Property Management: Single-Family Rentals 101

General Information

Approved Credit Hours: 3 hours

State: Ohio

Course Availability: 365 days from enrollment

Course Description

Acquiring an investment property is only the beginning of the ownership cycle. Long-term performance depends on effective property management, consistent tenant policies, regulatory compliance, and disciplined operational oversight. Strong management practices protect income, preserve asset value, and reduce exposure to risk.

Real estate professionals may advise investor clients on management decisions, assist owners in evaluating professional management services, or oversee rental operations directly. In each role, understanding the operational realities of rental property ownership is essential to supporting stable cash flow and long-term asset performance.

This course focuses on the practical fundamentals of managing single-family rental properties. It examines the decision to self-manage or hire professional property management, outlines common fee structures and responsibilities, and reviews the policies that promote consistency and reduce liability.

The course also addresses tenant screening and selection, application verification procedures, rent collection practices, and fair housing considerations. Finally, it explores renovation and upgrade strategies designed to enhance property appeal, improve efficiency, and strengthen overall investment performance.

Effective property management requires organization, clear procedures, and informed decision-making. A structured approach supports operational stability, regulatory compliance, and sustained investment success.

Course Topics

This course covers the following topics:

• Unit 1: Self-Management or Hiring Professionals: Evaluation of management responsibilities, required skills, and common compensation structures.

• Unit 2: Establishing Health and Rental Policies: Review of environmental considerations, rental standards, and security deposit procedures.

• Unit 3: Tenant Management and Screening: Analysis of tenant selection practices and compliance considerations.

• Unit 4: Accepting and Verifying Applications: Overview of application review, income verification, deposit handling, and rent collection policies.

• Unit 5: Renovating Units to Add Value: Examination of cost-effective upgrades and maintenance decisions that influence property performance.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Evaluate whether self-management is practical based on time, location, income level, and risk tolerance.

• Identify the key skills and personality traits required to successfully manage rental property.

• Assess the qualifications of a professional property manager, including licenses, credentials, insurance, and accounting practices.

• Compare common management fee structures, including percentage fees, flat fees, and leasing commissions, and explain how they affect cash flow.

• Identify common environmental hazards in rental properties and explain basic testing and disclosure responsibilities.

• Compare month-to-month and fixed-term leases and describe how each affects flexibility and rent changes.

• Determine a realistic rental rate using return on investment and market analysis methods.

• Develop clear security deposit and house rules policies that support compliance, consistency, and risk management.

• Establish a positive working relationship with existing tenants after acquiring an occupied property.

• Explain when and how to introduce new rental agreements and policy changes for current tenants.

• Set up objective tenant selection criteria and apply a consistent screening process that supports fair housing compliance.

• Plan effective advertising and showings to attract qualified renters and manage vacant versus occupied tours safely and efficiently.

• Offer and review rental applications consistently so every qualified prospect has an equal opportunity to apply.

• Verify key applicant information using documentation, landlord references, employment checks, and credit reports.

• Use written approval and denial notices to communicate decisions and document compliant reasons for an adverse action.

• Collect and handle move-in funds and deposits safely, including holding deposits, payment methods, receipts, and a move-in inspection checklist.

• Identify cost-effective value-add renovations that can justify higher rents and improve marketability.

• Evaluate upgrades based on competitive rental features and overall curb appeal.

• Prepare a unit to be fully rent-ready using structured interior and exterior checklists.

• Decide when to use licensed contractors versus handling work yourself, including how to verify credentials and insurance.

Instructor & Customer Support

For questions about the course content, please contact the Instructor.

Course Instructor: Chris Culbertson
Contact Information: instructor@onlineed.com
Instructor Availability: Monday-Friday, business hours, excluding holidays
Instructor Policy Response Time: within 1 business day
 
If you have questions about your account or course navigation, please contact the course provider:

OnlineEd
Phone: 1-(503)-670-9278
Email: mail@onlineed.com
Chat and additional options: https://www.onlineed.com/system/pages/contact.php

Completion & Attendance Requirements

Completion Requirements. Continuing education credit is awarded upon successful completion of all required course components and satisfaction of regulatory active time requirements. You may exit and return to the course at any time. Your progress will be saved.

Assessments

This course includes quizzes at the end of each unit, which must be completed.

There is no final exam.

Course Completion Survey

Students are encouraged to submit a survey upon completion of the course. This short survey helps us improve the course material and student experience. It is required by most regulatory agencies. Your thoughtful feedback is appreciated.

Certificates & Credit Reporting

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, a certificate of completion will be issued.  You are responsible for maintaining a copy of your certificates of completion and renewing your license with the state regulator. 

OnlineEd will automatically report course completion credits to OH DOC REPL within 1 business day on the student's behalf. Students don't need to take any additional steps for OnlineEd to initiate the reporting, except to complete the course and receive a completion certificate.

Technology Requirements

Courses may be accessed from a computer, tablet, or mobile device with a stable internet connection.  We recommend the most recent browser versions.  This includes all modern browsers and operating systems including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, iPhone / iOS, and Android-based mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets. The course is entirely web-based and does not require any software to be downloaded or installed.  For accurate time tracking and progress recording, access courses in one browser window at a time. 

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

All tuition and fees paid for the course are refundable when: (a) the course of instruction is discontinued by OnlineEd and such discontinuation has prevented a student from completing the course; or (b) the enrollment of the student was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in promotion materials of the school, or representation made by an owner or employee of the school. All refunds will be completed within 30 days after the effective date of enrollment termination. Refunds will not be given to any student after the student has successfully registered in a course or courses, as once registered, student has access to the registered courses. In hardship cases, OnlineEd may issue a refund at its sole discretion. OnlineEd does not issue retroactive partial refunds for courses that are subsequently discounted or put on sale after a student makes a purchase.

Academic Integrity and Identity Verification

Students must complete all coursework independently. OnlineEd prohibits misrepresentation of identity or allowing another individual to complete coursework on your behalf. Failure to comply with academic integrity policies may result in denial of credit.

Student Conduct Policy

Students are expected to show respect, courtesy, and consideration when interacting with school staff and students. Students are expected to conducting themselves in a professional, legal, and cooperative manner that is not disruptive, harassing, intimidating, or dangerous. Deviation from these standards may result in disciplinary action.

Non-Discrimination Policy

OnlineEd does not discriminate for admission on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age or disability. Any person who feels they have been unlawfully discriminated against may file a complaint with the School Director, either by email (schooldirector@onlineed.com) or by postal mail (ATTN: School Director, 14355 SW Allen Blvd. Suite 240, Portland, OR 97005). If OnlineEd determines that any employee of OnlineEd has engaged in discriminatory activity, such employee shall be disciplined.

Grievance Policy

If a student has a grievance against OnlineEd, its staff or students, the aggrieved student shall contact the School Director by email or mail, stating the nature of the grievance. The School Director shall evaluate the grievance and respond to the student based upon their findings.

Policies on Cheating and Misrepresentation

Cheating on courses that supply completion certificates, designations, or official credit is not tolerated. OnlineEd is not obligated to continue to furnish credit or continued support for students caught cheating on any part of the coursework or testing.
 
Misrepresentation of personal identity is strictly forbidden for all OnlineEd courses. Falsifying personal information, forgery, and misrepresentation may result in immediate suspension. Additional actions by state and federal agencies may include loss or suspension of a license, failure to grant a license, fees, or criminal prosecution.

Publisher

This course is developed and delivered by OnlineEd, LLC.

OnlineEd, LLC
14255 SW Allen Blvd., Suite 240
Portland, OR 97005
(503) 670-9278
https://www.OnlineEd.com/
mail@OnlineEd.com

Mission Statement

To provide superior distance education that exceeds industry standards and expectations in course content and delivery methods to those who seek to enter a new profession and those engaged in a profession.