Carpet Cleaning Tips For Your Properties Posted by Dean Forbes on Apr 17, 2016 in Property Care | Comments Off on Carpet Cleaning Tips For Your Properties Nobody will look after your rental properties as well as you. When a tenant leaves one area that is vital to look after is the carpeting. First impressions count, and a soiled or worn carpet gives an image that your property is uncared for, and that you are a poor landlord. Carpets can become soiled by dust, dander and stains that become embedded deep within the fibres causing a dull appearance and change in texture. Technique for spills and contaminants can prevent deterioration in its condition and create a more conducive living environment. With carpet cleaning tips that are simple and effective, maintenance and preventative measures can be applied easily. Spills including dark liquids can occur quickly and leave significant damage to carpeting if the correct steps are not taken to manage the disaster. The first step is to use a sponge or cloth to gently dab the soiled area to soak as much of the liquid as possible. Do not spread the stain by wiping it around the carpet as it will simply cause the fibres to become soiled and make stain removal impossible. Stains that have formed over time will require professional assistance for removal and the restoration of carpet conditions. Discoloration will have to be addressed with the proper cleaning techniques to restore fibre integrity. Specific measures must be followed determined by the type of stain and the fabric of the carpeting. Read More

Estate Agents Advice: Preparing Your House For Viewings Posted by Dean Forbes on Nov 30, 2015 in Letting Agents | Comments Off on Estate Agents Advice: Preparing Your House For Viewings Anyone who wants to offer a property for rent must prepare for the process to receive the biggest return on investment. Finding the right tenant can mean the difference between a lucrative rental agreement and problems that may decrease your profits. Before you welcome new tenants into a building, there are many things to consider when preparing your rental property for customer viewings. Put yourself in the shoes of the prospective renter – what are they looking for in a place to live, and think about what would appeal to them. First impressions are extremely important when looking for a good tenant. You want your place looking its best before you schedule a walk through with a potential tenant. Most lettings agents operate in fiercely competitive local property markets, and know the shortcuts to guaranteeing success. Often there can be a trendency to over-complicate the process, but simple solutions can bring terrific results. We spoke to Manj Singh of Redstones Telford letting agents in Shropshire, and he shared a some quick and easy tips for smoothing the path to a successful rental. Take time to ensure interior and exterior of the property is neat and clean. Hire a professional gardener to mow the lawn, prune hedges, and remove any unsightly weeds. This improves curb appeal and offers potential tenants a great first impression before they even walk inside. Adding a coat of paint to the window frames and door can vastly improve the exterior without having to paint the entire building, or cost a fortune. Read More

How To Choose A Letting Agent Posted by Dean Forbes on Jul 30, 2015 in Letting Agents | Comments Off on How To Choose A Letting Agent If you are looking to move from one rented accommodation to another or are thinking of offering up your own property for rent, the chances are good that you’ll need a letting agent. The problem is that there are so many letting agents out there these days, and choosing a good one can often prove to be somewhat of a minefield. Property is big business, and wherever there’s money there will always be a fair few cowboys ready, willing and able to exploit those who are new or naïve, unfortunately. That is why it is so vitally important to do your homework and not simply opt for the letting agent that is closest to where you live. Thankfully, this article aims to take the pain out of your research by pointing you in the right direction from the get-go. This sounds like a lot of hard work It may sound like it’s going to be a real headache trying to sort the wheat from the chaff, but really there are only three main things that you must bear in mind when begin looking for a letting agent. Naturally, there are numerous other points that you can take into consideration whilst doing your research, but these three things will stand you in good stead as you start looking for a new place to rent or for an agent who will help you get your property filled. Look out for accreditation Unfortunately, letting agents are not regulated. In the worst instances, a new letting agent can simply set up shop one day and begin dealing with clients that very same afternoon. However, there are some things that you can look out for to ensure that you are dealing with someone who is reputable. Check for accreditation from the two main bodies, National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) or the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). If your prospective agent has taken the time to become a member of one, or both, of these organisations then it’s a fair bet that they are not going to be as fly-by-night as someone who isn’t. Obviously, this isn’t a guarantee that all will go swimmingly but it is a good place to start. Look out for the T&Cs Be sure to take the time to read through your prospective agents terms and conditions before committing to anything. Many will try and blind the layman with science and legalese jargon, and the T&Cs can often run into dozens of pages, but it is important to know what you are getting into prior to making your final decision. If you really want to be 100% certain of what you are signing up for, employing a legal professional with expertise in the lettings field can give you the peace of mind necessary to move forward. Be sure of what you are getting Letting property is not a standardised industry so many agents will use different terminology for what essentially boils down to be the same thing. Reading through the letting agents list of services should spell out exactly what you are going to receive from them. If you feel that the way things are worded are a little woolly or unclear, it’s probably best to move on to another agent. There’s also the fact tha t you’ll have no real way of knowing that they’ll actually provide the service that they claim they will. This is where a little further research can save lots of heartache further down the line. If you know someone who has used the agent in the past, ask some questions. If you don’t know anyone, scout around online. More and more people are now using the Internet as a way of keeping letting agents accountable. So, there you have it, the first three steps towards landing yourself a decent letting agent. While these steps will not completely guarantee that you’ll be happy with the service that you receive, they will go a long way to ensure that you get a better quality agent to take of you and your property. Read More

Estate Agent or Letting Agent – What’s The Difference? Posted by Dean Forbes on Jul 10, 2015 in Property rentals | Comments Off on Estate Agent or Letting Agent – What’s The Difference? If you are new to the property market, things can quickly become overwhelming. The mountains of information, seemingly limitless decisions to be made, and a mind-blowing amount of jargon can soon wear you down. Where do you start? Well, let’s take things one step at a time and begin at the beginning. Do you know whether you would like to rent or buy a property in the UK? If you have already made up your mind you’re already ahead of many people who simply cannot decide between the two. Once you know which way you are going to go, you’re going to need some help, and this is where the question posed in our title becomes significant. Estate agents An estate agent is a person who helps to facilitate the sale or rental of residential, commercial and/or other buildings. Although estate agents are capable of, and allowed to, deal with rental properties, the term estate agent is generally associated with the sales aspect of property dealings. Estate agents will handle the marketing of a property for sale and help the seller bring in suitable prospective purchasers for their real estate. A good estate agent should be able to demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the local area and show the seller that they are aware of market fluctuations within the region that they operate. Knowledge of future developments in and around their area will also help them to accurately assess how the local market is likely to perform in the coming months and years as well. As of the 1st April 2014, estate agents across the UK are now answerable to Powys council who have taken over the regulatory role once performed by the OFT (Office or Fair Trading). The Welsh council are able to issue warnings to any estate agent who does not follow industry guidelines or one who acts dishonestly. Banning orders can also be issued for persistent repeat offenders. Letting agents Letting agents, unlike estate agents, are responsible solely for the residential rental market. Where estate agents can deal with rental properties as well as sales, letting agents do not enjoy the same freedom. That said, many letting agents will work under an estate agent or agency, and this is often where much of the confusion lies. A good letting agent will be able to not only facilitate an agreement between the tenant and the landlord, they will also be responsible for the marketing of the property too. Their ability to show landlords that their past endeavours in the local market have been successful will go some way to demonstrate that they knowledgeable and reputable. UK letting agents are not required by law to be regulated at present, although there are some accreditations that both landlords and tenants should keep an eye out for. The National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) or the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) both have guidelines and codes of practice for responsible letting agents to follow and knowing that your agent is a member can go a long way to providing a certain amount of peace of mind to prospective clients. In a nutshell, if you are looking to either buy or sell a property you will need an estate agent to help you complete your move. If, on the other hand, you are entering into the rental market either as a landlord or a tenant a letting agent is the person you should be speaking to. Letting Agents In Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne Groves 143 High Street Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1HA Tel: 0191 246 6666 Reed Rains Harewood House 49 Great North Road Gosforth Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE3 2HH Tel: 0191 284 4853 Redstones The Grainger Suite Dobson House Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3PF Tel: 0191 233 6342 Read More

Effective Tips to Be a Happy Tenant Posted by Dean Forbes on Jul 8, 2015 in Property rentals, Tenants | Comments Off on Effective Tips to Be a Happy Tenant Being a tenant is not easy. Tenants across the UK can face numerous problems casued by their landlords. some of which can end up in court. With the heating up of the UK property market and the rise in house prices it has meant an increased demand for rental property. More potential tenants are now competing for each property. This article offers some tips to help tenants rent properties in a hassle free way. Carry paperwork: When competing for renting, the most effective way to persuade a potential landlord is being prepared. To get an edge over the rest of the applicants, carry these along with you when you go to visit the landlord – a current and updated credit report copy, references in writing from colleagues, employers and previous landlords and a complete rental application. Review the rental lease: Review each and every condition in the tenancy agreement carefully, prior to signing on that dotted line. A rental agreement or lease may have one or more provisions, which are unacceptable for you, such as restrictions on operating a home business, design modifications, pets and guests. Get everything in written form: Obtain everything in written form for preventing misunderstandings and disputes with your landlord. Copies of all correspondence should be kept and create a letter out of an oral agreements with the landlord. The letter is a proof of your understandings through the oral agreement. During your tenancy too, keep everything in written form. For instance, if you request a repair to your landlord, make a request in written form and have its copy with yourself. If the landlord gives his consent orally, send him a letter as a confirmation. Safeguard your privacy rights: Apart from disputes on security deposits and rents, other common misunderstandings can arise, which can often become contentious. This problem is related to the right of the landlord to enter the rental unit, and the right of the tenant to have privacy. Tenants should understand their privacy rights. For example, they should what notice the landlord needs to give prior to entering a rental unit. Such knowledge will help you protect your privacy rights. You can get all valuable information on privacy rights of tenants with the help from a letting agent. Demand repairs if necessary: Tenants have the right to stay in rental units with habitable conditions. Landlords are bound to provide livable conditions to tenants such as structural safety, sanitary hygiene, cleanliness, heat, electricity, water and weatherproofing. In case your rental unit does not have livable condition and needs repairs, you can take several actions like withholding a part of the rent, paying yourself for the repairs and reducing that amount from the rent, and calling building inspector. With these tips, you can make sure to have hassle free tenancy tenure. Real estate agents can help you find suitable properties for renting in your desired neighbourhood. Summary: Tenants face a number of problems while renting. Understanding your rights and responsibilities goes a long way to ensuring a positive experience. http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/advice/renting_privately/advice_landlords/general_guidelines_landlords.htm Read More