This month we’re talking to Tom, Senior Property Manager. Discussing his role, the challenges and where he sees the future of property management.

1. Congratulations on being promoted to Senior Property Manager, how does it feel?
I’m really chuffed, career progression was one of the reasons why I joined Hindwoods in first place as I wanted to further my career and with this promotion I’ve achieved that, it also shows that board of Directors trust and believe in me.

2. So, what makes a successful Property Manager and what do you do day to day?
A successful Property Manager needs to be willing to learn, we deal with so many different issues day to day that we always need to be willing to learn and pick up new ideas and skills, one day you might be dealing with a roofing issue and the next day a plumbing issue, the next a fencing issue, having knowledge of each job and trade is invaluable as a Property Manager. Successful Property Managers also have to be resilient, patient, be a good listener and communicator, honest and trustworthy and work well within a team. My day to day work generally consists of dealing with leaseholders emails and phone calls and actioning the various different queries that they have and liaising with various different contractors with regard to works required on my portfolio.

3. What is your favourite thing about being a Property Manager?
No two days are the same so it is never boring, some of the issues that come up are very challenging and when they have been resolved because of the decisions I have made, it gives me a good sense of achievement.

4. What are the most challenging parts of being a property Manager?
Managing residents expectations and keeping up to date with the ever changing laws and policies of leasehold management.

5. How has Covid-19 affected your work?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to have worked throughout the whole pandemic, from home. During lockdown 1 it was very difficult getting contractors out to some of the simplest jobs mainly because they had closed, or the materials were not available, which was not ideal.

6. Where do you see the future of Property Management?
Its forever changing, the laws, health and safety, fire safety, all of which has been going through a lot of changes over the years and will continue to do so. We are heading towards a lot of changes, that if passed through parliament will see us as Property Managers having to be licensed but also companies doing property management will have to be registered and there is also talk of managed properties having a dedicated health and safety officer albeit this is in the very early stages but I do see Property Management as a strong industry that will be around for many, many more years to come.