A property manager typically handles (or coordinates) routine maintenance to keep the rental habitable, code-compliant, and appealing to tenants — without needing the owner's sign-off on every ticket. The scope usually splits into three buckets:
Reactive fixes (tenant-triggered)
- Leaky faucets, running toilets, and small plumbing repairs
- Clogged drains and garbage disposals
- HVAC filter swaps, thermostat issues, and AC tune-ups
- Electrical: dead outlets, light fixtures, GFCI resets, smoke/CO battery swaps
- Lockouts, re-keys, and broken doorknobs/locks
- Appliance repairs within the unit (stove, dishwasher, water heater, garbage disposal)
- Pest complaints — spiders, ants, occasional rodents (ongoing infestation escalates)
- Window screens, blinds, and minor drywall patches
- Snow/leaf cleanup on walk-in areas and shared spaces (where the lease assigns it to the landlord)
Preventive / scheduled maintenance
- HVAC servicing (annual or bi-annual)
- Gutter cleaning, roof inspections, downspout flushing
- Smoke and CO detector testing and battery replacement
- Exterior lighting checks
- Lawn and common-area landscaping
- Walk-through inspections (move-in, periodic reinspection, move-out)
- Appliance preventive service (water heater flush, dryer vent clean, fridge coils)
Vendor coordination (not always hands-on, but owned by the PM)
- Dispatching licensed trades when scope exceeds in-house skill: plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, roofers, exterminators
- Getting owner approval for anything above a set dollar threshold (commonly $250–$500)
- Documenting work with photos and invoices for the owner's records and the next tenant
What's typically NOT minor (escalates to owner/fund)
- Major roof work, foundation, structural
- Full HVAC replacement
- Rewiring or panel upgrades
- Mold remediation beyond surface cleaning
- Large appliance replacement unless the lease makes it landlord's responsibility
If you meant a project manager on a renovation or capital-improvement project (rather than ongoing property management), the scope shifts to scope/budget/schedule — bidding trades, sequencing demo through punch list, code inspections, and turnover. Happy to lay that out instead if that's what you're after.