Ben siggins issue 05

Issue 5

www.bensiggins.co.uk Maidstone: 01622 524110 Gillingham: 01634 581207 Kings Hill: 01732 424090 Ashford: 01233 646752

Ashford welcomes new Ben Siggins branch An introduction to our brand-new office

+ Hot properties:

ADVICE FOR TENANTS:

ADVICE FOR BUYERS:

LETTINGS UPDATES:

Ensure your termination runs smoothly with our guide to vacating a property

Are you thinking about buying your very first home?

Read up on our handy tips

Our in-house lettings expert brings you the latest news

Why y Why you should use our conv conveyancing service

is Conveyancing is what Conveyancing we do, it’s our specialist subject.

Last year we complete Last year we completed approximately 8,000 property transactions of all types. of all types.

We are con We are the largest conveyancing company the in our area largest and one of the largest in the country.

Plus we have a veryin good working relationship largest the country. with your estate agent to progressyour your sale or purchase to a successful with estate agent completion. completion.

Our service is fast and efficient whilst still maintaining the quality of our Our service is fast and customer service to you at all times.

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We offer all our clients a dedicated personal conveyancer to handle your We offer all our clients transaction from start to finish and keep you informed 24 hours a day, transaction from start 7 days a week through our case tracking facility on the internet.

7 days a week through

For a quotation please either email us at quotes@ctwsolicitors.co.uk For plea or call the CTW New Business a teamquotation on 020 8859 9297 or visit our website www.ctwsolicitors.co.uk or call the CT

or visit o Our offices in Eltham, Dartford, Bromley and Maidstone will be happy to help you move into your new home so call us today.

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 NEWS: Stay one step ahead with our quarterly round up of essential news and stories affecting the housing market today. Page 4  BUYER FOCUS: Are you a first-time buyer? Here, we offer our top tips for getting your foot on the ladder. Page 6  TENANT FOCUS: How to ensure your tenancy terminates with smiles all round. Page 10  AGENT UPDATES: Here Chris Payne, Manager at our newlyopened Ashford office, welcomes you to the new branch. Page 12

to our quarterly brochure t’s been a busy few months for the team at Ben Siggins since our last issue was published. Following the success of our third branch in Kings Hill, we’ve decided to open our fourth branch just before the busiest time of the year for buying and selling houses. As I write, we are finalising signposting and last-minute details at our brand-new Ashford branch, which is now ready to welcome new customers through its doors.

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I’d like to welcome Chris Payne to our team, who will be heading up the Ashford branch with his newly-formed team. Chris has a strong background within the estate agency industry and is already known for his outstanding service and commitment to customers within the Ashford area. In fact, Chris and his team have amazingly already helped five clients move house before the branch has even opened – what a remarkable achievement! To meet Chris and read up on our new branch, turn to pages 12 and 13.

 MEET THE TEAM: Chris gives us an overview of his professional career and explains what he plans to bring to Ben Siggins. Page 13

Meanwhile on page 14, our in-house lettings expert, Nick Stevens, brings you the latest news and updates from his division and, on page 10 we advise tenants on how to appropriately and gracefully vacate a rented property.

Get to know the Ben Siggins agents in your local area. Page 17

Elsewhere in this issue, we offer our top tips for those looking to take that leap and purchase their very first home. From monetary guidance and realistic goals to seeking assistance from an estate agent, ensure you’re prepared with our professional direction.

 LETTINGS UPDATES: Our in-house lettings expert, Nick Stevens, brings you the latest news and updates.

Page 14  Testimonials: Ben Hancock discloses the service he received when he decided to put his house up for sale with us. Page 16

Welcome

Welcome...

In this issue...

For more information on any of the issues discussed within the magazine, or if you would like to enquire about a featured property, please do not hesitate to contact the office where a member of the team will be happy to help.

Ben Siggins Managing Director

Get in touch...  www.bensiggins.co.uk  ben@bensiggins.co.uk Maidstone Office:  29 Pudding Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PA  01622 524110

Have you checked out bensiggins.co.uk yet?

Designed to take the strain out of house-hunting, bensiggins.co.uk is the go-to site for buying, selling and renting properties in Maidstone and the South East.

Gillingham Office:  227 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5XB  01634 581207 Kings Hill Office:

 Property search with advanced filtering  Valuation request form  Local information  News, interviews & more

 26 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent, ME19 4UA  01732 424090 Ashford Office:

Don't forget, you can also follow us online, and see the latest properties first.

 2 Market Square Buildings, Godington Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1JA  01233 646752 Published by Reach Out Creative Ltd. Designs by Jack Witcomb. Words by Rebecca Kemp.

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Market Insight

NEWS

Stay one step ahead of the game with our quarterly round up of all the need-to-know stories affecting the housing market today, because knowledge is power!

A lifetime of home buying revealed The average British homeowner, who bought their first home at the age of 26, will live in seven different properties and will spend approximately £26,295 on redecorating their home during their lifetime, according to new research carried out by Origin, manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors, residential doors, windows and blinds. The report discovered that UK adults will typically move out of their parents’ home at 21 years of age and reside in two rental properties before getting onto the property ladder for the very first time. The typical homeowner will end up living approximately 66 miles away from their childhood home, and will only live in two different cities their entire life.

Landlords to stand by agents in wake of tenant fees ban he majority of landlords (71%) who use a letting agent will continue to T do so even if they see their premiums rise following a ban on tenant fees, according to a recent survey (NLA/UKALA Quarterly Landlord Panel – Q4 2016). The research, from UKALA, shows that eight in 10 landlords (79%) think their letting agent will increase their fees as a result of the proposal to ban charges to tenants, as announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last year. However, just 9% of landlords say they will part ways with their agent if their premiums rise. The ban is criticised by UKALA which argues that affordability in the private-rented sector cannot be addressed by preventing agents from charging for legitimate business services, and that the costs will eventually be passed onto tenants in the long-term. In response to a potential increase in agent fees following a ban, the research shows: • 40% of landlords said they would increase rents to cover the cost • 22% said they would look to shop around for a better deal • 13% would attempt to negotiate or refuse to pay • 9% would pay the additional fees • 9% would leave their agent • 7% were unsure.

The findings contrast with recent research from UKALA which showed that almost half of landlords (47%) would forego the services of their letting agent if their profits fall following the changes to landlord taxation from April (2017).

Both sets of research were undertaken by UKALA in conjunction with the National Landlords Association (NLA), in order to better understand the impact that recent government policy decisions will have on the professional lettings sector.

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Users demanding better security checks as online rental fraud concerns increase The subject of online rental fraud has recently been brought back into the spotlight. Scammers posing as landlords post fake adverts on classified ad sites and other free-to-list platforms, then attempt to convince potential tenants to transfer a holding deposit or upfront fee (often over a thousand pounds) to secure the property without ever having seen it in person. New YouGov research from TheHouseShop.com shows that consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers and are now demanding better security checks on the platforms they use to search for property online.

In a constantly-shifting market, we’re here to help you stay abreast of the implications of new legislation, trends and opportunities...

Property renovation hotspots

Confidence in new builds fall

Home service marketplace Plentific. com has revealed the latest property renovation hotspots list, naming Barking and Dagenham as the top location for an increase in renovation applications in the past two years (114%). Looking at national planning application statistics taken from Gov.uk, the top 10 property renovation hotspots include several London commuter zones. In fact, the top five areas are all within commuting distance from the capital city, with the majority being north-east boroughs. Barking and Dagenham take the top spot, with an impressive 114% increase in property renovation applications.

The average new home in England will have to last 2000 years if the sluggish rate of house-building and replacement continues, the Local Government Association warns. The country has not built enough homes for decades. As a result, existing homes must house more people and last for much longer, which has led to the country spending nearly as much on the repair and maintenance of existing homes as it does building new ones. But analysis reveals that one in 10 new home buyers are dissatisfied with the quality of their new home and one in six would not recommend their house-builder to a friend. The research, carried out for the LGA, also reveals most local areas have more homes built before 1930 than from any other period of time, demonstrating the age of much of England’s housing stock.

Rent hikes hit 14-month high

Three-year pledge for Build-to-Rent

According to ARLA Propertymark’s June Private Rented Sector (PRS) report, 31% of letting agents saw rents rise for tenants in June, up from 27% in May. David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive, said: “With the cost of living on the rise and inflationary pressures tightening, the last thing tenants need is for their rents to continue rising. However, the fact that supply looks to be rising, while demand has dropped slightly indicates a move in the right direction for the market. Ultimately, to stop rent prices from increasing too much, we need to find the balance between supply and demand. While there’s still a long way to go, if the supply of rental stock continues to increase, and the number of tenants searching for new properties drops off, we’ll be making headway towards achieving this.”

The British Property Federation (BPF) has given the Government its three-year pledge on behalf of the Build-to-Rent sector, with 20 of the sector’s most active investors and developers as signatories.

In the Housing White Paper, Gavin Barwell MP has asked the Build-to-Rent sector – purposebuilt, professionally-managed rented homes – to offer familyfriendly tenancies, such as for three years, for those who want longer-term stability when renting. The BPF and a cohort of the Build-to-Rent’s key players have responded and published this pledge to demonstrate the sector’s commitment to providing three-year tenancies and working with the Government to ensure the sector can play its part in rolling back 20 years of housing undersupply.

Market Insight

Property in focus

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One-fifth of homeowners rely on the bank of mum and dad for home improvements The latest research from Plentific.com, an online home service marketplace, has found that financial help from the bank of mum and dad isn’t just limited to purchasing a property; it also extends to improving the home. A fifth of homeowners (18%) say they rely on the bank of mum and dad to help finance home improvements, while 19% admit that their parents physically help them to carry out DIY. Unsurprisingly, London ranked top of the table (59%) when it comes to receiving financial help from the bank of mum and dad when buying a property. With prices increasing in the capital, it may seem sensible to buy a more affordable property that needs fixing up. However, 48% of London homeowners admit they have also received financial aid from their parents to pay for a renovation project or home improvements.

House sales up as buyers push through summer property transactions Mark Hayward, Chief Executive at NAEA Propertymark, said: “In May, we saw a period of political uncertainty, with new buyers stalling their house search until after the election. In June, however, it seems the market bounced back, with the number of house-hunters rising. Although we have seen a decrease in the number of houses available per branch, we have seen a rise in the number of sales – which is typical of this time of year as buyers and sellers push through their property transactions ahead of the quieter summer months.”

Mortgage challenges for last-time buyers David Hollingworth of L&C Mortgages comments on the challenges of mortgage borrowing facing older homeowners: “There is rightly a lot of talk about the plight of first-time buyers and the challenges they face in taking the step to home ownership in the face of high house prices and the consequent enormous deposit and borrowing requirements. However, there are signs that older homeowners are also likely to question how well the market works for them. If older homeowners don’t have the right type of property to downsize to, it stands to reason that they are likely to remain in what was the family home for longer.

In a housing market where supply is thin on the ground, the BSA is suggesting that more of the right property is built for last-time buyers, in order to prevent a logjam in the market and allow larger family homes to be freed up for upcoming generations.”

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Buyer Focus

Is it your first time?

With millennials now following in the househunting footsteps of predecessor generation X, today’s demographic cohort may experience a rather different affair than their parents.

You must make certain that you are, on a personal level, emotionally ready to take this leap forward to safeguard your future

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ccording to Halifax, the

A current average age of a first-time buyer within the UK is 30. Compare this with figures from 1980 to 1984, when the average age group was 27 (source: The Telegraph), and it’s clear to see why today’s generation’s home search may differ from that 30-something years ago. This may relate to mortgage services, the process itself and housing availability – or perhaps a combination of them all.

It’s beneficial for first-time buyers to gain expert knowledge and take note of some tips before their dream dwelling hunt initiates. After all, there’s little point in going into the process blindfolded. The first port of call is an obvious one; budgeting.

Without the financial ability to firstly; secure a deposit for a house and secondly; have the available means to pay for monthly mortgage instalments, house-hunting may have to take a back seat while you set out to attain these goals.

Save those pennies!

Today’s deposits range from 5 to 20% and, in order to acquire this deposit, some devoted economising is demanded. First and foremost, eliminating any unnecessary outgoings is a must; goodbye wild nights out down your local. Account for all your expenditure, from petrol and food to credit agreements and any other outstanding bills. It may be worth creating a spreadsheet to keep track of where your largest expenses fall.

With your finances in order, the next step is to consider any other costs that may be associated with procuring your humble abode. Factor in survey costs, solicitor’s fees, removal costs, building insurance, kitting out your new home with furnishings, mortgage payments and valuation fees as well as stamp duty. Remember, hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Buyer Focus Take your time, do your research and talk to the experts

Says:

Remember when starting out your search to only look at what you can realistically afford

Are you ready?

While you must ensure that you are financially prepared to commit to purchasing your very own home, you must also make certain that you are additionally, on a personal level, emotionally ready to take this leap forward to safeguard your future. Whether going it alone, with a partner, future housemate, or a family member, you all must be of the same mindset when it comes down to the nitty-gritty.

Whoever you’re planning to move in with, remember this is a longterm commitment – so not only considering who you move in with, but also the suitability of both the area and house itself.

For many couples, this may mean an extra bedroom for the pitter-patter of tiny feet or keeping

“Location is always key when looking to purchase your new home, the main reason for people moving within the first three years of buying their new house is down to not researching the area in enough detail before making their purchase.”

an eye on the catchment area and Ofsted reports for local schools. For others, this may mean checking out the local amenities to guarantee that your desired area can accommodate all your requirements.

Researching your coveted area is vitally important and, if you’re a commuter, it’s best to confirm where your local means of transport is located.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area you wish to move to, take day trips to the town or village and investigate the neighbourhood.

Look out for open spaces to relax on your days off – there’s a plethora of parkland within the Kent boundary – local restaurants and bars as well as local supermarkets. 

The best advice is to view a property in person so you can get a feel of the establishment and see first-hand all the nooks and crannies

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Showcase your home from a different perspective

www.bensiggins.co.uk ben@bensiggins.co.uk

...with aerial photography by Ben Siggins

Aerial photography is a fantastic way to show properties and their surroundings in an amazing new light, for just ÂŁ149 (+VAT).

Contact us today to discuss the best ways to market your property.

Offices in Maidstone (01622) 524110, Gillingham (01634) 581207 & Kings Hill (01732) 424090

Buyer Focus Be realistic Localities aside, your next step is the biggest; the house itself.

Sure, we’d all love to live in a 10-bedroom detached country manor house inclusive of tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool, but let’s be realistic, for the majority this isn’t pragmatic.

Remember when starting out your search to only look at what you can realistically afford; it’s pointless for first-time buyers to spend hours cooing over a £4m home in Sevenoaks, unless, of course, you are extremely fortunate.

Remember when househunting to never judge a book by its cover; what may seem like an inadequate residence from the outside, could prove to be your ‘home sweet home’ on the inside.

The best advice is to view a property in person so you can get a feel of the establishment and see first-hand all the nooks and crannies that may not be visible via the internet. It’s also advisable to view as many properties as possible so that you have a diverse selection to choose from and compare.

You’ll no doubt have your favourites and may even fall in love with your first or second viewing, but it’s advisable to give them all a chance. Furthermore, returning for a second viewing at a different time of day can cement your decision-making.

Account for all your expenditure, from petrol and food to credit agreements and any other outstanding bills

Talk to us When viewing a property, don’t be afraid to ask your estate agent questions. Ask how long the property has been on the market for and make the best use of their expertise.

Taking photographs and making notes can influence your decisionmaking, however, check with your

estate agent that it’s ok to take snapshots – understandably, some homeowners won’t want their personal belongings documented by a viewer snapping away on their latest iPhone. Alternatively, keeping notes is a great way to document your viewings and will prove invaluable when it comes down to the final choice.

Remember buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make, this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, so don’t halfheartedly take a stab in the dark.

Take your time, do your research and talk to the experts – after all, that’s what we’re here for. 

www.bensiggins.co.uk

What may seem like an inadequate residence from the outside, could prove to be your ‘home sweet home’ on the inside

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Tenant Focus If the garden accommodates a shed, you’ll have to remove any personal property upon your departure

A clean conscience While it’s a tenant’s responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of a property throughout the duration of their tenancy, all too often deposits are being withheld by landlords due to a lack of upkeep at the termination of residence. Here are a few tenant tips on how to cordially vacate a property at the end of a tenancy. irst and foremost, your current landlord will have to be forewarned if you're moving property. Furthermore, you must adhere to the specified notice period outlined within your tenancy agreement. After finalising a moving out date, you’ll have to strategically organise your move; this will include arranging an end of tenancy clean up – don’t underestimate this, it can be somewhat deceiving and can cause disputes over the a tenant's deposit. The condition in which you hand the property back to the landlord will ultimately have a consequence on your deposit being returned in full. Landlords often solicit for their properties to be left at the same level of cleanliness and hygiene as documented in your move-in inventory.

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Where do I start?

Prior to your spring clean, it’s appropriate to dig out all documents relating to your tenancy, such as your tenancy agreement – including any attachments or renewals – as well as your move-in inventory and any receipts for repairs or maintenance. With your move-in inventory at hand, you’ll be able to identify any items within this record that require some TLC. Make a list of any items that are in need of repair – regardless of their scale – and find out which items are deductible from your tenancy deposit and which lie under your landlord’s responsibility.

End of tenancy cleaning is hard work and moderately timeconsuming, so it’s advisable to

leave at least a day for a full clean.

Clearly, a rented flat will require less laborious grafting to satisfy a landlord compared with a leased two- or three-storey home, but there are a few key areas within all dwellings that will need special attention to grant a straightforward moving out process.

Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of many a home and probably the most time-intensive room for a clear out. An environment that houses grease, grime, limescale and household dust, the kitchen harbours bacteria and will therefore require special attention when it comes to your end of tenancy clean-out.

Ensure you empty the kitchen

Ensure the property is clear of: Personal property Rubbish Hair or fur Dirt, dust and stains Grime, grease and spills Limescale and surface rust Debris and food deposits of all contents, removing any deposits that may have built-up throughout your tenancy. Pull out appliances and clean around their circumference, washing the walls and floor beneath them.

Once the surrounding areas of your appliances are spick and span, it’s worthwhile cleaning the inner parts of these devices.

Make certain that the washing machine’s soap tray is cleared of any debris and, if applicable, the dishwasher filter is void of waste.

Once emptied and cleaned, leave your fridge door open and turn it off at the mains – this will prevent any mould from forming on the inside of the fridge and will ensure your toiling is recognised by your landlord when it comes to a move-out inspection.

A steam cleaner is a great way to bring carpets and rugs up like new. If you don’t have access to a steam cleaner, they’re relatively cheap to hire and include various attachments to ensure every corner of the property will receive its required attention. If you opt not to use a steam cleaner, bear in mind that the minimum cleaning required will be an extensive vacuum and a scrub with a wire brush throughout the entire property – pay particular attention to any staircases and hallways that experience heavy footfall.

Tenant Focus

Carpets and rugs

Gardens and sheds

After finalising your moving out date, you’ll have to strategically organise your move; this will include arranging an end of tenancy clean up –don’t underestimate this, it can be somewhat deceiving and can cause disputes over a tenant's deposi

Other bacteria-harbouring appliances are the oven and hob.

If not frequently cleaned, the oven can build-up thick layers of burnton grime and grease. The oven will most likely take the most time to clean and will require effective cleaning products.

Living room This room will heavily rely on aesthetics as well as cleanliness.

Particularly for tenants with children, this room will have experienced heavy footfall from both families and guests for social get-togethers and play dates for children. The living room will require extensive vacuuming and polishing to meet landlords’ specifications and there are many aspects to consider within this highly social room.

The living room’s furniture is a good starting point. If your landlord has permitted pets in your tenancy agreement, it’s probable your furry friend's fleece will have adorned every corner of the property in the duration of your stay. Fur can be relatively tricky to remove from fibres and, while your pet may not be granted the privilege of taking a seat on the couch, these hairs float freely around a home and settle down on any available surface.

Landlords will expect their upholstery and any other wooden furniture to be in the same condition as they were prior to your move-in, and to comply with your landlord’s expectations there a few faults you should look out for. Firstly, as aforementioned, ensure any fur is removed from the upholstery, a dry

wash solution can be an effective treatment to remove both fur and any odours. Secondly, for wooden furniture such as dining tables and chairs, be extra vigilant for any scuffs and scratches that may have occurred during your stay. A good polish should shape up any furniture in need of special attention.

Bathroom The bathroom is yet another bacteria-ridden space within a home. Upon your departure, confirm that you have removed soap scum and limescale from all sanitaryware, including basins, taps and, of course, the toilet. Scrub everything from the tiles, floor and bath to the toilet and shower as well as any other inclusive accessories.

Additionally, inspect the drainage of the bath and sink and remove any hair that may be preventing a clear drainage run – this will include checking the shower head isn’t clogged up with limescale.

With your walls in good shape, it’s time to turn your attention to the windows. Again, look for any scuffs or dirty marks – as well as cracks – and clean the internal side of the windows – this should be reasonably straightforward for those with PVC-U windows as they will wipe clean. If you are unable to clean the exterior of the windows yourself, arrange for a window cleaner to do this for you.

While your attention is focused on the windows, remove any curtains and, if they are machine washable, follow the care instructions or take them to the dry cleaners for a thorough clean and return them to their position.

If the residence has any Venetian blinds, dust both sides of the slats and, if applicable, repair or replace any blind that has become unusable.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden and shed in your rented property, you’ll have to leave the outside area of the home in a well-kept condition. This will include sweeping away any leaves, hosing down any decking, mowing the grass – where applicable – and making sure the flower beds are in good order. If the garden accommodates a shed, you’ll have to remove any personal property upon your departure. Remember, gardens are often tough work – dependant on size – so leave enough time to clean out both the house and its garden.

With all your rooms in check, meeting your landlord's specification, you can ensure your departure and end of your tenancy agreement will be plain sailing.  Says: “At Ben Siggins Estate Agents, we have very few deposits that are held back from tenants, I can count on one hand the number we have had. It is unique to us that we work very close with tenants as well as landlords to ensure we achieve the right outcome for both.”

Walls and windows Again for those living with children, the walls will be an area that will perhaps require more attention from grubby hands. Look for any dirty marks and scuffs in every corner of the house and try to gently rub them off – without removing the paint. If any marks are proving difficult to remove, you can paint over these with the same paint your landlord has used. If you find any mould while inspecting your walls, it’s vitally important to alert your landlord rather than painting directly over these areas.

Prior to your spring clean, it’s appropriate to dig out all documents relating to your tenancy, such as your tenancy agreement – including any attachments or renewals

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Lettings Updates

The introduction of new technologies will no doubt continue to impact the property industry, and the adoption of trusted reviews from verified customers will affect people’s buying decisions. For any agent that values its relationships with its customers and wants to grow, placing customers and service at the heart of everything they do will no doubt be crucial to success.

Lettings Updates: Our resident expert on all things lettingrelated, Nick Stevens, shares the latest crucial updates for landlords.

Exploring consumer attitudes towards estate and letting agents Consumers have never been better informed than now. At their fingertips is a near-limitless supply of constantly-updated information about products and services that previous generations could not have imagined. Yet if one thing remains true throughout history, it is that everyone needs a roof over their head. In the contemporary world, that means the majority of us will at some point have dealings with an estate agent, either as buyers and sellers, landlords or tenants.

We have recently received a report which explores attitudes towards estate agents using research commissioned by Feefo and some of the results are very positive when it comes to service from estate agents and what factors influence a customer’s choice.

Some of the most interesting results are as follows: • 52% of consumers say the last estate agent they used was efficient and effective.

• Only 14% of landlords claimed that their last dealing with an estate agent was a disappointing experience in which there was a failure to deliver.

• The general level of satisfaction remains high with the main aspect they liked about the service received; 44% being the speed with which queries were answered.

• While nearly a third (32%) thought that virtual reality tours of properties would make buying, selling, letting or renting easier, substantially more

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(48%) thought online booking of appointments would be an advantage.

• From a list of factors that influence their choice between online-only and more traditional estate agents, low fees certainly did top the list; but only by a very narrow margin.

• Landlords (38%) were more concerned with quality of service, whereas renters said low fees were uppermost in their minds (36%).

• The survey asked respondents to choose from a list of potentially decisive factors and found that by far the most influential for consumers was the feeling that they can trust the agent.

This was chosen by 28%, with recommendations from family and friends the next biggest selected.

• 42% said knowledge of the local market was a top requirement when considering having their property valued.

• 70% of 25 to 34 year olds said they rely on reviews before they decide on an agent, (compared with 40% of those aged 55 and above).

• A high percentage of renters (68%) read reviews first.

The figures indicate very directly how agents will need to make sure they fully adjust to this trend, which is bound to gather pace as the property market is entered by more young people completely accustomed to apprising themselves of online review content before making a decision.

Reviews are becoming evermore crucial as consumers use them to assist with decisions about services. The survey examined how they are used by prospective customers in the property market where competition is so fierce. The results show that reviews now have very significant influence, with 56% of respondents saying they read them before deciding which estate agent to use.

Demand for rental property is still high Ben Siggins has recently been looking through the Private Rental Report issued in July and the key findings show that over the last 12 months, the supply of rental stock has risen very slightly and the average number of new prospective tenants registered per branch has increased meaning that the demand is high. With fewer properties available to let, agents have generally seen a rise in rents increasing the yield for the landlord.

With this in mind, the tenant’s average stay has increased to 19 months and the average void period between tenancies is thought to be around three weeks.

Even with all the landlord ‘bashing’ from the Chancellor,

investing in property still remains a good and viable option and certainly will see a fair yield for those investors looking to keep their property for a good five- to 10-year period, or longer. It is a sad but true fact that there are not enough first-time buyers able to buy their first home and many are, for various reasons, opting to look to rent instead. This means that there is still a very real need for buy-to-let investors to retain and invest more in property.

Should you wish to discuss further, please call our office and we will be able to point you in the right direction for sound financial advice which could enable you to expand your portfolio or invest for the first time.

Legionella – what is it?

Legionnaires’ is a pneumonia-like disease commonly caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water. We, and many other agents, have been bombarded from several sources insisting that legionella testing is a legal requirement, so Ben Siggins Lettings have looked into the situation and found the following report from ARLA. What must landlords do?

Landlords must assess and control the risk of exposure of tenants to legionella to ensure the safety of their tenants, but this does not require an in-depth detailed assessment.

Control measures can include: • Flushing out the water system before letting the property • Ensure cold water tanks have a tight lid to stop debris getting into the system • Setting control parameters to ensure water is stored at the correct temperature • Remove any unused pipework.

Communication Tenants should be kept informed of any control measures and tell the landlord if problems occur with the water system or if the water is not heating properly.

The hot water should be set so that the water is heated up to 60°C. Tenants should be advised to not interfere with the settings on the boiler or hot water system.

What can tenants do?

On returning to the property after a period of absence (such as a holiday or student accommodation left empty), tenants should run all taps for at least two minutes. 

Lettings Updates

The court may make any order it thinks fit for the purpose of reinstating the tenancy if it finds that the tenant had a good reason for not responding

Changes to the Housing and Planning Act 2016 – recovering abandoned properties It has long been a very difficult and drawn out process to recover abandoned property through to courts but new measures have been introduced to allow landlords to legally recover abandoned property without needing to go to court. hese regulations are expected to come into force from October 2017 and should make the whole process somewhat easier for landlords and agents.

T

Eligibility Under the act, a new statutory code is being introduced enabling landlords in England to recover property if the assured shorthold tenant has abandoned it, without the need to serve a Section 21 Notice or obtain a Possession Order.

NB: the tenant must owe more than two months’ consecutive rent and must have left the property.

What does this mean?

The landlord or letting agent may give a tenant notice bringing the tenancy to an end on the day on which the notice is given if the tenancy relates to property in England, more than two months’ consecutive rent is owed, the landlord or letting agent has given the required warning notices and

no tenant, named occupier or deposit payer has responded in writing to any of those notices before the date specified in the warning notices.

NB: a deposit payer means a person who the landlord or letting agent knows paid a tenancy deposit in relation to the tenancy on behalf of the tenant.

NB: a named occupier is a person named in the tenancy as a person who may live at the premises to which the tenancy relates.

What you need to do Where the landlord or letting agent believes that the premises has been abandoned, three warning notices must be given (at different times) to the tenant, any named occupiers and any deposit payers.

The third notice must be stuck to the property, such as the front door. If none of these notices are responded to saying the property is not abandoned and/or no rent at all is paid can the property be repossessed.

Reinstatement Where the tenancy has been brought to an end by a warning notice and the tenant didn’t respond but they had a good reason for failing to do so the tenant may apply to the County Court, within six months starting

when the order was given, to reinstate the tenancy.

NB: if the County Court finds that the tenant had a good reason for not responding to the warning notice, the court may make any order it thinks fit for the purpose of reinstating the tenancy. 

Where the landlord or letting agent believes that the premises has been abandoned, three warning notices must be given

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Agency Updates

As one of the largest growth areas in the country, Ashford has superb infrastructure with more to come for the local people

Ashford welcomes new Ben Siggins branch Here Chris Payne, Manager at Ben Siggins’ newly-opened Ashford office, talks about Ben’s decision to open his doors to Ashford’s home buyers and sellers. hey say when looking for

T a home, location is the

most important thing. With that in mind, this is the number-one reason people are choosing to live in the Ashford area. Set in the heart of Kent, the garden of England combines the charm and character of the countryside with the convenience of modern living.

London is around 38 minutes away now via the high-speed train service, and Paris is under two hours away. The beautiful beaches of Camber are around a 30-minute drive and the historic English cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury is around the same time away.

On top of all of this, here in Ashford we are surrounded by

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stunning countryside including areas of outstanding natural beauty – you can literally walk to the countryside from most areas of Ashford.

Besides the outstanding location, people come from far and wide for the shopping experience offered by the McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet, not to mention the main shopping centre, County Square, in the heart of the town next to our brand-new office. Not forgetting its roots as a traditional market town; you can still find a farmer’s market every month in the high street.

As one of the largest growth areas in the country, Ashford has superb infrastructure with more to come for the local people, including a new cinema complex in the town itself. The town has expanded

thoughtfully and has a number of green spaces and parks including Connignbrook Lakes Country Park, The Ridge and Victoria Park – which itself hosts the Create Music Festival which is one of the South East’s biggest free music festivals, taking place every July, traditionally.

The Ashford office Ben Siggins’ exciting new office in the heart of Ashford is located next to County Square in the town centre. Combining Ben’s philosophy of straight-talking, honest advice with the flourishing reputation the company brings from its Maidstone and Medway branches and the local knowledge of the team in Ashford, you can expect a high level of service.

As I write, the team have already helped five people move before the office has even opened! Two of these have been on the market with other estate agents for months.

What do we do differently then, compared to the other agents in the town? Often, it can be taking care and treating a home the same way we would our own when looking at marketing. It’s the detail in the writing; always remembering who we think may buy the property, making sure the photography is as good as it possibly can be. Sometimes we will take the same photo multiple times to get the angle, lighting and scene just right. We are often dealing with people’s largest assets and, more importantly, people’s hopes, dreams and aspirations of that dream home.

It sounds so simple, but treating people how we would expect to be treated and communicating every step of the way are things that we do, and our customers tell us these are the reasons they would recommend us.

Whether you are in Ashford or any of the surrounding villages, our local team will work with you closely, with the right experience and local facts. People who are committed to helping you and who will provide the highest level of friendly, approachable service to help you move.

Our experience doesn’t just help you move, we’re here to guide you through the legal and financial minefields of moving home as well, so you have all the support you need from start to finish. 

Chris Payne has been a leading estate agent within the Ashford area for eight years. Heading up the new Ben Siggins Ashford branch, Chris and his team are now on-hand to help with any queries at the newly-opened office.

Please provide some information on your professional background C: I’ve been in the sales industry for a long time, however, in the early days of my career I was training to be a mechanical engineer. After a few employment alterations, I ended up in the hospitality industry; working behind a bar – and this is where I found a passion for social interaction. A few years – and job changes – later I was headhunted

by Ward & Partners whilst working for a car dealership, and my profession within the estate agency industry ascended from there.

Thereafter I was, again, headhunted by – at that time – Ashford’s leading estate agency. Today, I’m proud to say that I have been a leading estate agent within the Ashford area for eight years.

What do you enjoy most about working in the property industry?

C: The people. Personally – as amazing as the houses we sell are – what really interests me is the clients. Every day is different; there’s so much variety day to day and you meet a diverse selection of people with various requirements continuously. One of the most memorable moments of my time at Ben Siggins so far occurred a couple of months ago; I met a couple that I had previously

worked with on two occasions, selling them their first and second home. On this circumstance, the pair were expecting their second baby and were looking to upsize; and I successfully sold them their third family home, assisting them through their house-hunting search on three hunts. That’s where my job satisfaction comes from.

What would be your dream home?

C: I’d like to think that I’m quite humble; I would say a standard three-bed family home, however, I do like character properties with period artefacts. Although, I would say that I probably live in my dream home now; I live in a threebedroom, semi-detached property in the countryside with a charming spacious garden, complete with a vegetable patch.

What do you believe is the biggest struggle for today’s first-time buyers?

C: Getting on the housing market.

It’s an immense challenge to get onto to begin with. Nonetheless, I would recommend first-time buyers

to get onto the property ladder as soon as possible. Personally, I didn’t realise I needed to take the plunge until I was 24. When it hit home, I put all my efforts into saving.

I then bought a 25% share on a flat – shockingly, the deposit I paid was the same that I would require for a rental property! It wasn’t the property I initially sought or the area I wanted to move to but it was a move to get my foot onto the ladder.

After three years of living in the flat, I was able to sell it and put a deposit down on a house.

What’s your favourite part of Kent?

C: Kent is a beautiful county; I’ve spent my entire life here.

Every time I try to leave Kent and go somewhere else, I’m always drawn back – I don’t think I’ll ever live anywhere else. The beauty of our county is that it provides everything you could possibly want and need; we have the beach and pier at Deal (which is where I grew up), then you have the downs, countryside and area of outstanding beauty in Ashford and the restaurants and shops

Meet the Team

Q&A with Chris in Canterbury. There are also great connections to France and London from Kent.

What do you believe are the best traits to have as an estate agent?

C: Honesty. However, it’s not all about being sincere; you have to be reliable too. You also have to be prepared; estate agents commonly shy away from delivering news that clients may not wish to hear, however, this isn’t best practice. I hand out my personal number for any client enquiries or uncertainties.

If we have any updates – positive or negative – to convey to our clients, we inform them immediately.

Communicating with your client is key and I believe that’s where the service at Ben Siggins separates us from other estate agents.

What do you do in your spare time?

C: I’d say that I’m particularly sporty.

I love playing sport; predominately football. I also regularly eat out with family and friends; whether that be picnics, BBQs or at restaurants – I’ve already eaten out three times this week, and it’s only Wednesday!

Again, that’s the beauty of Kent; there are so many places to go.

Alongside eating out, Chris enjoys playing football, golf and attending matches

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Meet the team

Meet the team

Senior Staff

At Ben Siggins Estate Agents, the company takes pride in the personal and professional service that it offers its customers. Moving home or selling a property is an extremely personal experience, which is why the team at Ben Siggins is renowned for understanding and listening to its clients.

BEN SIGGINS

DANIEL RIBY

MANAGING DIRECTOR

After 12 years of successfully working for large estate agents, Ben Siggins opened up his own independent branch, with a view to offering a more personal, professional service. He thrives on the competitiveness of the industry and takes pride in delivering the best results for his clients.  ben@bensiggins.co.uk

AREA MANAGER Daniel Riby has been working in estate agency since the age of 18 and is now the General Manager across all branches. He believes communication is key, as is understanding his customers, so he has their best interests in mind. Outside of finding customers their dream home, he enjoys gardening, cycling and snooker.  daniel@bensiggins.co.uk

Ashford branch CHRIS PAYNE BRANCH MANAGER Chris joined the team in March bringing with him a wealth of experience in sales and lettings. He prides himself on the personal level of customer service he can offer each client and finds the process of helping people move extremely rewarding. When Chris isn't finding people their dream homes, he enjoys playing football, travelling and socialising.  chris@bensiggins.co.uk

AMANDA PAYNE NEGOTIATOR Having spent the last 9 years living in Australia, Amanda joins her brother Chris at the newly-opened Ashford branch. A newbie to the world of estate agency, she enjoys assisting clients and meeting new people. Amanda believes she has found her passion and enjoys helping people find their ideal home and making customers’ dreams come true.  amanda@bensiggins.co.uk

Gillingham branch MARK JURY BRANCH MANAGER With just over seven and a half years’ experience within a managerial role in the estate agency industry, Mark heads up the team in Gillingham. He prides himself on the honesty he offers to each and every client, and enjoys the variation that his job entails. Outside of the office, Mark can be found at the local golf course or badminton court.  mark@bensiggins.co.uk

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EMILY FLETCHER TRAINEE NEGOTIATOR Emily joined the team back in June as an Apprentice Negotiator. An outgoing individual, she describes herself as a people person and enjoys delivering outstanding customer service to existing and, potentially, future clients. Emily's trustworthiness and dependability amplifies her competence within her position. Emily enjoys mingling with friends and baton twirling in her spare time.  emily@bensiggins.co.uk

MATTHEW GROVES

BETH MOON

BRANCH MANAGER

Meet the team

Maidstone branch

ASSISTANT MANAGER

With 12 years’ sales experience, Matthew found his passion for property five years ago. He now heads up the Maidstone branch, where his main aim is to meet all of his clients’ needs, effectively and efficiently. Outside of work, Matthew can be found socialising or working on his competitive streak on the football pitch!  matthew@bensiggins.co.uk

Beth joined the team in August 2016 with an extremely successful sales background. Previously a negotiator for one of the UK’s largest estate agents, she prides herself on her excellent negotiation skills and can be found always going the extra mile to help provide an easy, fast and efficient sale or purchase for every client.  beth@bensiggins.co.uk

DAN WELLS

CHLOE SIMMS

SENIOR SALES NEGOTIATOR

TRAINEE NEGOTIATOR

With over 3 years’ experience within the estate agency industry, Dan joined the Ben Siggins Maidstone team in June.

His outgoing personality cements his relationship with his clients, and he enjoys meeting new customers. As well as making regular appearances at the gym, Dan enjoys spending time with his family and friends when he’s not in the office.  dan.wells@bensiggins.co.uk

Having been with the Ben Siggins team for one month, Chloe is responsible for client bookings, registering applicants and attending viewings. She believes confidence is imperative to her role; gaining a client’s trust, resulting in a better response to customer service. In her spare time, Chloe enjoys socialising with her friends.  chloe@bensiggins.co.uk

Lettings staff NICK STEVENS

SOPHIE BASS

LETTINGS MANAGER

PROPERTY MANAGER

Nick has worked in the property industry since 1987. Having owned his own lettings and estates business in Tonbridge, he is well-versed in the property world and has a wealth of experience under his belt. Aside from dropping his four children off at regular football matches, Nick is preparing for his last race for his fifth season of international racing.  nick@bensiggins.co.uk

Sophie brings four years’ experience with her to the Ben Siggins team. She believes confidence is key to her role as it gives landlords faith that she can seamlessly meet their expectations in a friendly, approachable manner. Sophie enjoys viewing the various properties that are on the market and finds it interesting to see what people can do with them.  sophie@bensiggins.co.uk

Branch contact details Ashford Branch

Maidstone Branch

 01233 646752

 01622 524110

Gillingham Branch

Kings Hill

 01634 581207

 01732 424091

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Award-winning, fully insured & protected...

Lettings by Ben Siggins We endeavour to develop the highest quality letting service in Maidstone, Gillingham and Kings Hill even further. Our competitive commission rates are always fully insured and protected, giving you peace of mind throughout your journey with us. Call us to arrange a time for us to come and see you to provide an up-to-date rental value.

No Worries

The Best Price

We ensure a fully-insured letting service, meaning your property and income are always protected in the event of non-payment of rent, or eviction. Your investment will be protected with Ben Siggins, giving you peace of mind.

We hold a proven track record in marketing homes to achieve the best price for you, and in providing an unbeaten service. Embellished with complimentary professional photography, floor plan layouts and personal advice, it's no wonder we’re held in such high-esteem.

Safe & Secure

No Hidden Costs

We operate under the Property Ombudsman Scheme for Lettings, giving full protection of your deposit stake.

Furthermore, we offer a Client Money Protection policy whereby monies are further protected in the extremely unlikely case that your deposit contributions are misappropriated.

Transparency and honesty are core principles at Ben Siggins. Unlike other agents, there are zero additional costs for property inspections, mid-term checks, rent reviews and even end of tenancy check-outs.

These are all included in the monthly fee.

Contact us today quoting 'Reach Out Creative' to receive a 25% discount on selling or letting your property.

Offices in Maidstone (01622) 524110, Gillingham (01634) 581207 & Kings Hill (01732) 424090

www.bensiggins.co.uk ben@bensiggins.co.uk

Testimonials

Q&A with a client When Ben Hancock decided to sell his selfrenovated property to move to a home more suited to his family’s needs, he turned to Ben Siggins to assist with his sale. Here, Mr Hancock offers a very honest review of his home selling process through the agency.

Had you heard of Ben Siggins prior to you selling your home?

You seem to see the purple ‘for sale’ signs everywhere now and the name tends to stick in your mind as their branding is by far better than any other agent. Sounds daft, but if you are the sort of person that buys something for the way it looks, like an iPad or an Alfa Romeo, you tend to be drawn to a company that makes similar efforts; it suggests a sign of quality. Also, the photography is by far the best when on Rightmove. It makes a big difference as I’ve seen some nice houses done no favours at all by bad, dull photography.

Did you visit any other local estate agents when commencing your home sale?

You do tend to get a feel for a company when you visit their shop to ask to be put on a mailing list for properties. From this, and the fact that through terrible past experience, I would never deal with a certain two national agencies again that happen to be almost next to each other in King Street, I already had a list of ‘definitely nots’.

What attracted you to visiting your local Ben Siggins branch?

I have to admit, I think I must have subconsciously made up my mind on the branding, photography and the ‘definitely nots’ list. The Owner, Ben Siggins, came to my house to value it and came across very helpful and genuine so I didn’t look any further. I got the impression that being a smaller company than the nationals, he still genuinely cares what happens and wants to give a more personal service.

Who was your point of contact at Ben Siggins when selling your house?

Beth was dealing with the sale of our house. I do tend to struggle when something is out on my control so it was good that Beth was staying in contact and giving good feedback. It gave me the confidence that everything was being done that could be.

Was the process plain sailing?

The process was far from plain sailing unfortunately – but not on Ben Siggins’ side. We lost the first two houses we tried to buy. The

first was because the well-known estate agency did not play by the rules and worked in the interests of themselves instead of their client. My Google review for them was headed, “Greedy, dishonest, law-breaking shysters! Never again”. I say no more. The second unfortunately fell through because the vendors had to pull the property off the market at the last minute.

We then almost pulled out of the purchase of the third property as the manager for the agency branch had told the most awful, blatant lie that was only discovered by our surveyor quizzing the vendor. Naughty naughty! I am glad we chose who we chose.

How do you feel that the level of service you received from the team differs from other estate agents?

I have dealt with many estate agents over the years and the difference appears to be a caring, personal touch from a company that hasn’t outgrown itself and forgotten what is important.

Personally, how do you feel that visiting an agent in person is beneficial to a potential seller?

Very important. Get a feel for who you are dealing with by going in

and signing up to mailing lists.

If they don’t even come back to you when you send an email enquiry, they probably aren’t worth being on the shortlist to visit. There will be far more taxing and important things for them to mess up if you entrust them with the sale of your home.

Did your agent go above and beyond at any point? If so, can you provide us with details?

When we lost the properties we were trying to purchase, I was going to drop ‘are you looking to sell’ flyers through doors in our chosen area. Ben Siggins offered to do this for me – maybe it was the sad puppy eyes!

Overall, how satisfied are you with your experience from Ben Siggins?

As if you need to ask! Very impressed and they will certainly be selling my next place.

How likely are you to recommend Ben Siggins Estate Agents to a friend or colleague and why?

I already have been, which says a lot. I’m always wary of recommending someone to a friend so I have to be totally sure of what I am saying.

I have dealt with many estate agents over the years and the difference at Ben Siggins appears to be a caring, personal touch 19

Properties

Live Listings

Augustine Road, Sheerness

£800,000

£575,000

The Lakes, Aylesford

• Six bedrooms

• Conservatory

• Four bedrooms

• Generous plot

• Private entrance

• 31ft lounge

• Detached

• Driveway and garage

• Swimming pool

• EPC Grade D

• Walk-in wardrobe

• Double garage

• Two en-suites and family bathroom

• Three en-suites

• Conservatory

• Beautiful rear garden

• Sought-after location

£450,000

Antonius Court, Ashford

• Detached family home

• Open-planned lounge/dining area

• Four-bedroom detached home

• Study

• Four spacious bedrooms

• Chain-free

• Double garage

• Around two miles to station

• Sought-after village location

• Close to mainline stations

• Large driveway

• Bus route at the end of the road

• Beautiful private rear garden

• Fantastic school catchment location

• Large conservatory

• Close to shops

• Generous driveway and garage

• Quiet cul-de-sac

• Cloakroom

• In a private road

Baron Close, Maidstone

Leonard Gould Way, Loose • Modern, semi-detached house

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For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

£400,000

£400,000

West Tower, Victory Pier, Pearl Lane

£309,995

• Master suite with en-suite and dressing room

• Luxury apartment

• Based on three floors • Four double bedrooms

• Large, private rear garden

• No chain

• Three modern fitted bathrooms

• Garage with off-street parking

• En-suite

• Communal Wi-Fi lounge and gym

• Luxury fitted kitchen/diner

• Double glazing and central heating

• Allocated parking

• Rarely available

• Two double bedrooms

• Large balcony with river views

Properties

Live Listings

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

Upper Fant Road, Maidstone

£325,000

£290,000

Laurel Grove, Maidstone

• Six rooms

• Sought-after location

• Three bedrooms

• Front and rear garden

• Chain-free HMO

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Detached

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Chain-free

• Perfect investment opportunity

• Generous driveway

• Sought-after village location

• Utillity area

• Garage and driveway

• Fantastic investment opportunity • Communal garden

£290,000

The Farrows, Maidstone • Three bedrooms

£280,000

Hythe Road, Ashford

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Three spacious bedrooms

• Driveway

• Conservatory

• Generous plot with beautiful rear garden

• Beautiful rear garden

• Plenty of storage

• Contemporary fitted kitchen

• Open-planned living area

• Sought-after village location

• Downstairs W/C

• Sought-after location

• Modern fitted kitchen

• En-suite

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Close to twon centre and mainline stations

£270,000

Queen Elizabeth Square, Maidstone

Lenside Drive, Maidstone

• Three bedrooms

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Sought-after location

• Plenty of potential

• End of terrace

• Sought-after location

• Three bedrooms

• Rear enclosed garden

• Allocated parking

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Garage with electricity

• En-suite

• Close to mainline stations and motorway links

• Two allocated parking spaces

• Garden

• Side access

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Properties

Live Listings

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

Pine Place, Maidstone

Manse Field, Brabourne Lees, Ashford

• Four bedrooms

• Beautiful garden

• Two bedrooms

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Chain-free

• En-suite shower room

• Semi-detached home

• Conservatory

• Driveway

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Popular village location

• Gas central heating

• Sought-after location

• Downstairs W/C

• Close to village shop/Post Office

• Garage on block

• Feature fireplace

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Landscaped garden

• Beautiful countryside nearby

Portsdown Close, Maidstone

£240,000

• Quality contemporary bathroom

• Ideal for local schooling

• Three bedrooms

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Around 2.5m to Maidstone

• Newly-renovated

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Off-road parking for two cars

• Landscaped rear garden

• Chain-free

• Front courtyard and rear garden

• Open-plan lounge/diner

• Cul-de-sac location

• Set over four floors

• Newly-fitted modern kitchen

• Combination boiler

• Under 1.5m to hospital

• Sought-after location

• Porch

Linden Road, Maidstone

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£240,000

Milton Street, Maidstone

Alvanbury Close, Loose

• Two spacious bedrooms (potential to convert back to three)

• Sought-after village location

• Luxury detached house

• High-quality fixtures and fittings

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Four generous bedrooms

• Beautiful gardens

• Semi-detached

• Garage and driveway

• 2X en-suite

• Driveway

• Beautiful rear garden and decked area

• Sought-after village location

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Close to mainline stations

• Underfloor heating

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

Live Listings

Little Victory Mount, St. Mary’s Island, Chatham £230,000

Evelyn Road, Maidstone • Two bedrooms

• Sought-after location

• Two bedrooms

• En-suite

• Chain-free

• Garden

• Ground floor

• Popular location

• Newly-refurbished

• Parking for two cars

• EPC Grade B

• Converted/heated cellar

• Close to mainline station and town centre

• New boiler

• Character features

• Long lease

Bower Place, Maidstone

• River views

Peninsula Quay, Victory Way, Gillingham

• Three bedrooms

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Chain-free

• Close to mainline station and town centre

• Contemporary one-bedroom apartment

• Residents gym and Wi-Fi lounge

£185,000

• Allocated parking

• Balcony

• Sought-after location

• Completes summer 2017

• Close to local amenities

• Newly-refurbished

• Open-plan living area

• Easy access to London

Linton Road, Maidstone

Mablin House, St. Margaret’s Street, Rochester

• Generous garden

Properties

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

• Two-bedroom linked end of terrace

• Beautiful private rear garden

• Two double bedrooms

• Fitted kitchen

• Cellar

• Private balcony

• Around one mile to station

• Character cottage

• Chain-free

• Sought-after location

• Under a mile to town

• Sought-after village location

• Double-glazed

• Extended lease

• 98 years now remaining

• Character features

• Fantastic school catchment area

• Modern bathroom

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Properties

Live Listings

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

Henry Street, Chatham

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Rock House, 1 Bedford Place, Maidstone

• Three bedrooms

• Low-maintenance garden

• Two bedrooms

• Long lease

• Upstairs bathroom

• Ideal FTB/BTL

• Allocated parking

• Ground floor W/C

• EPC Grade C

• Chain-free

• Potential share of freehold purchase

• Kitchen diner

• Walking distance to town centre

• Additional permit parking

• Close to town

• Penthouse apartment

• Tastefully decorated throughout

10, The Sovereigns Queen's Road, Maidstone

Wharfdale Square, Maidstone, Kent

• Two bedroom apartment

• Plenty of storage

• Close to local shops

• Two spacious bedrooms

• Chain-free

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Allocated parking

• Built-in wardrobes

• Sought-after location

• Close to mainline stations

• Chain-free

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Allocated parking

• Duplex apartment

• Double glazing

• En-suite shower area

• Beautiful communal grounds

• Sought-after location

Jack Dunbar Place, Ashford

Melville Road, Maidstone

• Two bedrooms

• Modern fitted kitchen

• Two bedrooms

• Own private entrance

• Allocated parking

• Popular Repton Park area

• Share of freehold

• Perfect investment property

• Ground floor

• Easy access to M20 and town

• Sought-after location

• En-suite shower room

• Remainder of NHBC warranty

• Over two floors

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Open-plan living area

• Gas central heating

• Double glazing

Live Listings

10, Mauritius House Balliol Grove, Maidstone

Pine Lodge, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone

• Two bedrooms

• Built-in storage wardrobes

• Two spacious bedrooms

• Beautifully refurbished

• Ground floor

• Close to mainline stations

• Chain-free

• Communal gardens

• Sought-after location

• High-quality fixtures and fittings

• Sought-after location

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Integrated appliances

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Allocated parking

• Communal bike storage

• Perfect investment opportunity

• Plenty of parking

Wallis Place, Hart Street, Maidstone

Wyatt Street, Maidstone • One bedroom

• Residents parking

• One bedroom

• Gated development

• End of terrace

• Rear garden area

• First floor apartment

• Close to mainline stations

• Sought-after location

• Chain-free

• Chain-free

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Town centre location

• Retirement home

• Open-planned living area

• Perfect investment opportunity

• Courtyard garden

• Ready to move into

• Allocated undercover parking

• Sought-after location

Kingfisher Meadow, Maidstone

Miller Heights, 43-51 Lower Stone Street, Maidstone £150,000

• One bedroom apartment

• Sought-after location

• Luxury two-bedroom apartment

• High-quality fixtures and fittings

• Chain-free

• Open living space

• Beautiful views

• Private residents gym

• Balcony

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Sought-after location

• Close to town centre

• Parking and lifts

• Integrated appliances

• Part-time concierge

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Allocated parking • Modern fitted kitchen

Properties

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

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Live Listings

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

Lamberhurst Road, Maidstone

Hadlow Close, Oakwood Park, Maidstone

• Four spacious bedrooms

• Conservatory with external decked area

• Beautiful semi-detached house

• Detached

• Five spacious bedrooms

• Contemporary en-suite and family bathroom

• Remote/electric garage and driveway

• Catchment area for Allington primary school

• Generous plot

• Driveway

• Sought-after location

• School catchment area

• Sought-after location

• Generous plot

• High-quality fixtures and fittings

• Large garden and patio area

Hever Gardens, Maidstone

Waterside Gate, St Peter’s Street, Maidstone

• Three spacious bedrooms

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Luxury riverfront property

• Sought-after location

• Semi-detached Victorian home

• Private rear garden

• Three spacious bedrooms

• Sought-after location

• Close to mainline stations

• Ground floor riverfront decking to moorings

• Bi-folding doors

• Potential for development (planning in place)

• Two direct moorings

• Light and airy

• First floor balcony

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Garage and driveway

St. Luke’s Road, Maidstone

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£375,000

• Two en-suite shower areas

Brishing Lane, Boughton Monchelsea

• Bungalow

• Beautiful rear garden

• Detached bungalow

• 3/4 bedrooms

• Detached

• Tastefully decorated throughout

• Substantial plot

• Character features

• Three bedrooms

• Sought-after location

• Gated property

• Generous plot

• Investment and development opportunity

• Large driveway

• En-suite bathroom

• Investment and development opportunity

• Separate garage/outbuilding for potential conversion

Live Listings

Trapham Road, Maidstone

Conway Road, Maidstone • Four bedrooms

• Generous garden

• Four bedrooms

• Private rear garden

• Detached 1930s family home

• Substantial driveway

• Detached

• Garage

• Investment opportunity (plot for development)

• Character features throughout

• Sought-after location

• Chain-free

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Large driveway for up to five cars

• Newly-renovated throughout

• Garage

£550,000

Southfields, Rochester

• Two en-suite bathrooms

Hazlitt Drive, Maidstone

• Detached house

• Four double bedrooms

• Four spacious bedrooms

• Beautiful rear garden

• Extended

• Detached

• High-quality Amtico flooring

• Cul-de-sac location

• Catchment area for soughtafter schools

• Driveway and side access

• Log burner

• Garage and driveway

• EPC Grade D

• Sought-after location

• Close to mainline stations and town centre

• Self-contained annex

• Electric garage/utility area

Brooker Close, Maidstone

Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea

£400,000

• Detached

• Quiet cul-de-sac location • Well-presented throughout

• 3/4-bedroom semi-detached cottage

• Established rear garden

• Four bedrooms • Garage

• En-suite shower room

• Character features and charm

• Conservatory

• Conservatory

• Sought-after location

• Sought-after village location

• Substantial driveway for up to seven cars

• Private rear garden

Properties

For the full range of properties to buy or rent, visit bensiggins.co.uk

• Planning permission granted

• Bespoke fitted kitchen

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www.bensiggins.co.uk ben@bensiggins.co.uk

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