Property manager roles can be incredibly intense and intriguing for many people due to the variety, excitement, and career growth opportunities they offer. From managing tenants to coordinating repairs and overseeing lease agreements, the role involves a wide range of responsibilities, providing constant learning and development. However, if you're new to property management, you might be unsure about what a typical day entails. At Pear Recruitment, we help our candidates secure their ideal roles within the property industry, including property management roles. In this post, we share what a day in the life of a property manager is like, discussing typical duties, and explore the challenges you may face.

What do the Typical Daily Duties Include?

A property manager's daily routine is highly varied, with each day bringing new responsibilities and challenges. Whether it's handling tenant enquiries, overseeing maintenance, or conducting inspections, the role involves a wide range of responsibilities. Below, we outline 5 typical daily duties that property managers often handle on a daily basis:

Managing Tenant Communication

Property managers usually spend a significant portion of their day communicating with tenants. This involves answering emails, taking phone calls, and addressing any concerns tenants may have, making communication key. A property manager ensures that tenants’ needs are met and resolves any tenant issues promptly to maintain positive relationships. Be it handling maintenance requests or reminding tenants of important deadlines, staying in constant contact ensures smooth operations and satisfied tenants.

Coordinating Maintenance and Repairs

A key responsibility of a property manager is overseeing the maintenance and repair of properties. This could be anything from a minor plumbing issue to a more significant structural problem, and the property manager is there to make sure that repairs are carried out efficiently and to the highest standards. They liaise with contractors, schedule appointments, and ensure that repairs are completed in a timely manner to avoid any potential disruption for tenants.

Overseeing Rent Collection

Rent collection is one of the most important tasks a property manager handles. Ensuring that payments are made on time, addressing any late payments, and maintaining accurate financial records are all key components of this responsibility. A property manager works closely with tenants to facilitate smooth rent transactions and promptly handles any disputes or issues regarding payments.

Conducting Property Inspections

A property manager is regularly tasked with conducting property inspections to ensure everything within the property is in good condition. From checking for wear and tear, to ensuring compliance with safety standards, to assessing whether any maintenance work is needed, property inspections are crucial. These inspections are also an opportunity to review tenants' adherence to lease terms, addressing any violations or issues that may arise.

Managing Leasing and Renewals

In addition to day-to-day management, property managers can also have to oversee the leasing process and renewals. This includes ensuring that lease agreements are up-to-date, processing new tenancy applications, and facilitating lease renewals. Property managers must ensure that all contracts comply with current legislation and reflect the prevailing rental market conditions. By doing so, they help retain existing tenants while also attracting new ones, contributing to the long-term success of the property portfolio.

What Challenges Can a Property Manager Face?

Property management can be an extremely rewarding career, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. You might end up having to deal with challenging tenants, encounter high tenant turnover rates, or encounter regulatory changes, which can all pose difficulties. Below, we highlight some key challenges that property managers often encounter in their day-to-day responsibilities:

Dealing with Difficult Tenants

One of the most common challenges for property managers is managing difficult tenants. You might have to tackle problems like late rent payments, complaints, or disputes, and handling these issues requires patience and communication skills. A property manager must be able to resolve the problem swiftly, maintain professionalism, and ensure the situation is addressed while keeping tenant relationships intact.

Managing Vacancy and Tenant Turnover

Managing vacancy rates and tenant turnover is also a common challenge. A property manager must ensure properties are occupied, which can require proactive marketing, tenant screenings, and lease negotiations. High turnover rates can be costly due to lost rent and the expense of finding new tenants, so a property manager needs to balance retaining current tenants and attracting new ones.

Navigating Legal and Regulatory Changes

The legal landscape surrounding property management is ever-changing, and staying up-to-date with regulations can be a challenge. Property managers must ensure that all contracts, health and safety measures, and tenant rights comply with current laws. This responsibility can be overwhelming, particularly with frequent updates to rental legislation. Failing to comply with legal requirements can lead to penalties or disputes, making this a crucial challenge to manage.

Explore Property Management Roles at Pear Recruitment

Here at Pear Recruitment, we are an established property recruitment agency, and work with candidates to help secure their ideal positions in the property sector. Property management is one of our specialisms, with a range of roles at different levels, from entry-level to senior positions, all offering competitive salaries with a range of clients. Our expert recruiters help guide candidates through their job search, simplifying the process and managing all the complexities and providing support at every stage. We’ll work with you to find a property management role that aligns with your skills and career goals. To learn more about our range of property management roles, contact our team for further information.