Property Management in Spain

Property Management in Spain
The completion of your Spanish Property sale should be a dream come true and the beginning of something wonderful - however steps should be taken to take the worry out of property ownership leaving you free to benefit from the sun, sea and Sangria!
Once the purchase has been made, other problems can arise if you do not intend to stay there long term – water damage, electrical problems and insect infestations are common problems here in Spain and can de-value your property.Property Management and Maintenance is an overall part of property ownership, we all know that - but what if your property is 2,000 miles away?
For those who do not have the language, and do not understand the idiosyncrasies of the Spanish, it can often be a quite stressful affair arranging visits from tradesmen, furniture deliveries, connection of services such as telephone, electric, water or gas, or getting to know your way around the local area. This is an important part of purchasing a property in Spain, and most people would rather relax and enjoy their new property than spending their time wishing they’d never bought it!
Another problem often encountered is the time factor – deliveries that don’t arrive, tradesmen who down tools at 1pm and cannot finish the job until the next day, or people just not being available when you need them.
When you visit your Spanish home, it is unlikely that you wish to spend time cleaning, mending and finding local contractors instead of relaxing and enjoying yourself, and it is under circumstances like these that employing a maintenance and management company can truly be of benefit. They can arrange for tradesmen to take care of these specific problems on your behalf, and keep the property in tip top condition - leaving you to relax and enjoy your Spanish home.
Being burgled is not something we like to think about - we all believe that 'it cannot happen to us'. The reality though is that it can be you, and if it is, you need to make sure that someone is around to report immediately to the police and your insurance company. Regrettably, many people tend to request the services of a reputable company after the event. By introducing simple precautions, the 'nasty man' could have chosen your neighbour’s house instead.Why use a professional Property Management Company?
a) To guarantee that your investment receives the best possible care and attention by a fully insured and registered company so you can be assured that your home is secure and in safe hands.
b) To ensure your property is not misused, and you are not liable for the problems that may occur when using illegal services offered by expats working from home.
c) A property that is obviously visited regularly is less likely to be targeted for burglary!!!
d) If you are not in Spain yourself, you need to know that there's someone on hand who you can trust to ensure everything runs smoothly. What happens if the toilet doesn't flush, a window gets broken, or the swimming pool pump breaks down?
e) To keep the property free from the ‘element problems’ - mainly damp and mould growth which are unfortunately a significant problem with homes on the Costa Blanca.
A good management company will regularly undertake property inspections, letterbox clearance, safety and hygienic checks, and make sure that your Spanish property is clean and tidy, test appliances to make sure all are in working order, gas, electricity, lightbulbs, and security systems if applicable. The property will generally be aired, and plants watered. Any small works such as replacing lightbulbs or repairing leaking taps should automatically be undertaken at the time of inspection.
Properties should also be checked in the event of a storm or flooding, as storm and flood damage is a very real possibility in the north Costa Blanca. TV's, telephones and electrical appliances should be unplugged.
Expats operating illegally from home are offering property management services. Some property owners, on the presumption that they are getting better value for money (i.e. a cheap service) are handing keys to these individuals along with the consequent risks. These illegal traders are not insured (they cannot be, as they are not traders) therefore, you personally will be liable for loses or damages if your property is burgled. The Spanish Authorities are also clamping down on this type of activity as the majority do not pay taxes on their earnings.
The Citrus Iberia Group is a fully registered company both in the UK and Spain offering professional Property Management Services, organised to offer British owners of property in Spain (Costa Blanca & Costa Calida), a range of services they may require during and after their Property Purchase Process, to ensure their investment is always protected and their property professionally managed after its purchase.