Lets Talk With Citylets

In episode 91, Louise Amos, Director of Lismore Asset Management, shares insights from her extensive career in the property industry, focusing on Lismore's specialised services, including Build to Rent (BTR) consultancy. Louise discusses the challenges facing BTR development in Scotland, the impact of recent legislative changes, and strategies to attract investment back into the sector. She also highlights Lismore's unique approach to property management, consultancy, and collaboration with companies like Urban Bubble.

Episode 90 of Lets Talk features Daryl McIntosh, CEO of Share, talking about the organisation's recent ventures and initiatives. Daryl discusses Share's expansion into the private rented sector, the creation of a learning portal for tenants, and the launch of a mentoring program to support the Scottish housing industry. He also discusses the benefits of the new Scottish Factoring Network and its impact on the housing sector.

Episode 89 features Lizzie McGhie, Lettings Negotiator with C~urb PSL (Private Sector Leasing) part of Link Housing Group, highlighting its benefits for both landlords and tenants. Lizzie shares her background and journey to her current role, addresses landlord concerns, and explains the property criteria and effective regions for PSL. She also outlines the steps for landlords interested in joining the scheme. Tune in to learn how PSL is making a positive impact on the housing market.

Episode 88 features Sophie Strand, Director of Business Development at Belvoir Edinburgh. Sophie shares insights from her career in high-profile property companies and her current role at Belvoir. She discusses the core values that guide Belvoir Edinburgh and the advantages of their franchise model. Sophie explains the benefits of using a letting agent, the essential steps to ensure a property is compliant and habitable, and how agents keep up with legal changes. This episode also covers Edinburgh’s current rental market and the effects of political and economic factors on the property sector.

Episode 87 features Angela Stewart, Founder and Managing Director of Edinburgh's Remeo. She discusses the company's journey since its establishment in 2011 and her collaboration with Susan Godfrey. Angela talks about their backgrounds and how their skills benefit Remeo's services; covering corporate and private relocation, plus home management. Angela shares insights into addressing diverse client needs and overcoming relocation challenges, while also discussing evolving trends influenced by remote work. She describes Remeo's commitment to customer satisfaction, as well as their involvement with local charity Fresh Start who help thousands of tenants a year make a new home for themselves.

Episode 86 of Lets Talk features Andrew Williamson from Aberdein Considine. With more than 15 years of industry expertise and an array of qualifications, Andrew provides valuable insights into his professional journey, his recent return to Aberdein Considine, and key developments within the sector. We explore property refurbishment approaches, rental market dynamics, and the student rental market landscape. Andrew also shares amusing anecdotes from his time in letting and discusses his passion for running and charity work.

In episode 85 of Let's Talk, Harry Crombie, Lettings and New Business Manager at 'Burgh Property, provides valuable insights into the Scottish property market. From discussing 'Burgh's background and recent merger with Clyde Property to predicting rental market trends in 2024. Harry offers his perspectives on navigating changes and consolidations in the industry. He also shares advice for landlords and aspiring professionals, while reflecting on personal milestones that have shaped his perspective on life and priorities.

Episode 84 of Lets Talk, features Michelle Christie, Managing Consultant of JIL (Jobs in Letting) - a specialist recruitment agency for the Scottish property industry. With over 30 years of first-hand experience, Michelle provides invaluable insights into property recruitment. She discusses JIL's evolution, from its origins in PRS lettings to its expansion into diverse property sectors. Michelle offers advice for individuals interested in pursuing a career in property, and provides practical guidance for candidates transitioning into the industry. From interview preparation to cultural fit assessment, Michelle shares essential tips for success in property recruitment.

Lets Talk celebrates its five year anniversary by inviting back our first guest, Charlie Inness, Head of Business Development at Glenham Property. Hear about Charlie's rich experience in residential property investment, from his early career to owning his own properties. Explore his pivotal role in establishing investment sourcing services during the rise of Buy to Let, and gain insights into the unique expertise he brings to Glenham's clients. Discover the latest refurbishment projects undertaken by Glenham, Charlie's first-hand experience with the BRRR (buy, renovate, refinance, rent) model for property investment, and his expert analysis of the current residential lettings market in Edinburgh. Plus, get exclusive predictions on mortgage rates, insights into the impact of rent control measures, and valuable advice for landlords navigating the evolving rental landscape.

Episode 82 features John Cox, Managing Director of Cox & Co, and Business Development Manager, Neill Bukes covering a range of key matters for landlords today, including investment strategies, navigating issues affecting buy to let mortgages, current rental market conditions in Scotland, and the recently announced tapered approach to rent controls from April 2024.

Episode 81 features Kirstie Donnelly, an Associate Solicitor with TC Young, discussing the issues of anti-social behaviour (ASB) of tenants and Wrongful Termination Orders (WTO), and the First-tier process.

Edinburgh based portfolio landlord, Iftikhar Ali, joins Lets Talk for episode 80 to share his views on the current rental market as well as the Scottish Government’s rent caps and proposals for A New Deal for Tenants. Having previously worked as a qualified mortgage advisor, Iftikhar discusses the challenges and how to overcome them, in securing mortgages to enable continued viability for buy to lets during a time of higher interest rates.

Episode 79 features Brian Geddes, Managing Director of R J Building Surveying Ltd discussing why there is an ever increasing requirement to regularly inspect and maintain properties. Brian talks through the dangers of building neglect and highlights reports that can increase the value of a property.

Founder of Edinburgh based Watt Property, Angela Watt, joins Lets Talk for episode 78 to share her views on the current Edinburgh rental market and legislative matters, such as the regulations for lead in drinking water, due to take effect from March 2024.

Episode 77 features Director of Edinburgh based Chapmans, Laura Chapman, giving advice to landlords who have experienced a significant increase in costs and feel it necessary to raise rents higher than the stipulated cap.

CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), Fiona Campbell, joins Lets Talk for episode 76 to discuss the serious concerns of the measures introduced by the Scottish Government to regulate the short-term lettings industry.

Branch Manager of Glasgow Property Letting, Michelle O’Donnell, joins Lets Talk for episode 75 to discuss the different types of pest infestations that can commonly occur in Scottish rental properties, how to identify them, their cause and how they can be eliminated.

Episode 74 features CEO of SHARE, Daryl McIntosh explaining about the organisation and the wide range of courses, qualifications and support that it provides to Scottish Housing Associations. Daryl also gives his views on the Scottish Government’s emergency legislation and housing policies.

Episode 73 features Ross Leiper and Lyndsay Yuille from RentLocally discussing marketing strategies in today’s rental market. They also talk about the contributing factors on both the supply and demand side and offer valuable advice to landlords, whether they are considering leaving the market or planning to invest further.

Episode 72 features founder of Colin McShane Interior Styling. Colin talks about the different services that his company provides and describes the main elements and benefits of home staging and interior styling in properties. Colin also talks about his company’s other services such as full or part refurbishments.