Why appoint a commercial property manager in the first place?
An investor’s motivation for appointing a commercial property manager varies depending on the situation and the investor profile. Private investors, SMSFs, syndicates or funds all have their own motivations, complexities and specific needs.
Other factors also at play can include whether an investor is based locally, interstate or overseas.
Generally, though, a property manager’s core duties remain the same—rent collection, payment of outgoings along with the generation of outgoings annual budgets and reconciliations, property maintenance, lease renewals and tenant retention.
At its heart, the decision to appoint a commercial property manager is about protecting and maximising the return on investment (ROI) while preserving—and ideally enhancing—the capital value of the asset. It’s also about freeing the property owner from the daily demands and distractions of management.
The thought of switching commercial property managers might seem daunting, but once the initial resistance has been overcome and the decision to commit to change has been made, it’s actually a fairly simple process—and our team are here to guide you through it step by step.
If you appoint Perth Commercial Property, we can take care of the entire changeover process for you. From liaising with the outgoing agent, to notifying and meeting with the tenant to ensure a smooth transition.
When to consider changing property managers?
Generally, property owners who approach us about a change in property management fall into two broad categories
- They are self-managing, and the time has come to hand the reins over to professional managers
- They have become dissatisfied with their current property management service provider
Either of the above can result in poor outcomes over the long term, but let’s explore
1. Self-management first:
We believe the “it takes a village to raise a child” mantra applies to commercial property. In our experience, it takes a team to manage a highly performing commercial property potfolio.
The task of self-managing a commercial property—whether by choice, or if the role has been thrust upon you due to family or other circumstances—is a burden, often falling upon a single individual to shoulder the bulk of the work.
Although it’s not impossible for one person to be invoicing, managing rental arrears, outgoings recovery, compliance, insurance, property maintenance, rent reviews etc… that person will be stretched very thin and likely be unable to give the critical areas of asset management the attention they deserve.
We have invested years into building a strong, experienced team of property professionals, both internal and external to our business, including Commercial Property Managers, Property Management Assistants, accounts personnel, property lawyers, valuers, maintenance contractors, inspectors and insurance brokers who are experts in their respective fields.
When appointed, we are often able to deploy our expertise—and the expertise of those trusted professionals around us—to make dramatic improvements, turning things around quickly and setting the asset and tenancy back on track.
2. Dissatisfied with the current managing agent
Whether they have ceased to be proactive, or communication has fallen away… trust, once eroded, is a hard thing to re-establish.
If complacency has set in, and you have lost faith in your managing agent, it might be time for a change.
Below are some of the key areas that prompt property owners to look for an improved level of service:
Communication and responsiveness
Some property managers avoid difficult conversations or delay communication when they can’t deliver a desired result, creating frustration for owners and tenants alike.
We aim to remain accessible and responsive while dedicating time to high-value tasks such as tenant retention, income optimisation, critical property maintenance and arrears follow-up. We have the right people to balance important strategic work with urgent day-to-day needs.
Accuracy and attention to detail
Due to the larger values involved in commercial property, even small oversights can have major financial consequences.
For example, overlooking or miscalculating a rent review on a $200k per year commercial tenancy by a few percent can have a major flow-on impact.
Our Director and Licensee, Anna Valentine, is a Chartered Accountant with a background in Audit (Manager level) at PwC. Attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy are in Perth Commercial Property’s DNA.
Staff turnover
High turnover is one of the most common complaints we hear from property owners: “My property manager keeps changing—I don’t even know who I’m supposed to deal with anymore.”
This is often a symptom of a high-volume, low-fee agency model. When property managers are overworked or unsupported, turnover rises, leading to poor outcomes for both landlords and tenants.
At Perth Commercial Property, we prioritise staff satisfaction and retention. We offer a supportive work environment that values autonomy and balance. As a result, our team turnover is well below industry norms.
Happy team, happy clients.
Common Myths About Changing Property Managers
Despite the benefits, many landlords hesitate to switch commercial property managers due to persistent myths. Let’s clear a few up:
Myth 1: “Changing property managers will upset my tenant.”
Tenants are often relieved by the change, especially if the outgoing manager was difficult to deal with. We prioritise tenant engagement, meeting the tenant early and managing the transition professionally. A well-managed property benefits everyone.
Myth 2: “It’s too much hassle.”
We hear this one a lot. But the truth is, once you’ve appointed us, we handle everything—notifying the outgoing agent, collecting documents, transferring funds. You won’t be burdened with administrative tasks.
Myth 3: “I’m locked into a contract and can’t change.”
This varies contract-to-contract. We will happily review your current agreement and advise you on your options.
Myth 4: “It’s easier to just wait and see if things improve.”
If you’re already dissatisfied, improvement is unlikely without a significant change. Meanwhile, your property’s performance will continue suffering.
Myth 5: “All property managers are the same.”
They’re not. Service quality, communication, attention to detail, care factor, and proactivity vary widely. We pride ourselves on our boutique, hands-on service tailored to each client. Our long-term client relationships, low team turnover, and strong Google reviews reflect this.
Is changing Commercial Managing Agent difficult?
Not at all. Once we are formally appointed, we can manage the entire process. If you prefer, we can contact the outgoing agent on your behalf, arrange file and bond transfers, notify the tenant and set up an in-person meeting.
Our focus is on making the transition seamless for both owner and tenant.
Get in touch today to see if we are the right fit and how simple we can make the process.