The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) was founded in 1988 by a handful of property managers who saw the need for an organization focused on single family rental management. Today, NARPM has over 6,000 members nationwide. Membership includes property managers, brokers, owners and support staff.
To this day, NARPM has been instrumental in helping professionalize the residential rental industry by providing single family rental (SFR) managers with education, resources and opportunities to share ideas to move the industry forward.
What benefits come with being a NARPM member?
Joining NARPM comes with a wealth of member resources and benefits designed to help residential property managers succeed. Members stay informed with industry news through Residential Resource, NARPM’s official magazine, as well as weekly updates through an email newsletter.
Members gain access to free webinars, online courses and workshops, many of which come at discounted rates for members. NARPM also offers nationally recognized professional credentials that enhance your reputation and skillset. And as far as networking goes, NARPM connects you with a nationwide peer network via local chapters, conferences and online community forums. Overall, NARPM makes it easy to stay in touch with fellow property managers, discuss local issues and even get referrals to grow your business.
What are NARPM’s professional certifications?
NARPM offers several professional certification programs (aka designations). These include:
- Residential Management Professional (RMP®) and Master Property Manager (MPM®), each of which is for individual property managers
- Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC®), awarded to property management companies that meet specific criteria
- Certified Support Specialist (CSS®) for office support staff, recognizing the critical skills of team members who assist property managers
By pursuing NARPM designations, property managers deepen their skillsets and signal to clients that they uphold high professional standards.
What educational content does NARPM provide?
NARPM provides educational content in multiple formats.
Online courses
Members can enroll in online courses and webinars through NARPM’s Online Learning platform. Many of these courses are offered on-demand or scheduled as live webinars and cover practical topics such as rental marketing, maintenance best practices, proptech tools, client relations and legal compliance. Virtual instructor-led courses (often 3-hour sessions) dive into specific areas and may count toward earning a designation.
In-person activities
Many NARPM chapters host classes or lunch-and-learn sessions. Some even offer annual conferences. NARPM’s national events, including its annual convention and the Broker/Owner conference, feature educational seminars on timely topics and emerging trends. Designation credits may be available at these events.
What career opportunities does NARPM offer?
For those new to the industry, NARPM runs a New Member Mentoring program that pairs less-experienced property managers with seasoned mentors. This is a great way to get a head start, and it even earns points toward professional designations.
All members get a free listing in NARPM’s online directory, which is visited by investors and property owners looking for management services.
NARPM is a member-led organization. Everyone has the opportunity to step into leadership roles, gain recognition and acquire valuable experience. You might serve on a national committee, your local chapter’s board or become a chapter officer. There are also volunteer roles at conferences and opportunities to speak or teach, which can raise your professional profile.
NARPM keeps an active job board as well, helping members discover employment openings across the country. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for mentorship or an experienced manager aiming to scale up, NARPM provides a supportive environment for career advancement at every stage.
Who should attend NARPM’s industry events?
One of the biggest perks of NARPM membership is access to valuable industry events throughout the year. Their flagship event, the NARPM Annual Convention & Trade Show, is a multi-day conference held each fall. It gathers hundreds of residential property managers from across the country. Attendees participate in educational sessions, roundtables and hear from expert speakers, all while networking with fellow managers. There’s also a large trade show where leading vendors showcase their latest products and services for property management. Yardi Breeze is proud to sponsor and attend the NARPM Annual Convention each year, supporting attendees with property management software demos and informative thought leadership sessions.
NARPM holds its annual Broker/Owner Conference & Expo targeted at property owners and brokers. This is where decision-makers come to learn business strategy, leadership and growth strategies specific to real estate.
NARPM also organizes an annual Capitol Summit in Washington, D.C. Members come to mix education with advocacy by learning about legislative issues and meeting with policymakers.
On the regional level, many state and local NARPM chapters host conferences or special events. For example, the Florida State Chapter puts on an annual conference featuring property management training, networking and local industry insights for Florida property managers. Throughout the year, local chapters run their own workshops, luncheons and networking mixers.
Does NARPM advocate for legislative & regulatory issues?
NARPM is an active advocate for residential property managers. The association represents the interests of property managers and owners at the local, state and national levels. NARPM’s Governmental Affairs team monitors pending laws and regulations, from landlord-tenant law changes and property code updates to tax policies affecting rental owners. Their goal is to ensure that the voice of property managers is heard at all levels of government.
NARPM: A cultural cornerstone in residential property management
NARPM is a cornerstone for residential property managers, particularly those managing single family rentals. It’s an organization built by and for property managers, with a mission to help you succeed in your career.
Curious to learn more about NARPM’s goals and culture? Check out this interview with former NARPM president Tim Wehner. He discusses how the association has evolved to meet the needs of today’s property management professionals.
If you end up joining NARPM, be sure to take full advantage of its membership benefits. You can even get started by applying online. New members are welcomed with an orientation and a free ethics course to jumpstart their journey.
By the way, congratulations! The fact you’ve read this far means you’re already on your way to taking your residential portfolio to new heights.
Further reading: See our Top 10 property management associations in the U.S. There’s nothing stopping you from becoming a member at more than one trade association.
