Decent Property Managers in Cardiff?

Decent Property Managers in Cardiff?

11:42 AM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago 34

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I’m new to this website and forum so pleased to make your acquaintance. Decent Property Managers in Cardiff?@

Does anyone know of a property management company in Cardiff or the surrounding area that they would recommend for the management of a small portfolio of residential properties? Two are student let and three are professional lets.
I need a company whose fees are reasonable but first and foremost they need to do what they say and charge for and keep my tenants happy.

As you probably know, the new LL licensing system is coming to Wales shortly and I would have to get qualified and coupled with the fact I travel a lot it’s better, in balance to have someone representing me in this.

I have tried a couple of companies in the past which turned out to be absolutely dire. I do not want a repeat of this.

Cheers, Tim


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Tim Vale

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16:12 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

If Lettings Supermarket ends up doing what it says on the tin then I think it's going to be very successful indeed.

The sooner it comes to South Wales, the better.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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16:14 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Tim Vale" at "27/10/2014 - 16:12":

That's why we backed them very early on 🙂
.

Tony Sheldon

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18:11 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Tim Vale" at "27/10/2014 - 16:12":

Hi Tim,

Our primary aim is to offer a competitively priced management package, with no hidden fees, which provides an efficient and personal service to our clients which not only matches but exceeds their expectations.

We are always looking for agents and have received an email from Steve and i will be in contact with him tomorrow to discuss matters further.

If you do have any questions in the meantime then please feel free to contact me here, through our website or give me a call.

Kind regards

Tony

Gilly

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18:50 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

As a Cardiff Landlord who rarely uses Agents (too mean and under the misguided illusion that I do it better myself) I am not best placed to judge, however I was persuaded to use LetsMove for a tenant find and they were incredibly efficient. I would highly recommend James Douglas though (confession of bias as I know him well); without the shadow of a doubt Douglas is the most knowledgeable professional Agent around, being the chair for the RLA in Wales and seems to have an extremely professional set-up. Having said that, there are dozens of excellent agents and genuine estate agencies who do a good and professional job – nice people too, but, yes, it all costs and the figures given (8 – 12%) are evidently what is required for full management and less stress. It is tax deductible, however, and as with most things in life, I would suggest that you normally get what you pay for.

Regarding sole trader type Agents – as of next year I am not sure how this will work in Wales. Basically everyone will have to be registered – landlords and agents (so all the good landlords will and the criminals/innocent/ignorant out there won’t – it will probably achieve nothing except extra revenue for the Council from the landlords who already do their best). Just about everybody will also have to be licensed unless they sort a few things out, as currently a landlord will not even be able to collect the rent, or organise a tradesman or just about do anything at all, without being licensed. It hasn’t been ironed out yet though so hopefully someone, somewhere will see sense and devise some sort of two or even three tiered system, whereby an individual can manage on behalf of friends and family, otherwise masses of the landlords I know will all have to become Agents, which is ridiculous. If they don’t find a solution, then there will be agents a plenty who may well decide to take on a few more if they have to become agents anyway.

Anyway, the upshot is, that as of next year the nature of agents and landlords in Wales will change and there will be far more Agents as their businesses will boom. Landlords will hand over their properties in droves if they can’t be bothered with CPD, training and the like – yet they will still be liable if anything goes wrong. Unlimited (omg Wales why so dramatic?) fines for employing an unlicensed Agent and other contraventions…..

Just to ramble on further, as is my wont, I find this question a bit peculiar and am surprised that Mark has run it. It may encourage someone in every town to put in a request for recommendations for Agents (plumbers, electricians, handymen, cleaners, good pubs etc) and could become rather tedious. Either that or it is being used as a huge plug for this "sponsored?" letting agency – the one and only mentioned thus far. Excuse the cynic in me – I’ll wait with bated breath to see if this is published… 🙂

Tim Vale

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19:05 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gilly " at "27/10/2014 - 18:50":

Hi Gilly

Thanks for your reply

I have no experience of LetsMove so could not possibly comment. I do however have an insight into James Douglas/Seraph Estates from clients and friends of mine. I also know Douglas Haig and agree that he is one of the most knowledgeable people around when it comes to residential property but ! would not use that company at all. I could go into detail with you over the reasons behind this and it's strange that their name has come up on this forum today. I'm tempted to start singing a childish 'I know something you don't know' but will refrain. Things have a way of exposing themselves. Believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear has always been a mantra that has served me well.

I have used a few different agents for tenant find but they are expensive and I find unless you offer them management of the property, they are quite haphazard in their approach to renting your property.

It's really a toss between accepting that someone must be contracted to take over my management or getting accredited myself, .I'd prefer not to go this route but I can see it happening. Time will tell.

Thanks again, Tim

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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19:15 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gilly " at "27/10/2014 - 18:50":

You're becoming as cynical as me Gilly! LOL

I do get a lot of requests of this nature and I don't publish them if Letting Supermarket has an agent in that location, I simply reply with a personal message and recommendation. I do the same if somebody asks for a recommendation for an accountant, finance broker, insurance broker, lawyer etc.

I agree with much of what you've said, save for the personalities I've not come across.

I too wait with baited breath ..... but in my case to see what happens in Wales as it may well happen in England too if it is deemed to be a success.
.

Gilly

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19:52 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Tim Vale" at "27/10/2014 - 19:05":

Hi Tim,

You asked for a recommendation and I gave you one - so your only comment could possibly be thank you? As my other recommendation was not to your liking and I think I know why, then I don't think this is the place to sling any mud. Always two sides and all that.

Sorry I am not trying to be confrontational and if you would like some names, (but not necessarily recommendations) of local smaller Agents who will act cheaply and give you a reduction for five properties then do call me - Mark can give you my email or telephone number.

Otherwise, a trip to your local landlord's meeting will usually bring forth some contacts and advice in Newport or Cardiff - both are particularly good and really useful, (accredited or not... tut tut..worth doing...truly) .

Gilly

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19:58 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "27/10/2014 - 19:15":

OMG Never, Mark! You are far more practised and I'm normally quite a trusting little soul!

Undoubtedly England will follow, as it is an easy option, producing revenue from the landlords who already toe the line. They may uncover a few extra landlords/properties, but they could already if they used their resources to better effect. I feel throttled by the red tape already... By the way readers, the licensing I have described is of landlords and agents, not to be confused with current licensing of properties.....it would be no less confusing if they had described it in Welsh!

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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21:30 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gilly " at "27/10/2014 - 19:58":

LOL if you want to read some articles I've written on the topic of licensing whilst in full on cynic mode check these out:-

1) Landlord Licensing Schemes – Raising Standards or Raising Funds?http://www.property118.com/landlord-licensing-schemes-raising-standards-or-raising-funds/42155/

2) Alternatives to Landlord Licencing Schemes - http://www.property118.com/alternatives-to-landlord-licensing-schemes/42246/

3) HMO Licensing Fees – Oxford Council Humiliated - http://www.property118.com/hmo-licensing-fees/33761/
.

Tim Vale

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21:49 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Gill
Sorry, I didn't mean to be ungrateful it's just that the ones you mentioned are pretty topical for me and clients of mine at the moment. I wasn't going to get involved in mud slinging although I suspect the substance being slung may be a fair bit stickier than your common garden soil.

Thank you for the information you gave. I appreciate that you were being helpful, everyone has different experiences and perspectives. I'm looking into letsmove and please feel free to offer more suggestions. There's only two more in Cardiff whom I wouldn't entertain using. One is on Whitchurch Rd, the other is in Whitchurch village.

Tim

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