A new season is upon us and we're keeping people moving.

We are officially in Autumn, but I think we can all say that this year has been a blur, whatever the season! As with a lot of businesses, we are getting a sense of normality back in our business and our 5* award winning team are working hard on valuations, viewings, selling and letting properties and all things in between.

We appreciate it is still a difficult time for some people so we are striving to keep in touch with customers old and new. We continue to keep our clients moving, our landlords communicated with and their properties managed, all whilst doing so in a safe and responsible way for them and our fantastic team across both our Storrington and Pulborough offices.

If you would like to talk to one of them, view, sell, rent or let a property, or just for general advice, then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us and we will help get you moving before another season slips by! In the meantime, keep up to date on our website, regarding our Covid guidelines, available properties, free online valuations, general advice and everything you need to know about Land and New Homes.

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Managing the rental bounce and your mandatory electrical checks

Since June this year, it has been made a legal requirement that an EICR report must be carried out before any new tenancies begin, with electrical installation inspections conducted at least every five years from that point.

With the surge in demand for rental properties set to increase even more than what we’ve experienced this summer, property certificate providers say landlords need to be prepared to deal with the influx in demand.

Following the reopening of the property market back in May, there has been a surge in demand from tenants. This growth in activity looks like it is going to continue to develop, as there have been sustained positive reports throughout June, July and August.

A recent survey from RICS found that tenant demand has recovered to +35% in July, bouncing back from -44% the previous quarter. Meanwhile other research found that the number of tenants registering with letting agencies reached a record high in June!

Almost three in ten letting agents saw landlords increasing the cost of rent in June as a result from the high demands.

With landlords processing a higher number of tenancies, this also means more administration work needing to be carried out with new and challenging compliance measures to meet.

The most recent change affecting new tenancies is the introduction of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 on July 1st.

There are a range of other things for landlords to follow, including providing copies of EICR reports to their new tenants.

We would recommend having access to a large pool of electricians, as this is going to be crucial to meet the high demand. An efficient online management system would also help landlords keep organised and up-to-date with each tenant.

Mandatory electrical checks have been introduced for a reason and it is to ultimately to protect your tenants and your investments. Managing this process through trusted suppliers and using highly qualified electricians is in the interest of all stakeholders.

If you’d like to talk to us about your compliance, contact us today.

Are you asking these key questions when you buy or sell?

A recent study has revealed the 'most dreaded' and unusual questions buyers have asked about a property before putting in an offer.

With a small minority asking whether the pets come included in the sale, it’s fair to say that not all of the responses are winners.

However, the report by Hillarys has shed light on just how many Brits lack proper preparation during the home buying process.

Up to two-thirds will not plan their questions ahead of a house viewing, meaning they are not getting the full value out of the experience, as well as potentially wasting an opportunity to find out all of the property’s pros and cons earlier on.

The most dreaded questions from buyers:

Has it dropped in value?	54%
What local plans could affect us?	42%
What’s the lowest price we could get it for?	33%
Is the seller in a chain?	21%

To help you make the most of your viewings the next time you decide to buy or sell, we thought we'd share practical suggestions for you to consider.

What are some of the more serious questions you should be asking?

Whether you're instructing an agent or viewing a property, how prepared you are will determine how quickly you're able to move.

Are you asking these key questions:

1. Exactly what is included in the sale? Whilst it's safe to assume most sellers will want to keep their pets, it's important to outline what content might be included, such as fixtures, fittings and garden furniture.

2. How long has it been on the market and how many offers have they received so far?

3. When are the sellers looking to move out? Knowing whether they've already found another home or they're still in the midst of looking will help you to determine how long the process may take and how much room for uncertainty there is.

4. Have there been recent renovations or any difficulties with boilers, drains and guttering?

5. How did the agent decide on an asking price? Good agents will be able to provide justifications for the value of a property, so you'll know whether it's listed at the right amount or if it's overpriced.

What to ask when selling:

1. How will you market my property? Are they regularly contacting a database of suitable applicants to give you greater market exposure, or does their strategy start and end with a basic Rightmove listing?

2. What are your success metrics and how do they compare to other agents? In other words, what's their experience selling a home like yours at a price like yours?

3. How much will you charge? Choosing the agent who offers the lowest fees won't guarantee you reach asking price and you may lose time and money on the market, be savvy when you instruct representation for your property investments.

4. What are the contract terms? Before beginning any contractual relationship, know exactly what it is you should expect from them.

If you're thinking of selling and want to find out the value of your home, contact us.

Get your home ‘autumn ready’

Darker nights and mornings, cooler temperatures and leaves falling from the trees, this can all only mean one thing! We’re heading into autumn.

Now is the perfect time to revisit the styling of your home’s interior to suit the autumnal changes.

Learn our makeover tips and suggestions for September, along with some practical pointers too.

Autumnal wreath

It all starts at the front door. You will find many independent homeware stores and florists designing beautiful seasonal wreaths.

They can range from rustic branches woven with berries, pumpkins and apples to crisp leafy designs. For those not ready to fully say goodbye to summer, why not go for a wreath made from wheat. The summery yellow will brighten up your porch.

Introduce new scents

Whether it be diffusers or scented candles, you can choose your home’s new smell to fit in with the season.

Go for musky, woody or spiced smells to create a cosy homely ambience.

If you are lucky enough to have a log burner, try cedar wood as it is well known for its delicate yet unmistaken fragrance (which also is known to keep spiders away, a win-win situation).

Add throws

It is time to dig out all the throws and blankets you put away for summer.

A big fluffy throw can take an elegant old chesterfield sofa to a whole new level of snugness.

If you are not a fan of the fluff, try and introduce mustards, marsala or copper coloured textiles to your living areas. Not only do they look nice but they’re so practical for those dark nights on the sofa watching TV!

Now, time for our practical pointers:

Check for leaks and drafts. You can do this yourself or hire a professional, just be sure to do it sooner rather than later; there is nothing worse than finding a draft in the middle of winter.
Inspect your roof and clean out your gutters.
Stock up on firewood.
Fertilise your lawn. Doing this will help prevent winter damage and weeds.
Put away any seasonal furniture. Remember to clean before covering up.

Don’t panic though, autumn doesn’t officially start until the 22nd September. Just be sure that your home is ready.

Preventative maintenance will not only save on wasted energy and the stress of emergency repairs, but it will save you a lot of money!

Maintaining your home also enhances its market value and appeal. For an updated valuation, contact us.