Defries & Associates Ltd has been managing properties for almost two decades. During this time we have been providing a consistently professional, high level of service and understanding to our clients.

We are an established and experienced firm that is able to provide an effective and tailored service at highly competitive rates. We have developed strong relationships with contractors and are able to cover properties in the Greater London area and the Home Counties north of the River Thames.

Our clients include non-resident landlords, limited companies with investment properties, developers and lessees who also own the freehold. We manage properties of all sizes from a small block of 3-4 flats to large developments of 300 flats.

We have a thorough knowledge and understanding of all the legislation that governs the relationship between landlord and tenant, which means you can confidently entrust us with the responsibilities and obligations that come with managing a property. How would you manage without us?

Working with Clients
At Defries & Associates we are very aware that it is our client’s money we are spending, not our own. We will therefore report to you and meet with you regularly to discuss our activities on your behalf and agree future plans. 

Budgets, Accounts and Debts
We will prepare and discuss with you a draft budget, before using it to prepare invoices for service charge contributions. We will not let debts accumulate and once a policy on late payments is adopted, we will take the action required to recover the outstanding sums due. At the end of the service charge year we will prepare the paperwork to send to the accountants and liaise with them over the draft accounts before submitting them to the client.

Prompt Attention to Maintenance Issues
We will deal with reports of maintenance problems promptly, usually instructing a contractor on the same day. The report and subsequent action are all recorded and followed up until satisfactorily concluded. Where possible, we will plan for major works well ahead of time to avoid lessees receiving a large service charge demand unexpectedly. We inspect our properties regularly to identify maintenance issues that have not been reported, potential major works, possible Health and Safety issues, and to check the standard of cleaning, gardening and many other issues that do not require a specialist input.

Reliable Contractors
All of the contractors that we use are vetted before we will instruct them. They must comply with strict checks including reviews of their Health and Safety procedures and insurance cover as well as seeking several references. If you have contractors that you wish to retain, we would be happy to continue to work with them and will only suggest replacing them if we think we can obtain a better price or service for you.

Insurance
We work with brokers who will search across the market to find the very best product for you. We are not tied to any particular broker or insurer but have consistently managed to obtain lower premiums for our clients.

Out of Hours Cover
Out of hours, a member of our staff is on duty to deal with emergencies. We do have access to drain clearance companies, locksmiths, electricians and general builders who can respond to those emergency problems that cannot wait until the office reopens.

ARMA and Ombudsman’s Service – Property
As members of ARMA we must comply with their requirements on financial recording and professional indemnity insurance. Along with most ARMA members, we have joined the Ombudsman Service. This gives you access to an independent Ombudsman who will investigate any complaints about member firms should such a need arise.

Legislation
As property managers we are knowledgeable about a great many areas of law, particularly landlord and tenant issues as well as Health and Safety at work. Our membership of ARMA ensures that we are up to date on any important changes to the law that affect our work.