Property management can be a diverse and exciting career path for those interested in real estate. As a property manager, you can participate in preparing, showing and leasing properties to potential tenants, while managing the property of tenants under leases. It's helpful to understand what a property manager does, as it can help you decide if this is the career for you. A Property Manager oversees the daily operations of a real estate property, ensuring the property is run smoothly and efficiently, and making sure that that the needs of the property owners’ are met. Property Managers may manage a single unit or a group of apartments, houses or buildings in different locations or an estate. They take on a variety of tasks from finding new tenants or buyers to holding property inspections to performing administrative tasks. Property Managers may also handle undeveloped parcels of land. Commercial Property Managers for example only manage industrial and office buildings, while Residential Property Managers deal with residential buildings. Acquisition Managers deal solely with the sale/purchase of property.

Taken from Indeed 2024. 

A Property Manager should have one to two years of experience in the field or in a similar capacity. They need proven experience in dealing with a property’s tenants, handling their inquiries and addressing their complaints. Property Managers should have experience with property valuation, setting rents and paying all government levies.

A Property Manager with multiple years experience can become a Senior Property Manager. Senior Property Managers deal with the business side of things, including ensuring that the property maximises its profits and maintaining vendor relationships.

Education and Training Requirements

Typically, a tertiary education is not required for prospective Property Managers. However, it’s good to have a university degree in Real Estate Management or Property Management. Without these degrees, they may enroll in a conversion course with the Institute of Facilities Management or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Other possible training requirements include short courses run by estate agencies, housing associations and property consultancies. 

Key Skills

• Excellent knowledge of the property and real estate market

• Strong negotiation skills

• Great management and organisational skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Property Management

• Working knowledge of word-processing tools and other relevant computer software, including Microsoft Office

• Working knowledge of financial principles

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work well in a team

• Ability to work with minimal supervision