Covid-19 – Can you create property management visits safely?

When we all thought that the Covid-19 pandemic was coming to an end, the virus decided to throw another curveball and throw in a new, more contagious variant.

Whilst working from home, I often have the news on in the background and note that the number of people being infected with the new variant has unfortunately spiked. Over the Christmas and New Year period especially, there was always someone I knew who was isolating because they had tested positive.

You also see in the news the impact this has on staff. I read a stat today where the number of NHS staff off work self-isolating had risen by 54%. Although obviously I hope they make a full recovery, it did make me wonder the impact this would have on the service offered. Not only in the NHS but it got me wondering how this affected other industries as well. How do people or staff self-isolating affect the day-day running of a business?

Inventory Hive is a cloud-based property reporting platform, so letting agents, property managers and inventory clerks can create property inspections reports for the properties they manage. We have had an influx of users get in touch to say because of tenants self-isolating or lettings staff isolating, they have been unable to complete routine property management visits. Obviously, if the tenant(s) are isolating, then you cannot visit the property and if you have members of staff off, you may create a backlog of reports. This is a typical example of how staff or tenants self-isolating can have an impact on the day-to-day business or service that you offer.

We felt it was important to provide users with a solution so they can still create routine property management visits – remotely. This means that if the tenant or property inspector is self-isolating, you can still create these reports. Also, if the tenant or property inspector isn’t self-isolating, but they don’t feel comfortable having someone in the property due to the potential spread of Covid-19, then this tool can also be used.

To summarise in a sentence, the property manager can create the report from their desk, and send this to the tenant for approval. The tenant can raise any maintenance issues remotely and they can supply photographs remotely as well.

Not only can you ensure your property management visits are up-to-date, but it also helps justify any management fees the landlord might be paying. If the landlord is wondering why they are paying their management fees when you can’t visit the property due to Covid-19, then hopefully the remote virtual visits may help justify this cost.

Finding ways to complete tasks and run your business effectively whilst staff are isolating can be a challenge. Hopefully doing remote property visits is a very good way of ticking this job off your list.

*Mitch Handley is the Marketing Manager of Inventory Hive