
Five Ways to Protect Yourself from a Terrible Tenancy
I’ve written a lot about how landlords can reduce the risk of potentially troublesome tenants.
However, it cuts both ways. There are unscrupulous landlords and indeed letting agents out there who potential tenants need to be made aware of. Read more...

Landlords’ Questions Answered – Smoking
Last week I was called by a new landlord asking for advice.
She was one of what’s been commonly described in the media as an ‘accidental landlord.’
Having bought a flat ten years ago, met a gentleman, got married and recently bought a home together she still has her flat. Read more...

Taking extra care of your property
I like to think we give clients a level of flexibility other lettings agents can’t or won’t.
Perhaps the best example of this is our Vacant Property Caretaker Service. Read more...

Why we won’t just work with any or every landlord
The ability to have the freedom to have and make choices is one of the most taken for granted aspects of our society.
During the 28 years and counting I’ve been a letting agent I’ve come across and worked with hundreds of landlords.
Those years of experience have taught me that there are certain types of landlords that are best avoided. Being well established and with a relatively
large number of long term clients I’m grateful to be in a position where I can choose who I work for and with. Read more...

A client for more than 28 years
Ashvin Bhabuta has been a landlord with Mark since 1988. Here he shares with us why the relationship has lasted the test of time. Read more...

How to avoid deposit despair in a few easy to follow steps
I take great pride in the way we treat both landlords and tenants. I feel our approach to both parties helps us maintain a very low number of issues related
to deposits when a tenancy ends.
Read more...

Spring 2016 Update on the Lettings Market in Chiswick and West London
Earlier this month (March) I was asked by the estate agency’s leading magazine, The Negotiator, to share my opinion and insights into the property market
in Chiswick and West London.
It was humbling to be approached and my answers to their questions were based on 28 years of experience serving landlords and the local lettings market.
Here’s a summary of it and some additional thoughts I’ve had since. Read more...

Eight easy ways for landlords to save money.
We’ve had more than a week now to digest the Chancellor’s budget.
It’s not just the proposed ‘sugar tax’ that’s caused indigestion in some quarters.
For landlords, who seem to be a recent target for George Osborne, there was no good news. Read more...

Are landlords the Government’s Public Enemy Number One?
You wouldn’t have to be the ace detective Columbo to work out the Government has landlords fixed in its cross hairs.
The clues are plentiful, there are the tax hikes, stamp duty increases and relentless regulations.
Add to that the media being filled with stories of rogue landlords, rocketing rents and young couples priced out of the market due to property investors.
Now, I have great sympathy with young couples, families and anyone who struggles to find suitable homes. Read more...

‘Professional, Knowledgeable and Honest’ From a delighted client
I take great pride in the amount of positive feedback we get from our clients. This recent review from a long standing client really highlights the level of service I strive to give. Read more...

28 years of Letting Agency Experience, and Counting...
When I took my first steps as a letting agent Margaret Thatcher ruled the roost, Liverpool were the dominant football team in England and a youthful Kylie Minogue was singing about ‘being so lucky’. Read more...

Landlords Insurance – A waste of money?
There are plenty of things in life that turn out to be a waste of money.
Such as buying shares in the social networking site Friends Reunited just before Facebook rose to absolute dominance.
Or the scores of unknown footballers around the World bought for millions by English clubs and who never even graced our green and pleasant pitches. Read more...

Small is Beautiful when it comes to looking after landlords
I’m always looking for ways to improve my service to landlords and tenants.
Whether it’s making sure our property management systems are regularly reviewed, ensuring our contractors remain firmly on the ball or providing up to
date information on lettings law and regulation changes. Read more...

Renting out property – It’s a business not a love affair
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and our minds (well some of us) turning to thoughts of love, relationships and romance.
During my 28 years as a letting agent and property manager I’ve seen many times when people who have decided to rent out a property can’t ‘let go of it’
emotionally. Read more...

The Good News for Landlords about Right to Rent
Monday not only heralded the start of a new month but also introduced the Government’s Right to Rent scheme. Read more...

A Taxing Time of Year for Landlords
For many people the end of January can mean a frantic rush to get their tax returns completed and sent off to HMRC.
Just last week I was reminded of how some landlords are less prepared than others when it comes to filing their returns. Read more...

The Truth about Legionella, Lettings and Landlords
Legionella is a fairly hot topic in the lettings industry at the moment and a subject many landlords will be anxiously Googling for more information about.
But what is it? Well Legionella is the bacteria which causes the potentially lethal Legionnaires’ disease.
In a home environment, it can potentially flourish in domestic water systems. Read more...

Why it pays to choose a Licensed Letting Agent
I’m proud to be a member of several organisations which represent the property lettings and management industry.
I’m a member of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), The London Rental Standard and The Property Ombudsman.
Quite shockingly in my opinion there is currently no mandatory regulation of letting and property management agents in the UK. Read more...

How do you know if you are getting a ‘good’ tenant?
When letting a property a landlord has two really big decisions to make.
Both these key choices can have huge implications on their health, wealth and quality of life.
Firstly you need to choose a letting agent with experience and a good track record. Read more...

Could your ‘best tenant’ become your worst nightmare?
Like any walk of life the business of being a letting agent in West London has its fair share of misconceptions and even a few myths.
The most prominent of these myths is one I hear rolled out by agents on a regular basis.
It’s along the lines of ‘The best agency is the one which can get you the highest rent.’ Read more...

How to Avoid a Property Crisis at Christmas
It’s the call every landlord dreads.
It’s Christmas afternoon, you’re taking your seat at the family dining table. A fabulous feast awaits you when your phone rings.
Your heart sinks when you see the number, it’s one of your tenants, you know immediately something is wrong. Otherwise why would they call on December
25th? Read more...

Big national chain V small local independent – the TWO Main Differences
I was having dinner with a friend last week when he asked me what the difference in terms of service is between a ‘big’ national chain and a small, local
independent letting agent.
I’m by no means criticising my colleagues in the industry who work for national, multi-brand corporations but I believe there are two main points of difference
in favour of bespoke agencies like mine. Read more...

A Stamp of Approval – Reaction to the Autumn Statement
It’s just over a week since the Chancellor, George Osborne, surprised many in the property industry by increasing Stamp Duty on Buy to Lets (BTL) and second
homes from April 2016.
My initial reaction was shock followed by a weekend of thinking this was a terrible move for the industry.
Adding 3% in stamp duty on top of the existing rates seemed like a nail in the BTL coffin and another assault on the lettings industry. Read more...

Capital Taxes - something important to be aware of
Landlords should be aware of the change to the payment window for Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Accountant Tony Tesciuba, of Tesciuba Limited has summarised this as follows: Read more...

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT): additional properties
Following the first Autumn Statement and Spending Review of this Parliament, which took place on Wednesday 25 November, if you're thinking of buying additional residential property doing so before 1 April 2016 might save you 3% of stamp duty. The following information note has been provided by accountant Tony Tesciuba, of Tesciuba Limited: Read more...
