At the moment, the most pertinent issue at hand for homeowners, tenants and investors is the ongoing cost of living crisis, namely finding ways to save money on your bills. But here at Centrick, we’ve got a secret weapon when it comes to saving money on your bills and increasing your yields… a property manager.
Your tenants saving money on their energy bills is particularly beneficial if you are offering a tenancy with bills included, as this will directly impact your outgoings. However, your tenant’s satisfaction may still be affected if they are paying their own energy bills rather than relying on their landlord to pay, which is why it’s important for you to make your tenants stay as stress free as possible to reduce churn and avoid void periods.
What is a property manager?
A property manager is the ultimate helping hand when it comes to getting the most out of your investment. They take responsibility for inspecting your property on your behalf, handling maintenance requests, liaising with your tenants to keep them updated, and providing assistance in the overall day-to-day running of your properties. But how can your property manager help you save money on your bills?
Inspections
Property managers provide inspections on behalf of landlords and property owners to check on tenants and provide them with tailored advice on how to save money on energy. This is especially important if your tenants are first-time tenants that may not have the know-how to implement energy reducing measures – a gentle reminder to avoid keeping appliances on standby, closing doors to retain heat in certain rooms, and to only use your dishwasher when full can make a significant difference to a tenant’s energy bills in the long run.
Mitigating Damage
If your property manager carries out an inspection and notices any potential faults that may worsen in the future, they will be able to provide precautions and advice to mitigate and prevent further damage. For example, if they notice draughts throughout the property, they may advise tenants to place draught excluders under doors to stop excess heat from escaping and energy bills rising. They may also be able to offer advice on preventative measures regarding damp and mould, such as wiping away condensation and turning on extractor fans, as well as recommending ways that you can improve the property to avoid large maintenance bills and keep it in good condition in the longer-term..
Maintenance Issues
Although preventing future maintenance issues is helpful, sometimes problems simply cannot be avoided. If your property manager locates a problem within your rental property – specifically one that could result in poor energy efficiency – they can report this quickly to speed up the maintenance process. This process can be especially speedy if you have given your property manager permission to action any maintenance issues on your behalf, with many landlords choosing to delegate this responsibility to their managing agent. This can help to greatly reduce the time waiting for maintenance issues to be resolved, leaving your rental property with less time and money spent on faulty boilers, cracked windows and pesky draughts.
Void Periods
During times where your property is not occupied, a property manager will be able to continue with regular inspections to ensure that your investment is in order. Without regular occupation, problems can arise that may impact the energy efficiency of your property. Are all of your appliances turned off? Is damp spreading throughout the property? In winter, are your pipes likely to freeze? Have your gutters been checked for debris?
Recommendations For Efficiency
Lastly, your property manager will be able to make recommendations for the ongoing monitoring of energy efficiency in your property. Having regularly visited your property, they will be able to provide tailored advice using their unrivalled property knowledge to help you boost the energy efficiency of your home. Better yet, your property manager will most likely have a list of trusted, reputable contractors that can carry out any of the improvements you wish to have completed. This may include the implementation of a free smart meter to make your tenants more aware of their energy consumption, or a smart thermostat to grant occupants greater control of the property’s temperature, even when they aren’t present. More information on what energy saving measures your property could benefit from, including a cost breakdown, can be found in your most recent EPC.
Find Out More On How To Save Money On Your Bills
If you’re wondering whether you could benefit from the help of a property manager, or if you need guidance to save money on your bills, Centrick is here to help. Our property management services are unrivalled in efficacy and diligence, giving you the peace of mind to reap the benefits of your property portfolio without the stress. We’ve also launched our latest endeavour for landlords, tenants and homeowners – At Home With Centrick – to help you get the most out of your property. Whether you’re looking to save on your energy bills, want quick and easy tips to avoid damp and mould, or want to know which long-term energy efficient investments are worth the money: we’re here to help. Find out more by visiting the At Home Hub, or contacting us via the form below:
