Property manager Kerry Dolan relocated to Cornwall after achieving a media degree from Manchester University over thirty years ago, thanks to a friend’s sudden offer to manage their new student property. Years on, Dolan’s now succeeded in managing 17 student and private rental properties across Falmouth; ranging from hidden bungalows to central town houses. Katie Winsor sat down with her to discuss what her role entails and to learn more about her student properties.
One of Kerry’s student properties in Falmouth.
Where do you live?
Kerry: I live with my family in Falmouth.
How long have you lived here?
Kerry: I’ve lived down here in Falmouth for thirty years, but not in the same property and see no reason to leave currently as I’ve built a community down here.
Describe one of your properties in three words:
Kerry: Well like i guess I’d describe the bungalow cosy, welcoming, hidden .
What sparked your interest in property management and was something you always wanted to pursue?
Kerry: Well prior to my job now, I originally worked in social housing, where I was in charge of helping house and support people in need of a stable home, like people in recovery from addiction. After leaving that role, my friend asked me if I wanted to manage the student property she’d just begun to rent out because of my experience in a similar field and since then, I just haven’t stopped really.
People say what you put in your home makes it your home, does finding and furnishing student properties give you any sentimental attachment to them?
Kerry: No, the furnishings are something I aim to keep simple, practical. So like I always get pieces from a local guy who has a warehouse of furniture for student properties, which is probably why a lot of houses have similar looks. But there are some properties I will never want to get rid of, like there is a student house by the Boathouse that just feels, I guess homey, and every time I visit, the view of the harbour never disappoints me.
Throughout your career, what have been your highs and lows of the job?
Kerry: Well, I’d say my highs have to be that I’m my own boss, which is great. For example, like I get to watch these groups progress and grow as people. Oh and of course the friend ships I’ve made with tenants along the way. And the lows are probably out of control problems with houses like leaky roofs, waiting on landlords and the rarity of having tenants that party a lot and having to deal with noise complaints.
Kerry later went on to explain how she still regularly talks to a number of past tenants and gets updates on their success in their jobs.
Do you believe students should have more freedom in making their rented properties a home to them to ease the process of moving away and how do you feel that could be achieved?
Kerry: Absolutely, I have never understood landlords putting pressure on students to leave the furnishings and blank walls as they are, that feels too much like a hospital room for me. No, I’d prefer students to add personality to the houses, if that’s posters or added furniture. It’s their house at the end of the day and I love tenants like the current one’s in the bungalow who have really made it their own.