Continue reading »]]> After 12 April 2012, new rules for the deposit protection will come into force.

Under the auspices of the Localism Act 2011, the government have introduced proposed changes to the way the tenancy deposits are protected. This comes as a result of several court cases over the Tenancy Deposit Protection rules in the Housing Act 2004 which showed much controversy over the existing rules.

In a word, the rules become tougher. Even more, the new rules apply to all deposits, whether they are new or already existing.

In a nutshell, the new rules say:

- landlords must protect the deposits received under assured shorthold tenancies within 30 days of receiving the money, versus 14 days now;

- tenants and anyone paying towards the deposit must be given information about the scheme protecting the deposit and the landlord contact details within 30 days of handing over the deposit;

- tenants and anyone paying towards the deposit must be given information about the scheme protecting the deposit and the landlord contact details within 30 days of handing over the deposit;

- the penalty for failing to comply with either requirement within 30 days is left to Judge discretion – however is between the amount of the deposit and three times that amount.

Interesting to note that Section 215 of the Housing Act is amended to clarify Section 21 notice rules. Under the new clarifications, the possession procedure cannot be used where a deposit has not been protected within the 30 day period.

There are remedies to this – either (1) by returning the deposit to the tenant (in full or part, as mutually agreed) or (2) by apply to the country court under Section 214 that then has been withdrawn or settled between the parties.

At Force 10 Property Management we aim to look after landlords and tenants interests. Therefore we will continue to bring relevant news to your attention. If you are interested to be among the first who find out these news please do stay connected. You can get connected via Facebook or Twitter and, of course, through our own website and blog.

Continue reading »]]> As year-end approaches the economic news does not seem to align with the festive holiday season. Thoughts about a double dip recession are coming more and more often about and we hear a lot more about small or large companies having difficulties.

However it is not all doom and gloom. The good news is that if people work hard to excel at what they do – whatever that “what” is, then it is highly probable that those people will succeed.

There is still news of successful people and successful companies, which shows success is very much part of the determination to succeed. Sometimes success is helped by circumstances, but most of the time, let’s admit it: success is within us!

For that reason, there is something else we should do a little more often: celebrate our successes, even more in a time and in an economy such as the one we are living in. It is essential for us as human beings to recognise our success, be happy about it and celebrate it – in whatever form or shape each of us feels like.

Thinking of how this year went on – it has had its ups and downs, like everything else, but overall, for Force 10 Property Management, it has been a year focused on customer service. This year we really worked hard to make a difference in customer service within the property sector. At this time of the year I am very excited to say that we did make a difference. And what a difference!

To keep it very short – we were not only shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious, premier nationwide private rented sector awards in the UK residential market “Landlord & Letting Awards” but we were also nominated as finalists for the Doncaster Chamber Business Awards for “Excellence in Customer Service” award.

We also have been included in the “Wakefield Responsible Landlords Scheme”, which is a tremendous achievement and recognition not only of the quality of our work, but also of our landlords and their properties.

As part of our growth strategy, we have also been starting a new arm of the property business – Harrogate PPC or Harrogate Personal Property Consultants. Harrogate PPC aims to give a property consultancy service, by looking at the property portfolio and providing ways to increase property returns. To read more about Harrogate PPC please click on the following link. If the link below does not work please copy the link into any internet browser.

http://www.harrogate-ppc.co.uk

With only 30 days to Santa’s arrival, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone an excellent year-end, filled with hopes and plans for the New Year, a year that I am sure will show that the determined people can succeed in any economic environment!

In the meantime… enjoy the reading of our quarterly newspaper. Also – please feel free to give us your opinion.

Best wishes,

Ovidiu

Continue reading »]]> In the current economic climate, the news about property market trends are truly abundant. Here house prices go up, there the house prices go down… As mortgage market seems to relax a bit and more available products come to the market, any landlord or property investor  asks the question: what should I do? what should I believe of the reports I’m seeing? should I wait longer, if house prices are to go down or should I invest now?

Property expert Catherine Hearnden, MD at MyMortgageDirect, believes there is a great deal of uncertainty about what the future holds for house prices at the moment. The future of house price growth is being dependant on which part of the country people live in; that simply leaves the current outlook for the housing market mixed.

The comments come after a new report by Nationwide which found that house prices increased by 0.4% in October, the price of a typical home is now 0.8% higher than at the same point one year ago.

Ms Hearnden went on to explain how assumptions that prices will drop may not be accurate: “Everything I have read from everywhere else, seems to think that they will go down. It seems to be mixed and I think it will depend upon what part of the country you’re in and what the property is. I really don’t think that anybody can predict it.”

According to Ms Hearnden London will be a good indicator to what will happen elsewhere; she noted that many people predict if house prices level off in London, then everywhere else will follow and said it is wise to look at London as a guide to what is going to happen.

As property professionals Force 10 Property Management is keeping a close eye to the market to give timely updates of how market performs. We aim to provide information and advice to landlords and property investors, to be a trusted partner to enhance property returns.

Therefore please do keep an eye on our website and on our regular newsletter to keep abreast of market trends.

Source: Zoopla

Continue reading »]]> Getting in social media is not something we’ve been used to. Therefore it was a difficult step for us – the big question being – how do we make sure we get it right?

Recently we have launched our Facebook page (see link below) where we would like to set up a new communication channel with our customers – whether they are landlords or tenants.

Please do visit our Facebook page and let us know what you think. Also, do not forget do LIKE us if you like what we do.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Force-10-Property-Management-Doncaster-Harrogate-Lettings-Yorkshire/192941880725462

We also improved our presence on twitter – where we would like to give you property tips and news about the property market. We have created 2 Twitter accounts – for the 2 main geographical areas we cover:

Doncaster:   http://twitter.com/#!/force10pm_dn

Harrogate:   http://twitter.com/#!/force10pm_hg1

Follow us to find out more on how to save money on the property or simply to find out news about property market.

Continue reading »]]> Another beautiful and rewarding day: we’ve been notified that Force 10 Property Management has been shortlisted as finalist for Doncaster Chamber of Commerce Awards for Customer Service.

This comes as just another public recognition of the hard work the team of Force 10 Property Management has put in to make sure it delivers an outstanding level of service to both landlords and tenants.

Acting in between landlords and tenants is not always easy. Making sure they are both happy and satisfied with the level of service they receive is even more difficult.

The team has been extraordinary in maintaining an excellent communication with all parties and acting swiftly to deliver on promises, despite the inherent difficulties to manage sometimes multiple suppliers to get a job done satisfactory.

Congratulations to the team! Keep up the excellent level of work!

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The property management and letting agent Force 10 Property Management has been shortlisted as finalist for 2011/ 2012 in the following categories of the prestigious Landlord & Letting Awards:

• Customer service
• Innovation
• Letting Agent for Yorkshire and The Humber.

Oliver Romain, editor of Landlord & Buy-to-Let magazine and lead judge for the Awards, commented: “The Landlord & Letting Awards are the premier nationwide private rented sector awards in the UK, and it’s great to be able to recognise and reward the best in the industry. This year’s response was phenomenal, with over 1,000 entries received across the various categories, so Force 10 Property Management has done brilliantly to be shortlisted.”

The winners for each category will be announced at a gala dinner – hosted by property investor and TV presenter Melissa Porter – being held at the Concourse Suite, Birmingham NEC, Wednesday 16th November, 2011.

Ovidiu Staicu, Managing Director of Force 10 Property Management said: “We are thrilled to reach this stage in the judging process: it really is testament to our team’s hard work and commitment to deliver an outstanding customer service throughout. We are now just keeping our fingers crossed that we are lucky enough to walk away with a winner’s trophy on the night.”

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We recently have launched a new service (and website too), aiming to service buy-to-let investors by advising how to increase returns on property.

Do you think this would be something of interest – to you or to your friends or family? If so please do visit

http://www.harrogate-ppc.co.uk

for more details or contact Harrogate PPC/ Personal Property Consultants or Force 10 Property Management who would be glad to help.