How can hands-on property management save landlords money?
When something goes wrong in a rental property, how quickly it is dealt with can make all the difference.
Recently, the tenant of a two-bedroom apartment in Witney discovered that their boiler was leaking – and fast. They called their Property Manager because they weren't sure what to do and didn't feel confident turning the water off themselves.
Fortunately, their Property Manager is based nearby and was able to attend the property herself. She placed a bowl under the leak and helped the tenant locate the stop valve, showing them how to turn it off. Before leaving the office, she had already contacted one of our trusted plumbers to check their availability, as it was clear the leak needed urgent attention.
While at the property, she was also able to FaceTime the contractor, who talked her through which other valves needed to be turned to stop the leak completely while they made their way over. The plumber arrived within an hour and resolved the problem.
Why does this matter to landlords?
A leaking boiler might sound like a straightforward maintenance issue, but the cost can escalate quickly if it isn't dealt with. Water can damage carpets, flooring, plasterwork and furnishings. It can also spread to neighbouring properties or other parts of a building, potentially turning a relatively minor repair into a much more expensive problem.
In this case, having a Property Manager who was local and able to attend the property meant that action could be taken immediately. The tenant hd someone there to help them, the water was isolated quickly, and a trusted contractor was on-site within the hour. That is the value of hands-on property management.
Local people, managing local properties
At Finders Keepers, our Property Managers don't manage properties from a centralised office hundreds of miles away. They are based locally, manage properties in the areas they know and, importantly, can visit the properties they look after when needed.
That local knowledge and physical presence can be particularly valuable when something unexpected happens. That might mean being able to attend a property when a tenant needs help, or it could mean spotting an issue during an inspection before it becomes a bigger problem. And sometimes it's simply knowing the property, its history and the trusted local contractors who can help.
For landlords, hands-on management isn't just about providing a better service to tenants - it can help prevent small problems from becoming expensive ones. It also highlights the difference in property management offerings: can your Property Manager actually get there when it matters? At Finders Keepers, our local team can.
