This week's headline grabbing news of Britain's first property rental ASBO being issued to a landlord in Plymouth highlights to potential landlords and tenants that the days of Dickensian slum landlords are numbered. Mr David McCabe recently appeared before Plymouth Magistrates' Court after Plymouth City Council launched pioneering legal action against him. Having 'specialised' in slum accommodation...
December 2012
As we enter the festive period of merriment, eating, drinking, dancing and carousing (and being immortalised on somebody's mobile phone in a compromising position with the new girl from Accounts), I am led to reminisce about various experiences that I have had over the years in the property business. From the mundane; people not turning up for their viewings, people cancelling sales because the cat has...
Whether you are selling or letting a property, choosing the right agent is vital. So, bypass the glossy brochures, look past the glib, slick presentation and in the famous words of Janet Jackson ask, "What have you done for me lately?". You must be prepared to ask the difficult questions; because it isn't what they say that is important, it is what they don't say. As a rough guide, try asking these...
In the current property market, agents have to face the uncomfortable reality that they need to take steps in order to keep thier good tenants who can no longer be viewed as a predictable cash cow who can be left alone to keep producing. The steps that agents need to take to keep tenants are often blindingly obvious. Ths most important step is good communication. The agent should keep regular contact...
