Property Management
Universal Vacations offers various types of property management, from our traditional Rental and Management package through to our home watch service Universal Vacations have the ability to specifically design a management package to suit your exact needs in the care of your property.
Your Florida management company is basically responsible for looking after all aspects of your Florida vacation home, from helping to obtain rentals, through keeping the property clean and well maintained, to paying your bills and keeping sales tax records. To do this we must be licensed by the State of Florida; The Department of Business and Professional Regulation or DBPR licenses Universal Vacations to manage properties in Florida
Universal Vacations are a full service management company, we actively market our homes to tour operators and travel partners through various trade travel exhibitions in Europe, the United States and Canada, we are constantly updating our own web sites to keep up with travelers ever changing needs. Our reservations system is, state of the art which allows our travel partners to book homes, for their clients directly at point of contact without having to check availability with the reservations team during normal office hours. We employ our own maintenance crew, pool service staff, cleaners and lawn cutters. Additionally we can pay your utility bills, calculate sales and tourist taxes and remit them on the owner’s behalf to the State of Florida each month. These transactions are then accounted for on a monthly statement. Locally we track Homeowner Association regulations on behalf of owners and liaise with Tourist Boards to help promote Florida as the premier vacation resort.
Here is a brief outline of our main property management services: • Full rental and management service
• Full management service
• Long term residential service
• Home watch service
• Pool service package
• Lawn & Yard Service package
• Supplementary service package ( A & B )
• FAQ regarding the rental aspect Full rental and management service [top]
For an inclusive fee per Month we will perform the following services to your Florida vacation / rental home:
- POOL MAINTENANCE
• to include weekly cleaning and chemical testing and balancing of pH level [acidity/alkalinity],
• removal and /or treatment of algae, bottom dirt and surface debris
• replenishment of chlorine tablets, acid / alkali and anti-algae chemicals
• routine cleaning of skimmer and pool filters
• biennial maintenance check on pumps, timers, switches, solar heating systems etc.
• excludes the replacement cost of supplying and fitting new paper or linen cartridge type filters. - LAWN & GARDEN CARE
• to include grass cutting, lawn edging, and clipping removal,
• to include adjusting and re-setting irrigation systems if Federal, State or County authorities impose water usage restrictions - MANAGEMENT SERVICE
• to include regular inspection of the property, its contents, furnishings, fixtures and fittings
• to include greeting, registration and monitoring and care of rental guests
• to include provision of emergency out-of-hours call-out for rental guests
• to include supervision of repairs where carried out by outside contractors
• to include replacement as necessary of a limited number of small consumable items such as light bulbs, basic plumbing items [ eg tap washers, cistern valves ] and trash bags - ADMINISTRATION SERVICE
• to include offering a helpdesk service to the homeowner
• to include keeping homeowners informed of issues impacting on the welfare of the property and the owners interests
• to include administration of rentals and taking security deposits to indemnify homeowner against damage caused by rental guests.
• to include (if required by owner ) acting as mailing address, contact point and management agent for all service and utility providers
• X to include (if required by owner) ensuring timely and accurate settlement of all utility bills
• to include recording, calculating and ensuring timely payment of tax liabilities associated with the home rental where the rental is procured by Universal
• to include provision to owner of a monthly statement of account for all services, charges and receipts
• to include, where appropriate, representing the homeowners interests with Homeowners Associations, County Authorities etc. - MARKETING SERVICE
• to include promoting the rental homes and Florida generally to the travel industry and potential Florida holidaymakers
• to include maintaining a website to promote the homes and the rental programme to a wide audience
• to include ancillary hard copy advertising when appropriate
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Full Management Service [top]
- POOL MAINTENANCE
• to include weekly cleaning and chemical testing and balancing of pH level [acidity/alkalinity],
• removal and /or treatment of algae, bottom dirt and surface debris
• replenishment of chlorine tablets, acid / alkali and anti-algae chemicals
• routine cleaning of skimmer and pool filters
• biennial maintenance check on pumps, timers, switches, solar heating systems &c.,
• excludes the replacement cost of supplying and fitting new paper or linen cartridge type filters. - LAWN & GARDEN CARE
• to include grass cutting, lawn edging, and clipping removal,
• to include adjusting and re-setting irrigation systems if Federal, State or County authorities impose water usage restrictions - MANAGEMENT SERVICE
• to include regular inspection of the property, its contents, furnishings, fixtures and fittings
• to include greeting, registration and monitoring and care of rental guests
• to include provision of emergency out-of-hours call-out for rental guests
• to include supervision of repairs where carried out by outside contractors
• to include replacement as necessary of a limited number of small consumable items such as light bulbs, basic plumbing items [ eg tap washers, cistern valves ] and trash bags - ADMINISTRATION SERVICE
• to include offering a helpdesk service to the homeowner
• to include keeping homeowners informed of issues impacting on the welfare of the property and the owners interests
• to include (if required by owner ) acting as mailing address, contact point and management agent for all service and utility providers
• to include (if required by owner) ensuring timely and accurate settlement of all utility bills
• to include provision to owner of a monthly statement of account for all services, charges and receipts
• to include, where appropriate, representing the homeowners interests with Homeowners Associations, County Authorities etc.
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Long Term Residential Service [top] Universal Vacations Residential Services are proud to offer owners and investors who wish to derive income from their home on a long term basis, we can obtain tenants for both, furnished and non-furnished homes, condos, villas and town-homes. • Locating suitable tenants, through local and internet advertising
• Accompany potential tenants to the home and explain the process
• Conduct a security check on all possible tenants prior to signing a lease
• Collect security deposits and upfront rental expenses and deposit into out client account
• Produce a regular monthly income and expenditure statement
• Deposits cleared rental income into clients US bank account
• Prepare leases for both tenant and landlord in accordance with Florida law and arrange all documents to be notarized
• Arrange any repairs to the residence “in house” and notify owner of such repairs immediate
• 24 hour emergency call out number supplied to all tenants/7 Emergency on call
• Regular property inspections and drive-by’s
Leasing fees differ for varying contracts
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Home Watch Service [top] Universal Vacations home watch service is available to owners who use their home seasonally and do not need our full management service while in residence, as soon as you vacate the property, your home can be placed in the Universal Vacations “Home Watch Service” giving you the peace of mind in the knowledge your property is being looked after at the top level in your absence. • Regular on site inspections of both interior and exterior
• Arrange to have mail re-directed to our office while home is vacant
• Payment of all, or some utilities if needed
Interior
• Check for Sulphur smell and run water throughout home
• Note general condition of area
• Inspect and replace AC filters • Check Refrigerator/freezer
• Check faucets for leaks
• Check under sinks for leaks
Exterior
• Wash or pressure wash deck area
• Check pool screens and make necessary repairs.
Prices starting from $50.00 per month [top]
Pool Service package [top]
- POOL MAINTENANCE
• to include weekly cleaning and chemical testing and balancing of pH level [acidity/alkalinity],
• removal and /or treatment of algae, bottom dirt and surface debris
• replenishment of chlorine tablets, acid / alkali and anti-algae chemicals
• routine cleaning of skimmer and pool filters
• biennial maintenance check on pumps, timers, switches, solar heating systems etc.,
• excludes the replacement cost of supplying and fitting new paper or linen cartridge type filters.
Prices starting from $85.00 per month
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Lawn & Yard Service package [top]
- LAWN & GARDEN CARE
• to include grass cutting, lawn edging, and clipping removal,
• to include adjusting and re-setting irrigation systems if Federal, State or County authorities impose water usage restrictions
Prices starting from $85.00 per month
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Supplementary service package ( A & B ) [top] 1. PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. (A) • to include quarterly fertilizing of lawn, flower beds and palm trees
• to include periodic insecticide treatment for lawn and flower beds
• to include periodic weeding of the flower beds and trimming and pruning of hedges and shrubs front yard
• to include routine cleaning and renewal of air conditioning filters 2. PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME (B) • to include once every six months – pressure washing and chemical cleaning of deck area, pool cage, deck furniture and façade of home including front porch, entryway, garage door surround and front windows.
Prices starting from $35.00 per month
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FAQ regarding the renting of your home [top] Do you have seasonal pricing?
Rental Rates. Florida seasonal variations in demand and levels of occupancy do occur however we have a policy of maintaining a year round rate with seasonal discounts only in November and the early part of December. We have found that reducing rates does not always bring higher occupancy levels, merely cheaper holidays. “Snowbird” rental periods of one month or longer are negotiated individually usually 4 weeks for the price of 4; as continuous usage without the need for weekly cleans and “empty days” does increase the owners income.
How do you safeguard our property against damage?
Security Deposits / Indemnification against rental damage. Because we deal with such a large number of travel companies in different countries it is very difficult to collect security deposits on all rentals, therefore in order to safeguard a homeowners investment in furnishings we indemnify the owner directly against damage. Details of this are contained in our management agreement.
How do I get my home ready for rentals?
Set Up Costs. Deposits and installation costs are payable on utilities, electricity, telephones, cable television etc. however we will cover these amounts during the initial set-up period on the owners behalf.
How do I get paid for rentals and how do I pay utilities?
Accounting Practices. We collect rental income from travel operators on behalf of our owners and pay utility bills, homeowner association dues, management charges, etc. Statements are mailed out monthly and checks issued for surplus income, this can be paid directly into the homeowners bank account in Florida, or sent out with the statement.
How do renters get into out home?
Gaining Entry to your vacation home. In order to dispense with giving our keys to guests (who promptly lose them) we have found the most efficient method of entry is a combination lock fitted to the front door. The cost is $179.00 which includes unlimited code changes.
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