Business Central July 2021

84 | New approach to rental management PROPERTY Tommy’s Real Estate Tommy’s Property Management recently hosted a successful landlord event in Lower Hutt. W ellington Real Estate company Tom- my’s Real Estate began 21 years ago, however just four years ago Harrison Vaughan started the rental division called Tommy’s Property Management and ever since, has marked his stamp on how the company goes about its business. “I am the youngest person owning a proper- ty management company and given my IT ca- pabilities have revolutionised how we engage with both property owners and those renting,” Harrison explains. Tommy’s Property Management was the first company in the world to use artificial intelligence software, developed by Harrison, for managing maintenance. This piece of brilliance won him the Real Estate Institute Innovation Award. Harrison believes that by using software systems to their fullest he and the team are able to deliver the best service possible, in real time. In April, he launched a new capability called IVal which provides owners with a digital mortgage valuation right up to the minute. “They can know what their property is now valued at, giving them an opportunity to take advantage of increased equity.” With this information readily available prop- erty owners can potentially take advantage of increased equity. Two years ago, in partnership with an Auck- land firm Harrison created The Dashboard, a user-friendly access system for property owners. It can inform them if their tenants are up to date with payments, depreciate the value of white-ware and provide a whole raft of useful information on which the owner can base future decisions. In February this year Harrison launched The Dashboard at a Property Management Conference. “This is what I’m really interested in; using my skills to create software systems for others in the industry to access, to revolutionise how they practice property management and pro- T T Sue Russell vide a better service to their clients. That’s the direction I’m heading in more and more.” Tommy’s Rentals has a team of 8 full time staff and offer their property management services to owners throughout Wellington and up to Levin. While that’s a large geographic Harrison says the key focus area is Wellington itself. In his role as owner his main aim is to ensure the team have the tools to work as efficiently as possible and while the current sector is residential property Harrison intends to move in time into commercial property management. Asked what skills and aptitudes he is looking for in his team Harrison says it comes down to some very important essentials. “They have to be capable of working inde- pendently and be totally responsible for their portfolio. “That involves great time management skills. You also have to be good with people, given the types of issues you are often faced with. “You’re dealing with often the most expen- sive asset for the owner and the most impor- tant place for the tenant.” And when things go wrong, as they occa- sionally do, it’s important to be able to deliver bad news to the owner. Able Whiteware Ltd 250 North Service Lane, Levin, 5510 ph: (06) 367 0788 email: service@ablewhiteware.co.nz www.ablewhiteware.co.nz Genuine Parts | Servicing most Brands Covering Horowhenua and Kapiti SLIDING ROLLER DOORS GETTING HARDTO SLIDE? Time to replace your rollers and or casements to rejuvenate your door so they can slide with ease! Horowhenua’s experts in aluminium window repairs • Aluminium sliding doors, roller replacements and handles • Window stays and/or security stays and handle replacements • Enhance your kitchen with a sophisticated glass splashback • Frameless glass showers and balustrade installations 06 390 4392 o ce@hms.co.nz Levin, Horowhenua