What is it about the leasehold sector that interests you?
My first involvement with service charges was to deal with them as a job not wanted by anyone else in the office. This still seems to be the prevailing view of Service Charge Management in the property industry however I thoroughly enjoy the variety, personalities and the ability to make a difference.
What is your company’s strategy for the next 12 months?
We have been through a programme of IT upgrades, new staff appointments and consolidation which has put us into the position to considerably increase our management capacity and it is now our intention to establish management units to enable us to expand as well as more effectively cover the areas of the region we are already catering for.
What is the key to successful property management?
Over the past 30 years I have developed an understanding that an accurate budget and a well managed charge becomes a powerful management tool. This tool is a tool I have found that RMC’s welcome and embrace. The key to success is held in the budget and the willing adoption of that budget by the residents.
What is the best thing about property management?
The best thing about property management is being presented with difficulties and providing answers and ways forward resulting in satisfied residents, enhanced relationships and mutual respect and trust.
And the worst?
The best and worst things about property management are the lessees. When lessees are good they are very, very good and when they are bad they are still your client! I often say that if it was just a matter of bricks and mortar property management would be a breeze. The high spots and low spots really arise when personalities are involved.
What do you do in your spare time?
What spare time? Gardening, bird watching, fell walking and skiing in the winter.
