Seasons Greetings & Warm Wishes
Dear All,
I wanted to write to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year wherever you are in the World.
2023 has been one of change for us at Town and Country in terms of staff as well as trying to keep an eye on the proposed Renters Reform Bill – more on this shortly.
Our News
We said goodbye to Naomi Salvage our Property Manager in February and in August also to Jenny Tilbury one of our property coordinators.
As a small business staff are crucial and both were long standing members who gave so much.
As ever in life things move forward and so we welcomed Alfie Green as a Property Manager and Kat Cronin as a lettings administrator.
We also welcomed Tilly; my wife Clare and my new Dalmatian puppy, who has the title ‘General Dogsbody’ and who comes into our offices 4 days a week with Clare.
All the new staff are settling in well and have only had a couple of accidents on the carpet!
Please do take a look at our updated website where you can see all of the team and our roles.
General Market Conditions
This year the market has been incredibly busy until very recently – which is usual at this time of the year.
At some points we had up to 6-10 applicants wishing to book viewings and take available properties, sometimes without even seeing the properties!
This meant that when properties came available rents rose considerably and we also discussed with clients re raising existing tenancies rents.
We are always mindful of rent increases for existing tenants and discuss these with clients before implementing.
If you wish to discuss your rent level for your portfolio at any point then please do contact me.
Renters Reform Bill
There is very little news to give on the Renters Reform Bill I am afraid.
It has now had its second reading but with other World events, and internal issues the Conservative Party are facing, little information is coming out.
The Bill remains likely to be implemented as all political parties are intent on changing the private rental sector in the UK. I will of course keep you updated when there is some concrete information.
The most important thing to stress with the Bill is that you will still be able to gain possession of your property if the tenant is a poor tenant and does not pay the rent or for other reasons such as wanting to move back into the property yourself.
I want to be able to give detailed information and currently there is little so please do bear with me and I will give information when there is something to report.
Christmas Opening hours
All at Town and Country are looking forward to some time off over the Christmas Period and just so you are aware our office hours over the festive period are:
Friday 22nd December: 9am to 2pm
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th December: 10am to 1pm
Tuesday 2nd January: We reopen as normal
Rest assured we will have emergency contractors working for your properties when our offices are closed.
Thank you as ever for your business and we look forward to continue working with you in 2024 and beyond.
Kind regards
Steven Chipp
