Should landlords use a professional residential lettings property management company in York?
By Helen Quickfall, Manager
Professional property management can often be overlooked and considered to be an ‘additional expense’ by many residential lettings landlords – but the time and work required to stay compliant alone, without expert support, can be a challenge.
In our experience, the biggest concern for landlords when considering instructing a management company is whether they will genuinely care for their properties, and maintain them to a high standard.
Many worry their property will become lost in a sea of others and won’t be managed and maintained with the level of commitment as they would as owners, from overseeing general repairs and tenant referencing to future maintenance, future-proofing and legal compliance.
It is why at Gro Residential Management, we have made maintaining properties like they are our own a key performance indicator.
We’re not by any means the biggest management agent in the business, but we’re not small either, and our size, and the experience of our team, makes us perfectly placed to provide a bespoke service to our clients.
Having an excellent understanding of properties – be it just one or dozens – and ensuring excellent relationships with tenants, is key.
Careful planning of works, fast action when there are any faults, and continual checks to ensure properties are being well looked after and remain compliant, helps extend the lifespan and increase the potential income.
For a landlord who is not reliant on a rental income as their primary earnings, a good property manager can take the leg work away from them and prove a vital source of advice on all aspects of making the best of their property.
Keeping tenants happy – the key to residential lettings success
Tenants are as important to a landlord as their properties.
If a tenant is happy and their expectations are managed, a landlord is more likely to see a beneficial return and an easier life.
At Gro Residential Management we establish these expectations early on from initial vetting and letting, making sure we treat every enquiry as important, so that the tenant immediately feels respected and a part of the property.
By doing this, you quickly establish a relationship whereby the tenant is more likely to treat the property, and those they deal with, in the same manner.
Whilst we are there for the landlord, we are also of a mind that we are helping a tenant find their next home, however long that may be for, and so we commit to finding a place which suits them – not just a property which is available at that time.
If maintaining a property is stressful for a landlord, it can be just as stressful for the tenant living there.
We have found that the better the relationship, the more a tenant will care and protect their home, resulting is less headaches for the landlord through the years.
Keeping compliant in world of changing regulations
Keeping compliant is the biggest struggle for landlords who manage their own properties in the present day.
There are so many potential trips-falls for a landlord in modern times, especially one who has a number of properties, and the management of lettings is not their main work focus or income.
We ensure we remain on top of all requirements for properties by using a dedicated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, which ensures no inspection or certification is ever missed.
Relationships with contractors and trusted tradespeople are also key, as having a contractor readily, available and well-versed in the process of accessing and liaising with tenants is important.
Again, a good knowledge of and relationship with tenants can definitely contribute to this. It is why we like to know our tenants personally, so we are aware of any specific needs when contractors attend at their home, or perhaps if extended notice periods are required when requesting access, for those not great on communication.
Residential lettings management specialists in York
In York, no two properties are the same, even if they are in the same building.
Each property has its own history and each landlord has their own distinctions, but all have the same goal in mind, to maximise returns from their property short and long term.
Given York is such a diverse and historic city, there is always a fine balance to be found between properties being a part of the city’s history, and meeting modern standards and expectations.
Within the city centre there are examples of every property imaginable, and our team can be working on a new modern apartment one minute, and an 18th century cottage the next.
There is a large sense of pride from everyone in York, landlord or not, which definitely impacts how our clients wish to have their properties managed.
We are delighted to be working in York and bringing the standard that we have become known for in Hull and the East Riding to the city, and North Yorkshire.
We are here to help landlords manage their properties in a way that achieves maximum rent, with minimum action, helping protect the longevity of the properties and their tenancies.
