Blog Post 9 - Exceptional Property Management During Christmas

“Good systems don’t take holidays — they reveal their value when everything else slows down.” —

— Kamil Domski

Blog Post 9 - Exceptional Property Management During Christmas:
A Season That Reveals The Strength Of Our Systems

Christmas and New Year are often described as a “quiet period” in property. In reality, for property managers, it’s one of the most revealing times of the year. It tests systems, communication, cash flow processes, and operational readiness in ways that a standard month simply doesn’t.

From serviced accommodation occupancy to tenant behaviour, payments, and maintenance, December consistently shows us where a business is solid — and where it still needs refinement.

Filling the Gaps: Christmas & New Year in Serviced Accommodation

The festive period is a natural opportunity to populate serviced accommodation units between contractor stays.

While contractor demand may soften temporarily, Christmas and New Year bring:

• Visiting families

• Short-term relocations

• People spending the holidays closer to loved ones

• Guests needing flexible stays outside standard hotel offerings

When managed correctly, this period can smooth occupancy curves, rather than create voids. The key is flexibility, pricing awareness, and having listings ready well in advance.

December Moves: A Reality Often Overlooked

Despite common belief, people do move in December.

Some relocate for:

• New jobs starting in January

• Personal life changes

• A desire to begin the year in a new place

In our own portfolio, around 8% of tenants moved properties in December due to personal or professional circumstances. This reinforces an important lesson:

Property never fully stops — it simply changes pace.

Rent Payments: Earlier, Not Later

One interesting seasonal pattern we consistently observe is earlier rent payments.

Many tenants prefer to:

• Clear their rent obligations ahead of Christmas

• Budget properly for the festive period

• Avoid financial admin during holidays

For property managers, this highlights the importance of:

• Clear payment systems

• Accurate tracking

• Flexibility without losing control

Good systems reduce friction — especially when timing becomes unpredictable.

Maintenance: Small Issues, Big Attention

December also brings a noticeable increase in minor maintenance reports. Sometimes it’s because people have more time at home — sometimes because winter exposes issues faster.

While many problems can be resolved by simple guidance, winter brings one non-negotiable reality:

• Heating systems work harder

• Boilers are more prone to pressure drops or component failure

• Pipework tends to cause more leaks

Having trusted contractors, clear processes, and fast response protocols becomes critical — not optional.

💡Final Thoughts

This year, we’ve seen our properties well occupied, tenants supported, and landlords confident in our management. Our long term occupancy across residential and HMO properties achieved 95.46% which is a lot stronger against our target of 85%.

• We took on new properties

• None of our existing landlords left

• And 13 additional HMOs are set to come under management early in the New Year

As we move towards 2026, our focus remains the same:

Treat every property as if it were our own, and every stakeholder with fairness and clarity.

🎄Merry Christmas and Happy New Year — we look forward to supporting even more landlords, tenants, and companies in the year ahead🎁