Meet Seema, one of our wonderful Property Managers at Keen on Rentals!
No two days are the same in property management. From coordinating maintenance and inspections to supporting tenants, communicating with landlords, solving unexpected challenges, and ensuring properties are well looked after, Seema’s role is a balance of people, problem-solving, and operations.
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What does a typical week look like for you as a property manager at Keen on Rentals and what’s the part of the job people usually don’t expect?
My week is a blend of problem solving, coordinating people and making decisions and handling unpredictable emergencies often. My day starts with checking the important overnight emails and maintenance messages that need to be looked at urgently. Then I do the financial reporting and reconcile everyday rent payments, followed by onboarding new tenants to our system and assigning them to the properties.
During the week I will have routine inspections scheduled, along with exit and entry inspections for changes in tenancies. And I wrap up end of my week with follow ups on tenancy applications, maintenance jobs, updating landlords and participating in our team meetings for weekly updates and planning for the upcoming week.
People normally see the final result and don’t always understand the work going behind the scenes to make that happen. An effortless keys handover for a new tenant takes a lot of effort and preparation.
A property manager’s job is not only schedule visits and look after tenants but to handle the conflicts, calm down frustrated tenants and anxious landlords, stay top of the regulations, keep safety in mind and keeping comprehensive and up-to-date records. So, it’s no surprise that property management is actually both a people and an operations role.
What led you into property management, and was there a moment early on that made you think “this is the career for me”?
I was looking for a dynamic career path that provides me professional growth to build on my skills with personal flexibility. I love the role where no two days are same. When I heard about this opportunity I felt like this could be what I am looking for.
What’s one thing you wish every landlord and every tenant understood before they came to you?
The one thing that I wish for every landlord and tenant knew before coming to me is that we are on the same team, and to maintain perspective by putting yourself in each other’s shoes. I would encourage landlords to see working with a property manager not as delegating task but working with a business partner.
The best results can be achieved with open and clear communication, realistic expectations and a shared commitment to protect their investment. For tenants, I would hope they know that I’m someone they need to approach when they feel something is not right and understanding that some issues take time to be resolved efficiently. Respect and transparency create better results and relations.
If you could give one piece of advice to every landlord you work with, what would it be?
The money spending to keep the property in good shape and keeping it compliance with the legal regulations should not be taken as an expense, it’s an investment that will absolutely pay you back in long run.
If we want better and long-term tenancies, those better tenants also look for the well-maintained properties, and I have experienced it through the feedback that we received from prospective tenants at property viewings. The quality of the property and the care taken to maintain it speaks for itself.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Keen on Rentals specifically – the team, the culture, the way the business runs?
My favourite thing is the team at Keen on Rentals. We have a supportive team and a leadership who trust you to do your work while having at your back always to help you- that makes for the positive environment that I love to work at.
And the collaborative efforts of a great team to make good people relationships and well managed properties obviously plays important role for our tenants, our landlords, and the ongoing success of our business.