Parkview Property Sends a Big Well Done to GB’s Brilliant Paralympians
In this two-minute read, we look at the amazing achievements of our Paralympians.
The word ‘inspirational’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but when it comes to our Paralympic heroes, there really is no other way to describe them.
The grit and determination they displayed in Tokyo provided a much-needed reminder that human beings can do incredible things when they set their minds to it.
We could all learn lessons from this remarkable bunch of people about staying positive, working hard and not quitting. (Useful lessons if you’re moving home, but also for life in general.)
Here are three GB athletes who epitomise the Paralympic spirit.
Micky Yule – From Scotland, stepped on an explosive device while serving with the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan and lost his legs. After undergoing 21 operations to stabilise his injuries, Micky felt ‘good for nothing’ – until he threw his energy into powerlifting.
After years of hard graft, Micky qualified for the Paralympics and this year, won bronze in the men’s 72kg category after lifting a whopping 182kg.
Ellie Robinson – Ellie, who won gold in Rio, finished fifth in Tokyo in the S6 50m butterfly final. In a heartfelt post-race interview (check it out on YouTube, it’ll have you welling up), she explained why the result was ‘a story of triumph, not of defeat’.
In the run-up to the games, medical experts told Ellie to quit swimming due to a worsening hip condition called Perthes disease.
But Ellie pushed through the pain and made it to the final because she wanted to finish her sporting career ‘on her own terms’.
Dame Sarah Storey – The Queen of the Track and the Road, Dame Sarah has won 17 gold medals and is Britain’s most successful Paralympian.
Incredibly, she’s competed at eight Paralympic Games over a 29-year period – and hopes to be a contender in Paris in three years’ time.
The 43-year-old mum-of-two started her career as a swimmer; she won two golds in the pool in Barcelona at the age of 14.
When an ear infection forced her to take time away from swimming, Dame Sarah discovered the joys of cycling – and became a champion on the bike, too.
If you enjoyed the Paralympics, let us know your favourite performance from Tokyo.
WARNING - The Property Survey That Every Ayrshire Landlord Should Read
In this three-minute read, we look at a study that found some landlords were putting themselves and their investment at risk by cutting corners on checks and maintenance.
Landlords are leaving themselves exposed to the risk of criminal and civil prosecution by failing to conduct critical safety checks and taking a back seat on maintenance, a survey of renters has revealed.
The study by property management platform Plentific found that a surprisingly high proportion of landlords aren’t meeting their legal responsibilities regarding gas safety and that in some cases, tenants are handling maintenance and repairs.
The survey of 1,000 tenants found that:
- 46% of private tenants don’t believe their gas appliances have been checked in the last year.
- 52% of private tenants don’t have a gas safety certificate.
- 56% of private tenants don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm.
What the law says
Annual gas safety checks must be carried out at all rental properties by a qualified engineer and all tenants should receive a copy of the subsequent safety report.
Landlords who fail to meet these obligations could face prosecution – and be fined or imprisoned.
Furthermore, landlords could wind up embroiled in a civil suit if a tenant is injured or killed in a fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning at the property.
Other maintenance issues
The survey also looked at how landlords respond to maintenance concerns raised by tenants.
About 40% of private renters said requested works were completed within three days, although overall, the average was ten days.
Issues raised included damage to the garden (26%), property damage (24%), maintenance (21%), and electrical problems (20%).
Worryingly, 37% of renters said they had organised repair works themselves (20% with permission from the landlord, and 16% without).
We would advise landlords in Ayrshire to oversee maintenance and repairs (or to entrust a property expert like a letting agent to handle it) to ensure that work is done to a safe standard for a fair price.
Faulty work could result in further problems down the line or damage to your property that proves costly to rectify.
Managing your responsibilities
Being a landlord comes with a host of legal responsibilities. If staying on top of all the paperwork and red tape feels overwhelming, then you could benefit from working with a reputable letting agent like us. We can shoulder the burden for you and will advise you expertly and honestly.
Let us take the stress out of managing the property and use our experience to make your life a whole lot easier.
Please get in touch with us here at Parkview Property Ltd if you have any questions about property management.
COPYRIGHT Parkview Property Ltd 2021
How to Keep Your Tenants Happy and Staying with You for Longer
In this two-minute read, we look at how landlords can foster a good rapport with tenants.
Every successful landlord needs a rock-solid tenant retention plan or what we like to call “a happy tenant strategy”.
This is because happy tenants are loyal tenants. And loyal tenants are more likely to stay in your property for longer, helping you to avoid the ultimate landlord bugbear – high tenant turnover.
Whenever a tenant moves out, the landlord gets hit with extra costs such as end-of-tenancy cleaning and repairs and marketing and reference checks to cover the new tenancy.
Then there is the issue of lost rent when a property sits empty in between tenancies.
So, it makes good business sense to minimise turnover by going the extra mile to keep hold of good tenants.
Here are six tips for Ayrshire landlords for avoiding tenant turnover.
- Choose the right tenant
By following a detailed selection process and carrying out thorough credit and reference checks, you’re more likely to land a “keeper” in the first place.
- Good communication
Ensure your tenants can quickly get in touch with you (or your representative) when they need to. If they raise an issue, listen to their concerns, and try to be accommodating. While you want the relationship to be business-like, it also needs to be personable.
- Keep on top of maintenance and repairs
Ensure the property is kept in good condition and respond promptly when there is an issue. If you ignore a tenant’s complaints, they’ll wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere.
- Be honest
Don’t overpromise or be economical with the truth. Trust is important in the tenant/landlord relationship.
- Don’t set the rent too high
Setting the rent too high can be a false economy. If a tenant feels that they’re getting ripped off, they’ll quickly move on – leaving you to fork out to find a new tenant.
- Be flexible
Give requests about decorating or having pets due consideration (even if you’re initial instinct is to say no). If a tenant feels that they can create a home environment in your property, they’re more likely to stay for a long time. If a tenant is working out well, consider offering them a longer lease.
Get in touch with us here at Parkview Property to find out how we can help you find and retain good quality tenants.
COPYRIGHT Parkview Property 2021
How Technology Can Make Life Easier for Landlords in Ayrshire
In this two-minute read, we look at how technology can help landlords be more successful, do their bit for the planet, protect their tenants, and save money.
From smart TVs to one-click shopping, technology makes life a whole lot easier than it was 20 years ago for the average person.
It also has many benefits for private landlords and their tenants.
Here are our top tech tips.
Remote viewings
There has been a surge in online viewings due to Covid-19. Pre-recorded tours mean prospective tenants can view properties at their leisure and your convenience – and on more than one occasion.
Energy efficiency
Being green has been all the rage for years, and prospective tenants will be impressed if their new home has a good EPC rating. You could possibly achieve a higher rent if your property is fitted with innovative energy-saving technology, and you’ll be able to attract eco-conscious, high-quality tenants.
Smart meters are already commonplace, while smart thermostats and energy-efficient lightbulbs are some of the other ways you could potentially save money.
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Landlords are legally required to ensure properties are fitted with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. But now, with intelligent detectors, landlords can be sent notifications to their phone if there’s a problem. These notifications can also be set up by your tenants on their phones, giving them extra peace of mind.
Home security
One of the biggest worries for any homeowner, let alone a landlord, is a property’s security. The good news is there are devices out there to protect both your property and your tenants’ belongings, meaning you can both sleep well at night.
Motion sensors can alert you to unexpected intruders. Simultaneously, remote security cameras can be linked to Wi-Fi, meaning it’s easy to keep tabs on the outside of your property from your phone – especially useful during any dreaded void period.
Of course, when it comes to security your tenants’ privacy must always be respected.
You might even want to think about installing smart locks. These can reduce the risk of lost keys and the chances of you, or a costly locksmith, being called out at any time of the day (or night).
The Best Thing A Landlord Can Do
While technology can give landlords a big helping hand, using an experienced, qualified, and conscientious letting agent remains the best move you can make for a successful tenancy.
Here at Parkview Property, we’re experts in all things letting.
And if you’re a bit daunted by any of the above, don’t worry. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know.
Copyright Parkview Property Ltd 2021
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