This study investigates the mediating role of the psychological contract (PC) in the relationship between work-life balance (WLB) and job performance among employees of XZ pproperty ccompany in Beijing, China. Grounded in social exchange theory, the research indicates that employees’ perceptions of mutual obligations with their employer serve as a critical mechanism through which WLB influences performance outcomes. WLB is conceptualized through three dimensions (time balance, psychological balance, and resource balance). Using convenience sampling, data were collected from 468 employees via a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted using SmartPLS 3.0, with SPSS employed for preliminary data analysis. The results demonstrate that when employees perceive their WLB needs as being met, this strengthens their psychological contract, which in turn enhances job performance. This mediating pattern was consistent across all three WLB dimensions, though the strength of mediation varied slightly (strongest for resource balance, followed by time balance and psychological balance). The research contributes to the existing literature by empirically validating the psychological contract as a key psychological mechanism linking WLB to job performance, particularly within high-stress service sectors such as property management. It addresses a significant research gap by examining these dynamics within the context of Chinese organizational culture, where employee-employer expectations may diverge from those in wstern settings. Practical implications underscore the need for organizations to implement targeted WLB policies and promote transparent communication to reinforce psychological contracts. Aligning organizational practices with employee expectations can enhance productivity and reduce the negative effects of work-life imbalance. While the use of convenience sampling provideds efficient data collection, it perhaps limits the generalizability of findings, suggesting the need for future studies employing randomized sampling across varied industries.