Sponsored: On the couch with Jayne Watkins

Jayne Watkins has worked as a property manager since 2012, and established her own business, Rentals 4 You in 2017. She talks to the Nelson Magazine about what the role entails and the satisfaction that comes from it.

Where did your interest in property first come from?

My father loved renovating houses and our family moved from one renovation to the next, so it’s in my blood. I have always enjoyed having my own projects on the go and my husband and I have built and renovated a few places over the years too.

How has that helped you in your career?

It really helps to know how a building is constructed so that when a tenant rings up with an issue, I can quickly draw on my acquired knowledge to best identify the problem and determine what tradesperson is required to make sure the issue is solved quickly and efficiently.

What kind of properties do you manage?

I look after everything from brand new houses, to entire complexes made up of different sized apartments. I have also managed the process for clients turning motels into long term residential accommodation. There is a great deal of satisfaction in getting projects like these to completion.

Are there any particular challenges that have stood out from the rest?

Getting all our rental properties up to the Healthy Home Standard has been an interesting process. The new standards are certainly showing benefits. Tenants have been delighted at how the changes have made a difference to their comfort and enjoyment of the property and are happy with lower power bills as a result of their homes being insulated to the new required standard.

Why do you think property owners should use managers to oversee their properties?

There have been so many alterations in tenancy law and these will be ongoing with the new government. It can be daunting for landlords to keep up-todate with those changes and things can quickly come unstuck if they don’t. As a property manager you have to know all the intricate details to ensure everything runs smoothly for landlords and tenants.

An efficient, caring property manager will make sure the owner’s properties are properly looked after by tenants, the value of their assets is maintained and insurance company compliances are met, taking considerable stress off the owner.

What advice would you give to renters and landlords in the current tenancy market?

All viewings attract large numbers of applicants, so renters have to put their very best foot forward to secure a property. If private landlords do not use property managers with their secure tenancy portals, they need to ensure all application information is kept securely due to the need to adhere to new privacy rules.