6 Ways to Deal with Property Management Burnout

Picture this… It’s a bright Monday morning. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. However, Sarah, a property manager, is already longing for the weekend.

For the past seven months she’s been feeling unmotivated and lethargic and she does not understand why. She exhibits signs of being tired, feeling helpless, and trapped. Moreover, she is always counting the hours until she can go home.

Because Sarah is always tired, she constantly bites off her colleagues’ heads. Aside from that, her productivity is at an all time low which leaves her feeling demoralised and in a constant state of exhaustion.

What could possibly be wrong with Sarah?

Burnout

It seems like Sarah is experiencing burnout. According to WebMD, burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. Burnout is often related to one’s work. In an industry bombarded with many stressors such as chasing arrears, dealing with conflicts and managing stacks of different compliance documents, it is not surprising that many property managers often feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to keep up with their landlords and tenants’ incessant demands.

Perhaps the most potent effect of burnout is that it is one of the primary causes of The Great Resignation among property managers. According to the Voice of the Property Manager Report, 12% of property managers intended to leave the industry in 2018. This number ballooned to 23% in 2021.

The same report states that the great resignation is primarily caused by the busy workload and lack of management support which undoubtedly contribute to burnout and even worse mental health struggles.

Symptoms of Burnout

Clearly, burnout is a huge problem in the property management industry. The question now is how can you tell if you or other property managers have it. Healthline has compiled a list of typical symptoms for burnout:

• Exhaustion- This is when your body practically gives up on you because you are both physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted. Physical symptoms may include headaches, stomach aches, and appetite or sleeping changes.
• Isolation- Burnout people feel overwhelmed a lot. Thus, they may stop talking with co-workers, friends, and even family.
• Escapism- People with burnout fantasise about running away to escape the never ending demands of everyday life. In extreme cases, people may resort to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb the emotional pain.
• Irritability- Losing your cool is a common symptom of burnout. Coping with stressors may already start to feel insurmountable that when things do not go as planned it becomes even harder to cope hence making you irritable.

Coping Strategies

• Go back to your purpose- reframing your mindset is one way to cope with burnout. Remember why you entered property management in the first place and you can be reinvigorated with a strength you did not know you have.
• Ask for help- Sometimes you cannot deal with things on your own. Thus, asking for help either from other property managers, management, friends, or family could be the answer to avoid getting burnt out.







• Set boundaries- We all have our own limits. It is important for property managers to be cognizant of these and know how to say no and be firm with it when it no longer becomes feasible to work on more.
• Make time for self-care- Self-care is still such an important part of both physical and mental health. Using your vacation leaves, pursuing a new hobby, or reading a book are just some of the ways you can rest, relax, and reset.
• Talk to a therapist or doctor- A professional opinion is still the best route that you can take in order to address burnout. Medical professionals can provide an objective diagnosis about what you are experiencing and can even provide you with medicine that can help you deal with the symptoms.
• Invest in technology- Technology and automation have made so many jobs a lot easier to do. Thus, to lessen your property management workload and ease your mind, it might be time to find property management software for your agency. For example, SimpleRent.com.au, a digital lease and property payment automation software, will help you streamline your rental operations with just a few clicks.

Burnout is genuinely a huge problem that many property managers face. While extremely difficult, it is not impossible to overcome. So hang in there champ. You are gonna do great things and achieve many milestones.