The Employer of the year Award will be decided by the public. So, if there was any time I needed people to take action, then this is it. Please click on here, and support us, we really do need your vote. I am even on You Tube (really!!) you can watch my one minute interview if you wish. And this is what one of our landlords submitted about us.
'Sharon Canning at Move On provide an outstanding and faultless service. The staff are a happy united team clearly supported, encouraged and appreciated by Sharon. This positive combination has resulted in the company providing a friendly, professional, informative and seamless service to their clients. The contentment of staff underlines Sharon's positive management style'
The team at Move On are really excited about this award and we only have until April 7th to get everybody to vote.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Friday, 25 March 2011
IDENTITY FRAUD ON THE INCREASE
You are more likely to suffer from Identity Fraud if you are a tenant or landlord of a rented property. Tenants and Landlords are being warned to make sure they forward their mail when moving.
The UK’s fraud prevention service CIFAS reported an increase of 32 per cent in the number of identity thefts committed during the recession. One of the most common types of fraud is criminals taking over the running of a victim’s bank account. Tenants and landlords are at a greater risk of this type of crime as they are more likely to share communal spaces such as hallways where mail can be easily intercepted, or they move more frequently making it harder keep track of confidential post. According to the findings, credit card statements, tax credit information, and pension details are just some of the important papers left to the mercy of strangers. Over 85% of tenants claim to have received post for former residents.
Below are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
• Register your title to the property at the Land Registry with a current
address for service.
• Register a restriction on your property title if you feel at risk.
• Ensure all financial information and other personal documentation is
addressed to your current home rather your rental property.
• Following a void period ensure utility bills are put into tenants' names and
remove all post at the rental property which is addressed to you.
• Remove all personal documentation and belongings from the property prior to
showing prospective tenants around.
• Check bank statements and credit card bills regularly, and investigate and
report unusual entries.
• Use a shredder to destroy personal documentation which you no longer require.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected from the rental property.
• Store personal documents, passwords and usernames in a secure place.
• Obtain a credit rating every six months and be alert to false credit
applications made in your name.
• Register with a mailing preference service so your name is removed from
direct mailing lists.
If you suspect your mail is being stolen, contact the Royal Mail customer enquiry Line and check whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge. You can also apply for an identity fraud protection policy to insure you against the consequences of identity fraud and resolve your credit status.
Back to Move On click here
The UK’s fraud prevention service CIFAS reported an increase of 32 per cent in the number of identity thefts committed during the recession. One of the most common types of fraud is criminals taking over the running of a victim’s bank account. Tenants and landlords are at a greater risk of this type of crime as they are more likely to share communal spaces such as hallways where mail can be easily intercepted, or they move more frequently making it harder keep track of confidential post. According to the findings, credit card statements, tax credit information, and pension details are just some of the important papers left to the mercy of strangers. Over 85% of tenants claim to have received post for former residents.
Below are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
• Register your title to the property at the Land Registry with a current
address for service.
• Register a restriction on your property title if you feel at risk.
• Ensure all financial information and other personal documentation is
addressed to your current home rather your rental property.
• Following a void period ensure utility bills are put into tenants' names and
remove all post at the rental property which is addressed to you.
• Remove all personal documentation and belongings from the property prior to
showing prospective tenants around.
• Check bank statements and credit card bills regularly, and investigate and
report unusual entries.
• Use a shredder to destroy personal documentation which you no longer require.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected from the rental property.
• Store personal documents, passwords and usernames in a secure place.
• Obtain a credit rating every six months and be alert to false credit
applications made in your name.
• Register with a mailing preference service so your name is removed from
direct mailing lists.
If you suspect your mail is being stolen, contact the Royal Mail customer enquiry Line and check whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge. You can also apply for an identity fraud protection policy to insure you against the consequences of identity fraud and resolve your credit status.
Back to Move On click here
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
We have hit the TOP 10 for Employer of the Year Award
Yippee..... Having reached the TOP 20 I have just found out I am now in the TOP 10. We will all go to Public vote on the 1st April so watch this space for the link where you can vote for us. I am so excited. I am of course a winner by reaching the TOP 10 and I am truly thrilled. x
Saturday, 19 March 2011
March 2011 nominated for Best Employer Award
I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated by my staff for 'Employer of the Year' through Dorset Women in Business Awards being sponsored by The Coast Radio through Langtry Manor. I was suprised and honoured to have received notification of this.
I have always seen myself as part of the team and to have got through to the top 20 is a tribute to them too.
Please click on this link to see my one minute video interview.
The next stage will be the judges choosing 10 and then those 10 will go to the public vote.
To have got this far is great and an amazing achievement. I would love to get through to the top 10. So my fingers and toes are crossed. Watch this space!!
I have always seen myself as part of the team and to have got through to the top 20 is a tribute to them too.
Please click on this link to see my one minute video interview.
The next stage will be the judges choosing 10 and then those 10 will go to the public vote.
To have got this far is great and an amazing achievement. I would love to get through to the top 10. So my fingers and toes are crossed. Watch this space!!
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Gaining acces to a property with 24 hours notice
This is a question I was recently asked.
Help, I need to carry out a Gas safety Certificate on my rented property, but the tenant keeps saying it is inconvenient. As a Landlord it is my duty to ensure a current certificate is always in place. Can I go in with my keys with the Gas Engineer as long as I give the minimum 24 hours notice?
My answer...
This is a very common question I get asked, whether it be for the Gas Safety Certificate as in your situation or general repairs or viewings.
Most tenancies have written in to permit access after 24 hours notice, however this is for emergencies only (and that means something serious, such as a fire). A tenancy gives exclusive possession of a property to the tenant and they have the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ during their tenancy, a term or concept which is implied in all Tenancy Agreements. It does not mean that tenants have to be quiet or enjoy themselves it means the Landlord should leave tenants to live in the property in peace.
The tenants’ right to keep everyone out of his property will override and access can only be gained by invitation or acceptance from the tenant. This can be particularly frustrating to a landlord when they are looking to gain access for viewings in the final month or as in your case trying to access the property to conduct a legal requirement by you the landlord.
You can apply to the courts for an injunction to gain access The general rules are if after three attempts on trying to gain access you have still not been able to gain entry and you can prove this (copies of letters) and you have contacted health and safety and reported the matter you will not be prosecuted as failure to have a Gas Safety Certificate in place can lead to a £5000 fine. This is probably not what you want to hear, however the law is strict on this. Under no circumstances try to access the property with your own keys without agreement from the tenant.
Help, I need to carry out a Gas safety Certificate on my rented property, but the tenant keeps saying it is inconvenient. As a Landlord it is my duty to ensure a current certificate is always in place. Can I go in with my keys with the Gas Engineer as long as I give the minimum 24 hours notice?
My answer...
This is a very common question I get asked, whether it be for the Gas Safety Certificate as in your situation or general repairs or viewings.
Most tenancies have written in to permit access after 24 hours notice, however this is for emergencies only (and that means something serious, such as a fire). A tenancy gives exclusive possession of a property to the tenant and they have the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ during their tenancy, a term or concept which is implied in all Tenancy Agreements. It does not mean that tenants have to be quiet or enjoy themselves it means the Landlord should leave tenants to live in the property in peace.
The tenants’ right to keep everyone out of his property will override and access can only be gained by invitation or acceptance from the tenant. This can be particularly frustrating to a landlord when they are looking to gain access for viewings in the final month or as in your case trying to access the property to conduct a legal requirement by you the landlord.
You can apply to the courts for an injunction to gain access The general rules are if after three attempts on trying to gain access you have still not been able to gain entry and you can prove this (copies of letters) and you have contacted health and safety and reported the matter you will not be prosecuted as failure to have a Gas Safety Certificate in place can lead to a £5000 fine. This is probably not what you want to hear, however the law is strict on this. Under no circumstances try to access the property with your own keys without agreement from the tenant.
Friday, 21 January 2011
SQUATTERS
You may have read recently the story where a young man from Latvia gained entry into a 10 million pound empty property through an open bathroom window and began squatting. He then sent word to his friends in Latvia to come over and join him because according to him ‘Britain is one of the few countries where it is easy to do’. He also told a reporter ‘The law states…if there is any empty building which is not being used, you can put it to use in any way you see fit and what a shame to not get the most of this place’.
The 10 million pound property in London reportedly boasted 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool in the upmarket area of Highgate, where neighbours are millionaire bankers and celebrities.
Squatting is an ancient practice, yet the last 12 years in Britain has seen a spectacular rise in the number of people who have taken over empty properties. British law states occupation of empty properties is a civil, not a criminal, matter in England and Wales, unless entry is forced. Police can act only if the squatters commit offences such as theft or criminal damage.
It is therefore vital to act quickly of you discover trespassers or squatters in your property. You should be able to remove them quite legally within a two week period, providing you go about the process correctly. Remember to never use force or threats as this could result in getting yourself a criminal record.
The 10 million pound property in London reportedly boasted 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool in the upmarket area of Highgate, where neighbours are millionaire bankers and celebrities.
Squatting is an ancient practice, yet the last 12 years in Britain has seen a spectacular rise in the number of people who have taken over empty properties. British law states occupation of empty properties is a civil, not a criminal, matter in England and Wales, unless entry is forced. Police can act only if the squatters commit offences such as theft or criminal damage.
It is therefore vital to act quickly of you discover trespassers or squatters in your property. You should be able to remove them quite legally within a two week period, providing you go about the process correctly. Remember to never use force or threats as this could result in getting yourself a criminal record.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOUSE?
Each year, we hear how tragic events happen where people end up dying in rented properties due to carbon monoxide or an electrical fault. Although these numbers are relatively low, one person dying a year is still one person too many, especially when the cause could have been avoided.
Last year we heard how a 33 year old mother who had just moved into a rented property was electrocuted by the bathroom taps with 175 volts, she died instantly. Her five year old child found her and raised the alarm.
The law states your rented property must be electrically safe, however unlike the Gas Safety Certificate which is legally required every year, the electrical certificate is not.
This makes it extremely difficult as an Agent to enforce.
That said, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 clearly states it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure the property and all electrical equipment provided is safe. The only way to do this is to have a NIC EIC Certificate (and renewed every 5 years) and a PAT test (portable appliance test) on equipment, normally when a new tenant takes up occupation.
The seriousness of an injury or death as a result of an electrical fault which is then found to be due to the ignorance or neglect of the landlord, will be deemed as a criminal offence and as such the Landlord will receive not only a large fine but a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
So, my 2011 tip to all Landlords is to get the certificate to ensure your property is safe.
Last year we heard how a 33 year old mother who had just moved into a rented property was electrocuted by the bathroom taps with 175 volts, she died instantly. Her five year old child found her and raised the alarm.
The law states your rented property must be electrically safe, however unlike the Gas Safety Certificate which is legally required every year, the electrical certificate is not.
This makes it extremely difficult as an Agent to enforce.
That said, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 clearly states it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure the property and all electrical equipment provided is safe. The only way to do this is to have a NIC EIC Certificate (and renewed every 5 years) and a PAT test (portable appliance test) on equipment, normally when a new tenant takes up occupation.
The seriousness of an injury or death as a result of an electrical fault which is then found to be due to the ignorance or neglect of the landlord, will be deemed as a criminal offence and as such the Landlord will receive not only a large fine but a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
So, my 2011 tip to all Landlords is to get the certificate to ensure your property is safe.
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