Out of Hours, Not Out of Mind - After-Hours Property Management
Most letting agency offices close at 5.30pm, but properties do not. Boilers break down on Friday evenings, keys get lost at midnight and pipes burst on Christmas Day. How an agency handles those moments says a great deal about the quality of its service, and as winter approaches, now is the ideal time to review your out-of-hours arrangements.
Be clear about what counts as an emergency
One of the biggest sources of frustration for tenants and agents alike is uncertainty over what warrants an out-of-hours call. If tenants are unsure, some will call about minor issues at 2am, while others will sit through a genuine emergency because they do not want to cause a fuss. Neither outcome is good for the property or the relationship.
Rental Properties and the Heatwave
As the UK experiences more frequent and more prolonged periods of extreme heat, landlords and letting agents are increasingly having to think seriously about how well their properties perform in warm weather — something that has traditionally received far less attention than winter preparedness. Where a burst pipe or a failed boiler was once the typical emergency call, an unbearably hot flat in July is now just as likely to prompt an anxious message from a tenant, and agencies that treat heat as a genuine housing condition issue, rather than simply “the weather”, tend to manage the summer season considerably more smoothly.
Celebrating Property Managers
Everyday brings with it a whole range of issues that Property Managers need to navigate, from water leaks to boiler breakdowns that result in no heating and no hot water. The seasons bring with them a raft of “damage” , which include but are not limited to blown down fences, missing roof tiles, excessive cold and other weather related matters.
Whilst the valuers and negotiators land new business, in the background property managers oversee the problem solving, the customer care & customer service elements and the client relationship management - 24/7, 365 days a year.
Managing Cold Weather and Winter in Rental Properties
As Storm Bert took hold on parts of the UK, there are still a number of National Severe Weather Warnings in place for snow and ice. It is therefore important to think ahead and prepare how the weather will impact landlords and tenants. The Met Office is working with the Cabinet Office and their Weather Ready partners to help prepare for and cope with severe weather.
As temperatures drop, rental properties face unique challenges that, if left unaddressed, can lead to significant damage, costly repairs, and tenant dissatisfaction. Landlords have legal obligations under Sections 11–16 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to ensure that their properties are kept in a safe and habitable condition.