When I learned why landlords are turning to property management services

The conversation started over an evening tea. When my sister started to share her experience as a landlord, she told me that last month she had rented out that small apartment, which she purchased a year back. Nothing complex. She hoped the property would serve as a steady income source.

Initially, all seemed simple.

A tenant moved in. The rent came through on time. For a few weeks, there was nothing to worry about.

Then, daily queries started to happen that bothered her and questioned her for the choice of being a landlord in Edinburgh.

One evening, she received a message about a leaking tap. A few days later, the tenant made an enquiry about the boiler pressure. Following that, there was a question regarding the tenancy paperwork, which she actually didn’t know how to answer.

These were not serious problems. No, Not Really. But becomes more hectic when these things keep on popping up one after another, most often when she is already busy in her job, along with two sweeties (my nieces)!

It was at that moment that she said something interesting. 

“I was unaware that there were so many small decisions involved in renting out a place.”

She said to me, "Sisy, I am fed up with all of this; please, won't you help me out?" 

I thought long and hard about the matter myself, but I couldn't come up with a solution. Then, the next day, when I went to my office, I explained the entire situation to one of my colleagues. At first, she just laughed, remarking, 

"Oh, so your sister has also tried her hand at being a landlord in Edinburgh, just like I did last year!" 

I replied, "You did it too? 

That means you understand just how difficult it is to be a landlord in a 'haunted' city like Edinburgh, a place where problems can crop up from any direction at any moment."

She said, "Yes, absolutely. In the beginning, I thought I would be able to manage it alongside my job, but by the end of the day, it would get so hectic that I just felt like sitting down and having a good cry. Queries and issues were coming in from every side." 

Then she added, "But things aren't like that anymore, not since I started working with Umega Lettings." 

To be honest, that was the first time I had ever heard that name, so I asked her, "Who are they?" She explained that they are well-known letting agents in Edinburgh who assist both tenants and landlords. 

She told me, "When I first found out about them, I was a bit skeptical; I wondered if they might turn out to be untrustworthy, just like so many other local agents. But I decided to contact them anyway. 

Luckily, today I am earning income from not just one, but three properties, all without any stress!

Hearing this, I said, "Please! Could you put me in touch with them so I can help my sister?" She did exactly that, and when my sister spoke to them, they listened carefully, unlike other local agents of the city. My sister told them that she was fed up with the "landlord role" and simply wanted to be rid of this headache. They assured us that we had come to exactly the right place and promised to assist us every step of the way. 

A few days later, when a new inquiry came in, they promptly resolved it. Then, a little while after that…knowing that the previous tenant was about to vacate. She called to express her concern that our property might sit vacant. They reassured her, saying, "Don't worry; another tenant has already viewed the property and is ready to move in the moment the current ones leave."

Only then did my sister breathe a sigh of relief.

And yes, just as my colleague had mentioned, today my sister is also utilising that property as a steady source of income…without any headaches. 

By sharing my personal story, I hope that if anyone else is struggling with a similar problem, they should find a good letting agent or property management agency and put an end to the chaos.