A Day in the Life of a Commercial Property Manager

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Francis Britton is Hazells’ principal commercial property manager, and he explains what he finds so enjoyable about his role within the firm.

We are based in Bury St Edmunds, but our remit stretches further than that, with properties across Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire. I manage over 1.3 million sq ft of commercial property ranging from large industrial units such as those at Suffolk Park to small corner shops in Bury town centre plus a mosaic mix of office buildings, industrial parks, retail parades, leisure premises and commercial land. The range of properties is vast, and one minute I can be undertaking a property inspection and dealing with rent collection for a giant new build warehouse at Suffolk Park with international landlords and tenants, and later on in the day I am arranging for a tap to be changed for a small local business in premises no larger than 250 sq ft. It is this variety of buildings and the diversity of people that I find so very interesting about my job.

I also find that every day is different, and you never quite know what to expect! Day to day, my responsibility is to oversee the managed portfolio, which includes dealing with any repairs required, credit control of commercial tenants, reporting to the Landlords on related matters, inspection of properties to ensure lease covenants are being complied with, managing of service charge budgets and reconciling the end of year accounts, overseeing of dilapidations as well as letting of vacant managed property.

My role also includes lease advisory and professional work, dealing with lease events including lease renewal and rent reviews. This involveskeeping a close eye on latest letting and sale transactions in the region,researching property comparables and generally doing my best to keep fully abreast of the market.

One of my most enjoyable tasks at Hazells has been managing a portfolio of 52 industrial units in Suffolk, where we act for the Landlord and introduced standard leasing arrangements across the portfolio at market rents, implemented a schedule of works and compliance issues, which in turn led to an improved annual rental income and a more attractive and well-regulated property investment.More importantly we have a very happy client!!

I also recently oversaw the transition of a wing of Abbotsgate House, an office building in Bury St Edmunds to serviced offices. I was aware of a proposed closure of another serviced office building in the town and identified an opportunity to the Landlord for us to let this wing as individual suites to these tenants. Again,this led to an increase in rental income but also saved the landlord void property costs such as empty property rates and service charge contributions.

To find out how Hazells can help you with your Commercial or Residential Property Management, please call our office on 01284 702626.

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