Good property management is all about the people. And, quite often, the thought of losing friendly and dependable site staff can make RMC directors and their residents very reluctant to change managing agent – even if they are unhappy about other aspects of the building management service.
But fear not! You can keep your beloved caretaker if you switch to a new managing agent, as Ian Hollins of Clear Building Management explains.
A change of agent is a big move for residents and RMC directors and can also be incredibly unsettling for site staff, such as caretakers, concierges, gardeners and cleaners.
The fear of losing these people – and the concern over what might happen to their livelihoods – can understandably be enough to make changing managing agent seem like an unnecessary risk.
However, it is possible to ensure that the site staff keep their jobs at your development, thanks to the employment law regulations known as TUPE. TUPE stands for ‘The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006’.
Its purpose is to ensure that employees carry out the work that they’re employed to do. So, if one property management company loses a contract then (generally) the incoming management company will take over the responsibility for the employees attached to the contract for the development.
This means that if a staff member is employed directly by the incumbent agent solely to work on your development, TUPE law enables that employee to enjoy continuous employment by having their employment transferred to the new managing agent.
So the employment law is in place to help you keep your caretaker. The next step is to find a managing agent who will proactively work with you to ensure a smooth transition for both your site and the staff.
One of our first steps at Clear Building Management, when talking to RMC directors and leaseholders who are unhappy with the service they are receiving from their managing agent, is to understand the staffing structure for the development and the relationships between site staff and residents.
We have experience of transferring staff via TUPE, sensitively, whilst ensuring the needs of the staff members, the development, the company and the leaseholders are met both during and after the transition period.
Whether, you, an existing agent or a contractor provides your site team we can look after concierges and reception staff, caretakers, housekeepers and cleaners using our market leading managed staffing arrangement. This staffing solution gives direction and support to the employee, together with appropriate training, sick pay cover, uniforms and HR support at a small fixed cost to the management company based on their total cost of employment.
If you decide to change managing agent, we make sure you can keep your valued site staff – no one need lose their job because of the switch.
Don’t let the fear of losing good a good caretaker or concierge deter you from changing managing agent. Make the switch to a better property management service – your residents and your site staff will thank you for it!
If you are a leaseholder looking for a fresh approach to property management, contact Clear Building Management on 0333 344 4996 or click here to send us an online enquiry.
