Student Residence Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a proactive, resilient, and student-focused Property Manager to
oversee the day-to-day operations of a student residence building. The primary
objective is to maintain a safe, conducive, and vibrant living environment that
supports academic success. This role blends traditional property management with
hospitality, tenant relations, and strict adherence to South African rental and safety
regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Facilities Management

• Manage all maintenance requests via a ticketing system (e.g., MRI, Yardi, or
  similar), ensuring emergency repairs (plumbing, electrical, security) are resolved
  within 24 hours.
• Conduct weekly and monthly property inspections (common areas, kitchens,
  bathrooms, and vacant units).
• Oversee outsourced service providers: cleaning staff, waste removal,
  landscaping, and pest control.
• Ensure critical equipment (geysers, prepaid meters, backup water tanks,
  generators/inverters) is serviced and functional.

Student Leasing & Administration

• Drive the annual bed rental cycle: showings, applications, lease signings
  (including Rental Housing Act compliant leases).
• Manage online student application portals and liaise with university
  accommodation offices.
• Enforce lease terms: late payment penalties, visitor policies, noise regulations, and
  damage recovery.
• Prepare and serve required notices: breach of contract, lease non-renewal, and
  eviction notices (in coordination with legal counsel).

Financial Management

• Achieve monthly rental collection targets (minimising arrears, typical in student
  market).
• Manage utility recoveries (water, electricity, refuse) – ensuring sub-metering or
  ratio billing is compliant with the Property Practitioners Act.
• Control operational expenditure (OPEX) against budget; approve small works up
  to a set limit.
• Prepare monthly income/expense reports and variance analysis.

Student Life & Conflict Resolution

• Act as primary on-site contact for student residents, parents, and university liaison
  officers.
• Implement and enforce the House Rules (quiet hours, guest policies, curfews
  where applicable).
• Mediate roommate disputes, noise complaints, and cleanliness issues.
• Coordinate orientation events, safety workshops, and end-of-year vacating
  procedures.

Health, Safety & Compliance (Critical for Student Housing)

• Ensure full compliance with the South African National Standard (SANS 10400) for
  building safety.
• Maintain fire equipment (extinguishers, hose reels, smoke detectors) with monthly
  checks and annual certification.
• Implement and drill the Emergency Action Plan (fire, flood, intruder).
• Manage COA (Certificate of Acceptability) for any communal kitchens; ensure
  compliance with municipal by-laws.
• Maintain POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) compliance regarding
  student data.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Diploma or Degree in Property Management, Real Estate, Business
  Administration, or Hospitality Management.
• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years in property management, with at least 1 year
  specifically in student accommodation, multi-unit residential, or a busy hostel
  environment.
• Legal Knowledge: Working knowledge of the Rental Housing Act, Sectional Titles
  Act (if applicable), Consumer Protection Act (impact on lease terms), and local
  municipal bylaws.
• Systems Proficiency: Experience with property management software (PMS),
  CRM tools, and basic Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP's).
• Must have own reliable transport and a valid Code 8 driver’s license.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Crisis management: Remains calm and decisive during after-hours emergencies
  (burst geyser, power failure, student altercation).
• Student-centric mindset: Understands the unique needs of young adults (often
  first-time renters) while balancing business discipline.
• Assertive & fair: Ability to enforce rules and collect arrears without escalating
  conflict unnecessarily.
• Excellent communicator: Clear in English (written/spoken); additional South
  African languages (isiZulu, Afrikaans, Sesotho) are a strong advantage.
• Technologically agile: Able to manage app-based maintenance, digital leases,
  and online payment portals.