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.
The Euros Are Here!
A two-minute read looking at the price of property across our continent.
The month-long football festival AKA the Euros 2021 kicks off today
And the home nations of Scotland, England and Wales are all competing to win the crown of the best national side in Europe.
A win for Scotland would be priceless, and we thought it might be a bit of fun to look at how property prices compare across the continent.
So, we jumped on Google to see what the average prices for a place to call home are in the following eight countries taking part in the 24-nation tournament.
England – £268,000
Wales – £178,907
Scotland – £164,099
France – £200,241
Across other parts of Europe, the focus is on the average price based on a square metre of the property.
Germany – £2,922 – per square metre (psm)
Portugal – £964 – psm
Spain – £2,071 – psm (based on new build properties)
Switzerland – £5,078 – psm
To give you a comparison, the average price psm across England and Wales was £2,954 (Jan 2021) and in Scotland £1,579 (2018).
And just like star footballers, the average values depend on how in-demand the areas are.
The cost of properties in many of the above countries is much higher in cities and areas where people buy holiday / second homes.
At Parkview Property, we can’t predict with any guarantee who will win the Euros when it concludes at Wembley Stadium on 11 July, but we can guarantee you a champion level of service if you choose us to help with Selling or Letting your property.
Thanks for reading and C’mon Scotland!
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
Parkview Property Promise
Let's Support Our Local Communities by Making this Promise
- Attend a local event when possible
- Reward excellent customer service with loyalty
- Support a local charity or community group
- Think local when looking to buy something
- Visit a local park or attraction
- Keep our area clean and tidy
- Eat out at an independent pub, café, or restaurant when possible
- Read a local paper, magazine, or news website
- Spend £10 in local independent shops
- Recommend our area as a place to visit
PARKVIEW PROPERTY PROUDLY SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
Copyright 2021
Top Tips for Landlords
Top Tips for Landlords to Stay Calm and in Control of their Properties.
In this two-minute read, we show you how to keep calm and in control when letting your Ayrshire property.
The idea that investing in rental property is easy passive income is a myth. Letting and managing rental property can be stressful, especially for inexperienced or accidental landlords.
This month sees the championing of Stress Awareness Month; an annual event which recognises the dangers of modern-day stress and provides valuable coping strategies. If you are wading through tenancy treacle, read our top tips to temper your tension.
Do your homework
Whether it’s a simple credit check or a comprehensive background check, referencing your tenant is ESSENTIAL. If you have concerns, you could arrange to meet your prospective tenant in their current property to see how it’s been looked after or even go a step further and ask for a rental guarantor. If you have rental income insurance, check whether the terms of your policy stipulate the level of referencing required.
Build a circle of trust
People buy people. And much like you want the right tenant in your property, you want the right tradespeople working in it. We guarantee that you will, at some point, have some repairs that need attention – whether from an accident or general wear and tear. Building a trusted network of tradespeople that provide value for money will stand you in good stead.
Don’t leave yourself short
Now, more than ever, we understand the importance of an emergency fund. In tough financial climates, rent arrears can be more of a reality than a risk. In situations like this, contact your tenant – there may be a simple explanation which is easily remedied. If not, don’t delay in taking advice. If you rely on your rental investment for income, consider whether rental insurance is a sensible option.
Know when you need help
If it all gets too much, ask for help. A good letting agent can manage the entire tenant journey for you: from tenant sourcing right through to the end of tenancy clean. Inventories, referencing, deposits, rent collection, repairs, and legal and regulatory compliance; you name it, it’s covered.
We understand the pressures involved in letting your property and are here to alleviate your anxieties. If you’d like to hear how we can make your property let a stress-free experience, give us a call on 01292 442888.
Copyright Parkview Property Ltd 2021