If you have not already done so, you now need to give some thought as to who is going to look after the property whilst you are not here. You have made a significant investment. Your investment needs to be well looked after otherwise it can be costly in terms of unexpected and unnecessary repairs.

It's easy to imagine that in paradise things look after themselves, but in reality the same rules apply to property maintenance as in the rest of the world. Empty properties can deteriorate rapidly, and whilst seeming to be idyllic, the climate in Phuket is not 'property-friendly'. You will be surprised how quickly the combination of sun and salt air can act as a paint or varnish stripper to exterior finishes, and how dust forms a sticky layer on interior furnishings. When the rainy season comes, monsoon rains test every little crevice.

Fortunately for you, the advent of the property boom in Phuket with many of the initial investors buying holiday homes has also seen the establishment of a number of companies specializing in the maintenance and management of estates, villas and apartments.

A professional property management company will be able to advise you on how to care for your property and what preventative maintenance should be applied to keep it in good order. The old English adage that 'A stitch in time saves nine' translates into any language, and is never truer than when referring to property maintenance.

If you have purchased an apartment, it is most likely that the estate management will be responsible for the exterior of the building, and you will be charged a monthly fee for this service. If your apartment is a registered 'Condominium', then the responsibilities of the Condominium Juristic Person [CJP] for the maintenance of the building should be straightforward. Otherwise you should check carefully what is included in your 'Common Area' management services agreement.

It is unlikely that these services will cover the care and maintenance of the interior of your apartment. A property management company on the other hand, will be able to provide you with such services including regular cleaning, and the maintenance and repair of such items as air-conditioners and water systems.

If you have purchased an individual villa property, either set-alone or within an estate complex you should look to engage the services of a management company able to provide :

• General housekeeping services
  
• Property maintenance and repair services
  
• Garden maintenance services
  
• Swimming pool maintenance and repair services

Remember that even within an estate complex, the estate's common area services will end at your garden gate and you will be responsible for the maintenance of your own property.

Whilst many of the management companies sub-contract these services and simply act to manage and oversee the various works, others employ their own staff and assign them to your property as required. This can offer greater flexibility in terms of the frequency of service visits and even which staff service your property.

Some of the management companies can also employ staff on your behalf to be permanently assigned to your property. This takes away the headache of employing your own staff, paying their taxes and national insurance, whilst providing the comfort of knowing that they are properly trained and under the constant supervision of the management company when you are away from Phuket.

Whether you have an apartment or villa, an often forgotten consideration is the payment of utility and other bills. A professional management company will be able to provide this service for you and ensure that your electricity meter does not suddenly disappear, your telephone or UBC service is cut or your insurance policy expires, because the bills were not paid on time.

Next time you visit, your property it will be welcoming and in good order. In the meantime you can sleep easy knowing that the management company is caring for your investment in paradise………

Information by Lynx Management
Tel: +66 (0)76 239944
Website: www.phuket-villas.com