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Leasing Agent

What Is a Leasing Agent and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Table of Contents

What Is a Leasing Agent?

A leasing agent works for a property owner or real estate association to find tenants for their rental properties. These may include apartments, single-family homes, or commercial space. Leasing agents are the main contacts for prospective tenants, promoting various aspects of the rental locations and giving tours when requested. As a leasing agent, you discuss a tenant’s needs to best match them with a home or office that suits them. You are also responsible for gathering and submitting required paperwork for lease agreements.

How to Become a Leasing Agent

A leasing agent presents and promotes a rental property to a prospective tenant. To become a leasing agent, you must earn a high school diploma or equivalent. A college degree is not required, but completing the National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) certification course will teach you the basics of real estate leasing, such as rental policies and procedures and how to interview potential tenants. Secure a position in a real estate or rental property office by marketing your customer service and sales skills to gain experience in the field.

How to Be a Good Leasing Agent

A good leasing agent has excellent customer service skills and is a savvy salesman. As a leasing agent, you need to research details about the vacant rental properties in your company and be able to market them accurately to prospective tenants. Discuss what the renters are looking for and find homes or offices that suit their needs. Be thorough and efficient when completing the lease agreements. A good leasing agent also works with the property owners to ensure they are satisfied with the terms of the lease contracts.

Leasing Agent Job Description Sample

With this Leasing Agent job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember though, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for their Leasing Agent position.

Summary

Our property management company is looking for a Leasing Agent to join our team! In this role, you are essential to our rental process by advertising open spaces in the building, providing tours to potential residents, processing applications, and completing the lease signing process. If we are at full occupancy, we expect you to promote the building itself, encouraging future tenants to join our waitlist or consider our other properties. This is primarily a sales role, although any experience in property management or apartment leasing is a major plus. While your primary goal is to attract residents that uphold our community standards, we value diversity and expect all our employees to follow the Fair Housing Act.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide tours of vacant or soon-to-be vacant properties to prospective tenants
  • Develop promotional materials to attract new tenants
  • Advertise available spaces on social media and other marketing platforms
  • Process applications to ensure applicants qualify, including running their credit check and following up with their references
  • Negotiate leasing terms or deals
  • Assist with general office duties

Requirements and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED certificate
  • Associate or bachelor’s degree (a plus)
  • Sales or marketing skills (preferred)
  • Experience with property management software, such as Yardi
  • Driver’s license and reliable transportation
  • Bilingual communication skills (a plus)
  • Organizational skills
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