Before you decide to pursue a career as a leasing consultant, check to see if leasing consultants, also known as leasing or rental agents, are a licensed profession in the area where you want to work. Once you have this information, you can start preparing for a career as a leasing consultant. If your state requires licensing, you will most likely need to complete a training program and pass a background check before you can work as a leasing consultant. Even if your state does not require licensing, many employers will want you to have significant experience in the field of real estate or property management. Employers may also require professional certification in the leasing field in some cases.
A person who shows rental properties to prospective tenants must obtain a license in some places, including several states in the United States. For those who want to work as leasing consultants, some jurisdictions offer a specialty license. These licenses usually only allow leasing consultants to show prospective tenants properties and handle much of the paperwork involved in applying for or moving into a rental property. However, some states do not issue leasing consultant licenses, and anyone who works as a leasing consultant must have a real estate or property manager’s license.
You must typically complete a course of study, pass a professional licensing exam, and be approved for licensure a government agency or licensing commission to become a leasing consultant, real estate agent, or property manager. You can expect a criminal background check if you work in real estate, leasing, or property management because you are in a position of trust. After obtaining your license, you can work as a leasing consultant for a landlord or property management company, or for a rental search company.
If you don’t need a license to work as a leasing consultant, you might be able to gain experience working for a real estate or property management firm. Either type of job can often provide you with excellent on-the-job training. Another option is to become certified as a leasing consultant through a trade association. This usually entails completing course work and gaining real-world experience in the field of rental property management.