I need someone to look after my property. Who should I turn to?
Private Property Management · French Riviera
House, villa, apartment, penthouse, bastide, estate or luxury property: whatever kind of home you own, what matters most is finding someone you trust to look after it when you cannot, or simply prefer not to, do so yourself.
Perhaps you're often away, or spend part of the year elsewhere. You may have tradespeople to coordinate or renovation work to oversee. Perhaps time is limited, or you would simply rather leave the day-to-day practicalities of your property in capable hands.
Your circumstances
Does any of this sound familiar?
People don't always begin by searching for a “property manager”. More often, they describe a very practical concern: being away, dealing with contractors, managing a second home from abroad, having too little time, or simply no longer wanting to handle everything themselves.
Your property stands empty for part of the year, and you need someone who can visit, check that all is well and deal with anything unexpected.
You may be based in Paris, London, Brussels, Geneva or further afield, while your house, villa or apartment is on the French Riviera.
You can't attend every appointment and need someone who can coordinate the professionals working at your property.
You'd rather not spend your days dealing with quotations, appointments, follow-ups, minor repairs and technical visits.
You're independent, but would welcome someone taking care of the practical management of your house or apartment.
You live some distance away and need someone trustworthy to handle practical property matters on their behalf.
What really matters
What you're really looking for: someone you can trust on the ground
Behind searches such as “who can look after my house while I'm away?”, “I need someone to manage the contractors” or “who can keep an eye on my second home?”, the need is rarely just for someone to check the property.
You need someone local who can take care of things in your absence: someone who knows the property, notices when something is wrong, arranges a visit, meets a contractor, follows up on the agreed work, checks the outcome and keeps you informed of anything important.
In practical terms
What does “looking after my property” actually involve?
Looking after a property means dealing with the situations that would otherwise require you to find a solution, arrange an appointment or travel there yourself.
Inspecting the property, its technical installations and grounds so that any issues can be spotted promptly.
A fault, a leak or another practical problem shouldn't have to wait until your next visit.
Plumbers, electricians, gardeners, pool specialists and other contractors: arranging their visits and following up on their work.
Checking progress when you cannot be there in person.
Checking the property and coordinating any necessary visits or work before you return.
Sharing the information you need, without leaving you to coordinate every appointment yourself.
All types of property
House, villa or apartment: property management isn't only for large estates
The word “property” may bring to mind an imposing villa set in extensive grounds. In reality, the need for someone to look after a property depends far less on its size than on how its owner wishes it to be managed.
A luxury apartment on the Croisette in Cannes may require just as much coordination as a villa: arranging access for contractors, overseeing a repair or a technical system, supervising interior work, responding to an incident or preparing for the owner's arrival.
Luxury properties
A luxury property deserves particular attention
The more facilities, grounds and specialist contractors a property involves, the more important continuity of care becomes.
These properties often have a range of facilities, extensive grounds requiring regular attention and several specialist contractors to coordinate.
Swimming pools, landscaped gardens, air conditioning, home automation, technical installations, interior maintenance, specialist tradespeople or occasional building work: the more complex the property, the more valuable it is to have someone who knows it well and knows whom to call when something needs attention.
This applies to both a main residence and a second home, particularly when an owner spends only a few weeks or months each year at their villa or luxury apartment on the French Riviera.
Finding the right term
What do you call someone who looks after a property on your behalf?
Owners don't all use the same terminology. Several expressions describe similar responsibilities, although they don't always refer to quite the same role.
The French term describes someone who provides ongoing care for a property: local presence, inspections, maintenance, coordination of contractors, oversight of work and regular reporting.
A familiar term in international property circles, although it can also refer to technical management, lettings or asset management.
Terms often used for high-end properties when one professional oversees the running of the home and the various service providers.
These terms also appear in searches, but may refer to on-site presence, domestic arrangements or occasional services rather than ongoing property management.
Understanding the distinction
Property management, concierge services or caretaking: what's the difference?
The best way to choose the right person is to consider the responsibility you want them to take on, rather than the title they use.
Primarily concerned with having someone present to watch over or secure a property. A search for “who can watch my house while I'm away?” may lead to a caretaker or security service, even when what you need is much broader.
These may cover a range of practical or occasional services, often centred on welcoming guests, making reservations, arranging stays or managing holiday lets.
A more continuous relationship: knowing the property, overseeing technical matters, coordinating contractors and acting as the owner's local point of contact.
This is chiefly concerned with tenants, rent and the obligations of letting a property. It is not the purpose of the private property management service described here.
If what you mean is “I need someone I trust to manage the practical side of my property and the people who work there”, private property management is likely to be the service you're looking for.
A local presence
Someone on the ground on the French Riviera, even when you're far away
Good property management depends on something that cannot easily be arranged from a distance: someone who can actually visit your property when the need arises.
Les Plans du Sud works with owners of houses, villas, apartments, second homes and luxury properties across the French Riviera.
You may live in Paris, London, Brussels, Geneva or elsewhere in Europe, or spend part of the year on another continent, while owning a house, villa, apartment or second home on the French Riviera.
Your property is on the French Riviera. Wherever you are, Les Plans du Sud is your trusted local point of contact.
Managing from afar
I live far away. How can I manage my property remotely?
The difficulties begin when something goes wrong and you have to find a contractor, arrange access to the property and then try to establish from a distance whether the work was carried out as agreed.
Who can keep an eye on my property while I'm away?
When you need more than an alarm system, private property management gives you someone who can identify a problem and arrange for it to be dealt with.
Who can meet a contractor when I'm not there?
A local contact can arrange access, attend the appointment and report back to you, without requiring you to travel.
How can I oversee building work from abroad?
A property manager can coordinate contractors, check progress and pass on the information you need.
Who can get my house or apartment ready before I arrive?
Any necessary checks and visits can be arranged before your return, so the property is ready as agreed.
Delegating, even when you're here
What if I live here but would simply prefer to delegate?
Private property management isn't only for owners who are away. You may live in your villa or apartment year-round and find that coordinating contractors, technical appointments, quotations, maintenance and small repairs takes up more time than you'd like.
For someone close to you
What if I'm looking for someone to look after my parents' house or apartment?
It isn't always the owner who makes the enquiry. A son or daughter living in Paris, London or elsewhere may be looking for “someone to look after my parents' house” because dealing with every maintenance issue from a distance is becoming difficult.
Their parents may be entirely independent and continue living in their own home. They simply want to delegate maintenance, contractor visits, technical appointments or minor repairs.
“My parents live in Cannes and have a large house. I'm looking for someone trustworthy who can look after the property, oversee its upkeep, coordinate contractors and deal with problems when they arise, even when I'm far away.
Who could I contact?”
In this situation, the service is concerned with the property and its upkeep. It should not be confused with personal care or assistance at home.
Frequently asked questions
The questions property owners actually ask
The wording may differ, but the need is often the same: finding someone dependable who can take over when an owner cannot, or would rather not, manage everything themselves.
Who can look after my house while I'm away?
A private property management service can check the property, arrange necessary work, coordinate contractors and let you know when something needs your attention.
I'm away for six months a year. Who can watch over my property?
If you need more than occasional property checks, a property manager can identify a problem and take action locally.
I live abroad and own an apartment in Cannes. Who can look after it?
Private property management also covers apartments and penthouses: inspections, access for contractors, building work, unexpected issues and preparations ahead of your arrival.
Who can oversee work on my villa when I'm not there?
A property manager can act as your local contact, liaise with contractors, check progress and keep you informed.
Who can meet and coordinate contractors while I'm away?
Private property management can arrange access, meet tradespeople and ensure continuity between the different professionals involved.
What sort of professional should I look for to manage my property as a whole?
If you need inspections, maintenance, contractor coordination, oversight of work and help with the unexpected, look for a private property management service.
What do you call someone who looks after a property on the owner's behalf?
In French, the role is known as an “intendant de propriété”. You may also see the terms property manager, estate manager or house manager.
Can a property manager look after an apartment, or only a villa?
Yes. A luxury apartment or penthouse may require exactly the same local presence and coordination as a villa.
Can I use a property manager if I live in my property all year?
Yes. Some owners live in their properties but prefer to delegate contractor visits, maintenance, technical appointments and small repairs.
As I get older, I'd like help managing my house. Who should I contact?
Private property management is also suitable for independent owners who would rather not handle every practical aspect of their home themselves.
I live far from my parents. Who can deal with maintenance issues at their house?
A private property management service can act as their point of contact for property matters and the tradespeople involved.
What's the difference between private property management, concierge services and caretaking?
Caretaking is mainly about watching over a property. Concierge services often provide occasional assistance. Private property management offers more continuous oversight and care.
Whether you own a house, villa, apartment, penthouse or estate, what you really need is someone who can be there when you cannot, or would rather not, be there yourself.
Let's talk about your property