Gazeta Wrocławska: “When we rent an apartment, we’re often choosing a new lifestyle”
The rental market in Wrocław is changing rapidly. Today, it is not just the location or standard of the flat that matters, but also the quality of the building, access to amenities and professional property management. We talk to Inez Otto – Sales and Marketing Director-West at Angel Poland Group – about the criteria that influence tenants’ choice of apartment today and the best locations in the city.
Gazeta Wrocławska: Angel Management is primarily associated with managing lettings in Angel Poland Group developments. However, the scope of the company’s activities is much broader.
Inez Otto: Definitely. Lettings are a very important part of our business, but not the only one. Angel Management is responsible for comprehensive property management, building administration, and providing services to apartment owners and tenants. You could say that we take over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the buildings once the development process is complete, which is particularly important in the case of premium developments. Simply constructing a building is just the beginning. Afterwards, there are issues such as maintaining the quality of communal areas, supporting residents, ensuring security, organising the work of technical services, and safeguarding the property’s standard in the long term. Angel Management is part of the group that builds these properties, which is why we know them from the ground up. We know what solutions have been implemented, what the owners’ expectations are, and how to look after the property so that, five or ten years on, it still maintains the same standard that impressed on the day the development was handed over.
GW: What is the rental market in Wrocław like today?
Inez Otto: It’s a very mature market. Just a few years ago, location and price were the key factors for most tenants. Today, these criteria are still important, but they are certainly not the only ones. We’re increasingly coming across people who take a very informed approach to renting. They analyse not only the apartment itself, but also the building, its surroundings, the available facilities and how the property is managed. They ask about the reception, security, leisure facilities, fitness areas and access to walking areas. In practice, this means that tenants today expect much more than just a few well-furnished rooms. They want to live in a place that is comfortable on a day-to-day basis and that saves them time. This is particularly evident among working professionals, managers, specialists and foreign clients coming to Wrocław for a few years, but also among students.
GW: Angel Square frequently features amongst the most sought-after locations.
Inez Otto: This is no coincidence. Angel Square has been consistently building its position in the market for several years. On the one hand, we have the very heart of the city; on the other, the proximity to the Oława River, as well as walking and recreational areas. Residents can walk to the Market Square, whilst also being right by the river. This combination proves extremely attractive to people who want to enjoy the city whilst also seeking a comfortable place to live. Angel River and Angel City have consistently enjoyed high levels of interest for years. These are very well-recognised developments on the Wrocław rental market. Residents rate highly not only the flats themselves, but also the day-to-day running of the entire complex.
GW: One of the most talked-about projects in recent months, however, is The Upper House by Angel.
Inez Otto: This is a development that generated huge interest even before construction was completed. Even back then, we were receiving numerous enquiries from people interested in renting flats in this building. Today, we can see that interest remains just as high. Importantly, this interest comes not only from buyers but also from those planning to rent on a long-term basis. At Angel Management, we know which apartments will be coming onto the rental market even before they appear in publicly available listings. This allows our clients to view the available properties in advance and gain priority access to the most attractive units. In practice, this means that those working with us receive offers for available apartments before the information reaches popular property portals.
GW: What attracts tenants to The Upper House by Angel?
Inez Otto: First and foremost, the quality of the entire project. These days, we’re talking less and less about the apartment itself. We’re much more likely to talk about the building, its facilities and the day-to-day comfort of its residents. The Upper House by Angel is a very good example of this shift. Residents have access to extensive facilities which, just a few years ago, were practically unheard of in residential property. The wellness area, complete with a full-size, 25-metre swimming pool, is particularly worth highlighting. It is currently the only apartment block in Wrocław that provides residents and long-term tenants with access to such a facility. Importantly, this is not a marketing gimmick, but an amenity that genuinely enhances the day-to-day quality of life. For many people, the ability to use the swimming pool or relaxation area without having to leave the building is a key factor when choosing where to live.
GW: Angel Management strongly emphasises the importance of long-term tenancy. Why is that?
Inez Otto: Because we are committed to stability and creating a good living environment. Of course, the market offers various tenancy models, but at Angel, we have been focusing on long-term tenancy in our developments for years. This allows residents to get to know one another better, build neighbourly relationships and feel a sense of belonging to the place where they live. This is hugely important for the atmosphere of the building and the comfort of everyday life. Secondly, flat owners are increasingly taking this into account. They want to live in a peaceful, well-functioning environment, rather than in a place with constant tenant turnover.
GW: What does a apartment owner gain by entrusting the rental management to Angel Management?
Inez Otto: First and foremost, peace of mind and professional support at every stage. We handle preparing the apartment, promoting the listing, viewings, vetting tenants, signing the tenancy agreement and subsequent rental management. It is also very important that we are constantly on site. Our staff are on site every day. This means that both landlords and tenants have direct contact with a team that knows the property well and can respond quickly to any immediate needs. This model works particularly well for premium developments, where the quality of service is just as important as the standard of the flat itself.
GW: What will the rental market look like in the coming years?
Inez Otto: I think tenants’ expectations will continue to rise. Not only location and floor area, but also the quality of the building, the amenities on offer and professional property management will become increasingly important. This is a trend that is already very clearly evident in Wrocław today. The greatest interest is in places offering a comprehensive approach to everyday life. Angel Square, comprising Angel Wings, Angel River, Angel City and The Upper House by Angel, is the best example of this. It is a part of the city that attracts both those buying apartments and those looking for a place to rent right in the centre, just a few steps from the river and the city’s key attractions.
Thank you for the interview.
