A day in the life of a letting agent

Name: Janette Allcote

Job Title: Repairs & Maintenance Co-ordinator

Started at Howland Jones: August 2015

Q: What first attracted you to working within the Lettings Industry?

A: I worked previously for a Solicitors and Personal Search Company and was attracted to my role because I felt that it would be just as varied but would allow me to branch out into a new industry.

Q: Can you give a brief overview of your role at Howland Jones?

A: I liaise with tenants, landlords and contractors on a daily basis to ensure that all reported repair issues are dealt with in a timely manner. My role also involves booking interim inspections, which take place periodically throughout a tenancy, and closing inspections which take place on a tenant’s last day before they vacate.

Q: What is main thing that you find really enjoyable about your role?

A: The positive feedback that we receive on a weekly basis from both landlords and tenants when repair issues are completed satisfactorily. It is particularly rewarding when a long and complex repair issue is resolved.

Q: What is the first thing you do once you’re sat at your desk in a morning?

A: Each day, I start by logging on to our specialist lettings software and printing my ‘repairs list.’ This spreadsheet gives me a list of the jobs that are due for action. It also lists which tenants are due their interim inspection. I am in constant competition with myself to reduce the number of jobs on the list by ensuring repairs are resolved as quickly as possible.

First thing each morning I also check Fix Flo for any repairs that have been reported via our website by our tenants overnight.

Q: What word / words do you find yourself saying most on a day to day basis?

A: ‘I will arrange for a contractor to contact you.’ Once a repair has been reported the details are added to our system and a Job Sheet is sent to the contractor involved. The contractor will then contact the tenant to arrange a convenient time to visit.

Q: What helps you to deal with repairs in a timely manner?

A: We use Fix Flo which enables tenants to report a repair issue at any time, day or night on our website. The system also allows tenants to upload photographs and videos of the issue and confirm when they are available for a contractor to attend. We can then pick up the report and act on it straight away.

Q: If you had to describe a career within the lettings industry in one word or phrase what would it be?

A: Hectic – no two days are the same and you never know what will be reported next! It is this variety that makes the job so enjoyable!