Our founding Partner Simon Thomas answered a confusing and topical question regarding management fees charged by Lettings Agents in  this week’s Sunday Times, his contribution appearing next to a rather scary picture of a cockoach!

Q – I let out a flat through an agency. I was told I would be charged fees of 11% plus Vat for a first-year contract, which would go down to 7% plus Vat for the second. They are now charging 11% for the second year. I was told 7% verbally, so it’s my word against theirs: what can I do? 
Dylan Watkins, by email

A – The trouble you will have is lack of evidence: as you say, it’s one person’s word against another, and the burden will be on you to prove what you assert. The best course of action is to raise your grievance at management level within the agency, to see whether they will settle this issue in your favour.

There is nothing to stop you from seeking legal recourse, but you should weigh up the costs and potential benefits of spending time, trouble and money on resolving this.

Always good to see our name in print particularly if we are helping someone out. It’s all part of the service!

My colleague Rebecca Motherwell and myself were delighted to be invited to Saturday’s rugby at Kingsholm courtesy of Cotswold Style magazine.

Although neither of us can be described as rugger fans we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and managed to watch most of the match from an excellent viewpoint in the 1873 Club.

At least I now know the difference beween a try and a conversion!

Nikki Allen joins us directly from the NHS, a suprising change of direction. Nikki has always been passionately interested in conveyancing and is looking for the challenge that a new career will bring. Interestingly Nikki was  recruited via the medium of Twitter! We like to be different here at TLG and follow an innovative path whenever we can.

Hayley Jones  has been working in a Family Law Practice as a Legal Assistant. Hayley says she is “looking forward to working for an exciting, modern and ever expanding law firm, learning and developing skills within conveyancing which is a new area of law for me”

Last but not least welcome to Stephanie Johnson. Stephanie is a recent graduate from Durham University and is looking forward to beginning her working life in a fast paced and successful legal environment.

We are sure that all three will prove to be valuable assets to our business – good luck ladies!

He comments on the predicament of first time buyers in today’s difficult market place – helping out with some useful  advice on how long they might expect a typical property transaction to take in view of the imminent changes in stamp duty payable.

Check out the informative and helpful article -

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/homes_and_gardens/Move/article855693.ece

However, our own Managing Partner, Simon David, can indeed claim that right.

We would not normally post client testimonials on our News Page but this one is so exceptional how could we not?!

Simon recently acted for Clients Mr IM and Mrs KS J, and the service they received was apparently “unfailingly professional,reassuring,humorous and human,wonderful; we would recommend him to anyone without hesitation. In fact he has transformed our view of solicitors!”

Warm praise indeed.

We like to set the bar high here at TLG!

We have been lucky enought to receive a really nice letter back from The Smile Train – those of you who read the TLG news updates will be aware that we raised £80.00 for them via our Christmas Raffle this year.

A salutory reminder of how a little can go a very long way to make a difference in someone’s life.

That rare breed of first time buyers that actually have finance in place are acting with a greater degree of urgency to boost the market place, as they rush to get their house purchases completed by the end of March 2012 – when the holiday period ends.

Let’s hope that March does not see a drop in the amount of first time buyers actually looking for a home due to the changes – a negative impact that the property market certainly does not need.

http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/First-time-buyers-plan-to-beat-stamp-duty-deadline

http://www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk/hsbc-radical-separate-representation-move-splits-market-cms-864

Here at TLG we are determined that these changes will have minimal effect – we shall continue to give value for money and an excellent professional service – many Clients are sure to agree this is well worth an extra £160.00. Watch this space fpr update…….

2011 was not an easy year for those of us whose livelihood depends on property and the probability is that 2012 will not see much change. However now is the time to be positive and there is much to be positive about here at TLG.

Last year saw really good business levels for us and we received many excellent testimonials and recommendations. We start this new year from a  position of strength and  we could not have done so without the ongoing support of our Agents and clients.

Of course it goes without saying – and therefore needs to be said! – that the hard work and dedication of all our staff helped to ensure this success.

 Bring on 2012!

http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/A-to-Z-of-the-year-weve-just-had

I have to say a personal favorite here at TLG has to be “Under Offer” the hilariously funny – and scarily accurate?! – spoof video of London Estate Agency starring Douglas and Gordon Estate Agents.  Take a look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE-DOISzue0

Finally, a happy 2012 to all our Clients, old and new, and a big thank you for your support and custom. Lets hope that 2012 brings stability back to the property market and proves to be more prosperous than all those negative predictions.