Job Title: Commercial Property Advisor
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £33,183.19 per annum (£36,677.07 per annum is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: 35 Hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday – Friday, Hybrid
Location: Speke, Estuary Boulevard, Liverpool
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.
The difference you will make as a Commercial Property Advisor
You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of our commercial property portfolio in the North West of England, being the first point of contact for all commercial tenants, caretakers, contractors, and agents.
• You will provide an excellent customer focused, professional service to customers, ensuring all legal landlord/freeholder obligations are met, ensuring all relevant fees, charges, notices, and rents are issued in a timely manner and addressing as required any queries in relation to these.
• You will support the Commercial Property Manager in marketing commercial property, negotiating rents and property transactions on our portfolio ensuring rents are maximised, voids are minimised and that the transactions represent the best long-term strategy for group.
• You will work closely with other property management, repairs, and estate teams to ensure properties are well managed and the environment is well maintained. Responding to and managing repairs queries as required
• To advise and implement lease terms, statutory measures, and Riverside group policies relevant to the management of the commercial portfolio.
• To assist with the collection of all rents, ground rents, service charges, and other property charges and recovery process, ensuring this is effective and efficient. To be responsible for the correct and accurate management of all service charge, rent and deposit accounts.
• You will work closely with other colleagues across the business, in particular, in Housing Operations, Finance, Property Services, Fire Safety, Asset Management, Customer Services, Development and any Riverside agent to ensure the efficient and effective provision of services to all residents.
About you
We are looking for someone with:
• Experience working in property / housing management. An understanding and working knowledge of relevant legislation: landlord / tenant statutes / responsibilities. Contract law relating to leases.
• Ability to generate strong working relationships with internal customers, tenants, and professional advisers.
• To be numerically and financially proficient
• Good level of IT skills and literacy
Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
• Competitive pay & generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits
Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered
Role Profile
Provide an excellent customer focused service for Riverside’s customers, clients, and properties in management.
• To act as the first point of contact for all tenant queries and those raised by prospective tenants,
• To action maintenance requests, raise works orders; arrange access for contractors in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring good communication and accurate exchange of information between Landlord, tenant, and contractors.
• To arrange post repair inspection and any other forms of monitoring to allow assessment of contractor performance.
• sending relevant information packs and arranging / carrying out viewings.
• To ensure that all new rental properties are correctly added to systems.
• To collect and compile statistical information as required, including on performance indicators and collating performance reports for the service.
• To undertake site visits, home visits and any other outside meetings as required to fulfil the requirements of the post.
• To deputise as requested for the Commercial Property Manager
Proactively manage the commercial property portfolio - including marketing, letting, maintenance, compliance and landlord / tenant functions.
• To carry out all property management tasks as directed by manager or other appropriate senior manager.
• To carry out end of tenancy inspections, action any necessary repairs, dilapidations, negotiations, and record and process any deposit deductions in conjunction with the tenant, keeping them always informed.
• To work as required to address incidents of ASB where they involve or affect a customer, plus to assist as required with incidents relating to other properties. To ensure effective working on ASB with other property management staff and as required take the lead on relevant ASB cases or assist in other cases as is necessary.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• To manage parking controls at Riverside Group managed sites to maintain up to date records relevant to all customers and customer contact details.
• To liaise closely with legal representatives to produce legal documentation.
• To arrange post repair inspection and any other forms of monitoring to allow assessment of contractor performance.
• To execute renewals and lease terminations including dilapidations for the commercial portfolio
• To carry out end of tenancy inspections, action any necessary repairs, dilapidations, negotiations, and record and process any deposit deductions in conjunction with the tenant, keeping them always informed.
• To ensure that regular estate and property inspections are carried out, taking prompt and effective action to rectify any issues in line with targets, policies, and procedures.
• To code invoices through the Riverside invoicing system and pass to relevant person within the team to authorise for payment
Monitor commercial tenant performance and maintain accurate records; escalating and enforcing leases as required.
• To arrange check ins and check outs of rental tenants and keep a central record for all leases. To ensure that all files have a signed check in/check out report and sign off authorisation sheet where applicable.
• Prepare relevant financial paperwork and ensure this is filed and processed correctly, to complete completions, arrears procedures, registering and returning deposits.
• To ensure all repairs re-charges are marked on the tenancy file as appropriate.
• To maximise6 income by meeting personal and organisational performance targets, objectives, and service levels.
• To monitor and maintain a portfolio of accounts on a regular basis as allocated in accordance with procedures and audit requirements. Identify new and existing cases in arrears, take early action to minimise arrears, undertake administration of the portfolio, collect income, and make arrangements with debtors to pay outstanding debts.
• Assist in issuing invoices as required.
• To maintain and update in line with GDPR, accurate information on the property portfolio in relation to individuals, addresses, contracts, tenancies, and properties including unit, block and estate / scheme information and their relevant assets.
• To deal with and respond to complex correspondence / and formal complaints from customers. To reply fully and with regard to customer service requirements in the timeframe specified to all such enquiries. To investigate and resolve disputes, including providing advice and information to customers.
• To undertake detailed preparation for court action including court documentation in accordance with the Civil Court Procedures. Where necessary attend court for hearings to represent Riverside Group interests. To monitor adherence to the terms of any Court Orders, identifying and reporting any breaches
• To carry out all landlord/freeholder management tasks as directed
• To work closely with the Service Charge and Rents team to contribute as necessary to reviews of estate services and service charges, and to assist with the process of constructing accurate rents and service charges.
• To ensure all documentation and customer communication is stored accurately on company systems.Other Information:
• You will be required to work a 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Core hours are 10am -4pm with flexible working around.
• Hybrid / remote working considered for the right candidate.
• Main place of work is Riverside’s office 2 Estuary Boulevard, Estuary Commerce Park, Liverpool L24 8RF. Occasional visits to Riverside’s London offices may be required.
• You will be required to visit and travel to various locations and properties around England, in order to carry out your duties. The majority of properties are in the North West however visits to Bristol (in the South) and Newcastle (in the North) may be required from time to time.
• From time to time, you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature, in consultation with your Line Manager.Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
• Experience working in property / housing management. An understanding and working knowledge of relevant legislation: landlord / tenant statutes / responsibilities. Contract law relating to leases.
• Ability to generate strong working relationships with internal customers, tenants, and professional advisers.
• To be numerically and financially proficient
• Good level of IT skills and literacy
• Knowledge of the commercial property sector
• To work as reasonably required in any of Riverside geographical areas.
• Full UK Driver’s License and access to a car.
Desirable
• Good working knowledge of the relevant legislation (even where complex) specifically the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of market factors driving commercial values.
• Experience of using specialist property / housing related ICT systems (including Salesforce, Qube, MRI, Open Housing)
• Experience of digital lettings and marketing tools and platforms
• Experience of preparing marketing materials
• Experience of accounting / account management
• Experience of commercial portfolio management or equivalent
• Experience or understanding of service charge administration and legislation.
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