Are you a property owner or RMC director looking for a property manager or block managing agent? Many people get confused between the two and use the terms interchangeably, but we’re here to clear that up.
This article will help you understand the difference between property block management and property management, and what exactly you need for your building.
Habitare is a leading block management company offering flat management services. We offer 360-degree property management and maintenance services, from conducting regular inspections to secretarial services and helping resolve disputes among residents. Get in touch to learn how we can help with property block management.
What is Property Management?
Property management and maintenance involves upkeep of a wide range of buildings. This can include family homes, detached houses, maisonettes, commercial buildings, and multi-unit complexes.
What do Property Managers Do?
The general responsibilities of property managers include:
- Helping with rent collection if your property has been rented. This includes collecting monthly rent, late fees, and interest (if applicable).
- Assisting with the collection of service charges from both residents and tenants.
- Working exclusively or in partnership with letting agents to help find new tenants. This can include anything from putting out ads to offering property showings, negotiating the tenancy agreement, and conducting background checks.
- Conducting regular inspections, hiring staff, preparing annual reports for landlords and other stakeholders, helping you to comply with property-related regulations, and assisting with financial management.
What is Block or Flat Property Management?
Block managing agents will assist exclusively with multi-unit or apartment blocks and not other kinds of buildings, like family homes.
These managers are usually hired by RMC directors, leaseholders or, in certain cases, the developers or contractors.
What do Block Managing Agents Do?
Flat management company responsibilities include:
- Helping conduct regular inspections and undertaking proactive maintenance and timely repairs across the block.
- Budgeting, accounting, service charge collection, maintaining updated building insurance, and overall financial management.
- Making sure the property is compliant with health and safety regulations, building codes, property-related tax laws, and other regulations.
- Providing customer care. This is a major part of flat management services, including helping with dispute resolution, arranging and conducting meetings, and maintaining meeting minutes.
- Assisting RMC directors and managers with proper record keeping and other administrative tasks.
How Does Block or Flat Management Differ From Property Management?
The roles and responsibilities of property management and apartment block management overlap, but there is a distinction between the two.
The table below highlights the main differences between the two:
| Roles | Property Manager | Block Property Manager |
| Extent of Work | Involved in managing different types of properties | May only offer block / flat management services |
| Responsibilities | Assist with property maintenance, upkeep, and repairs | Help undertake regular inspections and commission any preemptive or remedial maintenance and repair work |
| Communication | Interactions are usually limited to tenants and landlords/property owners | Communicate with residents to notify them about updates and can resolve arguments. Closely liaise with RMC directors and leaseholders to help with day-to-day operational tasks and secretarial services |
| Financial Management | Mainly help with rent collection | Offer more extensive financial management, including service charge collection, budgeting, accounting, and record-keeping to help with annual tax laws |
| Administrative Tasks | Assist with advertising for vacant properties, property showing, screening candidates, and helping with tenancy agreements | Assist with secretarial services such as maintaining records and compliance with property laws around finances and taxes, health and safety, and other regulations |
| Staff Management | Often help hire contractors on behalf of owners | Often partner with highly-rated local contractors for any repair or maintenance work; also co-ordinate with on-site security or janitorial teams |
Contact Habitare for Flat Management Services
If you’re struggling to handle your own block property management and maintenance responsibilities or want to change your current provider, contact Habitare. We provide personalised flat management services.
Habitare is proud to offer consistently excellent customer service, and we’re here to make your life easier with our comprehensive solutions. These include financial management, maintenance and repair (with only top-rated contractors who adhere to our high standards), secretarial support, and more.
We aim to ensure RMC directors and property owners get the most from their investments without the stress of property management responsibilities. Are you looking for compliant, well-maintained, and financially sound block property solutions? Contact us today.