Why do I need property management?+
Property management takes the weight off your shoulders. We act as a point of contact for tenants, handling payment collection, repairs and maintenance, not to mention the paperwork involved. This is especially helpful if you do not have previous property experience or have a busy schedule.
How involved do I need to be?+
As property managers, our goal is to make your life as easy as possible by keeping your involvement to a bare minimum. But, this does depend slightly on the package you select. With the Silver package, you will be slightly more involved because you will be responsible for coordinating any maintenance. The Gold and Platinum packages will require very minimal involvement from you as betterhomes will coordinate with all third-party contractors.
What management options do you offer?+
betterhomes Property Management is a bespoke service, so the exact management option can be tailored to meet your exact needs. But, we offer 3 main packages, Silver, Gold and Platinum, allowing you to choose the package that meets your requirement.
Silver: includes the listing of your property, leasing, drawing tenancy contracts, Ejari registration, collection and depositing of rental payments, move-in and move-out inspections and the renewal process. Silver does not include any maintenance coordination.
Gold: our fast-moving and favourite package. In the gold package, we take care of everything including arranging maintenance on behalf of landlords and paying service charges and utility bills.
Platinum: this is the package that we strongly recommend for anyone who owns a 3-bedroom plus apartment or villa. The Platinum package includes a basic annual maintenance package which includes 2 AC services per year, 1 electrical check and 1 plumbing check. The tenant also gets unlimited callouts and a faster response time in case of an emergency outside working hours.
How do you handle maintenance requests?+
All maintenance requests are managed by the betterhomes Customer Care team to ensure that they are recorded, actioned and followed up on. Betterhomes will also soon be releasing an app for tenants which will allow them to log any maintenance requests instantly via the app.
Do you use the cheapest contractors available?+
As a landlord, you probably don't want expensive repair bills. But, it's important that a job gets done right, so the cheapest option is not always the best. We at betterhomes understand this and therefore have a systematic way of shortlisting service providers. We have a service level agreement that includes the prices of services and the parts, negotiated and pre-agreed. This way we are assured that our landlords get a competitive price without compromising on the service.
How do you make sure the tenant is taking good care of my home?+
betterhomes Property Management carries out periodic inspections, usually at the time of the contract renewal to ensure that all damages are reported and the property is not being misused like sharing or sub-leasing.
What types of property do you manage?+
betterhomes Property Management manages all types of property in the UAE. This includes residential properties like apartments, townhouses in villas in both leasehold and freehold areas. We also manage commercial properties like offices, retail units, and warehouses.
What happens if a tenant does damage?+
Damages to the property will be deducted from the security deposit. If the security deposit does not cover the damages, the tenant must pay the remaining amount. In case of disputes, it can be referred to the rental dispute center.
How are rent collection and bills handled?+
Rent can be deposited directly into your local bank account. Alternatively, it can be deposited into our company account and transferred to you minus any expenses like utility bills, maintenance charges and service fees.
Can a property manager help me avoid bad tenants?+
Although we cannot guarantee that you will avoid bad tenants, we do our due diligence to significantly reduce the risk. This includes thorough background checks through proper documentation as well as periodic inspections to identify or preempt any bad tenants.
What happens when a tenant vacates a property?+
When a tenant vacates a property, we carry out end-of-lease evaluations. If any repairs are required, we will share a report with both parties to determine who will bear the costs. Once this is settled, repair and maintenance work is initiated followed by property remarketing.
How do property inspections work?+
For single units, we conduct check-in and check-out inspections. We also conduct a routine inspection upon lease renewal. In the case of building management, we conduct quarterly fire audits and building inspections, and detailed annual inspections with repair and upgrade recommendations.
What does your tenant screening entail?+
We verify a tenant’s work-related details and collect valid proof of identification, including passport, visa, and Emirates ID copies. If required, we may request supporting documents, e.g. salary certificate.
What services do you offer and how much does it cost?+
We offer full-service management. This can include marketing and leasing, tenant screening, documentation, accounting and reporting, inspection and maintenance, and handling disputes. Depending on the package, the cost ranges from 5-10% of the total lease value.
We can also tailor-make a package to suit your requirements.
How do you handle security deposits?+
Most of the time, security deposits are held by betterhomes. After a tenant vacates a property, repair costs attributed to the tenant are deducted from the security deposit and the balance is refunded accordingly.
What is property snagging?+
Property snagging is a detailed inspection process carried out before taking possession of a property. It involves identifying any defects, imperfections, or unfinished elements within the property. These issues, known as "snags," can range from minor cosmetic flaws to significant structural concerns.
Why is it important to snag a property before taking possession?+
Snagging a property before handover is crucial to ensure that any defects or issues are identified early. This allows the developer or seller to rectify them before you move in, saving you time, money, and potential inconvenience in the future.
