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Why educating your property managers is the future of your rent roll

Get more from your agency’s property management team with training and up-skilling which allows them to perform at their best.

Being a property manager is a rewarding job but it can be challenging, particularly for those who have more than 120 properties under management. 

As a result, many real estate agencies experience setbacks caused by a domino effect of unmotivated property managers, high staff turnover and dissatisfied property owners and renters. 

The agencies which have thriving rent rolls and better staff engagement set themselves apart by ensuring their team is well supported and constantly up-skilling. 

Why educating your property managers will secure the future of your rent roll:

They will understand the latest legislation changes

One of the reasons people pay property managers in the first place is the number of different regulations property owners must comply with. 

To make things tricky in 2021, a raft of new rules will come into effect in Victoria. Failure to comply could put both the property owner and the manager on a publicly accessible ‘blacklist’. Both could also face fines for failing to ensure renters are living with the right conditions. 

Train your property managers as legislation changes and they will be able to proactively ensure all the homes on your rent roll are compliant.

They will be able to manage emergencies

Things like fire, storms and pandemics (as we learned in 2020) require special handling. It can be difficult to think clearly and respond correctly in a stressful situation but having the right training and resources will make it easier for your property managers. 

With emergency training, response times will be reduced and clients will feel taken care of. Your team won’t feel as though they have been hurled into the deep end as they will know what to do. 

Each client will have a consistent experience

When your team is trained, they will respond to difficult situations such as urgent repair requests the way you want them to. 

Training should include processes, checklists and terminology so your entire team is speaking the same ‘language’. 

This will save your executive team as well; if their junior PMs are well-trained they won’t always need to reach out for answers and support. 

Rent roll properties will be kept in good shape

A well-trained property manager is better at managing their time and is able to stay on top of regular tasks such as organising basic repairs. 

As a result, properties will be kept in better condition, which means their value will improve. 

Things will run like clockwork

Well managed properties shouldn’t need a great deal of attention but they do require regular check ins. 

When your team is trained and knows what to do every day, things won’t fall through the cracks. A slightly leaky tap will be picked up during a routine check rather than when it explodes off the wall on a public holiday. A broken security latch will be repaired rather than a home being broken into. 

As a result, everyone is happier and your agency will grow its positive reputation. 

Your staff will feel engaged and motivated

Training doesn’t all have to be about rules and protocols, although of course this is important.

So-called ‘soft skills’ like communication, teamwork or mindfulness can also be taught. Your team could also attend sessions to help them progress their own careers.

Training your staff so they feel supported throughout their working day will give them the confidence to speak up and share their ideas. It will boost job satisfaction and motivate them to be more aligned with the long-term goals of your agency. 

This type of training does not have to be formal or be a multi-day experience. It can take place online or in person and be live or pre-recorded, depending on your team and any restrictions on gatherings. What’s essential is factoring it into your team’s calendar so you don’t end up with a group of people trying to achieve the same things in different ways. 

When your team is well-trained and efficient, everybody benefits. Clients have consistently good service, your property managers have confidence in the day-to-day and your agency will be able to achieve its KPIs. 


BDH Solutions are rent-roll agents with over 40 years experience in connecting the right vendor with the right purchaser. Download our information booklet on the new Victorian Minimum Living Standards Legislation