Country: US

Vacant Care

Vacant Property Services – Vacant Care

Many of our clients based in the United States enjoy the reassurance that their property is being well cared for while they are away, and is also ready for them when they arrive back in the UK, without incurring the significant costs of engaging a full-time housekeeper.

The benefits of our Vacant Care Service include:

Weekly inspections.

Carrying out weekly inspections of your property, ensuring you are compliant with your insurers, reporting back to you regularly and fixing any problems as they should arise.

24 hour alarm and key holding.

A 24 hour alarm response and key holding service for access day or night in case of any emergencies and maintenance works required outside of normal working hours.

Trusted network.

Access to our trusted network of carefully selected, reliable and cost effective suppliers to work with. We can arrange contractor and engineer visits, such a plumbers, electricians, cleaners on your behalf.

Point of contact.

Acting as your point of contact porters and managing agents, collecting and forwarding mail, paying bills and ensuring that any service charges are made on time.

There’s no place like home.

There’s no place like home and we’ll make sure that when you arrive back it is ready and waiting for you – exactly as you’d like it. We can arrange cleaning and turning on the heating/air conditioning, your favourite groceries to be already in your fridge and fresh flowers throughout your home.

We can also arrange a variety of other services to suit you, such as laundry collection, property refurbishment/furnishing and housekeeping services.

“As a non resident, I am very pleased I could find Black Brick Vacant Care Service to help us manage our property on John Street in London. They bring a real trouble free service, and help us to solve the administrative and practical details. They were also very helpfull for the decoration and the furniture of the flat. Sophie is always available and very effective. I am very satisfied with the Vacant Care Service and would highly recommend it.”

Read the case study Client Testimonials

Here are the answers to the questions that we’re often asked about vacant property care…

How do you protect a vacant property?

You can protect a vacant property by ensuring you do the following: 

  • Arrange regular inspections to ensure you are compliant with your insurance.
  • Leave your key with someone you trust, so the property can be accessed for maintenance and emergencies.
  • Make arrangements for your mail to be collected or redirected, as a build-up of post could make your house a target. 
  • Hire a regular cleaner to prevent an accumulation of dust and dirt that might otherwise be hard to remove.

A vacant property service will take care of all these elements and more, without the expense of hiring a full-time housekeeper.

What is included in a vacant property management service?

A vacant property management service will protect your building against thieves and vandals, take care of cleaning and maintenance issues, and ensure you are compliant with your insurance. 

Black Brick’s vacant care includes weekly inspections and cleaning, 24 hour alarm response and key-holding, access to a network of trustworthy contractors, and the organisation of any bills, mail or deliveries. 

We can also prepare your house for your return by turning on the heating or air conditioning, stocking the fridge with groceries and bringing in fresh flowers

What are the benefits of using a vacant property service provider instead of a housekeeper?

A vacant property service covers all aspects of vacant care – including security, maintenance and cleaning – without the expense of a full-time housekeeper. A vacant service provider also offers services that would typically be beyond the scope of a housekeeper, such as 24 hour alarm response, out-of-hours key-holding for emergency maintenance, and contact with a pool of trusted contractors and suppliers to resolve any issues. 

By using a vacant property service, you can look after your property and remain compliant with your insurance without hiring a housekeeper.

We have an unrivalled track record.

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We’re ready when you are

For more information on our Vacant Care Service, please email our Property Manager, Sophie Amasha, or call her on +44 (0) 20 3141 9863 / +44 (0) 7713 568 291.

contact Sophie

Property Management

Property Management London and beyond

Trustees or company directors with responsibility for London properties need reassurance that property assets under their control are being properly cared for. Offshore landlords need peace of mind, in the secure knowledge that their investments are being looked after.

Our highly-experienced Property Management Service is tailored to meet the needs of trustees and offshore landlords. From finding high-quality tenants through to managing repairs and upkeep, we can help ensure your property investment keeps performing.

Our in-depth knowledge of the London rental market, our access to a wide range of tradesmen capable of meeting every possible maintenance need – and our wide range of reporting options – is able to suit any property requirement. Our Property Management Service provides a strong foundation for a successful rental investment.

The advantages of our Property Management Service include your very own Property Manager who will be responsible for:

Valuing and letting the property.

Valuing and letting the property, using the most appropriate letting agents to value and market the property, referenced against our own independent research.

Providing refurbishment advice.

Providing refurbishment advice, where needed, on how to furnish or refurbish the property to achieve the maximum rental value, and managing any work required.

Negotiating.

Negotiating with prospective tenants, and checking references once an acceptable offer has been received.

Tenant liaison.

Tenant liaison, acting as a single point of contact for all tenants’ queries throughout the tenancy.

Ensuring legal compliance, ensuring that landlords understand and meet constantly evolving legal and regulatory requirements

Managing payments.

Managing payments of regular outgoings such as service charges.

Co-ordinating repairs and maintenance.

Co-ordinating repairs and maintenance using our extensive network of competitively priced and trusted contractors.

Reporting.

Reporting on at least a quarterly basis with details of any expenditure and other relevant information.

Inspections.

Carrying out bi-annual inspections of your property.

Tenant handovers.

Managing tenant handovers, including ensuring utilities are transferred, to ensure a smooth process for incoming and outgoing tenants.

The list could go on. Efficient management increases the appeal of a rental property to high quality tenants, while maintaining the fabric of the property protects its value. Our Property Management Service is designed to ensure your property is effectively managed, and the tenancy runs smoothly, from beginning to end no matter where you are based.

“We would like to thank Black Brick property management for their excellent and attentive service in renting and managing all aspects of our property in Sloane Avenue mansions. The superb advisory service we received from Black Brick allowed us to secure the property we wanted while we were overseas, and this encouraged us to have Black brick manage our property.”

“Sophie Amasha has and continues to do a phenomenal job in managing our property, from taking care of refurbishing and furnishing the flat to securing tenants with the best rental terms in the London. As foreign buyers, we have limited knowledge and capability in managing our own property and Black Brick’s great property management team gives us both mental and financial peace of mind. We highly recommend Black Brick, a very professional company with a great team.”

 

Read the case study Client Testimonials

Here are the answers to the questions that we’re often asked about property management…

What is the purpose of property management?

A property management company manages the rental property and tenants so the landlord does not have to.

Black Brick provides its clients with a dedicated property manager, who negotiates with prospective tenants and arranges the tenant handover, inspects the property, coordinates maintenance, and liaises with the renter on any issues that arise throughout their tenancy.

Landlords use a property manager to be sure that their property and tenants are looked after, when they are unable or uninterested in doing so themselves.

What are the benefits of using a property management company?

A property management company handles the logistics of a rental property on behalf of the landlord.

Black Brick’s dedicated property managers have an in-depth knowledge of the London rental market, access to a network of trusted and cost-efficient contractors, and offer a range of bespoke services that can be tailored to the needs of the landlord and the property.

Property management services are valuable for overseas owners, trustees who are responsible for London properties, inexperienced landlords who want to manage their property efficiently, and any investor who would like to enjoy the benefits of their rental property without the time and stress.

What’s included in property management?

Black Brick’s property managers will organise the valuation and letting of the property, providing advice on refurbishments to maximise its value and managing any work required before the property can be let. They will then negotiate with prospective tenants, check references and arrange tenant handovers.

They will act as the first point of call for renters throughout their tenancy, coordinate repairs and maintenance through a network of reliable contractors, and ensure the property is compliant with the tenancy agreement and insurance providers. They will also conduct inspections and report regularly to the landlord.

With property management, a landlord can be sure their property is running efficiently and their tenants are looked after.

We have an unrivalled track record.

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We’re ready when you are

For more information on our Property Management Service, please email our Property Manager, Sophie Amasha, or call her on +44 (0) 20 3141 9863 / +44 (0) 7713 568 291.

Contact Sophie

Additional Services

Additional Services

As Property consultants, we also work closely with experts in the world of finance, solicitors and tax advisors who can assist with lending and structuring your purchase and undertake conveyancing work.

As an agency, we are completely independent. Not being tied to any other organisation, you can be assured that all of our services – from property buying, management, investing and managed sales – are market-leading, in terms of both quality and cost.

Property Negotiation Only Service

If you have already identified a suitable property in the UK and you are based in the United States, you can use us to your advantage by allowing us to negotiate and secure the property on your behalf, with exactly the right team.

Negotiating and paying the correct price for your property and holding the deal together through to exchange of contracts can take considerable experience, persistence and dedication to the task. Working alongside the property agent, lenders and your solicitors, we will recommend a suitable offer to put forward on the property based on comparable evidence. This gives you the assurance that you are not overpaying for their property.

Our reputation for negotiating highly attractive property deals on excellent terms is second-to-none. Over the years, we have established an enviable track record for negotiating and securing properties for our clients at impressive discounts to the asking price.

We are often able to secure our clients a significant saving off the asking price. We are always able of ensuring a smooth and successful transaction.

We engaged Black Brick as buying agent with our property search in London in Aug 2021. Despite being overseas, having very specific requirements and a fairly tight timeline (because of our impending move back to London), Black Brick was able to help us find our amazing family home that ticked all of the boxes!

The Black Brick team are professional, knowledgeable and have a very good sense of what their clients needs are. They have a lot of experience in the property market and will guide you along the way from property search, negotiation, conveyancing and legal process etc, which gave us a great piece of mind. We really appreciate their responsiveness (sometimes answering questions during holidays or odd hours given timezone differences for important matters) and post-completion concierge services as well!

Read the case study Client Testimonials

We’re ready when you are

For more information on our Property Management Service, please email our Property Manager, Sophie Amasha, or call her on +44 (0) 20 3141 9863 / +44 (0) 7713 568 291.

Contact Sophie

Rental Search

London Property Rental Search

If you are looking to re-locate and rent a property in London, in between selling and buying and looking for an interim solution – or visiting London for a short period of time – we can help find you the ideal rental place for you to rest your head. Without the headaches.

Our experience and expertise in the rental market in London and surrounding areas enables us to direct you to the most appropriate area and rental property that matches your requirement, perfectly. Smoothly, efficiently and free of stress.

You may know exactly where you want to live. If so, we will focus on the area or areas you have chosen. If necessary, we can steer you to areas more suitable for your budget and needs. To source the most appropriate rental properties for you, we conduct a thorough search of the rental market. Where possible, to save you time, we will preview these on your behalf.

Depending on the number of suitable rental properties we source, we will organise two half-day tours – or one full-day tour – so you can view the properties and the surrounding area. If necessary, additional tours can be arranged.

Once a suitable rental property has been identified, we will negotiate the best terms on your behalf and oversee all the legalities of your tenancy making sure you sign a contract, but only when you’re happy. We will also ensure that any requirements you might have for the rental property are met. This might include internet access, or satellite TV.

Complimentary Property Concierge Service

Our dedicated Property Concierge Service is available to every client on the purchase of a property through Black Brick – at no extra cost. We will take care of transferring over all of the utilities into your name, arrange for telephone lines and internet to be installed and SKY TV packages to be set up for you – ensuring that your move is as hassle-free as possible post-purchase.

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We have an unrivalled track record.

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“We worked with Black Brick both on the rental and purchasing market for the last 2 years, the initial idea being to rent a property and discover London before settling down on the long term. They did comprehensive work in both cases to our great satisfaction. Their  ability to understand and adapt to our very specific needs, their patience, made all the difference. Always available, Black Brick advised us wisely with great professionalism, and his extended network allowed us to have a clear view of our targeted market. Black Brick is highly recommended for any search in London, which happens to be a complex and granular market, difficult to access properly otherwise.”

Read the case study Client Testimonials

We’re ready when you are

Whether you’re looking for a short term let in London or somewhere more permanent, our property rental search service can help find what you’re looking for.

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Investing

London Property Investment Service

History has proved it. Through the most challenging of times, property has consistently provided excellent long-term capital growth. And with rock-bottom interest rates, buy-to-let property can also generate regular income streams. Alternatively, individual property development investments can generate high rates of return over short time horizons.

With the gap between housing demand and supply set to grow over the next few years – especially in London – the current market conditions provide enormous opportunities for potential property investors. But with changes to the UK tax regime, and often complex local market conditions, expert advice is essential to ensure that your future investment expectations can be met.

Our property investment consultants can find your ideal property, negotiate the most attractive price, complete the deal on your behalf, and position the property to attract the highest quality tenants or the right buyer. We can also manage the property for you once a suitable tenant is found.

Our property investment services:

Initial consultation

Initial consultation to build a thorough understanding of your investment objectives, and to advise you on current market conditions and on areas that will most effectively maximise your property investment goals.

Research and preview

Research and preview to identify and source suitable properties, using our extensive connections within the industry to access suitable investment opportunities ahead of the competition.

Property tour

Property tour of shortlisted properties, with advice on the local areas and amenities, pricing, rental values and yields.

Negotiation

We understand the meaning of value and will negotiate hard on your behalf to ensure that the property you decide to purchase will meet your future investment expectations.

Legal liaison, working on your behalf with leading law firms and surveyors to ensure the purchase runs smoothly through to a successful completion.

Post purchase

Post purchase, our dedicated Property Management Service can manage and oversee the entire lettings process, from instructing the right letting agent for your property through to professionally managing the property during and between tenancies.

Refurbishment management

Using our network of architects, planning consultants, interior designers and tradesman, we can help position the property for enhanced rental yields or on-sale, cost-effectively and with minimal hassle.

Bi-annual review

We keep in regular contact with you, updating you on local market conditions and providing you with comparable sales data, so you can see how your asset is performing over time, and make an informed decision on when might be an opportune time to sell.

Property Management Service

Our Property Management Service can help you find the perfect tenant for your investment property. We will oversee the entire lettings process for you – we’ll instruct and liaise with lettings agents on your behalf, collate valuations, arrange for any necessary refurbishments to be carried out and take care of the referencing and tenancy agreements.

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Complimentary Property Concierge Service

Our dedicated Property Concierge Service is available to every client on the purchase of a property through Black Brick – at no extra cost. We will take care of transferring over all of the utilities into your name, arrange for telephone lines and internet to be installed and SKY TV packages to be set up for you – ensuring that your move is as hassle-free as possible post-purchase.

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Here are the answers to the questions that we’re often asked about buying agents…

In the current low-interest-rate environment, the UK property market can offer attractive and predictable rental yields or compelling refurbishment investment opportunities. The property also acts as a good hedge against inflation, and a good diversifier within an overall portfolio.

Every client is an individual and will have their own investment objectives. We work with our clients to define their brief, and then make recommendations on the most suitable property types and areas for investment.

A good property broker can help you define your investment brief and objectives and also make suggestions on what types of properties and areas are best suited for you.

You need to consider what your investment objectives are. Consider things such as yield, potential for future capital appreciation, appetite to refurbish (or not), timeframe for investment and exit strategy.

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We have an unrivalled track record.

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“We purchased our investment property, Viridian Apartments, with Black Brick as our buying agent. Upon completion, we had the task of redecorating the property and finding a tenant. After reviewing the proposals from other reputable agents with prominent offices in Battersea, we decided to strengthen our relationship with Black Brick and appointed them as our managing agents.

Though other agents were offering lower commissions, we decided that as overseas landlords, our property and our tenant would be better looked after by an agent who would be more personally involved. Sophie Amasha is extremely efficient, knowledgeable, hardworking and has a delightful personality. The redecoration and furnishing was completed in a timely manner and done efficiently and to a high standard, due to the great relationship that Black Brick and Sophie have with their service providers and the close supervision that they undertake.

Sophie’s guidance was invaluable in promptly finding a professional couple as our tenants, and negotiating the lease and rental. This was done in the week before Christmas, when everyone else would have been preoccupied with the festivities, and deferred the property to January’s listing! I am pleased to say that we made the right decision, and I believe that our tenants are extremely happy with the service that they receive whenever there is an issue with the property.”

Read the case study Client Testimonials

We’re ready when you are

We guide our international investor clients through a process that covers all angles from initial consultation and research to legal liaison and post purchase support.

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Buying

London Property Buyer’s Broker

Our unfair advantages. Put fairly and squarely.

Securing your ideal property can be frustrating and time-consuming. Where do you start? As a buyer’s broker, we start with clarity and we don’t give in until we get what you’re looking for.

We proceed in a straightforward manner:

We get to know you.

We start by meeting you to build a real understanding of your aims and objectives. We advise you on current property market conditions and suggest areas to maximise your budget (we specialise in properties in London and surrounding areas).

We research thoroughly.

Distances between properties can be considerable. Houses and apartments that look perfect in a photograph can turn out to be wholly unsuitable. As a residential buying agent, we view and shortlist suitable properties saving you valuable time, as we will only show you properties that we have previewed on your behalf and that meet with all your requirements.

We’re quick off the mark.

A thorough property search can take weeks, even months. With our contacts, our expertise and negotiating skills, we can cut the time – without taking shortcuts.

We leave no stone unturned.

The demand for good quality properties often outstrips supply. Prime London and country homes can be sold long before they’re advertised. Armed with your brief, our property buying consultants identify the best property, often before it is offered on the open market.

We’re always there by your side.

Knowing the property is one thing. What about the area? We accompany you on viewings to shortlisted properties. Our a buyer’s broker, we advise you on the local area, amenities and pricing. We give you an objective overview of the property and pricing so that you are fully equipped to make an informed buying decision.

We’re tough negotiators.

The property may be right.  But the price? As a buyer’s broker, we use expert negotiating skills to secure the right property at the best possible price – on the most favourable terms.

We oversee the Legal Process.

To do this, you need an expert. We work with leading law firms who we recommend to our clients. Our buying consultants then manage the legal process throughout to ensure the purchase holds together through to completion and handing over the keys.

Complimentary Property Concierge Service

Our dedicated Property Concierge Service is available to every client on the purchase of a property through Black Brick – at no extra cost. We will take care of transferring over all of the utilities into your name, arrange for telephone lines and internet to be installed and SKY TV packages to be set up for you – ensuring that your move is as hassle-free as possible post-purchase.

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Here are the answers to the questions that we’re often asked about buying agents…

What is a buyer’s broker?

A buyer’s broker is someone who acts exclusively on behalf of the buyer. They help buyers to understand the market, source the right property – sometimes off-market, negotiate the best/lowest price and then manage and oversee the entire legal process. Estate agents in the UK represent sellers. Their job is to sell the property they are instructed on for the highest price possible.

How can a buyer’s broker help me?

Sourcing property is a very time consuming and frustrating process. A good buyer’s broker will not only help you save valuable time and money, but also ensure you end up finding the right property for you, and one that meets all of your requirements. Buyer brokers are able to access more than just what’s online. In 2021, we saved our clients on average 3.6% from asking prices and 42% of properties we acquired were not openly advertised.

What is the difference between a buyer’s broker and an estate agent?

A buyer’s broker represents and acts for the buyer. An estate agent represents and acts for the seller.

Get in touch

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1Tell us about your perfect property
2About you
3Send to Black Brick

We have an unrivalled track record.

View all case studies

Black Brick team did a fantastic job in helping us buy a property in London. Their knowledge about the local market and even more their attitude impressed us. They made themselves always available and ready to help and support us during search and making decision. The Black Brick team is very professional and available with many good and timely advises and solutions depends on your needs. This is definitely the best agency I was working with and I am happily recommending them for a pleasant and enjoyable property search.

Read the case study Client Testimonials

We’re ready when you are

Whether you’re looking for a short term let in London or somewhere more permanent, our property rental search service can help find what you’re looking for.

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