Five Challenges Property Managers Faced During Covid-19

 The pandemic outbreak, many of us have experienced many challenges which are directly attributed to covid-19. These problems include, among others; Loss of jobs, lost income, Loss of relationship, increased violence , Deaths and ill-health fromcovid-19, etc.

1. Increased Move Outs

Due to covid-19 pandemic, there was increased moving outs and fewer move in. a number of the explanations for this include;

Loss of jobs

Reduced earnings

Panic of a tough future hence must reduce spending

Relocation to rural homes

2. Rent Defaults

This is another challenge we've witnessed as a property manager. an honest number of individuals found it difficult to honour their rent payment on time thanks to among other things, reduced earnings, unpaid earnings, loss of job, among other reasons. As a property management company inKisumu, we had to help both the property owners and tenants on a case to case basis.

In some cases, property owners had to waive a fraction of the monthly rent to enable tenants who have sustained good diary of payment to stay the units within the face of this pandemic and potential reduced earnings. There also are cases where we've advised tenants on possible best move amidst the covid pandemic.

3. False Expectation

This pandemic has brought some false expectations that some clients have had towards property management companies. As a propertymanagement company during this region, we faced notions sort of a property manager must ensure payments are made by maturity in the least costs and altogether situations which it’s the error of a property management company whenever a tenants fail to pay rent or pays late.

As a property management company in Kisumu but also serving Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Siaya, Nandi, Kericho, Kisii, Homa Bay and Migori, we all know our roles alright . Our role include; advertising a property as being let, finding tenants, screening tenants, issuing tenants with tenancy agreement, collecting rents, reporting on the property monthly , supervising repairs and maintenance, handling move in and move outs and advising on tax compliance issues. We collect or ensure rent is paid on time but it’s the responsibility of the tenant to pay and on time.

4. Low Units Uptake

Due to covid-19, many of us were losing jobs and no transfers of employees were happening . There was drastic reduction in number of units being haunted and it became 3 times difficult to fill a house which fell vacant. many of us were leading their houses thanks to reduced income, relocation to village homes or occupation with a lover to share rental obligation and or moving to a smaller and cheaper unit.

5. Cancelled Management Contracts

This is perhaps the one challenge which hit property managers most. Cancelled management contracts means loss of employee for property manager’s workers, reduced earnings and lost client. Many property owners remained with fewer tenants, no new tenants occupation and maybe longer to be involved more in property management. Some resorted to having an inexpensive caretaker to assume the role of a property manager.