New legislation could lead to increased pressure on property managers, the director of a leading out-of-hours call management company is warning.

Recently introduced requirements from the Housing Secretary will see those responsible for letting out properties have to resolve issues quicker than ever before, with time limits of as little as 24 hours for emergency issues.

Aaron Mcwilliam, Managing Director of PropCall, believes the tight time constraints of Awaab’s Law could affect managing agents’ workloads quickly and drastically, impacting heavily on their ability to switch off outside of working hours.

The strain could be particularly evident on weekends, with the 24-hour turnaround impossible to achieve without having to work during time off.

He said: “Over the last few years – particularly post-pandemic – we have seen employees’ priorities shift, and more people are now looking for flexibility and better work-life balance opportunities from their employer.

“These new regulations could have a negative effect on this, with mounting pressure for property managers to be ‘switched on’ 24/7 in order to deal with any issues and work over the weekend.

“Numerous studies have shown that those with a better work-life balance are more productive and ultimately contribute more to their company as they are able to fully relax and recharge when they are not in the office, giving their best performance when they return to work.”

Offering a better work-life balance was one of the founding principles of PropCall, which provides an out-of-hours call-handling service to estate and letting agents, as well as block management and student lettings companies.

PropCall’s team is made up of property managers who have extensive experience across multiple sectors, and handle calls from tenants, contractors or suppliers outside of your normal office hours, as well as ensuring you never miss a quality lead.

Aaron added: “Utilising support from external companies could be the solution, as it allows staff to hand over the reins after hours and leave their worries at the door. With PropCall, tenants receive expert care, while also getting advice and support for maintenance issues alongside 24-hour emergency contractor call-outs, should they be needed.

“Our unique remote video assistance tool allows us to triage any maintenance issues, helping callers fix remotely where possible and reducing any unnecessary call-outs, so you no longer have to stress about work when you’re not there and can focus on spending time with your loved ones and recharging.”

To find out more visit PropCall.