Lease only means we find, screen and sign a tenant for a one time fee of one month’s rent, and then you manage the home yourself. Full service means we lease the home for half that, 50% of the first month’s rent, and then manage it for a flat $149 a month, so on a typical home the first year costs about the same either way.
Owners usually ask us this when something is changing: a move out of state, a first rental, or a home they have managed themselves and are tired of managing. Here is what each option includes, what it costs, and how to decide.
What lease only includes
With lease only, you get the same leasing process our managed homes get:
- A rent comparable report to set the right price
- Professional listing on Zillow and its partners, plus the MLS
- Self showings for prospects, weekdays and weekends until sunset
- Screening to our written standard: a 720 credit score, income of 2.5 times the rent and no prior evictions
- Identity verification and landlord references checked against county records
- Lease signing, with keys released only after cleared funds
After move in, the home is yours to run: collecting rent, handling repairs, entering with proper notice, renewals and any problems that come up.
What full service includes
Everything above, and then we keep going for the life of the lease: online rent collection, same day repair dispatch, monthly owner statements, a 24/7 owner portal, renewals and legal notices when they are needed. You get one call from us when a decision needs you, and the rest stays off your plate.
What each option costs
Here is a $3,400 a month home, which is typical for a 3 or 4 bedroom house in Diamond Bar:
| Lease only | Full service | |
|---|---|---|
| Leasing fee | $3,400 (one month) | $1,700 (50% of one month) |
| Management, first 12 months | $0 (you manage) | $1,788 ($149 a month) |
| First year total | $3,400 | $3,488 |
The difference in year one is $88. For that, full service covers twelve months of rent collection, repairs, tenant calls and paperwork. Condos, townhouses and ADUs are $99 a month instead of $149, which narrows the gap further.
When lease only makes sense
- You live close to the home and have time for tenant calls
- You have reliable vendors you already use
- You know California’s landlord rules, or are happy to learn them
- You mainly want help with the hardest part: pricing and picking the right tenant
When full service makes sense
- You are moving out of state or overseas
- You work full time and cannot take repair calls during the day
- You do not want to be the person who enforces late rent
- You would rather pay about the same in year one and have nothing to manage
If you are moving out of state
Managing a California rental from another state is harder than it sounds. California landlord rules still apply wherever you live. You need someone local to meet vendors and let them in, and California generally requires written notice before you enter a rented home, usually 24 hours. Tenants also have to be told who manages the home and where to send rent and legal notices. With full service, all of that runs through our Diamond Bar office.
You can change your mind later
If you start with lease only and decide you would rather not manage the home, you can move to full service at any point. Our management term is 12 months, and you can cancel anytime with 30 days notice. There is no onboarding fee. Read more about what property management costs and how we lease homes in 7 to 21 days.
Moving away and keeping the house? Read how to rent out your home from out of state.
Frequently asked questions
How much does lease only cost?
At Skybridge, lease only is one month of rent. That covers pricing, marketing, showings, screening and the signed lease.
How much does full service management cost?
Leasing is 50% of the first month’s rent, then a flat $149 per month for a single family home or $99 for a condo or townhome. There is no onboarding fee.
What is included in lease only?
We price the home with real comparables, list it on Zillow and the MLS, show it with self showing lockboxes, screen applicants for a 720 credit score, income of 2.5 times the rent and no prior evictions, and prepare the lease.
Who handles repairs and rent after a lease only placement?
You do. With lease only, rent collection, repairs, notices and renewals stay with the owner once the tenant moves in.
Can I start with lease only and switch to full service later?
Yes. You can move to full service at any point, and you can cancel management anytime with 30 days notice.
Not sure which one fits?
Call (909) 610-9780 or get a free rent estimate. When you call, a real person picks up.
General information, not legal advice. Pricing is current as of November 2026.
