The last two years have been extremely challenging for most industries to say the least, and property management is no exception. While the worst may be behind us, lockdowns, COVID-enforced isolations and continuing economic challenges are leading to a host of ongoing challenges. That’s where automation really helps.
If there is one thing that the last two years has taught us, it’s that so-called ‘unprecedented’ times can easily become the ‘new normal’, and that those who do nothing and fail to adapt are left behind. As property managers, you’ve had to think quickly on your feet to manage a slew of challenges, including:
- The need to adapt to remote working,
- COVID-enforced isolation periods for property managers, trades and tenants,
- Increased arears due to job losses and other economic challenges,
- Fear and uncertainty from landlords,
- Juggling work with home schooling for those with school-aged children,
- Tradies unable to attend to repairs and maintenance,
- Agency shutdowns when too many staff are away due to illness or for being a close contact, to name a few.
Those who have been most successful in navigating the challenges have relied on automation, not just virtual meeting software, but automated workflows. Never has it been more important to automate your systems and processes, not only for your own peace of mind and your agency’s profit margins, but also to keep landlords, trades and tenants confident that you are protecting their interests and looking after them well despite the challenges.
As a Maintenance Manager user, you already know the main benefits of the platform
- Everyone is kept informed about the status of each maintenance job and prioritises tasks,
- Keeping them front and centre on the home screen so nothing can be overlooked
- Automates follow-ups and reminders to ensure things get done in a timely manner
- Demonstrates best practice to landlords and tenants.
But here are some of the other ways Maintenance Manager can help you manage the ongoing COVID situation:
- The system can be accessed remotely, ideal for employees who need to isolate but are still able to work from home (e.g., for close contacts who are fit and well).
- The ability to apply automatic notes against trade jobs via the global settings and property manager options regarding COVID-safe procedures for trades and tenants.
- An automated deferral option for properties where a tenant must isolate, ensuring the trade professional doesn’t attend the property until the isolation period is over.
- Enables other property managers to readily take over the work of colleagues who are unwell with COVID and unable to work, ensuring the properties they manage continue to be monitored.
- Facilitates the updating of templates or email signatures if you want more permanent COVID-related wording within email correspondence.
- Business hours can be updated so out-of-hours emails/processes are used if the agency has to shut down due to COVID or for any other reason.
- Facilitate bulk correspondence, for instance if you want to update all landlords or tenants about the latest COVID-related information or legislative changes (for landlords).
At the end of the day, if landlords, trades and tenants can see that you are doing everything you can to keep them in the loop and provide great service, despite COVID challenges, you will be rewarded with loyalty and referrals.
And if you think landlords are the only ones you need to be concerned about, think again. Just as the buyer is often also a seller in real estate sales, a tenant can become one of your greatest future advocates. After all, tenants often become property owners, including owners of investment properties, and they will remember the property manager who treated them with respect and courtesy and looked after them well by adopting modern, automated practices.
