Eighty three percent (83%) of property investors (landlords) own just one property, and it’s their single biggest asset apart from the family home. Most report a need to be able to communicate freely about major issues with their property manager, but sadly many feel less than satisfied with the quality of this communication and are unsure of what they can do to change the situation.

Read the rest of this article to find out how to isolate improve the quality of your communication with your property manager.

So often these days, inexperienced people in all walks of life say: ‘Oh, I sent you an email’ when faced with client frustration. Technology has enabled institutions of every shape and size, from banks to government departments and phone companies to appear to communicate without actually doing so.

Inexperienced property managers are no exception. ‘I sent you an email’ seems to indicate that the job is done, but obviously, if the client is unsatisfied, this response is inadequate. Many inexperienced property managers seem to be unaware that most investors need to have an almost personal relationship with their property manager; when anything of a major nature occurs with their investment, they like to discuss it properly either on the phone or face-to-face with someone who has all the information at their fingertips.

Of course, many queries can be dealt with by email, but the quality that differentiates experienced professional property managers from inexperienced ones is that they recognise that hiding behind technology when big issues come up is just fobbing clients off - relegating their concerns to the nominally-dealt-with basket without actually meeting their real needs.

If you feel your property manager is hiding behind technology, you have every right to insist you want a meeting or at least a phone call where issues of major concern – for example, vacancies, arrears or major repairs - can be properly discussed.

Many investors experience frustration without actually doing anything about it until they are so fed up that they decide to change agents. But changing agents can be time-consuming so if you are basically happy with the services your property manager provides, it would be easier to give them a chance to improve their communication with you rather than jumping ship.