Integra Activity

The last few weeks have been dominated by work with agents helping them get prepared for life after tenant fees. This has ranged from undertaking full Lettings Health Checks to specific consultations on key elements of compliance and commerciality.

I have also run several training courses, both open and for individual businesses, on money laundering and consumer protection regulations, both of which remain firmly in the spotlight with the supervisory authorities – HMRC and Trading Standards – becoming ever more vigilant in their policing of the sector.

Referral fees are now in the spotlight and Trading Standards have made it clear that, as these are regarded as “material information” they must be declared in a timely and transparent fashion and they will use Consumer Protection Regulations to prosecute those that fail to comply.

My last open course in May was so heavily subscribed that I had to secure a larger room at the venue. My next course, which has been updated will run in London on September 25th. Booking are being taken now. Details here:

I am fortunate to continue to attract new clients, often as a result of recommendations from others. This is obviously the best way to win new business and I am very grateful to everyone who appreciates what I do enough to introduce me to others. Thank you.

Other recent projects have included producing the website content for a new development business being run by three industry professionals, two of whom I had worked for previously in other capacities.

I have recently had the pleasure of judging the LFS Conveyancing Awards and the Property Press Awards. The Property Press Awards were distributed at an event in London during May and the conveyancing awards night is in Birmingham in September.

I have both chaired and attended industry round table discussions on money laundering compliance and trends in the industry. Both events were in London and had a good cross section of operators from across the industry, both agents and suppliers.

I have also recently been interviewed by Christopher Watkin and this resulted in a series of eleven short interview videos that can be found in the news section of my website or via various social media channels. A wide range of topics were discussed including compliance, business development, staff training, management and development, selling a lettings business and the estate agency industry’s relationship with Rightmove.

In May, wearing my teclet hat (we were a main category sponsor), I had the pleasure of attending the ESTAS and catching up with many of the great and good from across the industry. I personally hold three ESTAS and these awards have gone from strength to strength over their sixteen year history.

Mention of teclet means that I must give a plug for this innovative platform that is transforming the way in which lettings and renewals are handled. The strapline of make money, save costs and improve service has never been more apt or relevant and our list of agency subscribers is rapidly increasing. You can find out more at www.teclet.com

Looking ahead, June will see me attend the prestigious LonRes Summer party in London and have the opportunity to network with hundreds of their agency members who attend.

The property market is certainly never dull and, even though the market currently has many challenges, it is good to see so many of my clients embracing change and planning and implementing new strategies and approaches for a successful future.

If you would like to discuss how I could help you and your business, please make contact, it could be the best call you ever make!

Michael S Day MBA FRICS FNAEA FARLA
Managing Director