How to Choose the Right Property Management Agency
- Powell Property Office
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 4
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Tips for Choosing the Right Property Management Company to Protect Your Investment
Choosing the right property management company to look after your investment property is a crucial decision, especially in Cork, where there are so many agencies to choose from. If your agency is not on the ball, it can quickly result in a loss of income for you – whether that’s through unpaid rent, costly repairs, or overall depreciation of your asset.
To make sure your property is fully protected, here are some things you should consider:
What is Included in Their Service?
Standard property management services typically cover lease drafting, rent collection, and tenant screening.
However, what additional services does the agency you are considering provide?
Some agencies may charge extra for property inspections, maintenance calls, re-letting after tenants leave, emergency call-outs, rent reviews, and other vital property management tasks. It is crucial to understand what is covered by your fees and what an agency considers 'extra' to avoid unexpected charges.
At Powell Property, our flat-fee includes every aspect of daily property management so that you can rest assured your investment is fully protected:
Lease drafting
Rent collection and follow-up
Tenant amendments
Rent reviews
Periodic property inspections
24/7 emergency line
Maintenance calls and contractor management
RTB registration
Tenant management and mediation
Regulatory compliance
Tenant screening and property re-letting
Rental advertising
Streamlined and transparent financial reporting
RTB dispute management
Moreover, we can act as more than just your lettings agent – we are also asset management specialists. This means we can assist with questions about your property portfolio, acquiring property, or optimizing your existing property to maximise your yield. Click here for more information about our asset management services.
Licensure and Additional Professional Organisation Membership
Property management is inherently complex, with laws and RTB regulations continuously evolving. Therefore, the agency managing your investment must be properly trained and licensed.
While an agency's owner may possess a full agent's license, that doesn't necessarily mean all their agents do. Some agencies may employ junior agents still completing their training, and who lack essential experience.
Conversely, some agencies go beyond standard licensing. They join organizations such as:
Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV)
European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI)
Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)
These organizations maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. They also ensure their members receive ongoing education and training so they stay at the top of their game.
At Powell Property, all our agents are fully licensed through the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and are highly experienced in the Cork property market.
Furthermore, we proudly hold memberships with IPAV and CEPI. This ensures our agents receive the latest training and operate at the highest service standards of the industry.
Company Structure
Cork has a diverse array of property management agencies. They range from small, single-agent firms to large, national companies. It's crucial to evaluate these agencies thoroughly before making your decision. Each comes with distinct advantages and potential drawbacks.
Small agencies often provide in-depth knowledge of the local market. Their familiarity with the area can be beneficial. However, limited staff may pose challenges. If the agent managing your property is unavailable, there may not be someone else there who knows your property well enough to help you with your query, especially if you are dealing with some kind of ongoing issue. This is particularly true of one-person operations.
On the other hand, large national agencies usually have a broader reach. However, they come with their own set of challenges. You might start with a senior agent, but once onboard, a junior agent may take over. This can impact the consistency of service you receive. Moreover, building a personal connection with your agency can be more difficult in larger firms, which is crucial for ensuring your property is well-managed.
At Powell Property, we strike the perfect balance. As a family-owned business in Cork, we offer local knowledge and market experience, while our growth over the years ensures your property is well cared for. We have several departments with specialised experts managing every aspect of your property's needs, including accounts, maintenance, and administration. So, if a specific staff member whom you are looking to speak with is unavailable, others are fully capable of stepping in. Click here to learn more about our departments on our 'About Us' page.
Referrals, Reviews, and Testimonials
Like with any business, you can learn a lot about a property management agent by reading reviews from their current or past clients, and indeed from their tenants as well. Hearing from other property owners and landlords who have worked with the estate agents you are considering will give you an idea of their level of service, communication, and effectiveness. When it comes to investment properties, mistakes can be costly, so finding a reliable agent is crucial.
The good news is, you don’t have to look any further for a trusted property services agency than Powell Property. We have been in business for 20 years, and during that time have expanded primarily through the strength of our referrals and word-of-mouth from clients. If you would like to read some of our testimonials, please click here.
There are many more considerations you should take when deciding which property services agency is the right choice for you. We hope this made the process a little easier for you, though. If you have any questions, or if you would like a free consultation, give us a call at 021 427 9729 or email at info@powellproperty.ie and mention this article. Or click the button to submit an enquiry through our site!
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