Principle Estate Management has appointed an experienced property inspector to help manage its fast-growing portfolio.
Angela Locke has joined the Birmingham-based company after many years working in the property sector, including spells on estate management and residential lettings with Cluttons and Leaders. Principle is already using the Qube site inspection app to make thorough inspections of all properties on a controlled frequency.
Ms Locke’s new role will be to oversee this activity, also meeting contractors and residents on site when needed to review standards or discuss repairs.
Ian Smallman, director at Principle, said: “It’s important to ensure that all of Principle’s sites are visited in accordance with the contract as a minimum, with additional inspections as required.”
“We see many agents not undertaking routine inspections when we take over existing developments. We feel it’s a good solution to have a dedicated property inspector and are pleased Angela is joining us to improve visibility for our customers.”
Principle routinely inspects properties in line with management agreements, mostly on a six-weekly frequency although some are monthly or quarterly. The bespoke surveys ensure full quality checks, looking at building conditions for long-term property maintenance planning, identifying any reactive or proactive maintenance requirements and checking the quality of any recently carried out repairs.
The inspections also monitor standards of services such as cleaning and grounds maintenance, and check compliance issues for health and safety, and fire regulations. The Qube app surveys are immediately fed back into Principle’s office system, with pdf-style reports available to clients, flagging up any maintenance issues for the office team to instruct contractors.
Ms Locke said: “I’m thrilled to be working for a new and ambitious business which is already differentiating itself from the norm.”
“Undertaking inspections is an important part of the overall property management function, and I look forward to helping develop this aspect of quality at Principle.”
Brett Williams, managing director at Principle, explained that as well as regular inspections a director visits all sites on at least an annual basis.
He said: “Angela’s background in both estate management and residential lettings with Cluttons and Leaders is superb.”
“We’re all about high standards and Angela is a great fit in our ever-expanding team of quality people.”
Principle Estate Management was launched last year by Mr Williams, the former head of residential property management at CPBigwood. The company, based at Cornwall House in Lionel Street, Birmingham, offers a national property management service.
