When is a property manager not required to be licensed?

A property manager is not required to be licensed when he or she receives a rental unit as compensation. This is rooted in the understanding that when an individual receives a rental unit instead of direct monetary compensation, their role is more akin to that of a property occupant or resident rather than a conventional property manager. This arrangement typically implies a personal benefit derived from the housing situation, which does not engage the standard responsibilities or financial transactions that would necessitate licensing.

In this context, other scenarios do involve licensure requirements. For instance, managing more than five properties usually requires a professional license to ensure that the individual has the necessary knowledge and adherence to state laws governing property management. Owning rental units is another situation where licensing is typically required, as owning and managing properties directly involves more complex obligations to tenants and legal regulations. Working as an assistant often implies support roles that might still require oversight from a licensed manager, hence a licensing challenge remains for those roles.