News and Blogs

11 August 2021
Helping property investors better protect their portfolios - and learn lessons from the impact of Covid-19

By Simon Preston, Commercial Management Surveyor

Increased pressures faced by landlords and the unprecedented uncertainty caused over the past 18 months has seen demand for commercial property management services surge.

With some economists referring to the pandemic as a ‘Black Swan’ - an unpredictable event outside the realms of expectations which carries an extreme impact - we perhaps need to consider whether this was totally unpredictable (scientist would suggest otherwise) and what safeguards could be made should something like this happen again.

Throughout 2020 and into 2021, demand for our advice and services has been high from businesses and property owners who have faced unparalleled uncertainty whilst wrestling with Government guidance and balancing their own welfare needs. 

As we emerge from the imposed restrictions and some element of normality resumes, we are now reviewing what we have all learned from the last 18 months and what resilience measures can be established to mitigate such risks.

There can be no question that the past 18 months have been difficult for many businesses who have suddenly had to adapt to survive.

Landlords have also played their part assisting where they can, with an uncertain future and absolutely no financial assistance from the Government whilst left ‘in the dark’ and not knowing the potential short and long-term impacts on their investments.  

We’re finding an ever-increasing number of investors and landlords coming to us as their property portfolios have either become difficult to manage, or because they are concerned their portfolio may no longer achieve pre-pandemics returns.

This has not been helped with the further moratorium extension until the end of March.

Commercial Management team instructed on iconic Hull buildings

The commercial management team manages a wide variety of portfolios across Hull, the East Riding and Lincolnshire, recently securing contracts at two of Hull’s iconic buildings.

We were instructed by JR Rix & Sons Ltd to manage one of Hull’s most modern office developments, Two Humber Quays, a five-storey office building on the city’s waterfront.

We’re are also managing and instrumentally assisting with the ‘Hammonds of Hull’ development in the city centre on behalf of the owners, as it is transformed to offer a mix of offices, retail and leisure, bringing hundreds of much-needed local jobs.

Being entrusted to look after every aspect of management, from ensuring they are fully compliant and meeting all legal requirements to overseeing the softer aspects such as cleaning, security and grounds maintenance is something we are very proud of, and demonstrates to others the quality of our work.

People want clear, independent and specialist advice and support on how they can best plan for the future, and also want the assurance their portfolios are kept compliant.

With over 25 years’ experience, our Commercial Management team at Garness Jones has an established history of guiding property owners through difficult times and has built a good reputation enhancing the profitability of property portfolios through proactive management, good communication and market knowledge.

We believe that is why more people have turned to us over the past 18 months, for advice and support in situations people have never faced before.