MIPIM 2022 (21 MB)

management the beginning of the pandemic
was especially stressful and a very
demanding time. The positive thing about it,
however, was that we all learned to deal with
it and found a way to keep motivation high
by it holding together. Employee leadership
is always important, even more so in
challenging times. I also came from a small
structure to a very large one - but with Bruno
Schwendinger, I have had a long-standing,
experienced colleague at my side with whom
I can and want to move a lot.
Back to the pandemic - it has not been
an easy time for property managers in
particular. Did you have to conduct
a lot of negotiations regarding rent
reductions?
The employees in property management
were required to prepare a lot of data and
information as a basis for decision-making
for the owners. Managers, accountants
and our legal department were also heavily
involved. Negotiations were conducted by
the owner-managed asset management
team. There were very intensive and lengthy
negotiations, especially in the retail and
hotel sectors. However, it also resulted in a
win-win situation for tenants and owners.
Both sides have learned the value of interacting
with each other again, especially in
such difficult times, and are stronger going
into the future. At the beginning of the
pandemic, no one knew where the journey
would lead. I can still remember exactly
when the then Minister of Justice, Alma
Zadic, announced that tenants would no
longer have to pay rent. How is that going to
work, we all asked ourselves. In the end one
thing must be said in no uncertain terms:
landlords have been left high and dry‚ by the
government.
We have mastered this challenge as well.
Another aspect that became clearly evident -
If there is a dispute, the lease agreement or an
extension also stands on shaky ground.
How did you deal with the issue of rent
reduction? In the eyes of the public,
property administrators per se are to blame
for everything. Do you always understand
all decisions made by owners?
There are many reasons why owners make
decisions, often in the background are financing,
investment strategies, rental packages,
etc. The administrator makes recommendations,
but the decision is up to asset management.
It is the subtle skill of the building
administration to let the tenant feel that
you as a manager are dealing with the issue.
At the same time, to prepare the issues for
the owner so that he can decide quickly and
respond to the tenants’ needs and concerns.
myhive am Wienerberg | myhive Ungargasse
Eine Marke der IMMOFINANZ
MIPIM | 2022 13