Managing your property in Israel can be a stressful task, requiring a degree in multitasking, an in-depth knowledge of the Israeli “system” and a bucketload of patience. When you are not used to the way things work here, or are not fluent in Hebrew, the job becomes exponentially more difficult. Even if you do hire a property manager, they may not share the expectations you have for professionalism, punctuality, and customer service.
Yoel Kaufman, founder of SCRUBS Management, recognized the need for a hassle-free management solution for landlords in Israel. An oleh himself with five years’ experience in the service industry, Yoel is well aware of the challenges faced by property owners, especially those who are overseas. His mission is to provide landlords with peace of mind that their properties are being managed as best as possible.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
SCRUBS motto is “You Don’t Have to Manage on Your Own.” For Yoel, this means an unwavering commitment to fulfilling the client’s expectations with minimum hassle. Too often, there is a disparity between how management is done in Israel and how it is done in chutz la’aretz. As a native of the UK, Yoel knows the importance of customer service and he works to meet the specific needs of each client. When you choose SCRUBS Management, you’re opting for unparalleled commitment to you and your property.
TRUST
Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of every successful business relationship, and when choosing a property manager this is even more crucial. SCRUBS has built up a reputation as an efficient and trustworthy service provider that adheres to the highest ethical practices. Yoel’s philosophy is rooted in honesty, integrity, and trust, and he is proud of the strong relationships he has formed with clients over the years.
A ONE-STOP-SHOP
A good manager needs to be an expert in everything to do with property. SCRUBS Management looks after every single aspect of the management, maintenance and letting of your investment. They are proud of the fact that they focus in on every detail, and aim to go above and beyond, offering a quick turnaround time with any issue that arises. You’ll even receive a monthly report detailing everything that’s been checked.
When you’re away from your property for weeks at a time, it’s important to keep everything running smoothly, so SCRUBS will check the alarm system is working properly and sort out the mail. They will inspect the bathrooms, the balcony, and electricity to ensure that there are no problems. And if there is an issue, they’ll get it fixed promptly and professionally. Even pre-arrival preparations will be made so that after a long flight, you are greeted by a clean house, a fully stocked refrigerator and pantry, and a freshly made bed.
NAVIGATING THE ISRAELI SYSTEM
In Israel, connections are everything. Without the right contacts, it can be surprisingly difficult to find trustworthy and skilled technicians to perform prompt repair work and renovations, especially when you’re abroad or don’t speak the same language. SCRUBS have a solid network of professionals for every scenario — whether it’s a handyman, plumber, or electrician — and all of them are English speakers, licensed and covered by a warranty. Of course, there will also be a representative from SCRUBS there to oversee and evaluate the work being done. SCRUBS will go to meetings on behalf of the client, whether it’s with lawyers, contractors, vaad ha-bayit, or anything else.
The focus is always on getting the job done right the first time. One happy client agrees. “We had a problem with gas fumes in our apartment for a number of years,” he says. “No one we called could find the source of the problem. We called Yoel and within hours his guy found that the leak was coming from below where bad workmanship had damaged a sewer pipe. I just wish I’d called him earlier!”
CHEAP IS EXPENSIVE
Close attention to detail separates SCRUBS from other management companies. “Some companies will cut corners to lower costs in the short term,” Yoel explains. “But cheap always ends up expensive. Something goes wrong a little further down the line, or the finishing is not up to scratch, and then the landlord has to spend more money and time to fix the new problems.” Often, the initial cost works out cheaper too as SCRUBS can get better rates from vendors than had the landlord approached the vendor himself.
Yoel relates a story from a tenant who experienced first-hand what can happen with cowboy managers. After eight days without hot water and multiple calls from the tenant, the manager of the property (owned by an absentee landlord) finally sent someone round—an unlicensed handyman!—to look at the boiler. Once the handyman arrived, it was clear he had no idea what he was doing. He insisted it was “fixed,” but lo and behold, there was still no hot water. The tenant then called a licensed electrician who immediately saw that the wires had burned out, and promptly fixed the problem. Needless to say, the manager was furious that the tenant had “gone behind his back,” and the landlord ended up paying a call-out fee for both the handyman and the professional.