Property Management at Gibbs Gillespie

Put Your Investment in Safe Hands

At Gibbs Gillespie we understand that a rental property is a significant asset and that as a landlord your principal objective is to maximise the return on your investment, both in terms of rental income and capital appreciation.

Even with experience, managing a property can be a full time job. One you do not need if you already have a full time job or live overseas.

Our comprehensive Property Management service is designed to give you peace of mind and relieve you of the commitment of being a full time landlord, which is why we look after over 400 properties on behalf of clients in the UK and around the world.

When you appoint Gibbs Gillespie to manage your property you can relax. Overseeing every aspect of your rental property will be a dedicated Property Manager, purpose trained and fully conversant with the Landlord & Tenant Act. Your personal Property Manager will thoroughly screen every prospective tenant, conducting stringent background checks and verifying all references and employment details. Then there’s the personalised Tenancy Agreement to prepare, the detailed condition report to complete and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme form to submit. And this all before the tenant has even moved in. The hard work doesn’t end there. Routine inspections are to be carried out every twelve months, to ensure the tenant is looking after your investment and to check if any maintenance is required. If so, there are the repairs to organise. There are regular rent reviews and lease renewals to manage. And, of course, there’s making sure the rent is paid on time. Your personal Property Manager will work hard to make sure your investment works hard for you.

Here are six valuable pointers for using Gibbs Gillespie Property Management:

• The average managed let will last for 18 months, compared with 10 months of non managed properties.
• 5% more managed properties are renewed after the first year than non-managed properties.
• Corporate companies and relocation agents will search in preference of managed properties for their employees.
• These days more and more tenants request managed properties as it allows a more professional service, removing the emotion from both sides.
• We continually vet local trades’ people, services and supplies to ensure we only use companies providing the very best quality of workmanship, at a competitive price, on behalf of our clients.
• You can take advantage of Gibbs Gillespie’s Property Management service, even if your home is not rented through Gibbs Gillespie.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

How quickly will you find a tenant?

It’s hard to guarantee an exact time frame. Some properties rent the first day that they hit the market, while others may take a little longer. We generally find that if the property is priced accurately, and well presented, we can source quality tenants within about 14 days. In this regard it is important that your property is priced accurately in relation to the current market and we will advise you on this important matter. Our team will ensure that you receive the best possible rental return, but at the same time alleviate any delay in the rental of your property.
How will you find me a tenant?

We use a range of methods to secure a quality tenant for you. These will include our extensive tenant database on [befirst], an internet strategy using our own web site as well as the leading property portals, regional magazines and local newspaper advertising. We find this combination generates significant enquiry and provides us with the opportunity to select the most appropriate application for your property.

How do you qualify tenants?

There are two main criteria to consider when selecting a suitable tenant for your property; their ability to pay the rent and their ability to maintain your property in its current condition.

We qualify all prospective tenants in relation to both these criteria. Our application form extracts all of the required information to qualify their suitability, your property manager will reference check applicants and qualify the information provided by each tenant and discuss the information collected with you and, together, select the best tenant.

What costs do I need to pay?

The fees payable are an introduction of tenant and letting fee to secure the best tenant and a monthly management fee to handle the ongoing management of the property.

How do I receive my rent?

Your rent is paid to you by electronic funds transfer into your nominated account each month.

How do you guarantee that my property will not be damaged?

Even though every tenant’s application is screened very carefully, accidents do happen and there can be no guarantee that your property will not be damaged. Our team will conduct inspections to minimise any problems that may arise. Inspections take place every year after a tenant moves in.

As the owner of the property you can be present for inspections if you wish. Inspections allow us to check on the condition of the property and report any required maintenance and repairs to you as early as possible.

How are maintenance and repairs handled?

Minor repairs are handled by your Property Manager, and we will discuss a cost limit on these repairs at the start of the tenancy agreement. For any larger repairs quotes will be organised and discussed with you prior to moving forward.

Urgent repairs, regardless of cost, may be required by law to be acted upon immediately as legislated in the Landlord and Tenant Act. At Gibbs Gillespie we only utilise high quality licensed trades people and suppliers and all their work is insured.

How often will I hear from you once my property is rented?

Your Property Manager will liaise with you to determine your preferences regarding both the frequency and method of our contact with you once your property has been rented. We ensure our communication keeps you updated without distracting you unnecessarily.

To find out more about your local Property Management Team, call them now on +44 (0)20 8429 3597.