December 2024
HCR are recruiting a Property Manager to support the work we are doing with Brighton & Hove City Council in managing their Temporary Accommodation. As their portfolio grows, HCR grows with them to ensure we keep the highest service standards and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
We have posted the job on Indeed.com and applicants should apply through that platform.
The full Job Description is shown below:
HCR GROUP – Property Management division
JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title | Property Manager |
| Work location | Brighton, Hove and surrounding area properties that you are required to visit in performance of your role and otherwise based from home |
| Division | Property Management |
| Reports to | Director & Senior Property Manager |
| Hours | Full time – 37 hours (Permanent) |
| Introduction to HCR Ltd HCR is pre-dominantly an employee relocation management company offering a comprehensive range of relocation and property services for a broad range of Government and well-known brand clients. (https://hcr.co.uk/) In 2019 HCR used its considerable expertise in acquiring and managing property from the private rental sector to secure a contract with Bedford to manage their temporary accommodation. HCR has now secured a contract with Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) to manage a proportion of their property and manage the occupants. (https://hcrpropertymgt.co.uk/) The BHCC property portfolio provides accommodation to people who find themselves homeless for a wide range of reasons. Some individuals have complex needs based on their alcohol or substance abuse, or because they have mental health issues. HCR has developed a business model that understands the pressures on these individuals whilst balancing the cost constraints of maintaining housing for the Council, without degradation to the property standards that encourages a positive environmental impact on the occupants. HCR works with local trades to drive cost efficiency and a responsive approach to property management, using a combination of trusted partnerships, technology and tested processes. |
| Essential Duties & Responsibilities The role is pre-dominantly to ensure legal and regulatory compliance of Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) rented properties, which are used for Temporary Accommodation. This may include other property related services for the Council, as instructed. The role will include the following tasks: Account management & liaison with key personnel at BHCC to ensure we meet the contractual requirements and Key Performance Indicators. Responsibility for appointing approved sub-contractors to deliver specialist services in order to ensure that properties meet the latest regulatory, legislative and best industry standards and practices. Ensure sub-contractors undertake and deliver the required services to the highest standards and within the agreed budget. Keep accurate records of such services, certificates and maintenance records in the appropriate management platform – Fixflo Undertake Inventories of new property using Inventory Hive software Visit properties as per the agreed frequency for the purposes of a full and accurate inspection, noting damages and defects, and then ensuring appropriate rectification Undertake accompanied check in to the properties and ensure the occupant is settled in and where appropriate assist with furniture, food vouchers, etc. Undertake check outs with an appropriate record keeping of damages, missing fixtures and fittings. Undertake cost-effective repairs to occupied and void properties to ensure they are kept to the high standard expected, keeping appropriate records Instigate the Abandonment Policy in line with our policies and processes Instigate our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy in line with our processes Build trusted working relationships with Housing Officers, ASB Officers, Council Directors and Members; HCR Head Office personnel; sub-contractors; local charities and other stakeholders Develop rapport and understanding with TA Occupants in respect to resolving their property issues swiftly, cost-effectively and fairly. This will involve some elements of welfare support through signposting to specialists, charities, the Council and others. Perform the duties requested by the Directors of HCR Show flexibility in working hours when absolutely necessary, to ensure delivery of the contract between HCR & BHCC |
| Education and/or Work Experience requirements Good local area knowledge of Brighton, Hove and surrounding areas Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal personnel, external occupants, Officers and stakeholders Good computer proficiency in MS Office – Word, Excel & Outlook in particular It is desirable to have a good working knowledge of Fixflo & Inventory Hive or similar platforms It is highly desirable to have Property and Occupant Management experience with a clear working knowledge of the terms used in property, property legislation and regulations Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines whilst maintaining a positive attitude and providing outstanding customer service Must have an attention to detail and keep accurate, reliable records as an audit trail of their pro-active approach to property and occupant management Have an ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance with some limited need to show flexibility in working hours in order to meet emergency occupation/property requirements Must be clear and concise on the phone or on Zoom/TEAMS calls Consistently demonstrate the ability to work independently and with the ability to pre-plan and execute an effective work period Desirable to hold current first aid, fire safety, health & safety training certificates Additional training, relevant to the role, will be available and will form part of the development of the Property Manager. This may include industry standards training, legal compliance training and management in all forms. |
| Physical Requirements Must have a clean driving licence and their own vehicle, kept in a safe working condition, fully insured, at all times. (An HMRC approved allowance is paid for by the company for accurately recorded business mileage. This excludes travel to and from the 1st and last property) Must be able to lift and carry up light items, walk up to 5 flights of stairs without difficulty because lifts are not always available. Must be able to remain calm and focussed in potentially intimidating circumstances with an ability to defuse angry, aggressive and hostile occupants on occasion Must demonstrate their ability to pro-actively manage their personal safety in line with company policy and apply common-sense including making appropriate risk assessments |
| Performance Goals Probationary Period: 3 months By the end of 3 months, the level of performance should be: Excellent knowledge on every property in the BHCC TA portfolio Good knowledge of key processes for managing repairs, instructing contractors, closing jobs, querying cost overruns and associated processes Good knowledge when using Fixflo, Inventory Hive and the 360o camera system Good knowledge of sub-contractors, their specialities and capacity Working knowledge of Tier 3 occupants who will require the most attention in terms of property management Good awareness of mandatory compliance requirements for a block and dwelling Demonstrate accurate and timely record keeping Demonstrate good local area knowledge Demonstrate personal safety awareness and coping with volatile situations effectively By the end of 6 months, the expectation is that the candidate will work effectively and competently across all aspects of the role |