The economic challenges that South African businesses faced in 2020 have had significant knock-on implications for the commercial property sector. Poised for recovery this year, Craig Mott, Cape Town Regional Sales Manager for the Rawson Property Group says now is the time to regroup, to reassess the situation and most importantly, to keep an attentive hand on commercial investments.
“The pandemic has been a big wake-up call for the commercial property sector. It has really driven home the need for agility, adaptability, and empathy and the most successful landlords and investors are the ones embracing creative solutions to support their tenants and, as a result, preserve their properties’ income” he says.
However, 2021 will produce a tough economic climate for South African businesses and commercial property landlords will be focusing on the following areas to thrive in these conditions:
Flexibility and trend awareness
Flexible footprints and lease contracts have become increasingly desirable for commercial tenants. If handled strategically, this kind of adaptability could be a powerful tool for landlords.
“Landlords who are able to accommodate some levels of adaptability are going to find it easier to retain tenants and to attract new ones. The more in-touch landlords are with tenant trends and preferences, the more desirable their properties will be,” says Mott.
“Tenants may even be willing to pay a little bit more for the peace of mind of knowing they have options if their situation changes. This can be a useful way to balance the more hands-on management required.”
Maintenance
When budgets are stretched, delaying property maintenance can seem like an easy solution. However, failing to keep commercial properties in good shape is never a smart choice cautions Mott.
“Poorly-maintained properties do not just struggle to attract tenants, they also lose out on capital growth and achieve poor rental escalation,” he says. “Now is not the time to put that kind of pressure on a commercial property investment. Rather, set aside a budget for property maintenance and ensure this is carried out timeously by good quality contractors. Your profits will reflect these efforts in the long term.”
Vacancy marketing
Securing good commercial tenants takes time under the best of circumstances. Things can move even more slowly mid-pandemic. Mott says it is essential for landlords to act quickly in the event of a lease cancellation.
“It has never been more important to advertise a property the moment you receive notice of a lease cancellation,” says Mott. “Finding good tenants is difficult at present, and you definitely don’t want to compromise on tenant quality or vetting just to fill a vacancy sooner.”
Mott also stresses the importance of quality marketing on the right platforms and partnering with an experienced commercial real estate broker.
“Speed is useless if your property is not showcased to its full potential, or if your marketing does not reach the right eyes,” he says.
Tenant Management
When good tenants are few and far between, retaining the ones you already have should be a priority. This, Mott says, requires much more proactive engagement from landlords and/or property managers, as well as empathy and open-mindedness during negotiations.
“Tenants who feel like their landlord has their back are a thousand times more likely to extend their lease than those who feel like just another number in a ledger,” says Mott. “Have a conversation, reach out, human-to-human. A little bit of kindness doesn’t have to affect your bottom line.”
“Commercial property has always been a high-risk, high-reward investment. This is as true today as it has ever been. Investors who can avoid the most common pitfalls and adapt to the shifting landscape have every reason to be optimistic for a profitable year” he concludes.
