Acara Property Management

Acara Property Management is a London-based firm offering comprehensive property management services across the city and its surrounding areas. The company provides full-service property management, tenancy portfolio management, facilities management, and block management. Acara originated as a hands-on property management service in 2012, expanding to include a development and refurbishment arm in 2015 with a full-time building team. By 2019, the firm further extended its offerings to include a lettings and sales arm, and in 2020, it unified under a shared brand to foster closer collaboration among its various property industry companies.

The founder, Paul Rowland, established Acara with the aims of being hands-on and avoiding expensive solutions, principles that remain central to the service today, enhanced by additional personnel and technology. Acara Property Management operates on a "Hands-On Property Management" model, a slogan visible on its team's uniforms. The company employs a hybrid approach to management and maintenance, with the majority of work completed by its in-house, full-time multi-trades maintenance team and property managers. This model ensures that property managers personally visit the properties they oversee, providing a direct and thorough service.

These managers are equipped to diagnose and resolve simple issues on-site, aiming to reduce the need for external engineer call-outs. The firm maintains a strong team comprising property managers, handymen, cleaners, gardeners, electricians, plumbers, and general builders, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the properties under their care. The firm leverages advanced technology to deliver a high level of service and performance. This includes the use of 3D cameras, drones, QR codes, remote display screens, Trello, and Slack.

Acara has also developed its own proprietary software specifically designed to enhance workflows. The company records extensive data on properties and ongoing activities, ensuring clients are fully informed about past, present, and future developments. Acara prioritizes transparent communication and task management, addressing common client concerns about responsiveness and information access. The company utilizes Trello to manage all property tasks, creating a dedicated platform for each property that the entire team uses.

This Trello board is continuously available to clients and tenants, offering real-time updates on completed, ongoing, and planned work. For direct client communication, Slack is employed, facilitating faster exchanges and automatic updates through dedicated channels or workspaces. The firm aims to foster enjoyable interactions between individuals and their properties. Beyond its core offerings, Acara Property Group provides a range of integrated property services, including architectural design, property letting, strategic consulting, property sales, and development services.

The company also specializes in HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) management, acknowledging the thorough and hands-on service required to meet local council standards in London. Additionally, Acara offers Airbnb management for short-let properties. The firm serves a diverse clientele, encompassing property developers, charities, retailers, share-of-freeholders, institutional investors, and London landed estates. One of the maintenance crew members has previous experience working at a large university campus, indicating relevant exposure to larger residential environments.