Property Manager Interview Questions

1.1The property manager role - managing a portfolio of properties on behalf of landlords

1.2Property management in different sectors - residential, commercial, student, and affordable housing

1.3The property manager legal framework - landlord and tenant law, consumer protection, and regulatory requirements

1.4Portfolio management - managing a large number of properties efficiently without compromising quality

2.1Tenant selection - referencing, credit checks, right to rent, and selecting the right tenant

2.2Tenancy agreements - the key clauses, statutory rights, and ensuring agreements are legally compliant

2.3Ongoing tenant management - responding to queries, managing expectations, and the tenant relationship

2.4Tenancy renewals - managing renewals, rent reviews, and retaining good tenants

3.1Planned maintenance - proactive maintenance schedules, contractor management, and budget planning

3.2Reactive repairs - managing tenant repair requests promptly, cost-effectively, and to a good standard

3.3Contractor management - building and maintaining a reliable network of trades

3.4Building regulations and compliance - the legal requirements for fire, gas, electrical, and structural safety

4.1Rent collection - the process, arrears management, and pursuing non-payment

4.2Service charge management - the calculation, communication, and accounting for service charges

4.3Property accounts - income and expenditure reporting, financial statements for landlords

4.4Budget management - annual budgets for maintenance and service charges and managing spend against them

5.1Gas safety - annual certificates, record-keeping, and managing non-compliance

5.2Electrical safety - EICR requirements, remedial actions, and compliance records

5.3Energy Performance Certificates - requirements, minimum EPC ratings, and managing compliance

5.4Deposit protection - the tenancy deposit schemes, prescribed information, and dispute resolution

6.1Routine property inspections - frequency, documentation, and handling issues identified

6.2Check-in and check-out - the inventory process, condition reports, and managing disputes

6.3Condition management - maintaining the property to a good standard and addressing deterioration

6.4Dilapidations - assessing damage at the end of a tenancy and managing deposit deductions

7.1Tenant disputes - the common causes, the resolution process, and when to involve lawyers

7.2Section 21 and Section 8 notices - the eviction routes, the process, and the legal requirements

7.3First-tier tribunal - deposit disputes, rent repayment orders, and other tribunal proceedings

7.4Legal compliance in eviction - the strict procedural requirements and the consequences of getting them wrong

8.1Client reporting - regular reporting to landlords on the performance of their portfolio

8.2Landlord communication - keeping landlords informed, managing their expectations, and retaining their business

8.3Investment advice - the property manager contribution to landlord investment decisions

8.4Growing the landlord base - how property managers acquire new management instructions

9.1Leasehold management - the specific obligations and complexities of managing leasehold property

9.2Service charge accounting for leasehold - the legal requirements, the process, and landlord-tenant disputes

9.3Commercial property management - the differences from residential and the specific skills required

9.4Property management technology - software for portfolio management, inspections, and financial reporting

10.1Technical questions - lettings compliance, maintenance management, deposit handling, and financial management

10.2Legal knowledge questions - landlord and tenant law, eviction process, and recent regulatory changes

10.3Scenario questions - managing a difficult tenant, a maintenance crisis, or a landlord complaint

10.4Salary negotiation, evaluating a property management portfolio, and questions that reveal the systems, culture, and growth opportunities in the agency