Wednesday December 6, 2017

Looking back over 2017 I find that in January I reported landlords describing 2016 as an ‘annus horribilis’ due to the swathe of new legislation affecting us that year. Now, at the end of 2017 I can report that we faced around fifty new pieces of legislation in the rental sector. Let us hope 2018 […]

Monday November 6, 2017

We are delighted to be classified ‘highly rated’ in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2018, particularly since this award is based upon the experience of ‘blind shoppers’. This means professionals have posed as customers and rated us on the quality of information and service provided, a system that seems fairer than basing the award on […]

Wednesday June 14, 2017

I am thinking of changing my business card to read “Damiano of the Yard” since Government seems determined to turn landlords and letting agents into officers of the law. Already we must check that tenants have a right to reside in the UK and face big fines or imprisonment if we default. The latest consultation […]

Friday December 16, 2016

In 2013, on this blog I mentioned that Heaton was catching up with our posh neighbour Jesmond. Today I can confidently say that in many respects, Heaton has eclipsed Jesmond as a place to live, work, eat, shop and play. Once the spluttered outbursts from Jesmond residents have subsided I will explain why. The history […]

Thursday June 11, 2015

Like never before, housing has been in the crosshairs at the very top of Government. It played a crucial role in pre-election debates, and the Queen’s Speech, which included Right to Buy legislation and regulation on lettings agents, proved that housing will be central to the Conservatives’ next five years in office. It feels slightly […]