Council.
- Check their trades network. Who are their plumbers and electricians, and how fast do they respond?
- Speak to current clients, especially overseas owners if that applies to you.
How pricing works
We do not publish fees here; they vary by property and scope. Common pricing bases:
- Percentage of monthly rent for full management
- One-time letting fee, either a fixed amount or a share of rent, for tenant finding only
- Fixed monthly retainer for larger portfolios or plazas
- Per-task charges for inspections, documentation or court attendance
- Repairs at cost plus a supervision fee, or at cost with receipts
What affects the fee: property type and size, number of units, location, how much the manager handles (rent collection, repairs, legal), and whether the owner is overseas. Get it in writing.
Process from request to completion
- Request quotes with property details and the services you need.
- Property visit by the manager to assess condition and suggest a rent range based on local demand.
- Management agreement signed, with authority limits for spending and decisions.
- Preparation: minor repairs, cleaning and photos.
- Tenant search and screening.
- Tenancy agreement drafted, signed and presented to the Rent Registrar.
- Police tenant registration.
- Move-in with an inventory and photo record.
- Ongoing management: rent collection, repairs, inspections and monthly reports.
- Move-out: inspection, deposit settlement and re-letting.
Red flags
- Rent collected in cash with no receipts or statements
- No written management agreement
- Skipping the Rent Registrar or police registration "to save time"
- Repair invoices with no photos or receipts
- Pressure to accept a tenant without documents
- A manager who also acts as the tenant's agent without telling you
FAQs
Is a written tenancy agreement mandatory in Punjab? Yes. Section 5(1) of the Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009 says premises must not be let except through a tenancy agreement, defined as an agreement in writing.
Do I have to register my tenant with the police? Yes. The Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act, 2015 requires owner, property and tenant details to be recorded with the police. It is free.
Can a property manager sign the agreement for me? Only if you give them written authority, usually a power of attorney. Keep its scope limited.
What happens if my tenant stops paying? Rent unpaid 30 days after the due date is a ground for eviction under section 15. A manager will send notices and, if needed, engage a lawyer for the Rent Tribunal.
Does a manager help with rent income tax? Some keep records your tax adviser can use. Rental income is taxable; confirm your obligations with FBR or a tax adviser.
Can I use a manager only for finding a tenant? Yes. Many offer tenant finding as a standalone service.
This page is general information; confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before you act.