Management Services


Calabay Homes will help you look after your Florida holiday home and investment property even when you are thousands of miles away.  We offer a comprehensive service to suit customers’ management requirements, be it short or long term lets, or personal use for yourself and family.

Most owners will look to reap the rewards and investment opportunity of owning their Florida home, and that means making the property available for holiday rentals.  We are very familiar with the requirements of Florida State law relating to rental property, and we combine that knowledge with a management package that makes your property very attractive to holidaymakers.


Legal Requirements.

All rental homes must be licensed by the State.  An inspection of the property will be undertaken by the governing body to ensure that the minimum requirements are met.  Most of these requirements are desirable common-sense safety-related items similar to what you would have in your primary residence and designed to protect the owner / renter or the property itself.  Those requirements consist of:


·        installation of approved fire extinguisher(s)
·        installation of visual and audible smoke alarms in designated areas
·        installation of suitable security mechanisms to exterior doors and patio windows
·        suitable homeowners insurance, a copy of which we will retain in our offices.  The cost of this insurance will depend on the type of home, its size and its location.  It is recommended to add liability cover of at least $1million to the standard homeowners policy.

In addition
·        a rate card is to be maintained and lodged in the management office
·        we collect and pay applicable State taxes on managed bookings on owners’ behalf.  These taxes consist of Resort Tax (approx 5%) and standard State Sales Tax (approx 10%).  Calabay Homes will ensure that all tax obligations related to managed bookings are met and paid at the appropriate time  -  usually monthly.  It is the owner’s responsibility to declare and pay the taxes on rentals obtained on non-managed bookings, however we would be happy to administer payment of that tax to the relevant authorities on the owner’s behalf if requested by the property owner.

Maintenance Services.
Regardless of you the property owner living so far away from your Florida home, you can rest assured that your property’s maintenance requirements will be respectfully implemented and managed.  Our Maintenance Services Package includes these items:

• Home Cleaning (general).
  

• Home Cleaning (departure).
  

Like most of our clients, if your property is to be used for short-term rental programmes then there will almost certainly be a requirement for guest departure cleaning and inventory checks.  This gives the homeowner peace of mind that as one guest leaves and another arrives all will be ready.  Our team will effect a housekeeping service after each let.  All linens, towels and crockery will be cleaned in preparation for the next occupants.  It is at this time that a full inventory will be taken and any replacement / rectification costs would be deducted from the applicable renter’s security deposit.  Mid-rental cleaning can be arranged if required should an occupier request this.

• Minor maintenance.
  

• General Property Maintenance and Construction Service.
  

                                 I.      Lawn Maintenance:  Due to the Florida sub-tropical climate, the garden areas require regular maintenance and checks to ensure tiptop condition year-round and thus enhance the overall appearance of your property.  If this is not part of the function of your Housing Association then we will arrange to do all mowing, feeding, weeding, edging etc to maintain the highest possible appearance and continued well being of the garden areas.  Most properties have an automatic irrigation system installed, which greatly assists, in this area.  The frequency of lawn maintenance varies with the seasons but will be no less than twice a month.