Leasing a unit, screening applicants, collecting rent, managing maintenance and supervising employees require different skills. In California, many of those responsibilities also involve state-specific rules.

The California Apartment Association's September Property Management Series brings those subjects together in nine required courses delivered live via Zoom from Sept. 4 through Sept. 23. Completing the courses is one requirement for earning the California Certified Residential Manager credential.

The series begins with the work that comes before a new tenancy: preparing a property for market, setting policies, advertising vacancies and screening applicants. Other courses cover rental agreements, move-in inspections, rent collection, changes in terms, rent increases and state limits on entering occupied units.

Later courses cover renewals and terminations, three-day notices, security deposits and the unlawful detainer process. The series also includes maintenance, liability and risk management, budgeting, fair housing and supervisory skills.

Participants may register for the full series or choose individual courses that match their training needs. Owners and management-company leaders can also enroll employees in the series for California-specific property-management training.

For participants enrolled in the live Zoom full series, tuition includes Final Exam Prep and the final exam. After they complete all nine required courses, CAA's education staff verifies attendance, registers them for the on-demand final exam and sends instructions for accessing it.

Earning the credential also requires at least one year of property-management or related industry experience, a completed certification application, payment of the application fee and agreement to CAA's Code of Ethics. Prospective candidates should review CAA's certification requirements for the complete details.

For those who earn it, the credential provides recognition beyond course completion. CAA says CCRM holders are recognized throughout the rental-housing industry and maintains a public list of active credential holders. For employers, the designation shows that a holder has completed California-specific training, passed the exam, has relevant industry experience and agreed to CAA's Code of Ethics.

View the September CCRM series schedule and registration options.