Tag Archives: Letting Agents

23Jul 2010

Franchise News: Why choose Franchised services?

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By Steve Roulstone.

The Franchising path.

 Any business that fits as a Franchising model, needs to be one that follows a style of business and have methods of operation which can be easily copied across outlet to outlet. A method that can be taught uniformly and adjusted as required as trends change, well with the amount of government legislation that is involved in the rental market (as exampled by this link) we have a natural fit in my Industry. It is consistent methods that ensure that our Landlords get the correct interpretation of these legislative changes and by the needs and experiences of a group that operates and controls its methods through a central spine, best practise can be assured.

 The passion behind the reason.

 But information alone is not the answer, drive and commitment are also needed and I would argue that anybody whose income depends on their own business is not only going to be more committed in their role, but also show that commitment and indeed passion for the Company they represent far better than any employee and that is where the link with Franchising comes home and delivers, for people whose livelihood rests on the success of their Company are going to perform both more successfully and more diligently.

 Let me give you a lift!

 And having been a Franchisee for ten years, I know from practise, that they are far more supportive of others who are trying to achieve the same goal in life. I have worked in the privately owned sector and been told ‘I am not telling everybody else why we do so well, because I will no longer look as good if everybody did it!’ You never get that in Franchising, exactly the opposite, rather Franchisees are quieting up to pass on good news and good ideas, because they understand what everybody who does what they do are trying to achieve and only too happy to help!

 So who do I use?

 I believe the answer is simple, whatever services you require or want to buy, if it is a Franchise, you are liable to get a better service and probably a better product, because to those who run the Company, your business is simply more important!

14Jul 2010

Franchise News: The importance of looking the part!

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By Steve Roulstone

That all important first impression.

Every Company providing services today and Letting Agents are no different, need to make a good impression from the start. This means when Tenants are looking for a property to rent they will make a decision about your Company, the moment they walk through your front door. This is human nature!

Landlords know as well.

 And Landlords know that Tenants (as the customer in the triangle) will make this judgement, so they are doing the same. So what do we need to do to look the part and give a good impression? Well I do not apologise for my recommendation here, because tried and tested methods are exactly what they say on the tin; tried and tested!

 Want to let your house?

 Then present the office in the same way! An office can be full of modern furniture and new technology, but unless it looks tidy and well presented, will it make a good first impression? I say no, simple rules of tidiness such as empty desks when staff are out and just like a well presented property at a viewing (did you see the link coming?) you will get that good impression. And I have not forgotten that what applies to the office applies to your staff as well, but let’s concentrate on the office today.

 Not magnolia again!

 Oh yes, the reason we letting Agents recommend neutral colours stands just as well in our offices, we do not need to make bold statements with challenging colours, or different colour schemes with furniture that does not match. Why? Because we need it to look good, in exactly the same way we look to market a property. So if you want to give the right impression, keep it clean, keep it tidy, and present it ‘neutral’.

 Old rules are good rules.

 We do not need to re-invent the wheel when making an office look professional, we just need to do our job. If we tell Landlords how their property should look to achieve a good Tenant, after all ‘The better the home looks the better the Tenant will appreciate the home’ then we should do the same and again, I believe this simple rule applies to both.

10Jul 2010

Property Landlord Advice: When is an HMO not an HMO?

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By Steve Roulstone
 
Never! 

 There has been a lot of confusion caused by the Housing Act of 2004, where HMO property is concerned as introduced in April 2006 surrounding licensed buildings, but the changes are actually simpler than they first appear.

 To license or not to license?

 This is the real question for Landlords and the real crux behind the changes. It is also where a clear definition of what represents a House of Multiple Occupation. Conversely, it is also this area that has given rise to the biggest area of confusion amongst Landlords and the mistaken belief that if there house does not match these criteria, that HMO regulations can be ignored.

 Two families and the Council decide.

What all Landlords need to be aware of and appreciate is that any property that has more than two families living at the property (More than two families represented who are not co-habiting) as their permanent address, then as far as the Council are concerned, it is an HMO! Maybe not one that needs a license, but as far as safety is concerned and this can mean Fire doors and surrounds, Fire walls and escape windows, then the Council will in all probability order that such safety measures are installed for the safety of the Tenants.

The Council decides, or not!

And here is the next problem facing all Landlords. Not all Councils take the same view or level of safety when considering identical styles of property! Prior to its introduction I spoke to and worked with my Council, who independently of other areas, decided to take a review of all property that they believed was operating as an HMO through there register of student homes in the Town. This gave me both an insight and early approach to both the knowledge needed and ensuring my Landlords, existing and new, were well informed.

Confident letting.

 So what my advice to all Landlords is, if you are renting to more than two family units, then your local Council will definitely consider it to be a House of Multiple Occupation. Unless it requires licensing by number of stories or people residing, then you could be forced to take appropriate changes to the safety of the building as your Council sees fit, so take advice first and speak to the Council before you find out the hard way!

Steve Roulstone

09Jul 2010

Franchise News: Information, Information, Information!

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By Steve Roulstone

No matter what industry you want to review, whether it be Business to Business, Business to Public, retail, office, or home based or a man with a van style Franchise, when considering your future in Franchising, you need to be well informed.

The initial Package.

The difficulty for Franchisors, especially if the industry concerned is a complex one like my Company, Castle Estates with varied and many areas of legislation as well as being an industry that provides different levels and styles of service, is the initial package of information sent to Prospective Franchisees, can only give a brush stroke image and never the full picture.

Grasping the message.

All Franchisors make every effort to provide quality literature, especially those who are members of the BFA but if we try to give too much information, then it is very difficult for the Franchisee to take it all on board from the written word. The answer has to be to offer an open day where the story can be told using a structured approach, giving the prospect the opportunity to ask those all important questions.

Franchise Opportunities

This is why so many organisations involved with Franchising both offer or recommend a visit to the respective Head Office and a few hours to understand method, purpose, Industry, path, and so much more. So when you get asked to attend an Open Day, do not be concerned, it means that the Company providing the Franchise wants to ensure that before you make that all important Franchise Investment, you have all the information you need. In my Industry the term Location, Location, Location, is well known, but I want to be sure that anybody who contacts Castle Estates, is in a position to receive Information, Information , Information as well!