Leading Colchester-based property managers PMS Managing Estates has secured a number of new contracts across Essex despite a challenging year interrupted by Covid-19 restrictions.
Although lockdowns and self-isolating posed problems for property managers and contractors to visit the nearly 150 developments managed by PMS across East Anglia, London and beyond, Director Liam Furr was able to add a range of new and historic properties to the company’s portfolio.
Liam explained: “2020 was difficult for property management with staff working from home and unable to visit leaseholders. There has also been a greatly increased need for assistance because so many people have been working from home.
“Our portfolio has seen a huge increase during the winter for reactive repairs and maintenance provided by contractors who are themselves experiencing scheduling and logistical issues due to lockdown and, where needed, self-isolation.
“We are proud to have taken on new responsibilities for people’s homes across Essex and London and we remain committed to the same high standards of professional and responsive service.”
Working with developers to take on management of communal areas on new estates still under construction is a major part of PMS’ business. In the last year PMS forged a partnership with leading developer Crest Nicholson to manage a 50-home development, The Burrows in Earls Colne. PMS took responsibility for maintaining roadways and service areas while the houses were still being completed.
PMS is also working with Essex-based Troy Homes to manage the communal areas of new apartments and houses in Gidea Park and Theydon Bois.
Catherine Carey, Sales & Administrator Co-ordinator from Troy Homes said: “We have worked with PMS since 2018 after we received their details from another residential housing developer. PMS were tipped as being one of the best managing agents for new-build properties and they have certainly lived up to this expectation.
“We have been pleased to engage PMS with all our new-builds in Essex and North London since early 2019. We will continue to work with them for the foreseeable future.”
Historic properties with fascinating stories also feature prominently in PMS’ portfolio with recent contracts including working with the residents’ Right to Manage company overseeing the 115-year-old former grammar school, subsequently Tabor High School, in Braintree.
Developed into luxury apartments in 2017, Tabor House leaseholders formed a Right to Manage Company and appointed PMS as their property managers in late 2019.
PMS has also been appointed as property managers for a recently-completed development of 12 luxury apartments at Altura Place in Great Dunmow. The Art Deco-style 1930s building was formerly a well-known garage and its distinctive appearance has been maintained.
A 17-home development, built as part of the conversion of a Grade II listed kiln and former maltings on Manningtree waterfront also became part of PMS’ property management portfolio late last year. This development, which had been self-managed for many years, appointed PMS due to ever-changing legislative requirements for residential property.
The company has also taken on management responsibility for a number of former high-street properties throughout Essex which have had their upper floors converted to homes. This strategy is proving increasingly popular with developers as town-centre development opportunities become scarcer.
One such collection of apartments managed by PMS is being developed by Essex-based Brodie Property Group, close to Chelmsford Station, with the ground floor continuing to provide retail space.
Find out more about the services provided by PMS Managing Estates.
Photo: PMS Managing Estates has been appointed to manage roadways and service areas at The Burrows in Earls Colne.
