The problem Purseglove solved
Zbigniew Pawlowski had no option but to come to the UK and work in a warehouse to be able to afford to pay for his wife’s cancer treatment. Zbigniew’s plight only came to light when the HMO property where he was living, was purchased as an investment property by NHS reconstructive surgeon Paul Malone.
How Purseglove helped
Purseglove Property Management, a Kirkby in-Ashfield-based property lettings and management specialist, which manages the multiple occupancy house on behalf of Paul had planned an extensive refurbishment project in order to bring the property up to modern standards. During the planning phase of the refurbishment, it became clear that Zbigniew, who is 74 years old and speaks very little English, was reluctant to move out of the property. He was fearful that he would lose the one link to his wife in Poland – a daily Skype call.
Testimonial
“Care” – Our Number One Core Value
Purseglove Property, who have “Care” as their number one business value, were keen to do whatever it took to ensure Zbigniew received the help he needed. They first tracked down his son, Kamil, who is also working in the UK. His son was able to talk to his father and reassure him the move was temporary, he would have WiFi access and he would be looked after by the team at Purseglove Property.
Kamil explained: “My father left everything to move to UK to rescue my mom, and he did it again to come back to Poland. He spent five years in UK, and the whole five years he worked only for nightshifts. Nevertheless, he always made time to shop, cook, and call home.
“Everything he earned, he sent home. He lived very modestly. He always took overtime and only travelled home 1-2 times a year. It was a hard time for my father.”
On hearing about Zbigniew’s plight, landlord Paul Malone then made the extraordinary gesture of refunding all rent that Zbigniew had paid since he took ownership of the property.
Paul explained: “When I discovered what Zbigniew was going through, my heart went out to him. I didn’t want to profit from his misfortune so refunding his rent was a little gesture that I hope in some way gives him a warm feeling about his time in the UK while he has been going through such a horrible experience separated from his wife.”
Gemma, one of the Directors of Purseglove Property Management, added: “We pride ourselves on caring for all our tenants, so to be able to work with a landlord like Paul is amazing. He absolutely shares our core values and believes what we believe. All tenants deserve safe, comfortable and well-maintained homes at affordable prices.”
“Although Paul considered the refunding of the rent a small gesture, we know it made a huge difference in Zbigniew’s life as he is now home in Poland with his wife.”
Kamil added: “My parents love each other very much. My mom is still fighting and has a strong will.”
More Than Just A Letting Agent – A Trusted Partner
Paul, who now lives in Chelmsford in Essex was working at Nottingham University Hospital when he bought the property in Shirebrook.
“As a doctor I have moved a lot in my career – eight cities in 15 years – buying a home in each one in which to live while working there. Along the way I have become an accidental landlord and now have eight rental properties which I consider are my children’s future.”
Since purchasing the six-bedroom property in Shirebrook last year, Paul has made substantial investment and refurbished it to a very high standard with a new roof, kitchen, bathrooms and full redecoration throughout. Purseglove Property Management oversaw the three-month refurbishment programme and ensured all the tenants had alternative accommodation whilst the work was being undertaken. All of the original tenants were given first refusal of the modernised rooms following the refurbishment.
Paul added;
“Feeling safe and secure in your home is so important. That’s why working with specialists like Purseglove Property Management is important to me. If a tenant has a problem or something is broken, they put it right straightaway.”
Paul’s passion is helping people and part of his work as a reconstructive surgeon is research. He does this outside of the life saving operations he performs daily. Paul felt he had to eat into this research time in order to be able to learn about property investment and how to grow his portfolio, but having Purseglove Property as his trusted partner, this isn’t the case. From finding him potential deals, helping analyse them and ultimately overseeing the purchase, refurbishment and management of the property, he is able to focus on his patients and his research with total peace of mind that his portfolio is in safe hands.