NAICS Code for Property Management Canada: What It Means
In This Article:
What Is a NAICS Code?
If you run a property management business in Canada, you’ve probably heard about NAICS codes. The NAICS code for property management Canada helps classify your business so the government knows what kind of work you do.
NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. It’s used by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Statistics Canada, and other institutions to organize businesses into categories.
When you register your business, file taxes, or apply for insurance, you’ll need to include this code.
NAICS Code for Property Management Canada (531311)
The right NAICS code for most landlords and residential property managers is:
531311 – Residential Property Managers
This code applies to businesses that handle:
- Rent collection
- Tenant screening
- Property maintenance
- Lease paperwork
- Day-to-day rental operations
If you manage homes or apartments for someone else, this is your code.
🧾 Need to confirm it? Visit Statistics Canada’s official NAICS page.
Other similar codes:
- 531312 – For commercial (nonresidential) property management
- 531390 – For leasing, relocation, or other real estate services
Why It Matters for Landlords
Using the right NAICS code makes your life easier. It helps the CRA understand your business. It also affects things like:
- ✅ How you’re taxed
- ✅ What deductions you’re allowed
- ✅ What insurance plans you can qualify for
- ✅ Your eligibility for grants or loans
If your business is misclassified, you could lose time or money trying to fix the mistake.
👉 Want help deciding how to structure your business?
Read Should You Hire a Property Manager or Self-Manage?
Where You’ll Use the Code
You’ll be asked for your NAICS code when you:
- Register a new business
- Apply for a GST or HST number
- File corporate taxes
- Buy business insurance
- Apply for funding or government programs
Always use 531311 if you manage residential rentals on behalf of others.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what not to do:
- ❌ Don’t use 531210 (that’s for real estate agents)
- ❌ Don’t leave it blank when filling out forms
- ❌ Don’t use old versions — the most recent update is from 2022
These mistakes can cause delays with CRA or make your business look like something it’s not.
Final Thoughts
The NAICS code for property management Canada is small but powerful. It shapes how your business is seen and how smoothly it runs.
📌 Use this code if you’re a landlord or run a property management company:
531311 – Residential Property Managers
It’s the code we use here at Blue Anchor — and we recommend it for every property manager in Canada.
Get it right from the start. Stay compliant. Grow with confidence — with Blue Anchor.