Property management and property maintenance- What is the difference?

Giorgio Armani once said, ‘To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail’.

The difference between property management and property maintenance is one such detail. You may well think that they are both synonyms and effectively mean the same thing but we claim to differ. Here is why:

Property management refers to day to day tasks such as repairs and refurbishment. Essentially a property manager jumps into action when required. Tasks are then distributed according to the problem in hand in order to solve it as soon as possible. The company or landlord who owns the building will typically appoint a property manager to take on tasks such as collecting rents, paying bills and ensuring tax, insurance and health and safety requirements are all covered. Property management agents often use contractors to carry out repairs on the property they manage.

Property maintenance or facilities management refers to long term care of a building. The aim is to make the space as productive as possible ensuring that all appliances, systems and structural elements are maintained properly and function long term. Facility management companies often rely on their sub-contractors to carry out the scheduled work on properties in their care.

So, what do we, at Express Property do? Well, we wear a variety of hats; Some of our clients rely on us to manage and maintain their property on a long-term basis and other call us in when they have a problem that needs fixing. Our clients are often property management and facility management companies as well property owners, businesses and landlords. Confusing, isn’t it?

It isn’t really to us which is lucky as it allows us to provide a great service. It also allows us to see the difference between buildings that have been maintained long term and those that have been propped up over the years. This is why we would recommend that you consider a maintenance contract for your property particularly if it’s a good size and your livelihood depends on it. Here are the main advantages:

1. Better use of your time and money: Bringing a property maintenance partner on board would see them manage all repair and refurbishment work using their skilled team. Should you have a larger estate and you wish to bring all of them under one contract you may well save some money on fees.
2. An opportunity to plan long term: Working with a partner long terms will allow you to tap into their skills and knowledge in order to put together a maintenance and refurbishment plan. This can include regular work to keep things in working order but also plan for bigger refurbishment projects to allow for the funds and time slot to be allocated.
3. Keep your property in good shape for longer: Good property maintenance taking into account the building’s age and specific makeup will ensure that everything is working better for longer which will save money and time in the long run.

We hope you found this information useful. If you are considering your property maintenance or would like further advice on your options please get in touch.

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This post was written by Express Property Services