May Market Update

The housing market is still fragile due to global unrest and political uncertainty at home which has restricted confidence. Although the situation in the Middle East hasn’t deteriorated over the last month, a permanent solution has not yet been agreed so the price of oil remains high putting pressure on many global economies including the UK. The cost of living is a genuine concern for many potential house movers.

The result of the local Council Elections has mounted pressure on the … Continue Reading…

A Fair Landlord’s Deposit Defence

Many landlords assume a tenant’s deposit automatically covers damage.

In reality, if a dispute reaches adjudication, the landlord usually has to prove the claim.

No evidence often means no deduction.

That’s why good check-ins matter so much.

The landlords who tend to succeed in disputes usually have:

✔ Clear, dated photographs

✔ A detailed signed inventory

Wide-angle room photos, close-ups of existing marks, appliance interiors, gardens and meter readings can all make a huge difference later.

And this protects good tenants, too.

Clear records prevent tenants from being blamed … Continue Reading…

From Love Rats to Rogue Buyers: Why the Right Agent is Your Best Defence

You might think that estate agents just sell houses. But there’s much more to it than that.

When you’re selling your home, a good estate agent will look out for your interests every step of the way.

A recent story in the press reminded us just how important it is to have a real duty of care to our customers.

Estate agents in Cambridge smelt a rat when a lady approached them to sell her home, then told them she was moving to … Continue Reading…

A Warning Letter for Local Sellers

If your home is on the market, chances are an uninvited letter/postcard/comp slip will drop through your letterbox sooner or later.

It often is made to look urgent and personal, from an agency you haven’t instructed, telling you to act quickly.

It usually carries words to the effect of: “I believe I have a buyer for your home. Please give me a call.”

These “we’ve a ready buyer” notes are delivered to homes already listed with another estate agent.

For the record, there’s nothing … Continue Reading…

Do Some Landlords End Up with the Letting Agent They Deserve?

For years, landlords have been told to focus on one thing above all else when choosing a letting agent: fees.

Whose is the cheapest? Who’ll manage the property for less? Who’ll promise the highest rent?

And too often, that mindset leads landlords straight towards the service they later complain about.

Because the uncomfortable truth is this: some landlords get the letting agency they deserve.

If your only priority is driving fees to the absolute minimum, you may end up cutting corners elsewhere. Good property … Continue Reading…

Yes, We’re Estate Agents, But We Love NOT Selling Homes (Sometimes)

Some people think estate agents are pushy. And that they don’t care about what you buy as long as you buy it from them.

But when you house hunt with an Ethical Agent Network member, that’s further from the truth than Pluto is from the Sun. (Around 3.7 billion miles give or take a few million.)

It’s true that estate agents work for the seller.

That doesn’t mean we’re not passionate about helping the buyer, too. We most definitely are.

We want to help … Continue Reading…

What Makes an Estate Agent Truly Trustworthy?

Trust isn’t something most people associate naturally with estate agency.

And that’s a problem.

Because when you’re selling your home, you’re placing a huge amount of responsibility in someone else’s hands. The advice you receive, the strategy you follow, and the way your sale is handled can directly impact your finances, timeline, and stress levels.

It can be truly life-changing stuff.

So, what actually makes an estate agent trustworthy?

It all starts with honesty.

A trustworthy agent doesn’t tell you what you want to hear to … Continue Reading…

What Landlords Should Really Look for in a Letting Agent

For many landlords, choosing a letting agent starts with the obvious questions.

What rent can you achieve?

How quickly can you find a tenant?

But the more important questions tend to come later.

What happens when something goes wrong?

How are tenants treated?

And will your agent still be proactive six months into the tenancy, not just at the start?

Because that’s where the real value lies.

A dependable letting agent isn’t defined by the first few weeks of a tenancy, but by the consistency of their approach … Continue Reading…

Six Sensible Ways to Sell Your Home Without Risking Your Privacy

A recent court case revealed how an organised gang used online tools like Rightmove and Google to help plan a series of high-value burglaries across the UK.

By researching affluent areas and studying property listings, including floor plans, they identified potential targets before breaking in.

It’s an unsettling story. But it’s important to keep it in perspective.

Cases like this are VERY rare. Millions of homes are marketed online every year without issue.

Property portals remain one of the most effective and essential tools … Continue Reading…

Would Your Letting Agent Pass an Ethical Test?

Choosing a letting agent isn’t just about finding a tenant quickly or squeezing out the highest possible rent. For landlords, the real test plays out over years, not weeks.

Does your agent treat both you and your tenant fairly? Do they act with integrity when things get difficult, not just when everything’s running smoothly?

In short, would your letting agent pass an ethical test?

It matters more than most landlords realise. The way your agent behaves directly shapes the performance of your investment. … Continue Reading…