Killay based McCartan Lettings is supporting SAFEagent awareness week, which runs from 6th -10th June 2016 - which aims to remind consumers that their finances are at risk if their chosen agent does not have client money protection in place.  

Hannah McCartan, Managing Director of McCartan lettings says, “We have been a proud member of SAFEagent for 5 years and value the support and credibility this association gives to us at McCartan Lettings."

"Client money protection (CMP) remains high on the current, political agenda and we are strong advocates for this within the private, rented sector in Swansea.   The Government is advocating to make client money protection mandatory for all lettings agents, and we will continue to support this initiative at all levels."

With the Brexit vote currently dominating the news, many are trying to predict what may come of the different aspects of British life should we vote to leave.

Some of the country’s biggest property companies have come forward to say they have already seen evidence of foreign property investors getting the jitters regarding the UK's fate.

At a recent British Property Federation convention, industry chiefs warned that Britain’s investment market might be in for a slow period until after the outcome of the European Referendum on June 23rd.

Paul Brundage, senior managing director for Europe at Oxford Properties, said markets do not like uncertainty: “We need not get caught up in these macro issues, but it’s hard not to be absorbed by all these things.” He said the property industry needs to engage better with government on how political and social events affect the market but added there was the potential for his business to be “materially affected” by the referendum.

There are concerns that the shortage of investors could lead the housing crisis to become worse. 10-12% of construction workers employed in the sector come from outside of the UK. A shortage of skilled workers has afflicted the house building sector for many years, which has driven the cost up. 

There are also concerns that many of the potential investors may be unable or unwilling to wait till after the referendum and will take their business elsewhere with Paris, Dublin and Frankfurt looking to benefit.

It’s not all doom and gloom however, as many private investors, both abroad and in the UK have managed to snatch several London property investment opportunities from under the nose of those not brave enough to take the plunge. There are also some who believe, that should the right steps be taken, the investment market could explode once free on the EU.

Everyone has that image of the perfect fantasy home they’d buy if money were no object. Maybe it’s a quaint cottage nestled in a friendly little hamlet that no one has ever heard of, or maybe it's a grand mansion situated on a tropical private island.

Of course each one of our fantasy homes comes with its own must have fantasy features. Some people want a helicopter pad on the roof, some just want a 20 acre garden. But which feature came out on top as the nation’s favourite luxury features? 

A group of 2000 people were asked; if money were no object, what features would their dream house have? 

Anyone expecting Johnny Depp level properties, sporting lagoons, and private zoos might as well look away now. The number one feature isn’t quite as lavish as you might expect.

43% of those asked chose a balcony as their must have feature. Not quite a private jetty with your very own yacht tethered to it, but still a nice addition to any home.

Unsurprisingly, the top 5 features are primarily entertainment features, with over a quarter of those asked wanting a library, a gym or a cinema. The UK public clearly likes the idea of having their favourite hobbies closer to home and who wouldn't like to be able to watch their favourite film on a 960 inch screen?

Whilst the top five are standard of most luxury properties, the bottom four are a little more specialist. 1 in 4 people said they wanted either a wine cellar or an aquarium, 1 in 5 people said they wanted a bowling alley and 17 % of those asked, said they’d like a personal nightclub.

Looking at the table, the people of Britain obviously shun some of the more unrealistic, mega luxury features, in favour of more practical (maybe not so much the nightclub) luxuries.

For many young people, renting a home is their first face-to-face with the seemingly complex world of the property market, which can be a scary, stressful and overwhelming experience.

But never fear, because we’ve broken down the process into four bite size stages, to ease you into renting your first home.

Stage 1: Hunting for the Right Property
Your first dip in the pool of properties will probably make you feel as though you’re drowning in homes. Try not to feel overwhelmed, and embrace the options! McCartan Lettings has a range of properties which you can filter according to your needs.

Once you find a property, make sure you arrange a viewing before you hand over any money. You could even check the property out on Google Street View.

Stage 2: You’re in safe hands
Using an estate agent comes with fees, but at the end of the day you’re paying for the security that comes through using them as a middle man. It’s a good idea to meet the estate agent beforehand, to check they’re legitimate and to get some more information on the property. 

You can rest assured that the correct contracts will be in place, securing you more as a tenant and giving you more rights should you have any problems. Look out for recognition that the Estate Agent is a member of an industry redress scheme (with logos such as these below) to make sure you’re in the best hands.

Stage 3: Contracts & Vital Information
Once all parties are satisfied, you’ll receive a contract and a tenancy agreement. We know you’ve been waiting a long time for this, but don’t be tempted to just sign them both and ask “when can I move in?” Take the time to read them thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask about anything that was unexpected or if you need something clarifying.

Some of the vital information you’ll need:
• What does the rent cover? Are bills included or extra? (it’s more commonly the tenant)
• What is the move in date and how long is the tenancy for? Also when will you get the keys.
• What are the rules regarding the property? I.e. are kids, pets, smoking, storing a bike allowed?
• Contact details. Who will you need to contact in the event a winter storm rips the chimney off?

Stage 4: Walk Through and Deposit
You’ve dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s, they’ve given you the keys, and it’s almost time for you to move in. There’s just a few more important things to do.

Firstly do a walk-through of the house, preferably with the estate agent and create an inventory of any faults or discrepancies that you find. If possible, take pictures (preferably make sure there’s a time stamp!). This will act as proof they weren’t caused by you when you move out. You should then sign the inventory and keep a copy for yourself. 

After you’ve moved in, your landlord or Estate Agent has a legal responsibility to add your deposit to an accredited, government approved deposit scheme within 30 days. Once they have done so they’ll send you a certificate of validation, so make sure you receive this.