Job Responsibilities
Administration including :accounts payable & receivable / monthly
reports & upkeep of tenant files / approving & recording payroll /
preparation & representation for Tenancy Board Court Hearings /
designed form letters , outlned rules & regulations / wrote &
implemented company policies / handled all greviences , customer
& employee / completed market studies & advertised accordingly /
initiated property projects and worked with maintenance staff
throughout / hired contracters / met with city officials &
planning departments / monitored yearly inspections / approved
purchases / ordered carpeting & major appliances / inspected
units & properties / move -in & out reports / worked on signage
and landscaping with contractors . Basically was responsible for
anything & everything involved in the operations & maintenance of
three rental communities .
|
Job Requirements
Each city offers a different avenue . Here,there is a property
management coarse you can complete during an evening coarse. This
however is not enough . I would suggest a candiate would have
excellent computer ,written & verbal skills . There are many one
day seminars that are also helpfull . It is important how you
represent your property so handling the incoming calls is crutial.
It would be helpfull to have some knowledge of graphic design for
advertisement purposes . An accounting background is an asset for
the bookkeeping part of the position .A Human Resource class is
beneficial for interviewing , hiring , disciplining , managing &
firing staff . A sales background is necessary for the ability to
close on rentals and it is also helpfull when dealing direcly
with the existing clients . General knowledge of maintenance ,
good people skills , decision maker , and cool during emergency
situations can certainly improve your stand in this position .
|
Uppers
Completion of major projects or improvements . The days are never the same which
keep it interesting .The funny circumstances that arise when dealing with so many
people and their homes . A job that you can actually see the results of each
project you take on . A win in court !! A complement or a happy tenant . When the
staff comes together to make the impossible work . EMERGENCIES make it exciting !
|
Downers
When there are no projects and it is just repetitive work .Staff
not getting along !The same complainers complaining!! Being
yelled at!!Loosing in court ! When pipes break it is such an
emotional trama on everyone . It is miserable when you coriner
arrives to take away yet another long term tenant. It is
exasperating when your chasing tenants for money and they are
continually telling you lies .
|
Lifestyle
Work hours range ......most companies in the US are open 7 days a week , maybe
1/2 day on Sunday . You usually rotate weekends . The
weekend work is mostly rentals and a catch up day for paperwork .
It is Mondays in this business that you better be prepared for .
Sleep early on Sunday because the phone rings off the hook on Mondays and it is
usually a long day .
Dress should be professional , however if you are walking properties or units
you may want to dress down for comfort & not to ruin a suit by paint or such .
Large companies are great as they host a lot of events , you meet
property managers from other areas and have a connection . Small companies don't
have that and even travel is limited . Large companies transfer regularly which
is a great plus in this business , never time to get stale .
|
Compensation
Some companies require you to live on site / some forbid it /
others don't care . If you are required to live on site it is at
a discounted rate or no charge . If you are not allowed to live
on site the salary is usually higher . If it is your decision you
may get a small discount or an extra parking or storage spot .
You usually start in at around $30,000 and it goes up yearly
according to the size of your properties to maybe $65,000.Bonuses
can be given as rental incentives , budget compliance , high
occupancy . I don't believe this business has a regular or
expected bonus structure . In large companies they have
competions with monetary prizes and plaque awards . Large
companies offer health & life insurance . Very few if any offer
stock options .
|
Advice to Jobseekers
There will always be apartment communities and rental properties
so the outlook for this position is good . I would choose to work
for owner operatd properties over a just management company . I
liked the freedom it gives . If working for a mangement company
you have a strict budget and there is more red tape to work
through . This is just my preference . I like the idea of owners
who have many properties throughout with the opportunities to
advance and transfer .I like the connection you have with all the
property managers & properties owned by one company . This is
just my preference .
|
