Ever wondered what we do all day?

A typical day in the office . . . . . . .   8.40 and the kettle is on – no time for Jill to get a cup of tea as she has a valuation first thing.  

Answer phone messages collected and we are sorting out a plumber asap as someone’s washing machine is leaking!  Sophie is getting paperwork ready as we have four people signing tenancies this week & Lucy is soon busy updating our website and phoning out applicants as we have taken on a new property.  Meanwhile Kate is off to do some inspections and Jill is back out doing viewings.

Grab a quick bite for lunch and then Jill has a check-out and an inventory to compile.  Kate is meeting with freeholders & contractors at a property to try resolve an ongoing roof leak into one of our flats! A holding deposit mid afternoon always puts a smile on our faces.  Tenants come in to the office to pay rent & report repairs, the handyman is in and wants a cuppa and we all need a chocolate fix!  A trip to the bank, keys cut and some money put on a gas card, rents transferred and a deposit cheque is in the post.  More applicants registered and more viewings booked ready to start again in the morning! . . . . .

Its condensation.....................

Black Mould…………….the bane of any letting agents life! It seems be more of an issue now than ever. Apparently it’s down to the weather and how humid it has been this year.

All the tenants think it is a problem with the property and all the landlords think it’s down to the tenant’s lifestyle. In all honestly it’s often a mixture of the two, which leaves us trying to get a resolution that both parties are happy with!

The main thing is preventing condensation

• Making sure the property is well ventilated – open a window in the morning, keep trickle vents open
• Don’t dry wet washing on the radiator
• Make sure your tumble dryer is vented
• Cover pans and close the door while cooking
• Open the window or leave the extractor fan on after showering or bathing

Sometimes more extreme action is needed – air bricks in the walls, extra powerful extractor fans or a dehumidifier. Generally however preventing condensation will prevent black mould growth.

Remember the mantra……..Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate!

Tenants are staying longer!!

Tenants staying for a record 20 months, says ARLA

Tenants are staying longer, with the average length of tenancy now standing at a record 20 months.

The Association of Residential Letting Agents says the increase is because of lack of rental properties, with 58% of ARLA agents saying that there are more tenants than properties available.

Ian Potter, ARLA managing director, said: “The private rented sector is clearly picking up the slack resulting from a flat housing market and the ongoing lack of mortgage finance.
With void periods being a significant drain on profits longer tenancies can only be a good thing for landlords!

Our Shop Locally Campaign!!

One of the things we love about Bexhill is that is does have lots of independent shops and they really do have great customer service. We value this about our town and want to align ourselves with these local traders to highlight to local people that we are also a small independent and really care about our customers.

We are running a campaign to encourage people to shop locally – our promotion intends to support and promote other local businesses as well as ourselves – see the preview below. 

Look out for an initiation coming your way!  Or visit us at Ark to collect one.

The beauty of Bexhill is its independent shops. As Bexhill’s Independent Letting Specialist we want you to support local independent businesses. If you instruct us to let your property or recommend us to a landlord and we let their property this invitation will entitle you to a £50 voucher for one of the listed local shops!

Mosiaic Gallery Silver nutmeg PICTURE CRAFTS Inner Angels

the living spa Scatterbox Destination DRAYS

WARBURTONS blush Sweet Etcetra CHIQUE INTERNATIONAL

Olympics 2012

It started with the amazing opening ceremony and has just got better and better for London 2012. Everyone in the Ark office has been watching the olympics.We have found ourselves watching events that we know nothing about but not being able to do anything until the medals have been won.

The GB athletes have been amazing and it has made us all proud to be British. Lets see if we can make 40 medals before the end of the games.

Lets not forget the Paralympics are still to come, more amazing athletes to cheer on and hoefully even more medals to be won.

Buy to Let Top Ten Tips

1.         Buy -to-Let is a medium to long term investment.

2.         Seek independent advice regarding the best areas for buy-to let investment.

3.         Do your sums, many buy-to-let lenders require rent to be 125% of the mortgage payments. 

4.         Have a contingency fund for repairs and to cover any void periods.

5.         Use an ARLA agent.  They are bonded, hold Professional Indemnity Insurance and have trained staff.

6.         Consider a rent guarantee policy.  For whatever reasons tenants may stop paying rent - but your mortgage still needs to be paid.

7.         Consider how hands-on you want to be.  Inexperienced or busy landlords may want an agent to manage their property.  Others may just require a tenant finding service

8.         Consider the age and standard of the property.  Recently built properties or properties that have been fully renovated are likely to have fewer maintenance issues.

9.         Is the property freehold or leasehold?  Bear in mind costs attached to a leasehold property.  Service charges and ground rent are the responsibility of the landlord.

10.       Don't let personal taste cloud your judgement.  Be sure the property you choose meets local market requirements.