10 points to look for

Once you’ve purchased your perfect home-from-home in the sun, who will help you look after it? Given the number of individuals and organisations offering property management, it’s sensible to know what any reputable company would offer you. Elvira-based ‘HomeCareontheWeb’, who claim to care for your property as if it were their own, give Property World readers their own checklist...

1. Regular inspection visits. Time and weather take their toll on every property, so a minimum twice monthly inspection visit to air rooms, and check cleanliness, decor, utilities, and appliances, is a must!

2. Effective communications. A report noting any problems should be available on-line, showing you necessary photographs, e.g. a damp wall, a tree felled by storms, etc.

3. Easy on-line management. You should be able to request services, plan visits, view property reports, and pay bills simply, on-line from your own home, or anywhere in the world!

4. Efficient repairs and maintenance. For remedial work, or services like gardening or pool cleaning, expect to approve a quotation beforehand. In emergencies, like plumbing leaks, immediate action should be taken on your behalf.

5. Stylish refurbishment. Benefit from the company’s relationships with tried and trusted suppliers, whether for furniture packages, kitchen refits, interior design or decoration, or new curtains.

6. Carefree visits. Get the most from your property when you visit! Expect everything arranged for you, including cleaning, making up beds, switching on hot water, and providing a welcome pack with flowers!

7. Secure key-holding. Secure management of your keys is essential, especially when tradesmen have to gain access, or visiting guests need keys on arrival or in an emergency.

8. Timely trouble-shooting. Experienced multilingual staff should be on hand to help you resolve time-consuming issues with local authorities, or electricity and water companies, with the minimum fuss.

9. Knowledgeable information source. Need a babysitter or restaurant recommendation? Want to go flying or sailing? Whatever your request, the company should be able to help you achieve it.

10. Rentals management. If renting your property short or long-term, a company with lettings experience is essential. Expect them to provide you with advice, prepare an inventory and guest manual, and market your property through their website and advertising. Check they manage the entire rental process, from booking and payment, to greeting guests on arrival and being there for them 24/7 throughout their stay!

Looking to Rent Long Term

The dip in the holiday lettings market over the summer months meant a subsequent dip in rental income for many overseas homeowners. As a result, some are now considering letting their properties long-term rather than short-term, to secure themselves regular earnings to offset the costs of owning abroad.
We asked local rental specialists HolidayRentalontheWeb for their views on the market for long-term rentals. Surprisingly, whether you’re a prospective tenant or a property owner, the issues relating to long-term rentals are practically the same.
“All the time that people are moving or planning to move to the Coast, to live and work here full-time, or to enjoy their retirement, there will always be a steady demand for rental properties of a high quality standard. A growing percentage of today’s tenants are people who sensibly wish to ‘try before they buy’, by renting an apartment or villa similar to that which they are interested in purchasing, whether it’s a holiday home or a permanent residence” explains Tony Sidebottom, MD of HolidayRental ontheWeb.
But even though demand exists for quality long-term rental accommodation, some owners are still reticent about renting out their property which, in many cases, represents a considerable personal investment. “There is no doubt there are risks associated with renting a property, whether you’re a tenant or an owner - we’ve all unfortunately heard the horror stories. But if you use a reputable rental agency, those risks can be reduced considerably, as the company will have certain safeguards in place to protect the interests of homeowners and rental clients alike,” says Tony.
These safeguards include taking up references on prospective rental clients, and having detailed rental contracts with owners and tenants, clearly outlining who is responsible for what, should any problems occur. Obviously, emergencies arise even with the most well-maintained properties or the most careful tenants - a sudden plumbing leak, a washing machine breakdown, or a red wine spill on a precious rug. Whatever happens, it’s vital that both owner and tenant know they can rely on the immediate response of a local company to resolve the problem on their behalf, even out of hours if necessary.
Apart from such emergencies, any reputable agency will maintain regular contact with owners and tenants in managing the property for both parties. Tony continues, “Regular visits by one of our HomeCare managers provide rental clients with the opportunity to discuss any issues with the property and its contents. Owners receive this valuable feedback on the status of their property, together with any recommended points for action which, once approved, are immediately carried out on their behalf. Owners feel reassured that their investment is being well cared for.”
Knowing someone’s always there taking care of their interests gives both parties peace of mind. However, owners and tenants also like to know that their money is safe. Any reputable rental agency will take a refundable security deposit on behalf of the owner, usually equivalent to two months’ rental, to cover any dilapidations that may occur while the tenant is in residence. The agency is also responsible for ensuring rental income is collected and forwarded, net of any costs, to the owner. Tenants need to know that their rental monies are being forwarded promptly to the owners, and that their deposit is being held safely by the agency, ready to be returned to them at the end of the tenancy.
Tony concludes, “A rentals company always wears two hats. Obviously we are responsible to the owners for managing their property, but our tenants are valued clients too, and we’re there to care for their interests as well. We believe that maintaining a close relationship with the owner and tenant is the best way of serving both parties.”

Leaving Your Home Alone?

HomeCareontheWeb, one of the divisions of the Property Solutions Group based in Elviria, is an interactive web-based property management service. It combines tailor-made property care with the immediacy and interactivity of the internet. Owners can log on to their secure website to view detailed reports, complete with photographs, on the status of their property.

“All properties need regular maintenance to combat the effects of weather and time. The downside of owning a second home in another country is that problems such as plumbing leaks, storm damage or pest infestation can go unnoticed for long periods. That’s a real worry for owners and can mean some unwelcome, and perhaps costly, surprises when they arrive for their stay.” explains Tony Sidebottom, MD of HomeCareontheWeb.

HomeCare managers regularly check properties and flag up any issues that need attention. Any work required is quoted for and once approved, is dealt with speedily and with minimum fuss. In the event of an emergency, immediate action is taken, so there’s never any need to worry. The user-friendly website even allows owners to pay bills securely by credit card on-line.

Tony goes on to explain the ethos behind HomeCareontheWeb, “Having owned property here for many years, I wanted to bring a new level of property management service to owners on the Coast, one that clearly differentiated between just managing a property and really caring for it. This resulted in us designing a system where the service is totally accountable to owners. Our clients have full access to their own personal area of the website, giving them control over the management of their home when they are not in residence.”

Tony continues, “People owning homes abroad want it to be a relatively hassle-free experience. They not only want to ensure that someone is continually monitoring the status of their property, many also want to earn a return on their investment by renting out their property.”

For those interested in renting out their property, sister website HolidayRentalontheWeb allows potential accommodation to be viewed at once by a worldwide audience. Whether owners want to rent out long-term, or short-term to holidaymakers and their own guests, HomeCareontheWeb manages the entire process for them. Owners and guests can instantly book their stay using the fully interactive bookings calendar. Holidaymakers can also book and pay for their accommodation through the website, along with related holiday services - whether that’s requesting a welcome pack or arranging a chauffeured car to collect them from the airport.

Tony concludes, “The HomeCareontheWeb team ensures the property is clean and aired, the hot water and air-conditioning are on, the beds are freshly made up and there’s food in the ’fridge! We also meet and greet guests on arrival, and are there for them on a 24/7 basis to handle any emergencies. Owners can rest assured that we will take care of their guests completely.”