WeconnectU News

Rental asset management is about much more than just overseeing rental properties. It's about strategically enhancing and optimising these assets to deliver maximum returns for investors. Modern investors expect their rental asset managers to do more than just manage the basics – they’re looking for expertise that drives capital growth, reduces risk, and provides clear, actionable insights for future investments. The good news is that, by aligning your core activities with investor needs, not only can you fulfil these expectations, you can also position yourself as an invaluable partner in their investment journey.

Community meetings are a cornerstone of good governance and decision-making for Bodies Corporate and Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Despite their importance, however, they are often one of the most challenging – and least popular – aspects of a Community Manager’s job. Our latest WeconnectU survey confirms this, revealing community meetings as the number one pain-point felt by Community Managers. But what if these meetings didn’t have to be time-consuming burdens, and could instead become an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate professional value and expertise?

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human ingenuity is creating unprecedented opportunities.

The South African property management landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by changing market conditions, technological advancements, and heightened client expectations. These shifts have created a growing gap between the value clients expect from their managing agents, and the value they are able to perceive. For property managers, bridging that gap is the key to thriving in today’s dynamic environment. This article explores the nature of the gap, and the building blocks you can use to bridge it effectively in your business.

In 2023, the Springboks achieved a historic feat by clinching their fourth Rugby World Cup title, becoming the first team to achieve such a milestone. Their journey, chronicled in Season 1 and 2 of "Chasing the Sun," serves as an inspiration for teams worldwide. What makes the Springboks such an exceptional team goes beyond their victories; it's about their approach to winning. However, their success wasn't immediate. Reflecting on the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where South Africa faced a humiliating defeat to Japan, and ultimately, a failed world cup campaign, reveals the team's journey wasn't always smooth. Yet, bold leadership from Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber transformed the team from underdogs to champions. How did they do it and what can we learn from them?

Transforming rental property management into asset management isn't just about marketing; it's a profound shift that unlocks new levels of financial potential. Imagine gaining insights into property as a dynamic asset class—where capital growth, steady yields, and strategic leveraging converge to maximise returns. This article explores how this evolution can redefine your role, enhance investor outcomes, and propel your business forward in today's competitive market.

Choosing the right real estate agent to manage a rental property (or properties) is a significant decision for investors. By understanding the factors that influence this decision, and aligning your service proposal accordingly, it’s possible to position yourself as a top-tier contender. Perhaps even more importantly, by taking the time to understand what investors value most, it becomes possible to ensure your business messaging consistently highlights your successes in these areas. This makes it far easier for investors to recognise and appreciate your value, and far more likely that they’ll be willing to pay fair fees as a result.

Compliance in the rental property industry is no laughing matter. The Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), the Rental Housing Act, the Property Practitioners Act, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) all add significantly to rental asset managers’ workload. And the penalties for falling short of total compliance range from serious fines to jail time. Despite the sizable increase in risk and workload that compliance has added to rental property management in recent years, very few rental management businesses are receiving proportionately higher compensation. Understandably, this – together with its fiddly and time-consuming nature – has made compliance one of the industry’s least favourite responsibilities.

Last year, South Africa was ranked 5th on security company Surfshark’s global cybercrime density list. Only the UK, US, Canada and Australia experienced higher numbers of successful cyberattacks. For property professionals handling large amounts of sensitive information – an attractive target for attackers – this is a concerning statistic. Is your organisation properly prepared to defend its digital frontier? In this whitepaper, we’ll explore where the greatest cybersecurity risks lie, what you can do to shore up your defences, and why your risk management strategy needs to involve far more than just technology.

In previous articles, we’ve touched on the importance of rental inspections and their ability to act as a doorway to more effective maintenance management. Today, we’re diving into a little more detail on why maintenance management, itself, is such a powerful value-add, and why getting this service right can be both easy for you and game-changing for your investors.