P/T Property/Lettings Manager

Make sure to read the full description below, and please apply immediately if you are confident you meet all the requirements.

Location: Daventry

Salary: £30,000

Hours: 9am-3pm – may be some flexibility for the right candidate. These hours are across 5 days and 1 day is working from home. There may be some flexibility with this.

Job Purpose:

Our client is a rapidly growing property investment company, moving from family ownership into a formal business structure. They pride themselves on upholding very high standards coupled with a sustainable long-term growth strategy. The company is looking for an experienced Property Manager to oversee all aspects of the company’s portfolio of both commercial and residential properties across the country. These currently total 11 but are looking to rise to 15 properties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure regulatory compliance for all properties. That properties are kept in good condition and working order and that they are safe places for residents and tenants to live and work.
• Maintain records of all statutory compliances and requirements pertaining to the safety of the property and that this is communicated and shared with managing agents and tenants.
• Keep the CRM system fully updated with all photographic, electronic mail, certification and licensing records, lease/tenancy agreements, property inspections and all other key aspects regarding every property within the portfolio.
• Where required, approve, plan, oversee and pay for necessary maintenance and upgrade works to assets in accordance with statutory and lease/tenancy requirements.
• Ensure the proper licences are in place for all properties for example, Local Authority Licensing requirements and HMO status.
• Ensure that all necessary insurances are in place to protect the business, its assets and tenants.
• Organise and regularly carry out inspections of properties through the Property Management Agent(s) or directly with tenants to ensure properties meet the required standards and are being correctly used and maintained in accordance with leases, tenancies and statutory obligations.
• For commercial leases, organise condition surveys and schedules of dilapidations at the beginning and end of a lease respectively and negotiate acceptable settlement and expiry terms of the lease.
• Ensure that a full condition survey and inventory is carried out on every property at the beginning and end of every lease and tenancy period.
• From a sustainable perspective, ensure that every property gains a minimum Energy Performance rating of Grade C. Where properties fail to reach the required standard, put forward investment proposals to upgrade the Energy Performance of the property.
• Ensure validation/verification checks are carried out in an open, transparent and comprehensive manner and, where checks are being undertaken by the company, ensure records securely used and stored.
• On behalf of the company, negotiate and agree new leases and tenancy agreements and ensure they are ethically sound, in accordance with current legislation and enforceable.
• When dealing with residential tenants ensure that the deposit is registered with an approved government scheme and that the tenant receives their copy of the Deposit Certificate.
• Where disputes arise and legal proceedings necessary, prepare all supporting documentation evidencing the history and background to any breach of lease/tenancy and provide to acting solicitors and, or, directly to the court. Track, monitor and reference all key dates reference court hearings and court decisions. Where enforcement action is necessary appoint the correct agencies to take the appropriate action.
• Liaise with Managing Agents and directly with tenants, as required, to ensure prompt payment of monthly/quarterly rental payments and issue supporting statements.
• Deal quickly, fairly and effectively with non-payment and any arrears and report issues to senior management immediately. Take necessary steps to remedy the arrears and deal with the issue as quickly as possible.
• Oversee necessary maintenance, upgrade and investment works as required and authorise payments to contractors, designers and surveyors when necessary.
• Evaluate the value of rent indemnity insurance to protect against non-payment and potential legal actions and utilise where deemed necessary relative to the strength of tenant financial assessment and covenant strengths. Report financial risks to the Group Management Accountant monthly.
• Report monthly on company overheads, general expenditure and overall performance against planned budgets and provide ongoing narrative and meaning to the financial numbers of the business and develop a cost management and reduction strategy where appropriate across the business.
• Ensure mortgage payments, service charges and ground rents are paid on time. That mortgage terms, interest rates and general terms and conditions are regularly monitored. Where fixed term interest rate agreements expire carry out detailed market research and recommend new lenders, fixed terms and interest rates taking into consideration the cost of switching assets from one lender to another.

Qualifications:

• Degree, relevant professional qualification or equivalent (desirable)
• Member of the National Residential Landlords Association - NRLA (desirable)

Experience:

• Relevant experience in a landlord and tenant management and related environment or similar where relationship management is paramount.
• Worked in the property management sector dealing with tenants, contractors as well as legal and financial professionals.
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements governing the letting of housing and commercial property within the sector. Ideally, both domestic and overseas.
• Experience of both acquiring and disposing of property assets.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of relevant building regulations and compliance matters associated with the property sector.
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory obligations incumbent on landlords and a good understanding of the regulatory framework governing landlord and tenant relationships.
• Knowledge of the legal rights and services that tenants have a right to expect and demand.
• Aware of any NRLA developments and new guidelines.

Additional Requirements:

• This role requires the post holder to be an Essential Car User, hold a full UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle and, where necessary, visit various sites and property locations across the UK.
• This role requires the post holder to work flexibly outside of normal office hours as required.
• As part of your duties, you may need to make yourself available for Foreign Travel. As such you must be in the possession of a valid passport.