Property manager job description

Property managers maintain rental properties for landlords and tenants, and ensure that both parties are adhering to the terms of the tenancy agreement

They are responsible for collecting rent payments, producing contracts and overseeing property maintenance.

This detailed guide includes a full property manager job description and everything else you need to know about property managers, including salaries, skills, qualifications, typical employers and more.

 

Guide contents

• Property manager job description
• How much do property managers earn?
• What does a property manager do?
• Requirements, skills and qualifications
• Who employs property managers?
• Which junior jobs progress to property manager roles?

 

Property manager job description

 

How much do property managers earn?

Property management is a reasonably well-paid profession, with an average salary of £32,500 and plenty of scope for career progression

 

Property manager salaries in the UK

• Low: £25,000
• Average: £32,500
• High: £37,500

Source: Totaljobs

 

Property manager salaries will vary depending on:

• Type of properties being managed – e.g. residential homes or commercial offices
• Location and value of the properties – e.g. Central London property portfolios are more valuable and often offer higher salaries
• General salary factors – such as level of candidate qualifications, experience and location

For example, a senior property manager managing a large portfolio of commercial, city centre properties will normally earn more than a junior property manager working on a selection of small residential properties in a suburban location.

Bear in mind that these are average figures taken from job advert samples, and they do not include extra benefits such as bonuses, overtime and non-financial benefits such as healthcare.

 

What does a property manager do?

Breaking down the job description jargon, here are the typical tasks and responsibilities that property managers will carry out in average work week:

• Carrying out Inspections – Visiting properties to ensure they are properly maintained by tenants
• Managing tenants – Handling enquires, resolving issues and arranging check ins and check outs
• Managing rental contracts – Preparing contracts and making sure they are adhered to, updating and amending where needed, and gaining signatures
• Contract renewals – Negotiating new contract terms with tenants on behalf of landlords
• Inventories – Preparing reports of property condition for new tenants, checking them at checkouts and updating them between tenancies
• Managing utilities – Making sure utilities (gas, water, electricity) are set up and checked regularly
• Maintenance and repairs – Overseeing maintenance duties and ensuring the property remains in good condition and follows buildings regulations
• Admin and communication – Dealing with tenant queries and issues, keeping owners up to date, screening tenants, collecting rent and handling payment problems

 

What do property managers need?

Property managers need a range of skills, experience, knowledge and sometimes qualifications in order to carry out the job effectively.

Exact requirements will depend on the type of properties managed, but generally speaking… here’s what’s needed.

 

Experience

Assistant Property Managers will usually require administrative and secretarial experience. A good understanding of construction, electrical, heating and other building systems is useful.

Senior Property Managers will usually need extensive property management experience, and a solid knowledge of lettings and property management processes.

 

Property manager skills

Property managers need a blend of skills to be able to manage properties effectively and on budget, these include the following:

• Communication: Polite and courteous written and verbal communication with tenants, prospective tenants and landlords/property owners
• Detailed and organised: Paying attention to details (e.g. In contracts) and keeping organised (e.g. Managing tradespeople, tour appointments)
• Flexible: Property management may involve working outside of traditional office hours (e.g. Weekend and evening tours for prospective tenants)
• Problem solving: Dealing with unexpected issues to reduce or eliminate their effect on the property
• Good initiative: Landlords will expect you to be able to make logical, sensible decisions on their behalf. You need to be able to prioritise your own work – this is not a job for people who need to be told what to do next.
• Professional manner: In attitude, dress and communication style

And the more industry specific “hard skills” include:

• Property knowledge: knowledge across the property spectrum including maintenance, cleaning, utilities etc.
• Contract law: An understanding of the legal requirements for tenancy agreements for both landlord and tenants

 

Property manager qualifications

Qualifications are not essential to work as a property manager, as many employers value experience and skills over qualifications.

However, there are a number of property management qualifications that are recognised across the profession and will help candidates to land jobs, in addition to helping them perform better in their roles. Many job adverts specify that candidates have a recognised qualification, particularly for senior roles.

 

ARLA

Propertymark Qualifications is the UK’s specialist awarding organisation offering industry recognised and regulated qualifications in property.

Their portfolio of nationally recognised qualifications and programmes may help those starting a career in property or to support the continued professional development of those working in the sector.

The Level 3 Award in Residential Letting & Property Management – England & Wales is an introductory qualification that is ideal for candidates wanting to gain or improve existing knowledge. It is accepted as training criteria for Rent Smart Wales.

ARLA requires candidates to hold specific Association of Residential Letting Agents ARLA Qualifications in order to join their membership organisation as a full member.

 

NFoPP

The National Federation of Property Professionals delivers qualifications that some Senior Property Manager roles require. They offer a range of respected and well-established letting agent qualifications suited to everyone, regardless of their previous experience.

 

IRPM

The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) is the professional body for property management professionals and is dedicated to supporting, building, and setting the standards of the profession.

 

A qualification from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) may also be of benefit in any property related role.

 

Specialist property qualifications

It can be beneficial for property managers to hold qualifications in the subject of the types of property they will be managing. For example, a residential property manager working on leasehold properties could benefit from the IRPM Level 3 Leasehold Property Management qualification. Some sectors may require experience of particular aspects of property law (e.g. Section 21 and Section 8 eviction procedures for residential lettings property managers).

 

What is expected of property managers?

Typically, property managers will be expected to commit the following;

• Full time hours – (35 – 40 hours per week) with occasional overtime required when needed
• Possibility of occasional evening or weekend work where property work maintenance needs to be carried out outside of the employer’s core business hours
• Location – Normally based at an agency office
• Regular travel to property sites to oversee work, conduct check ins/outs and inspections

 

Property manager benefits

Benefits packages will vary according to the type of employer, and those working for larger companies will generally receive larger remuneration packages.

Examples of possible benefits include:

• Flexible working hours
• Pension
• Healthcare
• Pension
• Car allowance and business mileage
• Corporate discounts
• Funded team events

 

 

Who employs property managers?

Most companies who lease residential or commercial property will require a property manager to manage the administration of the rental agreements, liaise with tenants, and ensure the properties are well maintained.

Typical property management employers include:

• Lettings agents
• Estate agents
• Office space providers
• Property management companies
• Chartered surveyors

 

Which junior jobs progress to property manager roles?

Aside from trainee/graduate programmes, there are a number of jobs which see employees naturally progress into property manager roles. These include:

 

Property administrator

A junior property staff member, responsible for managing administrative tasks on properties, such as updating documents and arranging appointments for tradespeople and tenants – usually reporting to a property manager.

 

Which senior jobs do property managers progress to?

Even though property management is a great career choice in its own right, it can also be a springboard into more senior and higher paid jobs, such as:

 

Senior Property Manager

Senior roles may include managing larger portfolios or buildings, such as residential blocks or large office facilities. They may be the highest-level manager assigned to an individual property, managing other property managers or making higher-level decisions.

Director

Some property managers progress into senior management positions, such as directorship roles at a property management firm or estate agencies.

 

Property manager job description – conclusion

Property manager is a highly varied job with strong demand across the UK from a wide range of employers in the property sector.

It pays above the current national average salary, offers challenging and rewarding work as well as plenty of attractive career progression opportunities.