AVRIL VAN DER MERWE
PROPERTY MANAGER / BRANCH MANAGER / ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Umhlanga,KZN
Summary
A very organized and friendly person who usually settles in quickly and builds meaningful relationships with clients and fellow colleagues. I am a diligent individual with a passion for Management, customer service & properties.
I will be emigrating to the UK at the beginning of 2026 and hope to secure a rewarding role in a supportive company.
Experienced with overseeing multiple properties, ensuring efficient operations and tenant satisfaction. Utilizes effective communication and organizational skills to manage maintenance, leasing, and administration tasks.
Overview
46
46
years of professional experience
Work History
PROPERTY MANAGER
Bridgemont Property
Remote
01.2018 - Current
- Company Overview: Residential & Industrial Portfolio
- Day to day running of properties belonging to 16 Companies (under one umbrella)
- Dealing with more than 40 tenants, when required
- Meeting with Clients, Tenants, Agents & Contractors
- Drawing up and signing of lease documents
- Carrying out Entry & Exit inspections
- Assisting with debt collections
- Customer service
- Project Managing renovations to properties
- Residential & Industrial Portfolio
- Reason for Leaving: Emigrating to the UK
- Maintained positive landlord-tenant relationships, ensuring clear communication and prompt resolution of any disputes.
- Introduced prospective tenants to types of units available and performed tours of premises.
- Coordinated with maintenance staff to ensure timely completion of repairs, minimizing downtime for tenants and maintaining property aesthetics.
- Maintained original leases and renewal documents in digital and hardcopy format for property management office.
- Followed up on delinquent tenants and coordinated collection procedures.
- Enhanced tenant satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues in a timely manner.
- Monitored progress of construction and maintenance projects and notified appropriate individuals of project updates, delays, and schedule changes.
- Handled tenant complaints promptly and appropriately, calling in repairmen, and other support services.
- Collaborated with real estate agents and brokers to showcase properties effectively, attracting prospective tenants or buyers quickly.
- Fostered positive relationships with tenants and property owners, leading to high retention rates.
- Enhanced tenant satisfaction by addressing and resolving maintenance issues promptly.
- Conducted thorough tenant screenings to ensure reliable and respectful tenant base.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Jacobs Capital
Durban North
10.2016 - 12.2017
- Company Overview: Investment Company
- Investment Company
- Reason for Leaving: Properties sold off - I was employed by the Financial Directors Industrial Property Portfolio company.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
D.W. Properties
Durban, South Africa
11.2005 - 09.2016
- Company Overview: Residential Property Portfolio
- Day to day running of 25 residential & Industrial properties
- Meetings with Contractors, Clients & Tenants
- Drawing up and signing Lease documents
- Co-ordination and managing of projects & renovations
- Implementing procedures and systems
- Marketing & advertising
- Assist with Debt collection
- Conducting credit and reference checks
- General Administration
- Residential Property Portfolio
- Reason for Leaving: Properties were bought by an investment company, and I was asked to join the new company.
BRANCH MANAGER
Media Works
08.1999 - 02.2004
- Company Overview: ABET Education
- I started off as a PA, promoted to Administration Manager and shortly after to the Branch Manager.
- Co-ordinating all branch activities – including setting up, securing trainers and arranging in and out of office training sessions and conferences
- Controlling weekly staff meeting for both branch and sales
- Reporting directly to the Managing Director at Head Office
- Managing 6 permanent staff members and 25 contracted facilitators and monitors
- Compile and submit monthly facilitator salary claims and queries
- Setting and achieving monthly divisional branch and sales quotas
- Setting up the itinerary and attending monthly individual staff meetings with the Managing Director
- Annual staff appraisals
- Petty Cash control and general administration
- Account queries and solutions
- Monitoring stock control
- Attending client meetings
- Handling staff grievances
- ABET Education
- Reason for Leaving: In 2004, my husband was working overseas, and my 2 small children required more of my time.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
The Mailhouse
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Company Overview: Direct Mailing
- Direct Mailing
PERSONAL ASSISTANT / RECEPTIONIST
National Data Systems
01.1984 - 01.1995
- Company Overview: POS & Computer systems
- POS & Computer systems
RECEPTIONIST
NATAL MOTOR INDUSTRIES
01.1980 - 01.1984
- Company Overview: Mercedes Benz
- Mercedes Benz
Education
GCSE / IGCSE -
Mowat Park Girls High
Bookkeeping Diploma - Level 1 - Pastel Accounting Diploma
Business Administration Institute
01.1996
Skills
Attention to detail
Excellent Leadership and Managerial skills
Organizational skills
Excellent people skills
Team player
Business administration
Customer service-focused
PERSONAL DETAILS
British Passport / Citizen
Drivers License B
Timeline
PROPERTY MANAGER
Bridgemont Property
01.2018 - Current
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Jacobs Capital
10.2016 - 12.2017
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
D.W. Properties
11.2005 - 09.2016
BRANCH MANAGER
Media Works
08.1999 - 02.2004
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
The Mailhouse
01.1997 - 01.1998
PERSONAL ASSISTANT / RECEPTIONIST
National Data Systems
01.1984 - 01.1995
RECEPTIONIST
NATAL MOTOR INDUSTRIES
01.1980 - 01.1984
GCSE / IGCSE -
Mowat Park Girls High
Bookkeeping Diploma - Level 1 - Pastel Accounting Diploma
Business Administration Institute