Lia CabreraOwning a rental property sounds like a dream, until you realize it’s less about collecting rent and more about managing paperwork and endless details. A close friend of mine learned this the hard way just a month into becoming a landlord.
Between tracking rent payments and inspections, she was quickly overwhelmed. That’s when I stepped in to help her find the right property management service—one that could take care of the operations so she could focus on the returns.
After comparing dozens of companies, I narrowed it down to a shortlist of the top property management services in San Diego. So, if you want less stress and more structure, you’ll want to check out the options that helped my friend reclaim her time.
How much do property management services cost in San Diego?
Property management services in San Diego typically cost between 8% and 12% of the monthly rent. Just note that additional leasing fees often range from 50 to 100% of one month’s rent.
How I chose
1. Good Life Property Management
Address: 5252 Balboa Ave #704, 92117
Contact Details: +1 858-207-4595
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Good Life Property Management has earned a reputation for truly putting owners at ease. Their “Risk-Free. Worry-Free.” promise isn’t just a catchy slogan.
The people I talked to genuinely appreciated the flexibility of the month-to-month contracts. They told me they never feel stuck and really value how clear and honest the team is.
Another owner shared how relieved they were during a stressful eviction. The company covered up to $3,000 in legal fees and handled everything quickly and professionally. Honestly, hearing that made me feel a lot more confident in their service.
The re-leasing support also impressed me. When a tenant breaks a lease early or is evicted, the management will find a replacement and waive the leasing fee.
However, some property owners pointed out that when repairs or maintenance are done, Good Life doesn’t always provide detailed receipts or explanations for line items in the costs.
Always willing to go the extra mile
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with CJ Flores at Good Life Property Management, and I can confidently say the experience has been excellent. CJ is responsive, professional, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure things are handled quickly and smoothly. Communication is clear and timely, and it makes managing my properties so much easier knowing I can rely on CJ’s support. I truly appreciate the dedication and great service. I would highly recommend Good Life Property Management, and especially CJ, to anyone looking for a reliable and professional property management team.— Michael Million”
– Michael Million, Google Review
Very professional and responsive
“Extremely happy with Madison and her team at Good Life. My previous property management team sold their business to Pure and I was not happy with that transition and their services. Came across Good Life and they just exceed my expectations. At first, I was a little concerned because my property was left unlocked after a showing, but their team assured me it would not happen again and made sure to keep me at ease. They are all very professional, responsive and pay quickly. Their documentation is immaculate and make everything run so smoothly. Tenants seem to be happy with their responsiveness as well. Great experience overall and would highly recommend.”
– Julia Fagan, Google Review
2. Utopia Property Management
Address: 4617 Ruffner St, CA 92111
Contact Details: +1 858-598-1111
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Utopia Property Management has built a strong reputation as one of San Diego’s most established and wide-reaching forms.
They manage everything from single-family condos to apartment complexes and even commercial real estate.
What really stood out to me was their use of technology. From online rent collection and maintenance requests to digital statements, they create a streamlined system that many smaller agencies struggle to pull off successfully.
Another thing that caught my attention was their ability to manage HOA bookkeeping and commercial retail spaces. That kind of crossover is rare, and I can see why investors with a mix of property types find it especially valuable.
However, their size can be a downside. While their systems bring consistency, some clients have noted that the service can feel impersonal, especially when issues require a more personalized or hands-on approach.
Takes time to understand goals
“After a negative experience with another company,switching to Utopia was a breath of fresh air. They took the time to understand my goals and have delivered on every promise. They filled a long-term vacancy quickly with qualified tenants and have significantly improved my cash flow. The owner portal is fantastic for real-time updates. They are honest, ethical, and incredibly effective. I only wish I had found them sooner! For any San Diego landlord, Utopia is the clear choice.”
– Jake Reilly, Google Review
Responsive and respectful team
“Utopia Property Management has been one of the most dependable companies I’ve ever rented with. From day one, everything has gone smoothly. I really appreciate how simple the move-in process was, and how clearly everything was explained. The team is responsive, respectful, and actually listens—something that’s surprisingly rare. Maintenance issues get fixed fast, and I’ve never had to follow up multiple times to get things done. The property is always kept clean, the landscaping is well maintained, and I always feel safe and comfortable. It’s also easy to reach someone when I have a question or need support. I can honestly say I feel at ease knowing I’m in a place managed by people who care. There’s a sense of reliability and professionalism that really stands out. Utopia does more than just the basics—they go the extra mile to make the rental experience positive. I’ve recommended Utopia to a few friends already, and I’ll keep doing so. My time here has been excellent and I’m truly happy with the level of service I’ve received. If you want peace of mind as a renter, this is the team to go with.”
– Marc Barrera, Google Review
3. Penny Realty, Inc.
Address: 4444 Mission Blvd, Suite 140, 92109
Contact Details: +1 858-240-8146
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Since 1965, Penny Realty’s experience has translated into a results-driven approach. They promise to rent your property within 30 days, or your first month is free.
Owners I spoke with said the guarantee was delivered, even during slow rental periods. That kind of confidence isn’t common and shows how seriously they take leasing and marketing.
They tailor each campaign to your property and neighborhood. Their use of pro photography and custom descriptions—promoted across top rental sites and social media—really stands out.
Tenant screening is another strong point. Their 11-step process encompasses everything from background checks to income and rental history verification. In fact, one landlord told me he’s had zero tenant issues since switching.
On the flip side, while Penny Realty does offer eviction protection insurance, it is an add-on rather than an included benefit. A few investors mentioned that it’s easy to overlook in the contract, so be aware of potential extra fees.
Very responsive, professional, and helpful
“It’s always difficult finding a property management company you can trust.
We a have been using Penny Realty to help manage our condo in Pacific Beach this last year. Hunter has been great! Very responsive, professional, and helpful. He’s always quick to address any questions or concerns, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. The feedback from our tenants echoes the same sentiment, with many noting his prompt communication and attention to detail. We feel confident knowing our property is in such capable hands and highly recommend this management group to anyone looking for top-notch service.”
– Jacquelyn Wall, Google Review
Reliable property management company
“I had a great experience working with Penny Realty to rent out my property in Carlsbad. Lucas, the Business Development Manager, was my initial contact and made the onboarding process clear and straightforward. Joy, the property manager, has been professional and responsive throughout. They found a great tenant quickly—less than a month—and everything has been running smoothly since. Before move-in, my oven needed repairs, and the contractor Penny Realty works with was able to fix it despite a discontinued part, and… the price for the repair was reasonable. I appreciate their efficiency and problem-solving approach and would definitely recommend Penny Realty to anyone looking for a reliable property management company.”
– James Edwards, Google Review
4. Keyrenter San Diego Property Management
Address: 1455 Frazee Rd, Suite 500, 92108
Contact Details: 1 619-404-4000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Keyrenter stands out by backing their tenant placement with real guarantees. I have to admit that it genuinely caught my attention.
For example, if they don’t lease your property to a qualified tenant within 30 days, they’ll waive your first month’s management fee.
They also address one of the biggest landlord concerns by covering eviction costs, although they claim their eviction rate is impressively low.
But I was surprised to learn these guarantees only apply if you allow pets. It’s easy to miss, but if pets aren’t allowed in your rental, this key benefit won’t apply.
Another thing that stood out was their personal touch. Instead of sending owners to call centers or online portals, they assign a dedicated local manager. This person keeps an eye on your property and works to manage maintenance costs without cutting corners.
I found that kind of care and communication makes a big difference, especially when something urgent comes up.
Beautiful photos for the house advertisement
“My experience with Keyrenter San Diego Property Management has been great! Fara, Laura and Reza all worked together to find tenants for our rental property quickly and efficiently. Reza took beautiful photos for the house advertisement and then took time out of his busy day to show me how to re-screen a window screen that needed to be fixed before the house could be rented. Fara was easy to contact and to talk to when I had questions about the leasing process. She is friendly and is a joy to work with!”
– Julie Hoyt, Google Review
Consistent professionalism and clear communication
“I am writing to express my high satisfaction with Keyrenter San Diego Property Management. As an owner living out of State , their service has been invaluable. The team has consistently demonstrated professionalism and clear communication, keeping me fully informed despite the distance. They found a qualified tenant quickly and have managed all aspects of the tenancy efficiently. I am particularly impressed with their proactive approach to maintenance, which gives me peace of mind. The financial reporting is transparent and easy to understand. Keyrenter has made owning an investment property from another country a simple and stress-free experience. I feel confident that my property is in excellent hands. I highly recommend Keyrenter San Diego to any out-of-state investor. Thank you for your exceptional service.”
– Angel Variyski, Google Review
5. Uplift Property Management
Address: 10620 Treena St, Suite 230, 92131
Contact Details: +1 858-449-7294
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Uplift Property Management is a full-service company that manages a wide range of properties.
They cater to single-family homes, condominiums with strict homeowner associations, and small apartment buildings. That kind of flexibility can be particularly helpful if you own different types of properties or plan to grow your portfolio.
One of Uplift’s more distinctive selling points is its eviction protection. I met a landlord who said their $2,800/month rental was covered under Uplift’s promise to pay up to $1,500 in legal fees if a tenant had to be evicted.
They also offer a reliable leasing guarantee. If they don’t find a qualified tenant within 30 days, you don’t pay the leasing fee.
Another plus is their no-extra-fees policy. There are no hidden charges, no markups on maintenance, and no yearly accounting fees. It’s something many owners appreciate after dealing with surprise costs elsewhere.
However, I spoke with two residents who had concerns about the slow pace of maintenance. In one case, it took over a week to fix a plumbing leak.
Awesome communication
“The new on-site manager for the Uplift property where I’m residing has flipped this place on its lid! IN A GOOD…NO, GREAT WAY! In my opinion it’s all about the little things. Taylor seems to share this mindset as she has revamped things here and there from improvements to the contractors and cosmetic maintenance to the installation of fire alarms and BRAND NEW WASHERS in the laundry area along with updated flooring. I knew when she got here things were going to be very different based on her awesome communication, to which we were not previously accustom! The fact that email and text are being used to communicate important information instead of a piece of paper stuck to the door had me grinning from ear to ear with appreciation. She is a highly valued addition to where I call home and I’m so happy that she is here. All these little things just make me love being here more! Thank you Taylor.. thank you for every little thing that you have done and are doing.”
– Stacy Colledge, Google Review
Very proactive
“Uplift has been managing our property for over a year and their communication is excellent. Information about your property is always at your fingertips through the owner’s on-line private portal. We’re very happy with the lease agreement set forth for potential renters, and they are very proactive for the renters ensuring they immediately had all the benefits of living in the community. They are Proactive, Fair and Friendly.”
– Brandie Clement, Google Review
