Curious to know what sets myresidence.africa apart from the rest?

 Myresidence.Africa prides itself as the sole independent provider of comprehensively vetted, extended stay, executive accommodation. All our properties are stringently vetted ensuring our client’s safety and comfort.

At myresidence we totally understand the inconvenience and frustration associated with being misled which could be as a result of booking online, trusting that the visuals on the property website are what you will receive upon check in. We basically eliminate the surprise element by ensuring that you as our client receive the best service and most importantly, value for money

Our systematic vetting process is detailed, thorough and applies to all our properties. Most companies do not seek to go this route, often misleading potential clients. This differentiates us from the rest as there is no other company across Africa that goes through these lengths to ensure that clients expectations are met, if not exceeded.

During the vetting process we inspect the property’s design, structures, amenities, and condition, measuring its proximity to its advertised description. It is not simply verifying an apartment or an area online or via phone calls, it is a detailed thorough process which is steered with the assistance of our trusted on the ground agents across the continent of Africa

Having our on the ground agents conducting the vetting assessments is a huge plus as well as our unique selling point. Many companies that offer executive accommodation are normally not even based in Africa nor the cities where they are offering the service and basically rely on images which are often misleading

Below are the steps we follow in order to refer to a property as fully vetted:

• The Initial Search: This is reviewing the property online and establishing communication with the property owner.
• Paperwork: We dispatch comprehensive paperwork for completion.
• Physical vetting by our local field agents: The agent receives our mandate, a form to complete and several instructions on the execution of the vetting. They attend the property, meet the staff, assess all areas of the premises, test Wi-Fi, assess the staff on their problem-solving skills, language skills, knowledge of the industry etc.
• Property Partner: If they have passed the above-mentioned phases, they become a fully verified property partner of ours and receive the appropriate stamp of approval.

All these steps are taken to ensure that we remain the best service provider for executive temporary accommodation in and across the African continent

Please connect with us to learn more about our service.
Email us at info@myresidence.africa

The post The ONLY vetted, extended stay, executive accommodation in Africa appeared first on My Residence Africa.

Expatriate executives and assignees who are not familiar with working in Africa find the prospect of an assignment in Africa daunting. Equally employers feel an obligation to offer accommodation that is comfortable, safe and convenient for their staff members who are spending time away from home.

Using the decades of experience within the group and our network of agents in over 50 cities in more than 32 African countries MyResidence has built what is unquestionably the biggest portfolio of independently vetted executive quality temporary accommodation offerings on the continent.

Our proprietary in-house systems, built using industry experience and refined over the years, provides us with the ability to offer detailed quotes, with up-to-date images of the accommodation offered, very efficiently.

Our portfolio has been built over the three years of our existence through the hard work of our team and the refinement of our two-tiered vetting processes. We are proud to offer more than 10,000 temporary accommodation opportunities in more than 400 properties across 52 cities in Africa. More than that we offer a professional, efficient and personalised service which aims to eliminate any uncertainty about the most important part of an employee’s experience of the city they need to be in for their work assignment.

In addition to sourcing accommodation to meet the needs of assignees MyResidence provides a range of additional services, including meet and greet, fridge filling, welcome baskets, concierge services and property search services for accommodation requirements which are not already on our database and to accommodate large groups and special request such as medical stays, pets, etc.

Contact us through our website: www.myresidence.africa or requests@myresidence.africa to assist you find the right solution for your business travellers or for other enquiries contact Adam Kane-Smith adam@myresidence.africa.

The post How we managed to grow our portfolio to 10 000 rooms appeared first on My Residence Africa.

At MyResidence, we have noticed several shifts in our client’s needs under the global pandemic. With uncertainty controlling the world at the moment, clients have prioritised slightly different factors when choosing temporary accommodation.

Flexibility is a crucial element to our clients; they are looking for accommodation that will allow for an extension or cancellation if need be. Previously there was a strict set of guidelines that laid out cancellation terms, these now need to be more accommodating.

Clients are looking for more comfortable apartments that offer space for them to live and work. As a large portion of work across the world takes place online, clients are looking for accommodation with ‘work from home’ facilities.

We have noticed a change in demand for the size of teams that are being travelled overseas. Previously large teams were travelling overseas and looking for a number of rooms in a specific area. We have observed that now teams are largely consolidated and more situated to where each of them needs to be. There is still a drive towards the major cities in the African countries and clients are now more particular on the area of city they would like to stay in.

Clients are looking for more long-term accommodation for the most part, wanting somewhere that is going to provide them with benefits of short term living on a long term scale.

The post IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON EXTENDED STAY: CLIENT PRIORITIES/NEEDS appeared first on My Residence Africa.

The client sends MyResidence a booking request via email.

You have logged into www.myresidence.africa. You submit a query via our website with your destination and the arrival and departure dates. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

The client sends MyResidence a booking request via email.

You (whether you are an individual, a direct client, company or agency) send us a request via our email: info@myresidence.africa. In this email, you will include

1. Full details: Your name, contact details and address of the individual or the company
2. Location of this Booking
3. Arrival and Departure dates
4. Budget
5. Apartment specifics: Rooms, Utilities, Your non-negotiables, and your special requests.

PROTIP: Provide as many details as possible so we can provide the most accurate quote.

MyResidence responds to your booking request

Note: Companies will have to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) ) to protect our property details.

The MyResidence team then works hard to give you an accurate quote for your requests. You receive the quote from MyResidence and you are in the clear to respond whether you accept or reject this quote,

You have accepted the quote and are ready to book.

You have now booked. MyResidence will send you full details of the property and check-in instructions.

You will now need to send through payment and Proof of Payment (POP) well before check-in.

NOTE: Payment can be made through electronic funds transfer (EFT) in USD or South African Rands.

MyResidence checklist pending arrival

It is a couple of weeks before your arrival. MyResidence prides itself in having a comprehensive vetting and inspection process. We want to ensure your apartment is ready for you.

Read more on MyResidence Vetting Process: https://myresidence.africa/the-importance-of-accommodation-vetting/

The Day of Arrival

When you arrive at your destination, you will be greeted by reception and taken to your apartment.

Note: Our apartments are executive-level serviced apartments – https://myresidence.africa/serviced-apartments-versus-hotels/

How you can reach us through your stay

MyResidence is available to you for any assistance during your stay. We have field agents that we can reach your destination. We are always on the ground.

The departure of the client

You as the client will confirm the date they leave before they check-in, so they simply hand keys over to the property partner.

If you need to extend or leave earlier, you may contact us, and MyResidence will make all the necessary arrangements. Happy booking!

The post A Guide through our Booking Process appeared first on My Residence Africa.

The African continent is an attractive investment destination for multinational companies and businesses. Mass, long term projects that help boost the economy of Africa, create employment and expand access to healthcare and education are prevalent during these times. My Residence offers long-term accommodation bookings for these projects requiring a large number of assignees. There is a higher level of security and the complexity of making sure that all assignees are afforded a similar quality of accommodation and experience. With the largest portfolio of temporary accommodation in Africa that has been independently vetted, we are well equipped to book mass stays.

Mass stays refer to the provision of temporary accommodation for a large number of assignees simultaneously. Companies and businesses that have mass projects requiring a large number of employees working on the project such as agricultural projects, engineering projects etc that require over tens of people to hundreds of assignees assigned to it.

Often, mass projects like these need an extensive amount of time to complete, requiring a long-term booking. Our Business Development Manager, Adam Kane-Smith says, “Larger projects require several accommodation providers offering the same level of service and specification.  These mass assignments typically require the coordination of detailed logistics relating to airport transfers and orientation programs for the assignees.”

Mass Long-Term Packages We Offer

In addition to booking the accommodation for a mass long stay project MyResidence also offers services that would typically be associated with a Destination Service Provider.  These include things like the preparation of an orientation ahead of a transfer and addition orientation on arrival, arranging airport transfers, arranging welcome baskets and or fridge stocking services and arranging ongoing in city transport for assignees.

MyResidence is equipped with on-the-ground agents who are experienced service providers to the expat industry in over 40 cities in Africa. These field agents are also equipped to source additional accommodation that is to the standard and the convenience of the client.

MyResidence prides itself on having secured two assignments this year that have been on a grand scale – requiring us to source several properties to accommodate a dozen assignees. These are long-term projects, with the booking set to continue for more than two years. MyResidence has sourced accommodation in half a dozen cities on the continent for multinational companies in cities such as Lagos, Nigeria and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Kane-Smith remarks, “MyResidence may offer mass bookings but for all our stays, but we value the personal touch and realise mass stays are not fitted to be put in hotel rooms. ” Assignees will be given a list of contacts to use during their stay.  This means that calls will be answered if an assignee needs any assistance at any time. This is to ensure that your safety and security is prioritised and that you are always happy.

Contact: Tel: +27 (0)71 401-2477

Email: info@myresidence.africa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myresidence/

The post MyResidence Talks Mass Long-Term Bookings appeared first on My Residence Africa.

The challenges arising with managing and providing temporary accommodation and serviced apartments are often untold by managers of these rentals. My Residence welcomes expatriates from all countries and backgrounds, settling them in Africa. Client Service Coordinator, Tanja Glatz speaks to some of the challenges My Residence faces in managing and providing temporary serviced accommodation in Africa. 

Language Barrier: Language-related barriers are common in the global mobility and relocation business as many service providers like My Residence are often met with multiple languages and a multinational workforce. Documentation, especially when written in jargon-filled terms, may often prove difficult to translate. With the help of our multilingual field agents, My Residence effectively works to communicate with all properties.  

Misrepresentation of Africa: For centuries Africa has been misrepresented and painted as this dark, backward, disease and poverty-ridden place with no future. In this business, cross-culture communication is important and acknowledging both differences and similarities to effectively communicate is important. My Residence’s sister company Relocation Africa offers a Power of Difference, a cultural training workshop on dealing with differences constructively, diversity management, intercultural skills and many more. 

Fluctuation of Exchange Rates: A weak or strong currency can contribute to the business trade deficit or trade surplus over time. 

Lack of Urgency: Often corporate companies and their respective departments are overwhelmed with the extensive processes of relocating to Africa, that they neglect the important aspect of communication. This delays the process of finding the perfect accommodation in Africa.   Further, the concept of rushing to provide quotes is a foreign concept to many properties in Africa. 

Payment Terms: Temporary accommodation providers in Africa expect full payment upfront as opposed to European and American providers which give the option to pay when you leave or at the end of every 30 days. Furthermore, the African rentals expect a damage deposit which is unusual to many expatriates coming from the West. The damage deposit is the landlord’s security against any damage a tenant may cause to the property during the term of their lease. 

Lack of proper resources and poor conditions: Often in African countries, the area or location may be sub-par (in terms of quality of amenities and services), not to the standard of European and American cities and metros. This largely affects the delivery of services to the expatriate. There are occurrences beyond the property owners’ control such as power cuts, water cuts, unstable WiFi etc. 

It is important to be aware of the challenges property owners’ have in providing temporary serviced accommodation. Communication is an important aspect in managing expectations and avoiding arguments between parties. My Residence is perfectly set to be the best in Africa, offering quality serviced apartments throughout Africa.  

The post Temporary Accommodation Industry Challenges appeared first on My Residence Africa.