Do Apartments Ever Operate Without a Property Management Company?

While most apartment communities in the United States are overseen by professional property management companies, there are many cases where apartments operate without them. Instead, the landlord or building owner may choose to manage the property independently. This is especially common in smaller buildings, duplexes, fourplexes, or older multi-unit homes converted into rental units.

In cities with high concentrations of family-owned properties—such as Brooklyn, NY (ZIP 11209), Chicago’s Logan Square, IL (ZIP 60647), and Philadelphia, PA (ZIP 19146)—self-managed rentals are widespread. These landlords typically handle leasing, maintenance requests, rent collection, and tenant communication themselves, without involving a third-party company.

In suburban areas like Orange County, CA or King County, WA, many smaller rental buildings and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) operate the same way. This setup can benefit renters by offering more direct communication and sometimes lower fees, since there are no management-company markups.

However, self-managed apartments may also come with challenges. Response times can vary, maintenance may depend on the landlord’s availability, and processes (like application reviews or lease renewals) may be less standardized. Renters should ask clear questions about maintenance procedures, emergency contacts, and payment methods before signing the lease.

Ultimately, apartments without property management companies do exist—and they can be a great option—provided the landlord is responsible, responsive, and transparent about how the building is operated.