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02Feb

The government’s new Levelling Up White Paper, revealed this morning includes a radical reshaping of the private rental sector.

Section 21 eviction powers will be removed  and Housing Secretary Michael Gove says this will “end the unfair situation where renters can be kicked out of their homes for no reason.”

In addition all homes in the private rental sector will have to meet a minimum standard to be known as the Decent Homes Standard. 

The White Paper does not stop there. It adds: “We will consult on introducing a landlords register, and will set out plans for a crackdown on rogue landlords – making sure fines and bans stop repeat offenders leaving renters in terrible conditions.”

There’s more - the government says home ownership will be boosted via a new £1.5 billion Levelling Up Home Building Fund being launched, which will provide loans to small and medium sized developers and support the government's wider regeneration agenda in areas considered a priority for levelling up.

The government is also committing to build what it calls “a more genuinely affordable social housing.” A new Social Housing Regulation Bill will be introduced following the Grenfell tragedy in 2017.

The ‘80/20 rule’ which leads to 80 per cent of government funding for housing supply being directed at ‘maximum affordability areas’ – in practice, London and the South East – will be scrapped, with much of the £1.8 billion brownfield funding instead being diverted to transforming brownfield sites in the North and Midlands. Metro Mayors will be allocated £120m of this funding. 

The whole Levelling Up White Paper is vast and far-reaching with 12 so-called missions, given legal status in a flagship Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. This will “shift government focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities throughout the 2020s.”

You can view the full report by clicking here.

 

*Source - Estate Agent Today 02.02.22

29Jan

THE STATS

Address - Amazon Court, Gravesend, Kent

Sale Price - £170,000

Rent - £775pcm

 

WHAT WE DID

This venture ended up being a joint collabaration for M&M Estate and Letting Agents,  our Sales team sold the property and the purchaser was an investor who then chose our Lettings team at M&M to find tenants and manage the property.

Our Sales and Lettings team often collaberate on properties together with business staying within M&M due to the high level of service provided to our Vendor's/Puchaser's and Landlord's. 

Just read our reviews to see!

 

THE RESULT

Sales - The sales team had an offer agreed for the full asking price within 3 weeks of the property going to the market.  

Lettings - A viewing slot was fullly booked on the 1st day of the property going live to the market.

A prequalified applicant (to ensure suitability) was discussed with the landlord and accepted and referenced.

***The tenant has completed all the necessary checks and passed with flying colours, and moved into the property on 28th January 2022***

 

 If you have a property to sell or let and need assistance please contact us;

Gemma Scott-Davies - Lettings Manager at M&M Estate and Letting Agents on 01474 321957 or gemmascott@mandmprop.co.uk

Richard Reeves - Sales Manager at M&M Estate and Letting Agents on 01474 321957 or Richard@mandmprop.co.uk

22Jan

Over the years there has never been a right or a wrong way as to whether to find your next home before a sale has been agreed on your current one. This current market is suggesting there is in fact a better way.

 

The Chicken and Egg scenario faces many sellers who face the dilemma of do I find a buyer but potentially struggle to find or do I find a home with the prospect of not selling in time to secure your dream home?

 

My recommendation holds an element of both but with the focus on finding a strong buyer for your home who is also prepared to wait for you to find.

 

Each property move begins with a search on the portals to see what is currently available in a price range you consider affordable. In this current market it is noticeable that there is a real shortage of available homes but don’t despair!!

 

We suggest the next step being a valuation for your home and after this for a mortgage discussion to take place to complete an affordability check, if relevant to your move. 

 

At this point, if you take the leap of faith onto the market before you find you are able to go at your own pace. Choose the buyer you feel is best and at an offer level acceptable to you. In many occasions offers over asking price are being achieved which means you could be in a stronger financial position rather than feeling as though you have to go with the first offer you receive to not lose out on your dream home.

 

Once a buyer is found, the search should move from the arm chair and the portals to physical viewings. You’ll be amazed at how viewing a property makes you see things you wouldn’t have ever considered when swiping through the pages online.

 

The best part is that you are also viewing as a proceedable buyer, this means if you fall in love with a home there will be nothing holding you back from making that all important offer! Otherwise it is like shopping with no money.

 

This way benefits from being a less stressful way to move rather than finding a home and constantly carrying the worry of not selling in time or the feeling that someone else may swoop in to secure it before you have secured your own buyer.

 

We of course are always on hand to help with each step of the above and provide any further advice too.

 

Richard Reeves – Sales Manager

richard@mandmprop.co.uk

 

01474 321 957

 

14Jan

THE STATS

Address - Christchurch Road, Gravesend, Kent

Rent - £1100pcm

Let for - £1200pcm

Let agreed - At 1st viewing

 

WHAT WE DID

At the market appraisal we discussed in full all our services with the landlord and asked what were the things most important to her in a tenant?  We advised the best strategy in the current market would be to advertise at £1100pcm with a view to achieve a higher offer from the level of interest we expected to receive.

The landlord instructed us at the appointment and chose our fully managed service, the property went live to the market the same day.

 

THE RESULT

A viewing slot of eight applicants was booked within 2 hours of the property going live to the rental market, all applicants were prequalified to ensure suitability.  We received seven applications with rental offers up to £150 above the asking price. 

All applications were discussed with the landlord and the most suitable tenant was chosen and referenced

The tenant has completed all the necessary checks and passed with flying colours, moving in this January 2022.

 

***We now have seven excellent quality, disapointed applicants looking for a property to rent***

 

If you have a property to let and need assistance please contact me;

Gemma Scott-Davies - Lettings Manager at M&M Estate and Letting Agents on 01474 3219 or gemmascott@mandmprop.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

20Dec

Following the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the Gravesham area and the rest of the U.K we wanted to assure our clients both current and future that we continue to take the pandemic very seriously. 

 

The well being of our clients and staff are at the forefront of each decision we make as an estate agency during these times and have worked well so far in ensuring the safety of all that we are in contact with.

 

Following recent Government guidance that we have updated our Covid-19 Operating Policy and Procedures in line with these and are able to continue to offer Virtual Valuations and Video Tours on the vast majority of the homes we sell in Gravesend, Northfleet and the surrounding areas.

 

 

Below is a list of the processes we as an estate agency are following:

 

We will operate in accordance with Government guidance at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect our team and our customers. 

 

We have the following measures in place to help prevent the spread of the Covid 19 virus.

 

 

-  Our office door will be locked and staff will be working from home where they can. 

 

- Anyone requiring entry to our office will need to wear a mask. All staff will wear masks. 

 

- Staff will wear masks on all appointments as should the public. 

 

- We will have a supply of hand sanitizer at appropriate points in our office for use by staff and visitors.

 

- In the office and on appointments we will take all reasonable steps to ensure social distancing is maintained.

 

- We will not permit any face-to-face meeting to take place in any case where any party has been advised to self-isolate or is awaiting Covid 19 test results.

 

- We will ensure our team has access to regular hand washing facilities.

 

- We will continue to recommend virtual appointments as a first option to reduce the level of face-to-face contact.

 

- We will issue digital information and communication where possible.

 

- We will retain your information should this be needed for any NHS test and trace purposes.

 

- Where viewing/market appraisal appointments are undertaken we will either ourselves or ask sellers to open all internal doors to restrict ‘touching’ of surfaces.

 

- For property viewings we will request that the number of people attending the viewing is kept to a minimum.

 

- Our team regularly undertake covid lateral flow tests even if they are not showing any symptoms.

 

- We have dedicated Covid 19 responsible persons who are Gemma Scott-Davies and Richard Reeves. They should be the first point of contact for any Covid related queries.

 

- We reserve the right to amend these procedures at short notice depending on Government advice at the time.

 

We hope you all keep safe and well during these very difficult times.