Leasing Specialist

Roles and responsibilities

1. Marketing and Promoting Properties

• Advertising Vacant Units: Create and post advertisements for vacant properties on various platforms such as websites, social media, and real estate portals.
• Property Tours: Conduct property viewings and tours for prospective tenants, highlighting the features and benefits of the property.
• Promotional Materials: Prepare brochures, floor plans, and other marketing materials to attract potential renters.

2. Tenant Screening and Leasing

• Screen Prospective Tenants: Review tenant applications, verify backgrounds, income, and references, and perform credit checks to ensure they meet the leasing criteria.
• Lease Negotiations: Negotiate lease terms, including rent amounts, lease duration, and other relevant clauses, ensuring both parties agree on the terms.
• Lease Preparation: Draft and prepare lease agreements and ensure all legal requirements are met, including necessary disclosures and documentation.
• Contract Signing: Oversee the signing of leases, collecting security deposits and first-month rent payments.

3. Tenant Relations

• Move-In/Move-Out Coordination: Manage tenant move-ins and move-outs, ensuring smooth transitions. Conduct move-in inspections, providing tenants with keys and property instructions.
• Resolving Tenant Complaints: Address any tenant issues, concerns, or complaints in a timely and professional manner, ensuring tenant satisfaction and retention.
• Lease Renewals: Monitor lease expiration dates and manage the renewal process, negotiating any changes in terms and conditions.

4. Property Management Support

• Property Maintenance Coordination: Communicate with the property management team to ensure maintenance requests or repairs are addressed quickly.
• Inspecting Properties: Conduct regular inspections of properties to ensure they are well-maintained and identify any areas requiring repair or attention.
• Enforcing Lease Terms: Ensure that tenants comply with the terms and conditions of their lease, including payment of rent, maintaining cleanliness, and other policies.

5. Rent Collection and Financial Reporting

• Rent Collection: Oversee the timely collection of rent payments, follow up on late payments, and issue notices as necessary.
• Security Deposits: Manage security deposits, ensuring they are collected, stored, and refunded in accordance with legal guidelines.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare monthly or quarterly reports for property owners regarding leasing activities, occupancy rates, rent collections, and any issues with tenants.

6. Compliance and Legal Knowledge

• Ensuring Legal Compliance: Keep updated on relevant housing laws, landlord-tenant regulations, and fair housing practices. Ensure all leasing activities comply with legal requirements.
• Eviction Process: Initiate and manage the eviction process when necessary, ensuring compliance with legal protocols and notifying property owners and legal teams.

7. Market Research and Pricing

• Market Analysis: Conduct market research to stay informed about competitive rental rates and trends in the local real estate market.
• Setting Rental Prices: Work with property owners to set appropriate rental rates based on market conditions, property value, and location.

Desired candidate profile

1. Education and Experience

• Education: A bachelor's degree in real estate, business administration, property management, or a related field is often preferred.
• Relevant Experience: Prior experience in leasing, property management, or real estate sales is typically desired (1-3 years). Experience in customer service roles can also be beneficial.

2. Key Skills

• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities for interacting with tenants, property owners, and vendors. Ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Negotiation Skills: Proficient in negotiating lease terms and resolving conflicts between tenants and property owners effectively.
• Customer Service Orientation: A strong commitment to providing excellent service to tenants and prospective renters, ensuring their needs are met.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks, schedules, and property listings simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Capable of addressing tenant issues and concerns promptly and effectively, using critical thinking to find solutions.
• Basic Financial Acumen: Understanding of rental pricing, budgeting, and financial reporting, with the ability to assist with rent collection and tracking payments.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with property management software, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and online marketing platforms.

3. Personal Attributes

• Professional Appearance and Conduct: Maintains a polished and professional demeanor, as they represent the property management or real estate company.
• Positive Attitude and Resilience: Exhibits a friendly and approachable manner, even in challenging situations. Ability to handle stress and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Dependability and Integrity: Reliable and trustworthy, with a strong sense of ethics, particularly when handling financial transactions and tenant information.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing lease agreements, applications, and financial documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: Open to change and able to adjust strategies based on market trends or organizational needs.

4. Additional Certifications (Optional)

• Real Estate License: Depending on local laws, a real estate license or certification in property management can be beneficial or required.
• Professional Designations: Membership in professional organizations such as the National Apartment Association (NAA) or the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) can enhance credibility.