Estates officer
Estates officers are responsible for managing and upkeeping land and property that belongs to local councils and public bodies.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day duties you could:
- organise and check repairs and maintenance
- check that properties are being used correctly
- deal with tenancy applications and agreements
- set and review rent prices
- negotiate and advise on buying property
- work with other departments and organisations
- analyse financial and other data
- write and present reports
- keep up to date with building controls and environmental issues
Working environment
You could work in an office or from home.
Your working environment may be at height and outdoors some of the time.
Career path and progression
With experience, you may be able to become a manager or specialise in a particular department or area, for example:
- rural estates
- charities or housing associations
- heritage or conservation sites
You may be able to take short courses as part of your job that will help you develop specialist skills.
The public sector often hires private companies to complete their estate work. This means there may be opportunities to move between the private and the public sector.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- business management skills
- administration skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
Learning to drive can be useful, particularly if you're working in the countryside or across several sites.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- building services engineering
- surveying
- construction management
- facilities management
You could do a qualification by distance learning through the University of the Built Environment.
You can also complete courses full time or part time. Flexible study may be an option if you're already working in the industry.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You may be able to take an advanced apprenticeship as a facilities supervisor or a higher apprenticeship as a facilities manager. You could do this while working in an estates office.
It will usually take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could apply directly if you've got experience and qualifications in a related career like property management, building health and safety or surveying.
Career tips
This job can vary depending on where you work. As an example, working in local authority or NHS buildings may be different to working in a charity, with a conservation group or on heritage sites.
Further information
You can find out more about training and working in estate management through the Chartered Institute of Building and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.