With Bonfire night round the corner, we’ve compiled a list of hot areas where the fireworks have already gone off. Here are the top ten areas where property values have rocketed over the last 6 months. The question is, will these areas sustain these gains, or will these gunpowder propelled property prices fall back down to earth? We [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Halloween is nearly upon us. For some this means locking the doors, turning the lights out and hoping the trick-or- treaters pass by quietly. For others it’s a chance to dust off the skeleton suit and perform mischief on homeowners or their property if no treat is given! The UK is home to some of the [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

This video is currently doing the rounds and was first brought to our attention via The Rat and Mouse; London’s property blog and was first posted on the Renegade Economist blog. It’s an unintentionally comedic interview with Fergus Wilson – the straight talking king of buy-to-let. There is a queen, but we don’t know where Judith was on [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Looks like we’re on a bit of an awards roll… We’ve just been told we’ve been shortlisted by the Good Web Guide - the “definitive guide to the best sites on the internet”. Over 1000 sites were nominated and the folks at the Good Web Guide have been busy screening the sites and have now whittled the list [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Back in August we were told by the organisers of the Daily Mail UK Residential Property Awards 2009 that we had won an award in the Best UK Property Portal category. However, we were also told that we’d have to wait until 16th October to find out whether it was to be one of a [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to sell his onetime constituency home Myrobella House in Trimdon Colliery, Durham – the county which we recently revealed as the slowest recovering area in Britain, seeing values grow by only 1.1% since March of this year. According to the Daily Mail, TB paid £30,000 for the property back in [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Whilst we are still a long way from the values seen before the credit crunch hit, house values appear to have begun a journey on the road (albeit a long one) to recovery. Since March of this year the total value of the UK housing market has gained £250 billion – great news for homeowners and [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

We really want to hear your views on the property market in your local area so we’ve compiled a brief survey and We promise it will only take you three minutes, four at a push! As a thank you for your time, we’ll enter you into a free prize draw for a chance to win one of [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

We stumbled across this fantastic (although quite lengthy at 4.5mins) video entitled ‘Did you know 4.0?’ and just had to share it. Brought to you by a consultancy called XPLANE in the US, it visually informs about the brave new world of social media and newfound communication technologies, which have forever changed the media landscape. We’d love [...]

From http://blogs.propertyfinder.com/outthere

Last Thursday, whilst sucking at an oxygen tank, sick with altitude fever after traipsing up the many flights of stairs, I realised the rubbish needed taking down. Cursing at the journey and the rain, I noticed a hand-delivered letter soggy and discarded on the floor. It was addressed to me, and had apparently been left on a first floor ledge but had been moved or made its own way down.

And guess what’s inside? A cheery letter from my letting agent. Apparently, they’re inspecting my flat between 9am and 5 pm next week. How thoughtful of them to let me know.

The letter says: “It is not necessary for you to be present.”
Erm…actually people, yes it is, since you mention it. I have no intention of allowing strangers free-rein to gambol in my lounge, poking their sticky beaks into my affairs. And they intend on doing this every three-four months “…on behalf of the landlord.”

Whatever next: summoning tenants with a whistle like the Von Trapp children, compelled us to wear uniforms and stand by our beds military fashion?

To be honest, it’s like Piccadilly Circus in here. A fortnight ago, my flat required a small repair, and I was expecting the contractor to arrange a convenient time. When I called, he said: “But I’ve already been to your house; the agency gave me the keys and I was round last Saturday.”

What?

At least he had the grace to be embarrassed at having marched uninvited in my home, and was astonished that I hadn’t been informed. In fact, he was mortified, but not as horrified as I am. Furious doesn’t cover it. Words are inadequate. The letting agent are so keen to protect themselves and yet stomp over my rights, crushing my privacy and legal entitlement to peaceful enjoyment at every turn.

God, I was angry. The cheek of it: I have no idea who has the key to my home, how many keys exist, and (this is the terrifying part) how many copies have been made. I will allow reasonable access in an emergency, but surely frequent, random spot-checks is against the spirit of the law (I might add that an agency employee had already called two weeks ago so they know I’m not wrecking the place.)

I wonder if I’m allowed to change the locks (which I really want to do, considering the amount of unauthorised visitors who’ve had my door key in their grubby little mitts). Also, can the letting agents insist that the law is on their side?

It’s so demeaning, and I feel powerless, since I know full well that – as retaliatory evictions are widespread – dissent will lead to me being shown the door. On days like this, I loath being a tenant, I really do. I hate it because these measures are less about inspection – more about making me feel like unwelcome in my own home, the one I pay rent to live in.

From http://rentergirl.blogspot.com/