JPC opens up to customers
16-10-2014

 

The interactive platform that the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) has come up with to resolve customers’ property-related queries has proved to be a phenomenal success.

 

Every Wednesday, the JPC – the City of Johannesburg’s property arm – holds “open days” at its Braampark, Braamfontein, offices during which all the City’s seven regional directors or their representatives avail themselves for four hours – from 9am to 1pm – to respond to property-related queries that residents might have.

 

Over the past three months – from the beginning of July to the end of September – a total of 2 739 customers have attended the “open days” and have all had their inquiries successfully resolved, according to Engela Niewoudt, the JPC’s Manager: Client Servicing Unit.

 

The “open days” are also used as a platform to discuss new proposals and to provide residents with feedback on their inquiries as well as information on applications that have already been submitted.

 

“This also gives City officials the opportunity to engage with customers and residents in an interactive manner,” says Niewoudt. 

 

The inquiries posed by the customers  pertain to issues such as leases and sales of commercial and residential properties; parking; servitudes; sanitary lanes; encroachments; community facilities such as churches, crèches and sports facilities; outdoor advertising; user agreements and access to information.

 

“Open days give the regional managers and the Client Servicing Unit the opportunity to explain in detail the fees and costs involved [in some of the transactions], and follow-ups on outstanding applications. This also builds a relationship between the customers and our regional managers,” she says.

 

“The aim of  our unit is to ensure speedy and effective resolution of customer queries. It also ensures effective communication, cooperation and accurate information-sharing between the JPC and all stakeholders – the council, municipal-owned entities, the community, councillors, business and non-governmental organisations,” she says.

 

Nieuwoudt adds that the overall experience of the customers who attend the “open days” is positive. These interactions, she says, also help to improve JPC’s service delivery.