Op-Ed: That ‘person’

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As I sit here tonight and ponder the current debate, ‘attack on term’ for management rights, I start to realise that this is not an attack on term, but really an attack on the management rights concept. The unique concept has proven itself for many years now in Queensland. Having lived, rented and stayed in other states and territories, and worked as a property manager I can talk from experience. I have experienced all sides. As an investor, an owner, a tenant and a property manager in both low and peak markets. In rising and falling markets. But, regardless of your accommodation requirements one thing does not change… Everyone needs a ‘person’. So, who is that person? What is that person’s role? Why does that person matter? Do you really need that person? And what if you don’t have a person?

Depending on your property situation, your person could be any of the following:

• Your neighbour who’s there to put your bin out and keep watch while you’re away.

• Your property manager who you trust to let you in when you lock yourself out.

• Your property manager who makes sure your tenants pay rent in time to cover your mortgage repayment.

• The friendly face you wave to every day, when you drive out knowing your townhouse will be safe.

• The onsite manager you call when you go out and wonder if you left your roller door up.

• The person you know who will be minutes away in an emergency.

• That onsite manager who makes you feel safe in your home.

• That manager you call when there’s a lizard, spider, wasp, frog or toad in your townhouse.

• The manager who notices when strange cars come and go from your investment unit daily.

• The property manager you call to pay your property accounts because you don’t have time.

• The person that has every spare part for your unit on hand.

• That person your daughter leases from, while she studies and feels safe closer to the city.

This list could go on and on…

In Queensland the reality is that ‘person’ is your onsite manager! Onsite managers provide security and assurance to many investors, tenants, retirees, and owners occupiers state wide. A unique position to other states that works incredibly well.

Reducing the term destroys the management rights industry’s fundamental concept and removes the ‘person’. Much like the security an onsite manager provides their customers and clients, they too need security of long-term agreements.

Reducing the term reduces saleability. The long-term goal is removed. And if you remove the goal there is no game. The ‘person’ is gone.