|
Property Management ServicesAdministration:
Aquamarine Escapes Management arranges to set up all utility accounts – electric, water, gas, phone, cable TV – and ensures that all bills are paid in a timely manner, unless other arrangements have been made. To allow us to set up these accounts we have to provide the utility companies with a Limited Power of Attorney which has been notarized by a notary public and signed by you. We also require a copy of your passport for positive ID. All homeowners are required to maintain an escrow account with a minimum balance of $1000. Each account is managed at our office and at the end of each month you are sent an invoice, showing all outgoings and a statement showing income & expenditure. You will be advised of any balances due at this time. If your account is in credit over the $1000 we can transfer excess funds into your own personal bank account. If you are going to rent your home you will be seen to be ‘running a business’ in Florida. As such, there are various requirements you must meet. You need to be licensed to rent your house. If you are a non-resident of the USA you will need to obtain a Tax ID number or ITIN as well as securing the services of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to prepare your annual tax returns for the IRS. Florida law states that you are obliged to pay Sales & Tourist Tax on any income you receive from rentals on your property. That includes income received both in the USA & the UK (or any other country, for that matter). Each county is different, but as a guide, Broward County Tourist Tax is 5% and State of Florida Sales Tax is 7%. These rates are subject to change and are based on the gross income. We will report such income on your behalf and pay whatever taxes are due, on a monthly basis. Housekeeping:
Cleanliness of your home has to be the number one consideration. Our policy is that every home should be spotless for every guest. When your guests vacate the home our team of cleaners will ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned. This will include cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, washing and replacing bed linen and towels, emptying fridges & freezers and disposing of trash. Our keen eye and attention to details ensures that we include baseboards, fans, windows and light fittings in this cleaning process. A full spring clean is recommended at least once a year, depending on the amount of ‘traffic’ through your home. If we find stained or damaged linen or towels they will be removed. If we find damaged or missing items they are reported. As each guest is required to provide a refundable security deposit we can obtain reimbursement for such items, where appropriate. You will always be informed if we identify a problem. And finally the house will be prepared & ‘presented’ for your guests, with neatly arranged towels, perfectly vacuumed carpets and a personalized letter to welcome your guest. We also leave exterior lights and an interior light on in case your guests arrive after dark. Pool Maintenance: The pool is just as important as the inside of the house. Our licensed pool man visits every week and they check the chemical balance & adds any chemicals that may be required, sweeps the pool & cleans the filter and removes any surface debris from the water. Extra services are available at extra cost – please check with us first: • Jet washing of the deck. • Jet washing of the screen enclosure framework. • Cleaning of pool furniture, including cushions. • Repainting of the deck area. In the event of extremely bad weather, ALL homes are checked for damage, both inside & out & chemical balances of the water are checked to ensure that it’s safe to swim. Lawns & Landscaping: Our landscaping contractors do a great job! Their service includes lawn cutting, edging, trimming & weeding. This service is necessary on a weekly basis during the summer months, when the sunshine & rain makes everything grow at a considerable pace. However, during the winter months it all slows down, so the lawn cutting is reduced to every 2 weeks. During this time it allows the men to catch up on jobs like pruning & extra weeding, replacing dead plants & shrubs and re-mulching – so your ‘yard’ stays in tip-top condition all year long. You will be advised if there are any jobs that require extra costs to you before we allow them to proceed. The company we use offer a complete landscaping service and, as such can provide you with any extra landscaping you may require, for example – you may decide to add some natural screening around your pool in the form of bushes or other plants. They will be happy to quote for you. Your irrigation is checked on a regular basis. We ensure that your sprinklers are set within the guidelines dictated by the county for your watering requirements. Pest Control: Florida has a sub-tropical climate and attracts all kinds of bugs & pests. Once every 3 months they visit your home and spray chemicals on the baseboards in every room. This attracts the bugs to the surface & then kills them! This service is guaranteed, so, should there ever be an increase in pests in the home during that time they will return, at no extra charge, and take care of the problem.
The pest control service is also provided for your lawn. Not only do they apply chemicals to fight against Fire ants & cinch bugs but they also apply a dose of weed & feed too. This helps to keep your lawn looking its best all year round - & bug free!
|
||||||||||||
