The UK housing market starts Autumn with momentum, a post-lockdown mini-boom making summer 2020 busier than usual.

Click "read more" to download the full report. 

In line with the new government guidelines confirmed on 24^th September, we have implemented some further measures to the way in which we are operating.

Customers are welcome to visit our offices (both West Bridgford and Keyworth) but in the interests of continuing to put our customers and employees safety first, as well as controlling the number of visitors, our front doors will be locked.  Please make an appointment in advance, or give us a call prior to popping in.  Should you have an appointment to visit our Lettings Department, please enter via the steps at the side of our office.

We continue to offer valuations, viewings, move-ins and move-outs – adhering to the strict government but in addition to this, our virtual viewings and valuations will remain, should you prefer to use these services instead.

On entering our offices, we request that you wear a mask and where screens are not available, our staff will be wearing masks as well.

We are displaying the official NHS QR code and would request that on entering the office, you ‘check-in’ using the NHS Track & Trace App.

The latest Government Guidance on home moving can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak .

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries, on 0115 9811888.

The Government introduced legislation to both the private and social rented sectors in England on Saturday 29 August 2020, meaning landlords must now provide tenants with six months’ notice seeking possession of their property, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, until March 2021, except in the most serious cases, such as anti-social behaviour four weeks’ notice instead of six months; domestic violence (two weeks’ notice); rent arrears over six months (four weeks’ notice); and tenancies gained through fraud (two weeks’ notice). Also, where the grounds for eviction relate to the tenant’s immigration status or the tenancy is an assured tenancy and possession is sought following the death of the former tenant, it will be three months’ notice.

The validity of a Section 21 Notice has been extended from 6 to 10 months to accommodate this change.

It is important to note: notices served on and before 28 August 2020 are not affected by the above changes, and must be at least three months.

In addition, should you have to apply to the courts for possession of your property, new court rules have been agreed, which will come into force on 20 September 2020 meaning landlords will need to set out in their claim any relevant information about a tenant’s circumstances, including the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where this information is not provided, judges will have the ability to adjourn proceedings.

When courts do reopen for eviction proceedings, the 'most egregious cases' will be prioritised, including those where crime is involved or where the landlord has not received rent for a year.

We are delighted to have just presented the Royston & Lund Sporting Achievement Award to Emily Hughes at Abbey Road Primary School. At a time when Year 6 pupils have missed out on so much during their last year in primary school, it was a great honour to be able to present the award, bringing some positivity and sharing this fantastic accomplishment!

The deserved winner, Emily, is a great example to us all and it would appear there is not a sport that she doesn’t throw herself in to. The award was made on the school fields on a beautiful sunny day, with everyone at a suitable social distance.

Huge congratulations to Emily from all of us at R&L! 

In accordance with government guidelines our staff are now back working from both our West Bridgford and Keyworth offices. We are doing this in a safe and secure manner, ensuring social distancing at all times. Customers are welcome to visit our offices but in the interests of continuing to put our customers and employees safety first, we will be managing a “one in one out policy”. We continue to offer valuations, viewings, move-ins and move-outs – adhering to the strict government guidelines. 

The latest Government Guidance on home moving can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak  and a copy of our Health & Safety Document can be read here.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0115 9811888.

As we enter our fourth month of lockdown in the UK, unsurprisingly, many are considering moving home or relocating altogether. Whether you're looking for a home with a garden, a dedicated workspace, or more space in general, we've got you covered. We've provided some guidance to get you started on the search for your ideal home.

Look online

Start your home search by having a browse online at the properties available in your desired area and within your ideal budget. This will give you an idea of what is on the market and is realistic for your means.

Digital tools

Once you've found some options that you're happy with, contact the estate agent to schedule a virtual viewing. The agent should have the available tools to help conduct a successful virtual viewing, guiding you through the property and answering any questions along the way. The benefit of viewing a property virtually is that you can decide whether you're seriously invested in the home before physically visiting it. You can even organise several viewings within a single day, all from the comfort of your home.

Follow up

Once you've viewed the property virtually, there may be questions that you've forgotten to ask during the viewing, perhaps you'd like a better look at a certain room or feature, or maybe you'd like to discuss your options with the agent. Do you need to know more about the area? Are you wondering about local schooling or transport? Take the opportunity to get back in touch with the agent to clarify any doubts or queries before you move on to the next stage.

Health and Safety

If you're serious about the property, you may want to visit it in person. Although some areas of the UK are still restricted, if you live in an area where lockdown has eased slightly, you'll want to ask the agent to provide you with their COVID-19 Health and Safety guidelines. This will give you insight into how they are conducting business and their procedure regarding physical viewings. Only when you are satisfied with the measures they are taking and reassured that they are operating in line with Government guidance, should you request a physical viewing take place.

Senior Valuers Graham Sheardown and Steven Gray talk us through what's happening in the local property market and what we can expect for 2020.

If you are thinking of selling, why not arrange a no obligation, FREE market appraisal - https://www.royston-lund.co.uk/sales-valuation

We are glad to hear that the Government is now providing dates for when they will be enforcing mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector. Currently all landlords are made aware that they are responsible for the safety of the electrics within the legal HHSRS (Housing and Safety Rating System) compliance.  Bringing this to the forefront of the sector with specific obligations, similar to a landlord gas safety inspection will become clearer for landlords to understand and adhere too.

We are proud to be one of the few agents who have been working with our landlords over the recent years with the majority of the properties managed by our agency already having satisfactory EICR reports, with our agency policy of insisting on these upon re-letting. 

Electrical safety checks will have to be carried out in all private rental properties in England, according to Regulations now laid in Parliament. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 look set to become law from April 1 this year, initially applying to all new tenancies in England and from 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.

The new legislation confirms that landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.  Copies of the report will have to be provided to prospective tenants on request and given to new tenants before they move in. Upon request, the report must be provided to the local housing authority within seven days (it has been mentioned that and any remedial work required must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if specified in the report, this is currently yet to be finalised.)

Enforcement is by the local authority, which can order that work be done. Failure could result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000.

The Regulations require local housing authorities to enforce the rules and they have the power to arrange remedial action.  Breaches of the Regulations can result in the local housing authority imposing a penalty of up to £30,000

What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

It is a periodic inspection report on a property’s safety relating to its fixed wiring. This report has also been labelled as the ‘Landlord Safety Test’ or ‘Homebuyers Test’ and should be conducted by a qualified electrician.  During an EICR, the consumer unit (or fuse board), wiring and electrical accessories are thoroughly tested and inspected for faults or deviations from the Wiring Standards.

Why do I need an EICR?

The main purpose of an EICR is to check the condition of an installation, detecting and recording any factors that might affect safety.

Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes of electrical fires in the home but you can reduce the risk of a fire by regularly checking your cables, switches and sockets, to check their condition.

Can Royston & Lund help you?

We are totally committed to providing the best possible service, which was reflected at the prestigious ESTA awards when were recognised for this and won ‘Best Estate Agent in the UK 2018’. 

We were the top agent in our area for new lettings instructions for 2019 in West Bridgford and surrounding area (as recorded by Rightmove.co.uk).*

With our core principles being honesty, integrity and professionalism. A traditional and modern approach is adopted to exceed today's customer requirements.

Our ethos of ensuring potential landlords are fully aware of all legal aspects associated with owning a rental property is one of the many reasons why we have the reputation of providing good quality rental accommodation in the Rushcliffe and surrounding areas.

One of our key objectives is to let your property quickly, at the best possible rent and to source good quality tenants who are going to pay on time, look after your property and ultimately provide you with a stress-free let! Our ability to exceed in all three areas relies heavily on all our staff possessing the knowledge, skills and expertise to get the job done and working together as a team.

For your protection we are members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, The Property Ombudsman Scheme, The Guild of Property Professionals, and hold Client Money Protection.

*NG2, NG11, NG12

If we can help you with your rental property please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel: 0115 914 1122 or email: [email protected].