Urban Status

Bizcommunity: #LockdownLessons: Scrap the normal way of doing business, says Devmarks’ Heinrich Ehlers

Johanna — Wed, 13 May 2020 14:06:39 +0000

Bizcommunity: #LockdownLessons: Scrap the normal way of doing business, says Devmarks’ Heinrich Ehlers

Heinrich Ehlers, MD of Devmark Property Management, was approached by Bizcommunity to share his experience of the current Covid-19 crisis as part of their #LockdownLessons series.

Find the full article here: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/570/203776.html

What was your initial response to the crisis/lockdown and has your experience of it been different to what you expected?

Heinrich Ehlers: My initial response was panic. But then I took a few days to think about how our daily lives will be during the lockdown and what we’ll need as a company in order to continue with business. I planned in advance, wrote it all down and after everything was in place, I felt much more at ease.

Comment on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on your company or economy as a whole.

Ehlers: We deal with a big social housing project in Bellville South and rely on physical workshops in order to get the public’s interest and to process applications. With the lockdown being in place, we had to change our entire approach. We had to offer the workshops and our applications on digital platforms. In fact, the lockdown has forced us to think outside the box and subsequently has helped improve our business. The lockdown has also made us realise that one doesn’t always need a physical meeting, sometimes it can be as easy a quick video call.

How is your company responding to the crisis

Ehlers: The biggest challenge is to stay motivated and keep our staff motivated. The initial 21-day lockdown was a shock. When they extended it for another two weeks it made it even more difficult to stay positive. Our company has adapted well to the new working conditions even though I realise some people have more difficult environments at home than others. I try to consider everyone’s home environment before I give them something to do.

Comment on the challenges and opportunities.

Ehlers: As mentioned above, the biggest challenge is staying motivated and the temptation is always there to rather sit on the couch and watch a series. I try to break my day into smaller sections and work to achieve small goals set daily.

As they start easing the restrictions on lockdown, more and more sectors in the economy can start trading. We’re investigating whether we can tap into those sectors to allow us to expand our business.

How has the lockdown affected your staff? / What temporary HR policies have you put in place regarding remote working, health & safety, etc.?

Ehlers: As previously mentioned, our staff all have different situations at home. For some it may be easy to work from home and others find it exceedingly difficult with a full house and not much space to sit and work. We try and stay conscious of everyone’s personal living situations and make the best of it.

We’ve had to make small cuts to salaries, but have also applied to UIF for the shortfall. We have purchased a thermo temperature scanner for the office when we can go back. We have also installed hand sanitisers and we’ll be sanitising the office daily.

No-one is allowed to come to the office if they have any symptoms of any virus or even bacterial infection and everyone has to wear masks. Staff will be placed two metres apart from each other and no lunchtime gatherings will be allowed.

How are you navigating ‘physical distancing’ while keeping your team close-knit and aligned and your clients happy?

Ehlers: The physical distancing is easy as we operate 100% remotely. The only time we need to go out for work is if there is an emergency. Then we make sure we use masks and carry hand sanitisers with us. We stay in constant contact with staff and clients via email, phone and video calls.

Have you had to change the way you work?

Ehlers: Yes, I have. I try to break my day into smaller sections and set small goals. Once I’ve achieved a specific goal, I’d get up and walk around for 10 minutes and then go back to work. I spend a lot of my time on video calls and constantly try to find innovative ways to improve our business during lockdown.

Has this global crisis changed your view of the future of the industry in any way?

Ehlers: The property management industry I do believe won’t change much. There will always be a need to manage a building and for personal client/tenant interaction. I can’t see landlords starting to manage all their own properties as some own numerous buildings and have big property portfolios. They simply don’t have the expertise or staff to manage these properties by themselves.

Any trends you’ve seen emerge as a result of the crisis?

Ehlers: I do see a decline in the demand for office space. There will always be a demand for office space, but you’ll start seeing companies opting for smaller spaces and work-from-home options. We’re also looking at the shared office scenario. With staff on a rotation basis, the opportunity to rent out desks on a daily basis seems like a lucrative idea.

Your key message to those in the property sector?

Ehlers: It costs more money to get rid of a tenant and find a new one. Rather try and agree on a reduced rental term and a repayment plan. The property sector is going to get worse before it gets better. My dad, Hein, always told me when everyone is brave, it’s time to be scared and when everyone’s scared, it’s time to be brave. There will be opportunities in the next six to eight months that we wouldn’t have had, had it not been for Covid-19.

What do you predict the next six months will be like

Ehlers: It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Many businesses currently have no income and people are losing their jobs. Scrap the normal way of doing business. It’s a time of finding innovative ways of generating income. Even if it’s outside our field of expertise. We all have to go beyond our comfort zone to ensure we generate income during these difficult times. There is going to be an oversupply of workforce in most sectors and business owners must start thinking of ways to expand their business and to help ringfence the spiralling unemployment.

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Advertisement Announcing Anchorage Rentals

Johanna — Wed, 13 May 2020 13:34:31 +0000

Advertisement Announcing Anchorage Rentals

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Delivery of first units in new social housing project expected in April

Johanna — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 18:54:59 +0000

Delivery of first units in new social housing project expected in April

“It is very exciting to see the Glenhaven social housing project progressing well and that the work is on track. This means that we are one step closer to seeing the plans for this project become a reality and for our qualifying beneficiaries to move into their new homes,” said Councillor Booi.

Find the original full article here:

https://www.da.org.za/government/where-we-govern/2020/01/delivery-of-first-units-in-new-social-housing-project-expected-in-april

On Thursday, 16 January 2020, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, visited the Glenhaven social housing project which comprises several different types of housing opportunities to check on its progress. The first social housing units in this Bellville South project at a total cost of approximately R190 million are expected to be handed over in April this year.

The City’s Glenhaven project comprises of 512 social housing opportunities as well 253 Gap rental housing units. The City expenditure on this partnership project of R67 million includes money allocated for the earthworks; internal civil engineering services for the provision of water, sanitation and roads; electricity reticulation; street lighting and the units.

Through the development process, the City has assisted the not for profit social housing institution Urban Status Rentals with all the funding and statutory applications to enable the successful delivery of the housing units.

Councillor Booi was joined by Ward Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith (Ward 9) to check on the progress of the project. The construction of the top structures for the social housing opportunities commenced in October 2018 and is expected to be completed in April 2020. The construction of the Gap rental housing units was completed in February 2019 and units are already tenanted.

‘It is very exciting to see the Glenhaven social housing project progressing well and that the work is on track. This means that we are one step closer to seeing the plans for this project become a reality and for our qualifying beneficiaries to move into their new homes,’ said Councillor Booi.

The City and its partners have 28 social housing projects in the planning or construction phases and five social housing projects comprising of over 2000 units have been completed to date. The City’s commitment to affordable housing in and near urban centres aims to develop greater spatial equality in Cape Town.

The City’s Gap housing market is made up of households which earn between R3 501 and R22 000 per month, and do not qualify for a full housing subsidy. However, these households are eligible for a range of partial housing subsidies and programmes. Registration on the City’s Housing Database is essential.

The selection of beneficiaries for all City housing projects is done in accordance with the City’s Allocation Policy and the City’s Housing Database to ensure that housing opportunities are allocated to qualifying beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner.

‘We are aware of the housing need that exists in our city and the impact that housing can have on the lives of our residents. As an inclusive and caring City, we are committed to service delivery through the provision of several different types of housing opportunities, including affordable rental housing and Gap housing opportunities, to some of our more vulnerable residents. We are going to have to explore all options if we are to cater to the growing accommodation need in our city. We encourage all relevant private sector players to partner with us and to support us to make Cape Town a greater and more resilient city. Thank you to all our existing partners and I hope we can continue on this path of collaboration,’ said Councillor Booi.

Information about social housing

Social housing is rental or co-operative housing for low and lower income households earning between R1 501 and R15 000 per month
It is managed by accredited social housing institutions (SHIs)
SHIs are solely dependent on rental income. They receive no operational grants. They are able to service their debt finance through rental income
As with any rental contract, tenants formally enter into lease agreements. The landlord is the SHI.
If tenants do not adhere to their lease agreements, the responsible SHI will follow the necessary legal process. Tenants must therefore pay to stay
The City has nothing to do with the day-to-day management of SHIs, the rental amount or evictions for not paying
Before potential beneficiaries can apply for social housing, they are required to register on the City’s Housing Database
Projects are developed on well-located, accessible land in and near urban centres
It is not low-income subsidised government housing, such as Breaking New Ground (or the commonly called RDP housing and it is not City Council Rental Units)
It is managed with 24-hour security and access control
The City may sell City-owned land at a discounted price for social housing developments to make projects economically viable
Social housing offers improved access to social facilities and other amenities
A single grant subsidy can benefit on average five households versus one household for Council rental units
Social housing adds value to vacant pieces of land
Social housing has the potential to improve property prices in an area

For additional information, please visit:

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