Topic: Are Property Managers supposed to be advocates for the Tenant?

This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by .

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17/01/2013 at 8:38 pm #8655 Reply | Quote
staticsan
I have a concern with the Property Manager that I rent. Whilst a nice enough chap, he is terribly unprofessional in his dealings with me. He will argue with me on the telephone and is inconsistent in replying to emails. It seems like he is only interested in the rental commission.

But I thought he was supposed to be my representative to the Landlord, the Strata Management and even the complex’s EC?

When I signed the lease, I did not receive any documentation about the Property Manager’s rôle in the whole affair, other than to collect the rent. Clearly, in that aspect, he represents the Landlord to me.

Am I so wrong?

Wade.
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18/01/2013 at 9:36 am #17645 Reply
Jimmy-T
Keymaster
The Property Manager is the employee of the owners, including your landlord. As part of his duty to the owners of your unit, he should be relaying your concern to them. If he is also the letting agent – which is often the case – you have one of these clear conflicts of interest where he is supposed to be reporting your complaint, which may be about him, to the owner so that the owner can complain about him to the EC (which is more likely than not controlled by him too).

This is why long-term caretaker contracts are one of the most profound corruptions of the allegedly democratic system of strata living.
In your case, if you are getting nowhere with issues, deal directly with the owner or go to Fair Trading (Tel 13 32 20). You will also find lots of good advice on the Tenants NSW website.

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24/01/2013 at 11:59 am #17670 Reply
staticsan
Hmm. I’ve raised a complaint with the principal at the agency where he works. Haven’t heard back from them yet; I have a suspicion they think I’ll go away if I get ignored. But you’re right: he’s more the Letting Agent than a Property Manager.

Never thought of contacting the owner. Since I’m supposed to go through the Letting Agent, that could be a problem.

He has nothing to do with the EC and only when I pushed him did he say I should be talking to Strata directly. I see this as evidence that he doesn’t see his role as any sort of advocate for me, the tenant, to anyone else.

Wade.

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24/01/2013 at 1:48 pm #17672 Reply
staticsan
Emailed the Principal again. A few hours later, I got a call from the General Manager. He tells me he has taken to task the Property Manager and the guy I was emailing that they have reason to not reply in a timely manner. He also assures me that this will not be a problem again.

I think that would be counted as a win.

Wade.

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Reply To: Are Property Managers supposed to be advocates for the Tenant?

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