NATIONAL
LISAWARDS 2018
N AT I O N A L L I S AWA R D S 2 0 1 8 R E V I E W
w w w. n a t i o n a l - l i s - a w a r d s . c o . u k
N AT I O N A L L I S AWA R D S 2 0 1 9 T H U R S DAY 2 1 S T N OV E M B E R G rosve n o r H o u se H otel , Pa rk L a n e, Lo n d o n W 1 K 7 TN
C E L E B R AT I N G
C AT E G O R Y
EXCELLENCE
AWAR D
I N T H E P R I VAT E
SUBMISSIONS
RENTED SECTOR
OPENING SOON
Brought to you by the National Landlord Investment Show, the National LIS Awards celebrates excellence & professionalism in the private rented sector for both landlords, property investors and services throughout buy-to-let. To find out more please visit our dedicated show website: www.national-lis-awards.co.uk
Welcome, congratulations & thank you
Our 2018 Awards seems some distance away now, but it’s never too late to celebrate the very best our industry has to offer and this specially created supplement serves to reinforce that sentiment and again say congratulations to our category winners and a big thank you to our sponsors, judges and guests. So from myself and on behalf of the whole LIS team: congratulations, thank you and see you at the 2019 Awards which return to the Grosvenor House Hotel on November 21st
Foreword By Marie Parris
Congratulations to all the landlords, agents and property professionals who survived 2018, but you will need to tighten your belt because 2019 is likely to be a steeper hill to climb. I was invited to be a judge at the inaugural awards of Landlord Investment Show, held at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in November 2018 and what I can say is that there are a lot of passionate people in our industry that work really hard for their clients. The stories of triumph over adversity, perseverance to the end, to those who go way above their normal role to make the “deal” work whatever that may be – I salute you! All of the nominations were of a high standard that made my job and those of my fellow judges even more thoughtprovoking. I look forward to reading the remarkable things that we will continue to do in our industry for their 2019 awards. Which we should all be collectively proud of. Despite perhaps being competitors in certain fields the need to do more collaborations together is what I identify becoming a trend in 2019. The private rented market has seen a plethora of changes, the most significant were, tax reforms, lending changes, energy, universal credit, change to mandatory HMOs requirements amongst others. The implication of these have undoubtedly seen a slowdown in the rental markets. Properties for rental have been slower to attract the right calibre tenants. Tenants have become very price sensitive and the selling market is flat. However, most in our industry are entrepreneurial people who have a penchant for surviving the numerous changes that will continue to plight our industry. The private rented sector always seems to be constantly under attack by the media, which tends to portray landlords and agents in a bad light - either you are a “greedy landlord” or an “unscrupulous agent”. To add to the mix certain organisations whose goal seems to be geared around the same rhetoric, does nothing to dispel these highly damaging and negative thoughts. The result is a lot of people immediately do not respect letting agents as they think of us as unprofessional and not fit for purpose. Indeed our own government obviously thinks the same because how tenant fees could ever be considered to be banned is beyond me. (I wonder if our governments will do an outright ban on fees that financial services charge. I suspect not) Just like any business we have costs and who will now pay for the credit checks, references, inventories all vital services that must continue to be done. The very same people they were trying to protect – the tenants through higher rents. How so very clever of them! The private rented market in the UK accounts for about 20% of the housing market. Yet we get 80% of the flak. So it is nice to know that LIS media promotes very positive messages of unity, education and those good things we should celebrate in our sector. Even with this in mind, we all know 2019 will be a tough year as the recent changes start to take hold. The threat of an increase in interest rates with the uncertainty whether Brexit will happen or not, does nothing, to the confidence of the economy, especially considering the 3million Europeans that live here not wanting to make decisions about their living arrangements among other things. I think for those landlords who wish to hold on to their buy-to-let investment(s) to hold their nerve. Avoid voids and avoid sub-standard letting and management agents.
Copyright: Marie Parris @ George Ellis Property Services 2019
If you have to sell, I wish you an abundance of luck with getting your achieved price and for those who have funds or access to finance there will be some great deals to have. My Tips for Landlords: •
If your property is in the need of repair, maintenance or an update have a clear strategy on how you will achieve that. If you have to sell quickly, you do not want your price reduced even further for things you could have sorted beforehand. We are currently working with one of our landlords to have the entire windows replaced in one of her buy to lets, but we are doing a couple of windows at a time each month as she does not have all of the funds up front.
•
Consider ways you could cut some of your monthly outgoings – look at your insurance (not online) speak to brokers - are you paying a good rate for the level of cover. Look at your energy bills (if you pay them).
•
Choose your management agent carefully. They need to have applied knowledge and proven processes and procedures to ensure they keep you compliant at all times. This is not an area I recommend landlords should cut if you already receive management. Fees to landlords will likely increase from agents as the Tenant Fee Ban becomes law from 1 June 2019.
•
Be flexible on the type of tenants, your trusted agent puts forward to you. It does not mean dropping standards but considering having a tenant who is on housing benefit. They do tend to stay in accommodation longer and remember stigma is not truth
•
If you are a self-manage landlord get a “MOT” on all your paperwork – have you done everything correctly and continue to do so. This should include your lease and term if you have one.
•
Join a landlord association. Every landlord should be a member of one – ridiculously low annual fee (which is tax deductible) and ensure your association is supporting you
My Tips for Agents: •
Act to safeguard your business to compensate for the loss of tenant fees. This should not necessarily mean increasing fees to landlord, but consider getting into other areas of business that may complement existing areas, like block management (steep learning curve).
•
Get all team members qualified and be knowledgeable about what you do or quit the industry. The sloppy agents demean what the good ones do.
•
Look at your services and think creatively. Be prepared to negotiate if possible and add value. We won a client from one of the “big boys” recently all because they could not be honest and hold their hands up about a mistake and say sorry.
•
Check your terms and conditions of business – make sure they do what they should do – so every client knows the expectation.
Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker
Best Property Investment Provider
BEST BUY-TO-LET MORTGAGE BROKER SPONSORED BY RLA
Developer of the Year
Baya Financial is a highly experienced finance broker specialising in commercial, buy to let, bridging and development finance. We are dedicated to giving time and excellence to each case. Experience has shown us that all cases are as individual as you, there is very little ‘one size fits all’ in this game. Our loyalty is with you, our client, we have no affiliation with any lender. We would be happy to discuss any enquiries you have. www.bayafinancial.co.uk 07802 506279
Specialist Finance Provider of the Year
Best Online Agency
FREE
and straight to your inbox!
Daily news and regular features focusing on the growing private rental sector. Covering important topics such as buy-to-let, mortgages, legislation and rental prices. Our leading landlord publication covers the fast-growing private rental sector. Get to grips with important topics such as buy-to-let, legislation & rental prices with essential daily updates from Landlord Today.
@Landlord_Today
.co.uk
/landlordtoday.co.uk
Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker
Best Property Investment Provider
Best Landlord Insurance Provider
BEST PROPERTY INVESTMENT PROVIDER SPONSORED BY LANDLORD TODAY
Developer of the Year
Best Online Agency
Best Products for Landlords
Cogress is a unique private equity firm connecting qualified investors with leading property developers. With investment units starting from £20,000, our model provides access to property development opportunities usually reserved for the largest investors. Each opportunity is carefully vetted and aimed at sharing profits on exit. Since 2014, Cogress has raised more than £130m in equity, invested in more than 40 UK projects with a gross development value of more than £800 million. Specialist Finance Provider of the Year
www.cogressltd.co.uk 0207 100 9744
Best Buy-to-Let Mort
Best Property Invest
Best Landlord Insura Best Landlord Legal Best Lettings Agent
Developer Of The Ye Best Online Agency
Best Products For La
Best Property Educa
Specialist Finance Pr
• Property Development • Property Sourcing • Property Portfolio Building (including HMO on Steroids) • Property Mentoring • Property Management • Property Re-furbishment • Property experience of over 20 years For all your property investing needs please contact our team today. 0118 979 9002 info@heritagepropertyinvestmentgroup.co.uk www.heritagepropertyinvestmentgroup.co.uk
0118 979 9002 info@heritagepropertyinvestmentgroup.co.uk www.heritagepropertyinvestmentgroup.co.uk
MAXIMISING PROPERTY INVESTMENT
Best Property Investment Provider
Best Landlord Insurance Provider
Best Landlord Legal Services Provider
BEST LANDLORD INSURANCE PROVIDER SPONSORED BY HERITAGE
Best Online Agency
Best Products for Landlords
Alan Boswell Group is a well-established Top 25 UK Independent Insurance Broker and have served the let property sector for close to two decades! Â Being fully independent means we are not tied to any one insurance company and can be totally impartial in our advice, something that Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker is very important to us. As well as looking after thousands of direct landlords, provide tailored Best Propertywe Investment Provider solutions for Landlord Associations, Letting & Best Landlord Insurance Provider Managing Agents. Â Our clients also benefit from Best Landlord Legal Services Provider our added value services including our in-house Claims Team and Loss Adjuster and access to Best Lettings Agent expert Risk Management advice. Developer Of The Year
www.alanboswellgroup.co.uk Best Online Agency 01603 218 000
Best Products For Landlords Best Property Education Provider Specialist Finance Provider Of The Year
Best Property Education Provider
Want a quick sale for the best price?
Unlike an estate agency sale there is no upper limit to the price that can be reached in an auction room and exchange of contracts can be achieved in as little as three weeks from instruction.
For your free auction appraisal, contact us at: info@auctionhouselondon.co.uk or on 020 7625 9007
I would have no hesitation recommending Auction House London. Since 2013, we have sold dozens of properties at their auctions and have never received less than a fantastic customer experience.
Fraser & Fraser
I would not consider using any other auction service than Auction House London and look forward to placing many more properties with them in the near future.
Pure Panel Management
Best Landlord Insurance Provider
Best Landlord Legal Services Provider
Best Lettings Agent
BEST LANDLORD LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER SPONSORED BY AUCTION HOUSE LONDON
Best Products for Landlords
Best Property Education Provider
High Court Enforcement Group helps landlords to quickly and efficiently evict tenants to regain possession of their property, as well as recover rent arrears. We are the largest independent enforcement company in England and Wales, and in addition to our possession services, we provide Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker a comprehensive range of recovery solutions. Best Property Investment Provider Best Landlord Insurance Provider Best Landlord Legal Services Provider Best Lettings Agent Developer Of The Year Best Online Agency Best Products For Landlords Best Property Education Provider Specialist Finance Provider Of The Year
www.hcegroup.co.uk 08450 999 666
Proptech Company of the Year
From one winner to another
Congratulations
Best Letting Agent National LIS Awards 2018 Winner
Here’s to providing award-winning customer service to landlords up and down the country for many years to come!
Best Landlord Legal Services Provider
Best Lettings Agent
BEST LETTINGS AGENT SPONSORED BY ALAN BOSWELL GROUP
Best Property Education Provider
Proptech Company of the Year
Portico is a residential estate agent with 17 offices throughout London, specialising in flats and properties to rent and for sale and offering a Portico Host Airbnb Management Service and a Portico Handyman Service. www.portico.com 020 7099 4000
Developer of the Year
DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY NOVA FINANCIAL GROUP
Specialist Finance Provider of the Year
Inspired Homes is a leading micro-apartment developer targeting well-connected, emerging locations that are in reach of young professionals. We adopt an innovative and lifestyle-led approach to layout that makes the most of every inch of space to offer some of the best-value living in town. Every home offers hallway-free design and light-filled open-plan interiors to look and feel more spacious. We also throw in the latest technology, including smart thermostats by Nest and Hyperoptic, the UK’s fastest broadband. Every fixture, fitting and finish is both durable and beautiful from the granite worktops to the low maintenance gloss kitchen units. And from the Germanmade Hansgrohe taps to the engineered hardwood floors, our apartments reflect quality, finessed for urban living, throughout. www.inspiredhomes.uk.com 020 8688 6552
Best Online Agency
Developer of the Year
Best Online Agency
Best Products for Landlords
BEST ONLINE AGENCY SPONSORED BY LOFT
Best Buy-to-Let Mor
Best Property Invest
Best Landlord Insura
Best Landlord Legal
Best Lettings Agent
Developer Of The Ye
Best Online Agency
Specialist Finance Provider of the Year
Best Products For La
Housesimple, Online Estate Agent of the Year 2018, operates a nationwide estate agent and lettings service from our headquarters in Colchester, Essex. We provide a full estate agency service from valuation, through the house selling process, to completion for a fixed fee of only ÂŁ995, no sale, no fee. Our proposition is also an industry leader; we are the only online estate agent to not ask for payment upfront and charge half the price of traditional estate agents with all the benefits of being online. Find out more at www.housesimple.com
Best Property Educa
Specialist Finance P
Making life easier for landlords Plumbing, drains, central heating and more, find out how we can help you manage your properties at www.britishgas.co.uk/landlords
British Gas is a trading name of British Gas Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales (No. 03141243). Registered office: Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5GD. britishgas.co.uk
Best Online Agency
Best Products for Landlords
BEST PRODUCTS FOR LANDLORDS SPONSORED BY BRITISH GAS
Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker Best Property Investment Provider Best Landlord Insurance Provider Best Landlord Legal Services Provider Best Lettings Agent Developer Of The Year Best Online Agency Best Products For Landlords Best Property Education Provider
Has your property suffered damage and you need to make an insurance claim? Aspray could help Financenegotiations Provider Of The Year by handling the claimSpecialist settlement on your behalf. There is no charge for the service, provided Aspray can also appoint their own vetted contractors to reinstate the property to its pre-loss condition. ​ www.aspray.com ​0800 077 6705
Best Property Education Provider
Best Products for Landlords
Best Property Education Provider
Proptech Company of the Year
BEST PROPERTY EDUCATION PROVIDER SPONSORED BY LESS TAX 4 LANDLORDS
Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker
Best Property Investment Provider Best Landlord Insurance Provider Best Landlord Legal Services Provider Best Lettings Agent Developer Of The Year Best Online Agency Best Products For Landlords Best Property Education Provider
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity. For many people cats are the purring Specialist Finance Provider Ofheart The Year of a home so Cats Protection has launched its Purrfect Landlords campaign to encourage more landlords to accept cats and to have responsible and reasonable pet tenancy clauses. To find out more about the benefits of being a cat-friendly landlord come to our stand. www.cats.org.uk/purrfectlandlords 01825 745 096
Best Property Education Provider
Proptech Company of the Year
PROPTECH COMPANY OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY COGRESS
Spotahome is a mid to long-term residential rentals platform that offers the most complete property and room listings for stays above 30 days, bookable exclusively through online viewings which saves tenants and property owners time and money. Listing is free and the company creates the listing including photos, video tours, detailed floor plans and property descriptions. ​ www.spotahome.com 0203 808 6521
Specialist Finance Provider of the Year
SPECIALIST FINANCE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY NOVA FINANCIAL
At mtf, we believe a bridging loan should either make or save a borrower money. As the UK’s leading non-status finance lender, we don’t require evidence of credit history, accounts, or proof of income. There are no application forms, no early repayment penalties, or exit fees, and our quick and effortless process means we can deliver funds at speed, with minimum fuss. www.mt-finance.com 0203 051 2331
All the Information Landlords Need, in One Place WWW.LANDLORDNEWS.CO.UK
Do you struggle to keep up to date with the constant changes in the private rental sector? Landlord News is here to help. With heaps of legislation to comply with, tax reforms to get your head around, and new rules and regulations announced seemingly every week, the Government hasn’t made it easy for landlords to manage their lettings businesses. That’s why Landlord News is providing you with all of the information you need to know.
that investors need to know. Alongside new details of legal changes, you will also find useful facts and figures from across the property industry, so that you can effectively manage your current and future investments. Guides to lettings law
We all like our news and information to be available in the palm of our hand, at the touch of a button. By visiting LandlordNews.co.uk for free, landlords can take advantage of the following:
We understand how difficult it is to stay on top of changes to lettings law, which is why helpful guides to all of your legal responsibilities are available for free on LandlordNews.co.uk. Members can read and download all of these useful fact sheets and documents online – they cover everything from gas safety to the latest requirements in energy efficiency. Handy advice on cleaning your property and conducting inspections is also available, all in one place.
Daily news stories
Monthly newsletter
Every weekday, the writers at Landlord News bring you the top stories from across the lettings sector. These pieces are picked out especially for property investors, so you can guarantee that you’re getting all of the information that you need. Rather than sifting through the main news sites, Landlord News is a dedicated platform for all things property.
For busy landlords who don’t have time to read daily stories, Landlord News puts together a fantastic monthly newsletter, which provides a round up of everything that’s been happening in the world of property over the past month and any key changes that are approaching in the coming months. The team picks out its top news pieces that all landlords need to be aware of, so that you have all of the information you should know.
Up-to-date information From expert opinions on the state of the housing market, to the latest announcements by the Government, Landlord News is committed to delivering the crucial information
Do you struggle to keep on top of the law and changes to the housing market? Let Landlord News bring you the stories you need to know, by visiting the website and signing up for free.
L ANDLORD INVESTOR CLUB COMING SOON
SUBSCRIBE TO LI MAGAZINE Landlord Investor Magazine gives property professionals, landlords and investors monthly advice and information on the topics, news and legislation that matter to the industry. Your subscription gives you the latest industry information in 10 issues per year. Subscribe today for just £65.00 per year to get news, advice and comment on all areas of buy-to-let: • legal services & tax • insurance • investments • deposit schemes & landlord associations • property hotspots
Call the subscription hotline on 020 8656 5075 today or visit landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/li-magazine
UK’S LEADING PROPERTY INVESTMENT EVENT The National Landlord Investment Show connects 1000s of property professionals at venues throughout the country and is the UK’s leading buy-to-let event. The shows give landlords and investors the chance to connect with suppliers, network and increase their knowledge.
21 MARCH OLYMPIA LONDON 15 MAY ASTON VILLA FC 13 JUNE OLYMPIA LONDON 8 OCTOBER MANCHESTER UTD FC 5 NOVEMBER OLYMPIA LONDON
* BOOK NOW FOR FREE ADMISSION *
National Landlord Investment Show exhibitors include:
+ Build your knowledge through seminars from property experts + Source leading products & services from throughout the property market + Share best practice and keep up to date with UK landlords and investors + Expand your business networks via the Morning Networking Event
To find out more and register for your FREE tickets go to landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk Follow us: @LandlordInShow
@LandlordInvestmentShow
“Portico had a fantastic evening at the National Landlord Awards, hosted by the ever funny and gobby Rob Beckett in the beautiful Grosvenor Hotel. The food was delicious and the evening went by far too quickly thanks to the marvellous entertainment and conversation throughout the evening; a great event in support of the buy-to-let industry. We were delighted to pick up Best Lettings Agent on the night, a fantastic achievement that marks the hard work that has gone into continuing to looking after and improve our services for both our landlords and tenants. I’d highly recommend agents who didn’t attend this year to bag themselves a spot to next year’s event!”
Rober t Nichols Chief Executive Of ficer, Por tico
National LIS Awards 27 Staf ford Road, Croydon CR0 4NG www.national-lis-awards .co.uk