Construction companies, property developers, architects, surveyors and estate agencies regularly recruit secretarial and administrative candidates who have property related experience. Roles can include architect’s PA, letting negotiators, branch secretary and property manager.

Job description

A Property Secretary is expected to provide general administrative and secretarial support within a company specialising in property, such as an estate agents, a property development company or a property management business.

As well as the normal day to day activities of a secretary, such as diary management, typing documents and filing, property secretaries must also have specific knowledge and experience of the property industry. For example, you could be working for an estate agency and must have a working knowledge of conveyancing, or you could be an employee of a property management company and will need experience of dealing with tenancy agreements and leasehold contracts.

The property industry is diverse in its nature and there are many different types of company requiring secretarial support. Whatever the type of company you're working in, some typical daily duties might include:

• The completion of often complex standard legal documents
• Liaising with tenants and landlords
• Fielding calls from clients
• Registering new sales and lettings leads
• Liaising with solicitors
• The completion of tenancy agreements
• Maintaining the company website
• Audio/Copy typing correspondence
• Maintenance of internal spreadsheets
• Preparing copy for press and online advertising

The hours you'll be required to work will vary from role to role though most will be the standard working week of 35-40 hours. Some property companies will inevitably operate longer days and you'll be expected to accommodate this. Longer hours will often be required, especially during those busy periods when you'll have to work until the job is completed.

Qualifications aren't always deemed necessary and you often fall into the role whilst performing other duties for the company. For example, you could start your career as an admin assistant and then naturally learn the ins and outs of the role before being promoted to a property secretary.

Gaining a qualification in one or more of the well known secretarial courses offered by the likes of Pitmans and OCR will serve you well. In other more specialist property roles where legal knowledge is required, a course such as the Legal Secretary Diploma from Pitmans would improve your chances of landing the job. Some companies will also require you to be degree educated.

Whatever the type of property business you're looking to work for, your future employer will almost certainly be looking for you to demonstrate that you:

• Can work well unsupervised, often under pressure
• Have experience in industry specific software packages such as TRAMPS and Estatecraft
• Are a team player
• Have sound IT skills including strong audio/copy typing
• Are outgoing with top interpersonal skills
• Have a keen eye for detail - you may be required to complete legal documents!

Salary Information

If you've ever bought or rented a property you'll know that where it is usually dictates its price and this is no different from the salary you can expect to earn as a property secretary. As with property prices, London and the South-East are the highest, expect to earn £14-19k at entry level. This can rise to £22-28k for experienced candidates and salaries in the more specialised roles are often advertised at £30-40k.