What is a property manager?
A property manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of residential properties and tenant satisfaction. They handle the operations, maintenance, and administration of property rentals for an owner. Property owners and real estate investors typically hire property managers when they are unwilling or unable to manage the properties themselves.
How to become a property manager?
To become a property manager, you could take a college course before applying for a job. Courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services
- Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
You can train for this job through an intermediate housing and property management assistant apprenticeship, or an advanced apprenticeship in housing and property management.
To apply directly, you’ll usually need some GCSEs or equivalent, including English and maths. You’ll also find it helpful to have paid or unpaid experience of working with vulnerable groups and experience of working in a care setting.
Property manager duties
Property manager duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Establishes rental rate by surveying local rental rates and calculating overhead costs, depreciation, taxes, and profit goals
- Attracts tenants by advertising vacancies, obtaining referrals from current tenants, explaining advantages of location and services, and showing units
- Contracts with tenants by negotiating leases and collecting security deposit
- Accomplishes financial objectives by collecting rents, paying bills, forecasting requirements, preparing an annual budget, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective action
- Inspecting properties and arranging for repairs and new materials as required
- Investigating and resolving property complaints and rental violations
Property manager skills
To be an effective property manager, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Good verbal communication
- Attention to detail to ensure applications are accurate and tenant issues or questions are adequately addressed
- Organization and the ability to multitask efficiently
- Familiarity with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations
- High level of organization and attention to detail
How to find a property manager job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers and at your local jobcentre. To find all the property manager jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for property manager jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Property Manager Job Titles
When you search for property manager jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for property manager jobs include;
- Accommodation warden
- Hall manager
- Residential Property Manager
What does a property manager do?
The job of a property manager varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of property manager job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of a property manager include;
- Allocate and manage accommodation
- Control rent arrears
- Inspect property and arrange for repairs to be carried out
- Supervise catering, cleaning and maintenance staff
- Look after the welfare of residents
- Check on health and safety, and do risk assessments
- Work with outside agencies, carers and parents
- Deal with emergencies