Tag Archives: Professional Management

12Jul 2010

UK Lettings Franchise market insight

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By Nick strong MD Select Your Franchise

In spite of the economic downturn the * lettings franchise market in the UK has grown and remains strong.

According to Steve Roulstone, Managing Director of Castle Estates, “the market is robust even in recession as the interest payments charged to landlords by lenders reduces significantly as in recession making the market both attractive and viable for landlords.  It is also harder for first time buyers to enter the housing market at the moment which fuels the need and demand for well presented letting stock.”

UK properties are valued well for market entry for new and existing landlords which helps fuel business and sector growth.

The number of new franchisees is growing in the * UK lettings franchise market.  Castle Estates has seen a significant uplift of enquiries during late spring and early summer of 2010.

This is great news for people wishing to build their future prosperity via the housing market. 

The Castle Estates franchise system is well positioned to help new franchisee owners advance in the UK lettings franchise marketplace.  With over 30 years of know how the Castle Estates system offers one of the most mature and robust franchise models available to franchise buyers in the UK today.

Steve Roulstone recently acquired the Castle Estates franchise.  As a successful franchisee Steve saw the potential of the brand and system to grow even stronger by building on the existing proven system by working with new franchise owners in towns across the country.
 
Steve is working closely with Nick Strong, Managing Director of  Select Your Franchise UK Ltd, to build the brand and help new franchise owners successfully enter the Castle Estates system.

Nick said, “I am delighted to be working with Steve.  I have been impressed by his focus on ethics and quality.  He is totally focused on the win-win philosophy that make the relationship between franchise brand and system owner and local franchise owner such a rewarding experience for both parties.”

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!

30Jun 2010

Property Landlord Advice: The argument for Insurance.

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By Steve Roulstone

Landlords Legal Expenses and Rent Guarantee (LERG)Insurance is a vehicle that has been available for many years to protect Landlords from loss of rent and the cost of taking action against Tenants not fulfilling their obligations. The knowledge their income is protected has to be a serious consideration for all Landlords.

Only one way do it – the right way.

As both a Landlord and a professional Letting Agent holding LERG cover is a position I always recommend. Almost all LERG policies as a prime benefit of full management carry professional referencing as a prerequisite to being able to take the insurance so further credence is given to the Tenant wishing to rent your property when a pass is achieved. In fact, it could be said Landlords without LERG are taking unnecessary risks if, when presented with the option, the Insurance is not taken out.

Security in the System.

Yet amazingly, I have this week been advised of a situation where an agent acting on behalf of a Landlord, instead of offering referencing services to their client, simply requested ‘Referees’ from the prospective Tenant and then asked for a Guarantor, presumably because they did not like the look of the Tenant!

Renting your House or Home

I wish here to give as much credence to the ‘Agent’ as possible, but as a Landlord, I would not be happy committing the security of my property to somebody who decided themselves if the person in front of them was a good Tenant or not. We all think we can take such decisions because we have the necessary experience and after the years I have spent in this industry I would consider myself to be a good judge, but I would never put myself in the position of taking a risk with somebody else’s investment! This is simply not a good idea where referencing is concerned.

Follow the professional recommendation

If industry bodies such as ARLA recommend referencing and or simple credit checks to ensure security through agents, then surely all agents should make such arrangements to protect their clients. Sounds like I’m beating the same old drum – you bet I am!!

08Jun 2010

The Truth behind the Rental myth!

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By Steve Roulstone

All those stories about Tenants trashing rented houses, you would have thought that in all these years I would have heard so many!

The truth often Surprises!

In Eleven years of Property Management at Castle Estates Stafford I must have Managed or been involved increating well over 2000 tenancies on properties for rent. Yet the stories number no more than the fingers on one hand!

Renting property – As popular as ever!

I have witnessed a significant change over the last decade and I see no reason why more property should not continue to be offered to the rental sector in the UK year upon year. Ask the Estate Agents why they get involved in Rental Property?

Renting property – As safe as Houses!

And this is where we can bury the myth! People rent now as a real option in their lifestyle and because it is a life choice for the majority, the Houses they Rent become part of that lifestyle our Tenants look after and respect the houses that give them that choice.

The Future is bright!

Because the UK shows no sign of changing its trend towards the flexibility offered by the rental market and because the Market, Government driven (Government responce to The Rugg Report) is becoming Professional day upon day it is becoming clear that Industry Regulation and Landlord Registration is the future.

So choose the Professionals.

Whether you are a Tenant or a Landlord looking to invest in Property, the choice is becoming clearer. By choosing the Professional Agents in the Rental Market, you will be looked after by People who know how to protect your interest and your property will be Tenanted by the kind of people you want, People who understand the facility you are offering and understand what it represents, People just like you!

08Jun 2010

Why Choose a Property Franchise?

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 By Steve Roulstone

OK, so you want a buy a Franchise! But in what Industry? Let me list some of the reasons I chose a Property Franchise.

Market.

Well let’s face it the Property Market could not be any bigger could it? Everybody needs somewhere to live and modern patterns dictate that we move more often and the Nation is following the European way and moving towards Property Rental more and more.

Legal matters!

The Property Law is complicated and confusing and is an excellent base for running a business. Surely the more complex the more room the market gives for professional services? Is this not why we all have a Solicitor? So yes Legal does matter and is the basis for running a professional Property Management Company.

The all important £.

It is not just that each property can give a return of four figures per year, but also that it gives that return without being prompted! The Property Rental market is set up so that Letting Agents are paid quickly and efficiently, so Cash Flow is always positive. I know how important that was to me.

Time on the Job.

I found that so many Franchises offer a return based on how much you can do in a day. Property Management is so different. Yes, the more you manage, the more you have available, but, it is also true that the more you manage, the less need involvement every day, leaving you free to develop new business, whilst the existing business looks after itself.

Put it all together and I found Castle Estates!

I chose a Property Franchise because of these reasons if you think you agree that a large professional market, offering a reasonable return for each unit of sales quickly and without delay, whilst still offering the opportunity to develop further income then property Management could also be for you!