Right in the middle

Q What should landlords expect from good property managers?

A great property manager will possess four key characteristics. With state-based training now a requirement for property management licensing, a great manager will have a baseline understanding of the minimum standards of quality and accountability to be upheld; good communication skills; organisational skills to handle with ease the coordination of multiple conflicting priorities and projects; and attention to detail.

In addition, landlords should expect a good property manager to properly and thoroughly screen tenant applicants from the outset, adhere to the letter of the law in terms of processes, procedures, paperwork and timing stipulated in the relevant tenancy legislation, in order to protect the landlord’s interests when inevitable tenancy issues arise, ensure all communications are backed up in writing – the adage “If it isn’t written down it didn’t happen” applies here – and identify and communicate likely and potential tenancy issues in advance and have contingencies and management plans in place to cover them when they occur.

BUSHY MARTIN

And what should tenants expect from good property managers?

Good managers should be responsive to any