Staffing for Property Management Companies

While many property management companies may be hurting for income due to tight rental markets and smaller budgets, the need for staffing will always remain the same.  As a Chicago property management company, we know first hand how difficult things can get and we also know how vital it is for a property management company to get creative during tough times.  Even when things aren’t tough it will pay off to truly analyze your budget in regards to your staffing.  Do you work for or own a property management company, a condo property management company, retail property management company or industrial property management company that is in need of new staff members but doesn’t have the budget to hire new staff?  That’s okay, you have options.  Here’s a few of our staffing tips for property management companies:

1- Assess your current staffing situation:  Take your current staffing into consideration first.  As a property management company, condo property management company, or retail property management company where do you feel you are lacking in the staffing area?  What job duties or roles aren’t being completed?  What jobs seem to fall through the cracks month after month?  After a good analysis of your property management company’s situation you should be able to compile a list of duties that aren’t being done that need to get done.  This will help you see where you are lacking and where you need some help.

2- Talk to your current staff first:  After you have assessed your property management company’s current situation, you should have a good idea of what job duties aren’t getting done that need to be done.  Sit down and talk with your current staff and let them know the staffing issues that you see and ask them for their thoughts on what they feel should be done.  They may have some great advice and may be willing to help out and take on some of those extra duties.

3- Consider cross-training: Cross-training your employees could quite possibly be one of the most beneficial things you do with your property management company staff.  Your bookkeeper may have great customer service skills and might be willing to fulfill both roles very successfully, but you won’t know unless you try out cross-training.  While many members of your staff are probably specialists in certain areas, there is nothing wrong with a little cross-training, however you must be realistic.  Not all members of your staff are going to be great at multiple jobs, so keep that in mind. 

4- Utilize your connection: Ask your friends, family and acquaintances if they know of anyone that may be able to fill the role that you need filled.  You never know, they may have someone in mind that can help solve some of your staffing woes. 

5- Determine your wants and your needs:  You may want another hand on deck for customer service, but perhaps what you really need is another maintenance staff member.  Determine the roles that can easily be taken on by yourself or a current staff member and hire someone for a role that absolutely no one else can fill.  Budget-wise you will thank yourself in the end. 

Looking for more tips on staffing for your property management company?  Feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us?