News

CGT wish all their Landlords and Tenants a happy and prosperous 2012.

We are also proud to announce that 2012 is our 25^th year in business, 1987 – 2012.CGT Lettings – The Region’s Leading Letting Agent

David Baker, Managing Director of CGT Lettings, (pictured below) has warned tenants to be aware of recent research from Shelter that confirms rogue landlords are blighting the lives of more and more people across the country.

The housing and homelessness charity contacted every local authority in England to build a picture of both the scale of the problem with rogue landlords and what is being done to tackle it.

Local authorities admit there are 1,477 known landlords who are giving local authorities continued cause for concern and repeatedly making tenants’ lives a misery. Of particular worry, the responses show that complaints about serious and potentially life-threatening hazards, including dangerous gas and electrics, have risen by 25 per cent over the past two years.

David Baker added, ‘with more people choosing to rent than buy, in some parts of the UK twice the number of people are renting than owning their own home, then I believe that we are going to hear of more and more cases which gives cause for concern’.

‘It is understandable that some tenants will be solely focused on the property that they want to rent, and not question the landlords integrity, or knowledge of the law. Tenants should be aware that their landlord has a legal obligation to protect their deposit with a custodial scheme, provide safety certificates relating to the gas and electrics, and supply an energy performance certificate confirming the energy efficiency of the property’.

‘At CGT Lettings we are licensed members of ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents) and are bound by a strict code of contact, deposits are protected, and all staff are professionally qualified to offer up to date advice and guidance’.

For further information visit www.cgtlettings.co.uk

All 4 offices of CGT Lettings have achieved their annual targets, bringing the companies managed property portfolio to an all time high.

Commenting on their success David Baker, Managing Director of CGT Lettings said, “It’s been a fantastic year for CGT Lettings.  Despite increased competition we have proved that by providing a specialist and knowledgeable service, together with competitive fees, we can continue to develop and grow our business.

I’m also proud that we have such loyal and long serving staff, who work tirelessly to provide a first class service for both our Landlords and Tenants.  Without such wonderful and dedicated people our business would not be as successful as it is.”

From left to right, Justin Lawrence, David Baker, Anne Horton, Lynne Wheatley and Tracey Fisher.

CGT Lettings have offices in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Quedgeley.

Directors and Managers from CGT Lettings recently attended the annual ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) Conference held at the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith, London on Tuesday 1^st March 2011.

The Conference brings together members and exhibitors from all over the UK and this year approximately 500 people were in attendance.

Speakers included Susan Hughes-Thomas, President of ARLA, Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) and David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times.

David Smith talked about the continual increase in the private rented sector with the projection that by 2019 owner occupied properties will continue to reduce from the current 68% to 63%, whilst private rental households will increase from 14% to 21% by 2019. This also takes into account a continual reduction of social housing households.

Also in attendance was Christopher Hamer, The Property Ombudsman, who gave an insight into his role of resolving disputes between consumers and residential letting agents in the UK.

As well as serious issues the Conference included some role play with Ian Potter, Operations Director of ARLA, playing the role of ‘Ivor Con’, a letting agent who lets a property for a Landlord only to fall foul of the law and being brought to Court and fined accordingly.

David Baker, Managing Director of CGT Lettings, commented, ‘although the role play was intended to be light hearted and humorous, the underlying theme was serious, and highlighted the consequences of not being fully acquainted with the Housing Act and associated regulations’.

The buy-to-let specialist lender is offering three 2 year trackers from 3.30%, a 3 year tracker from 3.60% and three 2 year fixed rate deals from 4.25%.  Loan-to-values across the range vary from 60% to 75%, and all products have a 2% fee up to a minimum of £2,000.

The products, which are aimed at small landlord investors planning to expand their portfolios, are available for single, self-contained properties and applicants are required to have a minimum income of £40,000 per annum.

As lenders become keener to lend, the buy-to-let mortgage market is set to become more competitive during 2011 providing better deals for landlords. This week has seen the release of a new buy-to-let product available up to 85% loan-to-value. See below for information (lower rates at lower LTVs are also available).

These products are also available to first time landlords. An application fee will normally apply.

For further details and for other products available, please visit www.arlamortgages.co.uk or telephone 029 2069 5441 to speak to the ARLA Mortgages support team

David Baker, Managing Director of CGT Lettings Ltd, believes that high demand for private residential lettings will be a long term trend.

The level of rental demand is a great incentive for any landlord contemplating expanding their portfolio.  According to 70% of members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents, of which CGT are licensed members, there are currently more tenants than rental properties.

David added, “The population is growing, there are an increasing number of single person households, together with rising levels of net migration and an expanding student base.  Also couples are getting married and having children later in life, so are delaying buying their own home, whilst the chronic UK housing shortage, and a general lack of residential mortgages, makes buying an owner-occupied house more difficult.”

CGT Lettings have recently taken delivery of 3 new Seat Ibiza cars from the Seat Blade dealership in Gloucester.

The bright yellow cars have been specially sign written using the Company’s colours and logos.

David Baker, Managing Director of CGT commented, ‘We think that the cars look really bright and attractive. We’ve no doubt that people will see us coming!’

Photos show 3 x cars (left) and Peter Stephens of Blade Group handing keys to David Baker (right). Also in the photograph (Left to right) are Justin Lawrence, Natasha Styles, Tracey Fisher and Paula Baldwin of CGT Lettings.

PARAGON, the buy to let lender, has announced this week that it is to resume lending again for the first time in nearly two years.

This is obviously good news to any investor looking to increase their property portfolios.  The full article can be read by clicking on the link below.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d763c7e8-cbad-11df-a4f5-00144feab49a.html