A bonus assignment: question everything
“ByggVesta is growing, and we need to ensure that we work optimally from every perspective. Since I’m new to the industry and came straight from university, my manager wanted me to look at our organization from an outsider’s view — and question the way we do things. For example: Why do we have a particular service contract? When did we last review or re-tender certain operations?”
Her critical eye has already led to improvements:
“Right now, it’s autumn and budget season, so I’ve been focusing on how we collaborate with our finance department. Instead of just defending our numbers, I think we need to cooperate to gain a shared understanding. That gives us better insight into actual outcomes and helps us anticipate costs earlier. Finance isn’t just a follow-up tool — it’s something to work with proactively.”
Building community with “Welcome Hosts”
Martina has also launched an initiative called Welcome Hosts, based on findings from ByggVesta’s latest Safety Report, which showed that relationships with neighbors and landlords are key to how safe residents feel.
“The idea is that someone who already lives in the area can act as a local host — someone new residents can turn to with questions, who can also collect ideas and help organize social activities. It creates safety and a sense of belonging, and hopefully helps reduce loneliness.”
Challenges in property management
“Communication is one of the biggest challenges — especially in areas where not everyone speaks Swedish fluently. Visual tools, like pictures, can be very helpful. Another challenge is the economic climate. Rising costs mean we have to adjust budgets and explain these changes clearly to our tenants so they understand why things happen. We’re also getting more questions about how to reduce electricity use — so we have to stay alert.”
“Communication is everything in this job. Property managers often step in when something has already gone wrong — like a water leak — so it’s vital to explain what’s the tenant’s responsibility versus ours as the landlord. For example, tenants need to report issues right away; otherwise, small problems can turn into major damage that could have been avoided.”
Driven by curiosity and collaboration
“I’m curious and eager to learn. Regardless of age, gender, or background — everyone has something to contribute. In this industry, as a young woman, you’re not always taken seriously, but I believe that inexperience can also be a strength. I have great respect for my senior colleagues and their experience, but we also need them to challenge us younger ones. That’s how we’ll build the next generation of skilled professionals.”
