Unlocking Property Management
The great property freeze has lifted, with estate agents now allowed to open back up and property moves given the green light again. But as one of the first industries to reopen, how should letting agents prepare for the next phase of their COVID-19 response?
Staff
The first question many agents will be dealing with is how to unfurlough furloughed staff. There are no hard and fast rules. As agents navigate the new situation, it may be worth considering:
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The different skill-sets of your staff – which parts of your operation are on the front line may determine which of your staff should be brought back first.
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Some agents may choose to operate a ‘first-out-first-in’ policy and bringing back those members of staff that have been on furlough the longest.
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Assessing which of your staff may have children at home with nobody to care for them while schools are closed or those that may be more vulnerable make provisions for remote working where possible.(pregnant women or those with health concerns for example).
Celebrate the Property Management Team
Autumn brings with it a whole range of issues that Property Managers need to navigate, from the left over pesky pests from a relatively warm summer to the obvious boiler breakdowns that result in no heating and no hot water.The autumn rain and wind also trigger a whole raft of “damage” , which include leaky roofs, blown down fences and other weather related matters. Whilst the values and negotiators land new business, in the background property managers oversee the the resolution of issues that come to light daily - 24/7, 365 days a year.