With a high concentration of elite residents, it requires a uniquely skilled property professional to not only assist them in securing their ideal home but also to ensure it is expertly maintained to the highest standards.
Yasmin Ulhaq, Founder and Director of one of London’s leading, luxury property management companies, Glenfield Property Management, provides insight on what a typical day looks like for her when it comes to managing some of London’s most super-prime, luxurious homes.
Espresso, Expectations & Exceptional Service
My day usually kicks off around 6:30/7am - no alarms are needed when you’ve got a teenager to get out the door. My 15-year-old is up and getting ready for school, and inevitably something’s gone missing. A blazer or maybe a PE kit that was definitely packed the night before, but here I am, searching every corner of the house before the day’s even started properly.
By 8am, I’ve got a black coffee in hand and I’m scanning emails and returning urgent calls. The post-Ramadan rush has officially begun, and we’re inundated with requests from our Middle Eastern clients looking for short-term homes in Central London. The challenge? Everyone wants turnkey with air conditioning and in today’s market, those are rare. But I love a challenge. That’s when I start tapping into my network, speaking to owners who had planned to sell but might consider letting instead. This is where relationships count.
After the morning viewings, it’s off to a private members club for lunch with a lawyer who introduced us to a family office. It’s a thank-you meal because in this industry, referrals mean everything. You don’t just get recommended unless someone genuinely trusts the way you work, and that kind of reputation is hard-earned.
Before I leave the club, (and on my third latte), I’ve got a stream of messages/emails to respond to, including a last minute request to source three housekeepers for a family arriving in two weeks for medical treatment. Since Brexit, the shortage of domestic staff in London has increased, with fewer EU nationals available, making high-quality recruitment more challenging and competitive.
I do a quick catch-up before heading to Kensington - one of the most popular London suburbs for the rich and famous - for a meeting at one of our managed homes. The residents, a power couple, are not happy. There’s been quite a bit of maintenance work happening in their home, and although we’ve been updating them regularly, nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. It’s never just about the plumbing or the paint, it’s about how the disruption is impacting their day-to-day lives. And today, that impact feels heavy. I listen, empathise and we work together to reset expectations with a clear timeline. I get it. I listen. That’s why being present matters. You get a far better understanding of the situation when you sit across from someone.
From Kensington, it’s off to Mayfair - a district that has ruled as London’s ultimate address for decades - to check in on my team. They’ve been upgrading a Lutron lighting system in one of our managed apartments. The client is American and due back in a few weeks, so we’re making sure every appliance is working, the tech is smooth-running and the apartment feels better than when he left it. It’s the little things that make a return feel like a true welcome home.
It’s 3pm now, and I’ve got 35 minutes to make it to North London for school pickup. Just another mad dash across the city.
That conversation in Kensington didn’t go how I expected, but that’s part of the job. Managing expectations isn’t a bullet point on a to-do list, it’s a constant, evolving skill and it’s one of the reasons I believe property management should always be personal. When you’re in someone’s home, you’re in their world. It’s not just business - it’s trust, it’s empathy and its people. Always people!
Back at my desk around 9pm, I take time to follow up on the day’s conversations and ensure nothing is left unresolved. In my experience, consistent follow-up is key to maintaining momentum and clarity. By revisiting each discussion, I aim to turn intentions into outcomes and demonstrate a commitment to detail and accountability. It's a practice that reinforces professionalism and builds trust over time.
More information about Glenfield Property Management and its services is available at www.glenfieldpm.co.uk.