I own several flats in London, which I purchased while working in the UK a decade ago. Since relocating to Asia, I have been renting out these flats. Managing these properties from overseas presents significant challenges. Finding and managing tenants can be exhausting, and addressing maintenance issues is particularly stressful. As an example one of the flats experienced two major leakages originating from a neighbouring unit. My tenant, who had health issues related to humidity, needed to vacate immediately. The occupant of the neighbouring flat was frequently overseas and refused to leave his key with the management so that we could address the issue. I have also faced high tenant turnover and a challenging rental market, particularly during the Brexit and COVID-19 periods.
I am grateful to have Neel managing my properties. Neel was introduced to me by a friend when I was struggling with the managing agent I had at the time. My flat was rented to two siblings who were studying in London. They experienced issues with the toilets on multiple occasions, and the managing agent would simply call an emergency handyman without properly communicating with the tenants to inform them that flushing excessive toilet paper could be the cause. Each emergency plumber visit cost £500-£600, and there were three visits within two months, essentially consuming most of the rental income. Despite my discussions with the agent, I saw little improvement. It was a high street property agent chain, and I found that those agents generally neither cared enough nor understood the pain points of landlords.
Neel shared with me his approach to managing issues and repairs, and he also introduced general documentation and some of the common issues his clients face. This was extremely helpful and prevented me from encountering similar problems.
Neel has been diligently taking care of the flats and actively managing the tenants. He generally responds to questions and issues promptly. He also thoroughly reviews all property management communications and collaborates closely with the management to resolve issues. For example, during the severe leak I experienced, his diligent work and excellent communication skills ensured that the problem was resolved efficiently and smoothly, with no further issues. I cannot imagine how this situation would have been handled if I were still with the high street agent. It would have taken an inordinate amount of time and required significantly more effort on my part to ensure that issues were addressed. Additionally, the stress involved would have adversely affected my daily life and work.
There are several key attributes to identifying a good agent. First and foremost is the level of effort and care they exhibit. As previously mentioned, Neel is a landlord himself and is extremely energetic and passionate about property management. Consequently, he invests a great deal of effort and genuinely cares about the flats. Through our conversations, I have come to appreciate Neel's keen attention to detail and his pride in delivering quality work. This is essential to me; if a person does not care about the property, they tend to do the bare minimum, and things do not endure.
Secondly, client handling ability is crucial. Neel has a unique charm in managing tenants. He communicates exceptionally well and knows how to calm tenants when issues arise. Thirdly, being considerate and flexible is important. Neel excels in this regard, applying these qualities to every aspect of his work. I have observed him taking good care of the tenants and understanding the challenges faced by both tenants and property management.
Lastly, knowledge of buildings and appliances is essential. Neel possesses extensive knowledge of various appliances and strong DIY skills. Often, he addresses minor issues himself without needing to call a handyman, which has saved me a significant amount of money.
Over the years of working together on my properties, I have observed that Neel demonstrates a level of care far exceeding that of any other agents I have previously employed. He manages each property as if it were his own, investing considerable effort and attending to every detail meticulously. In my view, this is his most valuable quality.