Staff Spotlight: Amber Rabbett

How long have you been with IHS?

I started with Ideal in late May 2019.

In your new position as branch manager, what duties are you required to do in this role?

The role is vast and varied. No two days are the same! In short, I assist the Managing Director, Kris,
in managing all operational aspects including lettings, property management, marketing and
customer service. I also manage staff members within the business and hope to bring out the best of
the office by providing training and coaching to assist with development and motivation.
Our lettings department is broken into different subsections. We have the Houses of Multiple
Occupation (HMO’s) which is split into students & professionals, residential lets & short term lets.
Given the nature and high turnover of the HMOs & STL’s, the role requires high levels of
organisation and a positive attitude to ensure things run efficiently.

Since first starting at IHS, how has the company helped you in your career development
to progress to this position?

Ideal House Share have helped me not just professionally, but personally. When I started I lacked confidence and had imposter syndrome. I got the job at 21, I was the youngest applicant. Kris &
Andreya could see what I couldn’t and helped me become more confident. I had the knowledge and the
attitude, I just needed to apply it. I had weekly tutoring sessions with Andreya and was set off to
begin studying for my Arla Level 3 in Residential Property Lettings & Management and a Level 3
course in Leadership and management. By the end of this, I had solidified my role in Ideal. It was
stressful at times, but I am proud of what I have achieved.

What did your work history look like prior to the new role?

I started work quite young. I had a Saturday job from the age of 15 in a local hairdressers & worked
there for 2 years. At 17 I started my career in lettings, in an apprenticeship in a letting agency in
Chorlton. I spent the vast majority of it dealing and assisting with tenanted properties which went
into receivership. At 19, I then went on to become a property manager of around 40 student HMO’s
in Fallowfield. I conducted viewings, progressed new applications, dealt with maintenance issues,
conducted a high turn over of moves ins/outs within a 24 hour timeframe whilst attending to the
demands of both tenants and landlords. I also ensured that each property was up to date in terms of
safety certificates, met Manchester Council HMO regulations and assisted the council with pre
license inspections.
I now have just under 5 years experience in dealing with HMO’s in South Manchester and would say
this is my area of expertise.

How is working at IHS different from other agent companies you have worked for?

It differs from the rest as it is an independent family run business rather than a corporate or a
franchise. It has a real family feel to working here. We go out for lunches & drinks together as a
team. In terms of property management, we have our maintenance team on payroll. That way, we
dictate their diaries and aren’t waiting for a 3rd part contractor to attend, quote then re-attend. As
we cover the cost of all minor maintenance issues, we don’t need to wait for landlord authorisation
to get works done. With these two things in place, we can offer a better and more efficient service
to the tenants and landlords.

What has been the biggest success since working with IHS?

I would say one of the biggest successes is letting all of our rooms. At the start of Summer 2021 we
had around 30-40 rooms available with quite a few due to go into voids. It seemed almost
impossible to get them let and back above board. At the end of August, we had successfully let &
moved in all tenants with few hiccups. I had never worked in an Estate Agents before which had no
rooms/ properties available. I don’t think this has ever happened in the history of Ideal.
We also recently won an award at the Greater Manchester Business awards for ‘Lockdown Virtual
Business’. During lockdown, we could no longer operate our social tenant events such as pub
quizzes, tennis matches, BBQ events etc. We took these events virtual! We was hosting zoom
quizzes, cooking & baking competitions and doing random acts of kindness such as dropping off a
hamper of food to our houses. It felt great to have this recognised!