Property Management in Spain

Whether a newcomer to property investment in Spain, or an experienced semi-residential property owner, you will have seen advertisements for plenty of private companies and individuals offering a property management service of some description. But who needs it?

The services offered by property management companies vary widely. Some specialize in finding you holiday and longer term tenants, while others concentrate solely on the care of you and your property. More unusually, certain companies are able to offer not only this but also a full after-sales service to your property purchase, assisting you in getting your property up and running after completion and beyond.

Mana?a, mana?a

One of the obvious benefits in working with a property management company is overcoming the language barrier that can hit when you start trying to arrange for things to be done in Spain. A prime example is organizing a telephone line - no mean feat even if you're bilingual. But also, things tend not to happen overnight in Spain and you can find yourself waiting in for this plumber and that electrician and wasting your valuable holiday time. You've worked hard to earn your holiday - why waste it when you're here?

Low cost airline - late night arrival?

So, you got a bargain on the flights - but you're arriving at midnight! It seems a great idea until something goes wrong. The water heater has been turned off for weeks, your villa or apartment is freezing cold (or unbearably hot) and no-one has arranged for the air con gas to be replenished. You need new lightbulbs so that you can see what you're doing and, of course, there's no milk for your morning coffee! On a more serious note, perhaps there have been unwanted guests in the property - insect or rodent, or even human.

A good and reputable property management company will thoroughly check your apartment once a week and provide you with a detailed report advising if any work needs to be carried out. Not only will they check that the apartment is clean and secure, but they are also trained to look for signs of damp, infestation and minor construction problems. If work is required, they will provide you with quotations and upon your approval, arrange for the work to be carried out under their supervision. You will arrive in your perfect property ready to enjoy your holiday.

Making life easier for you

Airport pickups, welcome packs or grocery shopping are also available from most companies as well as cleaning, laundry and ironing services. As a minimum, your property management company should be able to check that your apartment is clean and the beds are freshly made prior to your visit.

Generate an income

Those wanting to generate an income from their property can also benefit hugely from a reputable company's network of holiday and longer term rental customers. Not only can they market and maintain the property for you, but they can also vet customers and ensure that the apartment is looked after with due care and attention by those using it.

It also takes a lot of the stress away when you invite friends or family to use your property in your absence. Someone is available 24/7 to meet and greet them, make sure they have a key, show them how to use your appliances and advise them on where to go in the local area.

It's all in the extras

More dynamic property management companies go a whole lot further offering services that make themselves indispensable to you in a very short time: -Post construction cleans, marble polishing, lock changes and snag lists * Handymen services, plumbers and electricians * Furnishing and d?cor advice, supervised deliveries * Bookings for car hire, hotel accommodation, golf tee times, flights * Grocery shopping, welcome packs and fresh flowers * Limousine and minibus hire * Yacht and private plane charters * Restaurant bookings * Babysitting, cot and high chair hire * Occasional bed hire * Video/DVD hire * Event management and organization (parties, weddings, conferences) * Secretarial, administrative, translation and office services * Advice on schooling, local classes, medical care, church services, tourist information, excursions * Recommendations for legal, financial, mortgage, snagging and tax advisors

Peace of Mind

So who needs it? Everybody with a property in Spain!

Property management provides private individuals and company property owners with complete peace of mind while they are not in Spain.

Remember, there's always someone on the end of the phone... just in case.

Susan Pedalino is Masters Degree qualified in Intercultural Communication and teaching English as a foreign language. Susan regularly writes for www.eyeonspain.com, the Spanish off plan property forums website and www.eyeonworldwide, the overseas property forums website.