I have now left my beloved Sheffield but am renting out my house. We are currently using a property management company because we're living so far away we can't get back to Sheffield easily to fix things if they go wrong or make sure the tenants pay the rent.

We've rented the property out since October 2008 and although the house was immaculate and in perfect working order when we left, the tenants have found something every month that they want fixing. If it's under £200 the property management company go in and fix it without our consent and then charge us at the end of the month.

I lived in the house for four years before renting it out and it did not need the attention the tenants are now claiming. The property company seem to always support the tenants and even get arsey when I say that the problems they are claiming are not big enough to warrant £60/£70 fees. The type of things they are claiming are a drip from the valve in the toilet, a small leak from the radiator, a drip from one of the gutters, replacement silicon around the kitchen sink, etc. None of these has cost less than £50! They seem to just pluck the figures out of the air.

I am sick of it!

Does anyone know of a GOOD company that will look after my house whilst I am living away?

Try Steve.
http://www.rentsheffield.co.uk/

Most plumbers would probably be charging £40 - £60 callout including the first hour.
So to fix the valve you would pay the first hour plus valve cost.
The leak would be 1st hour etc etc
If you could find a builder that lives near the property you may be able to come to some agreement on charges.
I don't think they should be just doing the work without consulting you first?
I look after a block of four flats in an old house in netheredge.
The tenants ring me and I check with landlord before i do anything.

I look after property for a few landlords in Sheffield , there are different ways of paying for the service though . You can pay monthly or per visit plus materials . Get in touch if you want a chat .

I have now left my beloved Sheffield but am renting out my house. We are currently using a property management company because we're living so far away we can't get back to Sheffield easily to fix things if they go wrong or make sure the tenants pay the rent.

We've rented the property out since October 2008 and although the house was immaculate and in perfect working order when we left, the tenants have found something every month that they want fixing. If it's under £200 the property management company go in and fix it without our consent and then charge us at the end of the month.

I lived in the house for four years before renting it out and it did not need the attention the tenants are now claiming. The property company seem to always support the tenants and even get arsey when I say that the problems they are claiming are not big enough to warrant £60/£70 fees. The type of things they are claiming are a drip from the valve in the toilet, a small leak from the radiator, a drip from one of the gutters, replacement silicon around the kitchen sink, etc. None of these has cost less than £50! They seem to just pluck the figures out of the air.

I am sick of it!

Does anyone know of a GOOD company that will look after my house whilst I am living away?

Yes I would recommend Northpoint on London Road, Sheffield they do a lot of property repairs for Landlords and know exactly what you mean when you say they claim things that are not exactly so. They do all repairs on properties including replacement windows and much more .............I would give them a try. Their number is 0114 2507097

Try Cactus Property Management.
http://cactuspropertymanagement.co.uk/

Dear Stargazer8.

My name is Adrian from Northpoint in Sheffield, I have just read your dilemma and agree with you totally, I'm sure I can help you if you would like to phone me on 01142 507097
10am - 5pm Mon - Fri

Regards

Adrian

as a tenant myself i dont think its unreasonable for them to be asking for these things to be sorted. i live in a flat and its about 7 years old and things are just now starting to fall apart, just because you lived there and it was ok...time moves on and washers go e.t.c. Leaky radiotors vavles e.t.c are your repsonsibility...only lights bulbs and fuses have to be changed by tenants. just managed it youself...much cheaper even if you do live far away all these management companies are a rip off