Property Stewardship

Discreet oversight for exceptional homes

Owning a beautiful country house should bring peace of mind, not concern about what may be happening while you are away from it.

Many of our clients travel frequently, live overseas, or use their Norfolk property as a second home. During those periods, it is reassuring to know that someone local and trusted is quietly keeping an eye on things.

Ivybridge Property Stewardship provides discreet oversight and property checking for exceptional homes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

A trusted presence when you are away

Country houses and rural properties require regular attention.

Storms can damage trees or fencing. Lawns grow quickly in the summer. Deliveries arrive. Contractors occasionally need access.

Without someone local keeping an eye on things, small issues can quickly become larger ones.

Through our stewardship service we provide regular inspections of your property, coordinate trusted local contractors where required, and keep you informed with clear photographic reports after each visit.

The aim is simple: to ensure everything remains exactly as it should be while you are away.

What our visits include

Exterior Inspection

During each visit we carry out a visual inspection of the property exterior and immediate grounds, including:

• Front elevation, driveway and access points
• Gates, entrances and security of the property
• Condition of windows and external doors
• Oil tank levels
• Roofline and gutters visible from ground level
• Lawns and immediate garden areas around the house
• Fallen branches or storm damage
• Boundary fencing, hedges and access points
• Signs of disturbance or attempted entry
• Post or deliveries left at the property
• General condition and appearance of the property
• Any issues that may require maintenance or contractor attention

Interior Inspection

Where access is available, we also carry out a visual inspection inside the property including:

• Doors and windows securely closed
• Alarm system status where applicable
• Signs of forced entry or disturbance
• Heating and hot water systems visually checked
• Brief running of taps or toilets where appropriate
• Visual check for leaks under sinks and around appliances
• Electrical systems and consumer unit visually checked for faults
• Kitchen appliances visually inspected
• Bathrooms checked for leaks or plumbing issues
• Signs of damp, condensation or water ingress
• Ventilation and general internal condition
• Signs of pests or unusual activity
• Post or deliveries brought inside where appropriate
• Meter readings
• Any issues that may require maintenance or further inspection

After the visit you will receive a short written report with photographs so you can see exactly how the property looks.

Inspections are visual checks only and do not constitute a structural or technical survey of the property.

Contractor payments

For maintenance work we can source, introduce and coordinate trusted local contractors, with invoices paid directly by you.

For owners of exceptional homes

This service is designed primarily for:

• Overseas property owners
• Second home owners
• Clients who travel frequently
• Owners of large country houses or rural properties

We provide stewardship only for a limited number of homes so that each client receives the personal attention they expect.

Discreet, director led oversight

Unlike traditional property management companies, Ivybridge stewardship is personal.

Your property is overseen by the same directors who specialise in marketing and selling exceptional homes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We understand how important these properties are to their owners, and we treat them with the same care and discretion.

Our stewardship service is intentionally simple, with three options depending on how frequently you would like your property inspected.

Option 1: Stewardship Plan

£600+VAT per month

Includes:

• Two property inspection visits per month
• Photographic report after each visit
• Interior and exterior visual checks
• Contractor coordination where required (up to 1 hour per month, additional time charged at £100 per hour)
• Priority scheduling for additional visits

The stewardship plan has a minimum term of three months and continues monthly thereafter.

Option 2: Block Visits

For owners who would like regular inspections without a monthly arrangement.

6 Visit Block
£1,950+VAT
(£325+VAT per visit)

10 Visit Block
£3,100+VAT
(£310+VAT per visit)

Block visits are valid for 12 months and can be scheduled as required.

Option 3: Single Inspection Visit

£350+VAT per visit

Includes:

• Travel to and from the property
• Full interior and exterior visual inspection
• Photographic report following the visit
• Contractor coordination where required (up to 30 minutes, additional time charged at £100 per hour)

This option works well for owners who only require occasional checks.

Emergency Attendance

Emergency out of hours attendance: £250 call out fee plus £100 per hour for travel and time on site. Minimum one hour charge onsite.

Applicable:

• Evenings after 5pm
• Before 9am
• Weekends
• Bank Holidays

Additional Services

From time to time owners ask us to help prepare their property ahead of their arrival or carry out additional inspections after severe weather.

Arrival Preparation

If you are planning to return to your property after a period away, we can prepare the house in advance so everything is ready when you arrive.

Typical tasks may include:

Heating and hot water switched on
Property aired and ventilated
General condition check inside and out
Post organised
Basic preparation of the house ahead of your arrival

Arrival preparation visit
£450 + VAT

Fresh Flowers and Welcome Preparation

For owners returning after time away, we can also arrange small finishing touches so the house feels welcoming on arrival.

This may include:

Fresh flowers arranged in the house
Basic grocery items placed in the kitchen
Wine or champagne chilled
Local produce or welcome items prepared for your arrival

Items are charged at cost with coordination time charged at £100 per hour where required.

Storm or Weather Inspection

Following periods of severe weather we can carry out an additional inspection to ensure the property has not suffered damage.

Storm inspection visit
£350 + VAT

Includes a visual inspection of the exterior and grounds together with a photographic report.

Stewardship Service Terms

• Stewardship plan fees are payable monthly in advance.
• Property inspections are visual checks only and do not constitute a structural, mechanical or technical survey of the property.
• Visits are scheduled in advance and subject to reasonable availability and travel considerations.
• Inspection visits take place between 9am and 5pm on weekdays and are not carried out on Bank Holidays.
• For stewardship plan clients, inspection visits are normally spaced across the month where possible.
• The stewardship plan includes two inspection visits per month. Additional visits may be arranged at £350 + VAT per visit.
• Contractor coordination included within the service relates to arranging and communicating with contractors by phone or email.
• The stewardship plan includes up to one hour of contractor coordination per month.
• Additional time for contractor coordination or property related matters will be charged at £100 per hour.
• Where attendance at the property is required to meet contractors, supervise works or inspect completed work, this will be charged at £100 per hour for travel and time on site per visit. This includes photographs and a short report of the work carried out.
• Urgent or emergency visits outside scheduled inspections may incur an additional charge depending on location and availability.
• Block visits are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and must be scheduled within that period.
• Block visit scheduling is subject to reasonable availability and travel considerations.
• Where contractors are instructed, they are independent third parties and their services and workmanship remain the responsibility of the contractor.
• Access to the property must be provided via keys, secure access system, or keypad entry prior to the first inspection visit.
• Ivybridge accepts no responsibility for issues that are not reasonably visible during inspection or that arise between inspection visits.

Caring for second homes across Norfolk and Suffolk

Many owners of country houses, coastal homes and rural properties spend extended periods away from their property.

Some live overseas and visit only a few times each year. Others divide their time between homes or travel frequently for work.

In these situations it is reassuring to know that a trusted local professional is regularly checking the property, ensuring everything remains secure, maintained and ready for your return.

Ivybridge Property Stewardship provides property checking and second home oversight across Norfolk and Suffolk, with regular inspections, clear reporting and discreet coordination of trusted local contractors when required.

Whether your property is a coastal home, a rural farmhouse or a large country house, we provide the quiet local presence that ensures everything continues to run smoothly while you are away.

Speak with us

If you own a country house in Norfolk or Suffolk and would like someone local to keep a discreet eye on things while you are away, we would be delighted to help.

We normally begin with a short conversation to understand your property, how often you are away, and what level of oversight would be most helpful.

From there we can recommend the most suitable stewardship arrangement for your home.

To discuss your property, please contact us directly.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01603 369977