“We have been in business since 1933 and like to think of ourselves as the local property experts,” says Sara Grey, Lettings Manager at the Ripley and Horsley-based Wills & Smerdon.
The latest news, views and data from the lettings industry.
The latest news, views and data from the lettings industry.
Agents who clearly communicate their expertise to landlords and help keep them up to date on what they need to know will find managing relationships between parties, and therefore retaining customers, much easier, as estate and lettings agency Wills & Smerdon has learned.
Local authorities will have greater powers to enforce compliance on businesses operating in an unsafe way, including financial penalties, when England returns to tiered restrictions on 2 December 2020.
The end of the year is looming and, with it, the end of the Brexit transition period. Some banks are expecting this to change their ability to operate freely across borders in the European Economic Area, and are already taking steps to close accounts for some of their EU-based customers - including UK landlords living abroad.
Sussex-based estate and lettings agency, Michael Jones, is always looking at ways to reinvest in its own business, and others, to grow and boost its activities. Here are four areas where it’s seen success.
Right to rent checks in England moved temporarily online in March 2020 in line with Covid-19 safety measures - and the government has doubled down on this initiative with the introduction of an online platform, in this extract from our e-book, "Your guide to lettings and the law, Vol II".
"It's more important now than ever to make sure you get professional advice about the serving of a notice," says Tim Frome, discussing the most recent changes to the possession process as a result of Covid-19.
Leicester's lettings market in the region saw a spike in activity immediately before restrictions were introduced, followed by a significant slowdown when year on year figures were compared.
Julie Ford founded a property network to help new landlords become great ones - but she still believes that all landlords should use a letting agent.
The introduction of Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 during the pandemic has led to extra safety measures being put in place - and highlighted potential bottlenecks in the process, in this extract from our e-book, "Your guide to lettings and the law, Vol II".
Darshan Sunger of Three Oaks is prioritising getting himself - and his staff - qualified now, so they're ready when the Regulation of Property Agents (RoPA) comes into force. He shares advice for other agents starting their journey towards qualification.
“We have been in business since 1933 and like to think of ourselves as the local property experts,” says Sara Grey, Lettings Manager at the Ripley and Horsley-based Wills & Smerdon.
Topics: Business
The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing and this article will continue to be updated throughout. For the latest guidelines, please refer to gov.uk.
The Government has announced that England will be moving back into a system of tiered restrictions as part of its “Covid-19 Winter Plan” for when the second national lockdown ends on 2 December. Although the restrictions will be “tougher” than they were in October, it currently appears that the lettings industry will be able to continue operating as it has during the lockdown, with “moving home” listed as being exempt from the restrictions at every tier.
Topics: Covid-19
UK banks currently benefit from an EU “passport”, which gives banks licensed in one European Economic Area (EEA) country “the right to conduct business in the EEA based on their home state authorisations” but this is likely to change once the UK officially leaves the EU at the end of 2020.
Topics: Business
“In this ever evolving marketplace, you need more and more investment into your business to stay ahead of the curve,” says Mark Howell, Group Lettings Manager at Michael Jones & Company - and he shares how investing in different ways can help you get the best results.
Topics: Business
The English right to rent checks on the immigration status of potential tenants, first introduced in 2016, are mandatory for letting agents and their landlords. Any agents or landlords accepting a tenant who doesn’t have the right to reside in the UK will leave themselves open to prosecution and potential unlimited fines.
Topics: Compliance
Landlord Action's Legal Director, Tim Frome, talks to Goodlord's Oli Sherlock about how possession cases are faring since the reopening of the courts, with insights from on the ground for letting agents and landlords who are going through the new process.
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Topics: Covid-19
An analysis of the impact of Tier 3 restrictions on the lettings market in Leicester, which was under extra restrictions for more than 120 days, indicates that the current lockdown could slow the rental market in England despite house moves being permitted under the current lockdown rules.
Topics: Data
“Networking events for landlords used to be very much about building your profile, building your wealth, growing your portfolio," says Julie Ford. “But once those landlords actually got the keys in their hands, there was no support for how to be a good landlord."
Topics: Customer experience
Since 1 July 2020, landlords and agents in the private rented sector in England have been required to carry out electrical installation inspections and testing on all new tenancies in England under the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. This legislation will extend to include all existing tenancies on 1 April 2021.
Topics: Compliance
Regulation is on its way and letting agents need to be prepared. That’s why Darshan Sunger of Three Oaks is prioritising getting his staff qualified now - and why he believes other agencies should be prioritising this too. He talks about how agencies can get ahead of the Regulation of Property Agents with Goodlord’s Costas Frangeskou, with exclusive insights from his experience at Three Oaks.
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Topics: Compliance
