The last few weeks have seen a hectic schedule of work based around compliance and, in particular, the changes to Money Laundering Regulation that came into effect on June 26th.
A number of sold out training courses have been run as well as individual programmes for businesses. I have carried out a number of branch visit audits with follow up recommendations on paperwork and procedures.
My next open course is on 27th September but at the time of writing there were just 2 places remaining on the afternoon session. Full details can be found here:
In working with agents I have been amazed at how out of date so much of their documentation is. I regularly find reference to the Property Misdescriptions Act (repealed in 2013) or out of date versions of various legislation. Having up to date, legal and compliant terms and conditions of business not only makes the organisation look professional but also reduces the chances of argument and dispute over any inaccurate or incorrect clauses.
The volume of mentoring activity with managers and business owners has also increased significantly and I now have several clients where I work with individuals and groups to improve management and leadership skills and performance.
The proposed ban on tenant fees is beginning to tax the minds of letting agents and I am working with several agents on reshaping their business models to fit the new order of things. There are undoubted threats to lettings operators through this change but also significant opportunities.
I was delighted to hear that Integra has been shortlisted as finalists in The Negotiator Awards again in 2017. I am competing in the professional support category.
This is my fifth consecutive year as a finalist. To date I have always been a “bridesmaid” – it would be nice to actually get to the altar this time!
A new guide to the industry’s best suppliers has just been launched, rated by agent clients. If you are a past or present client of Integra and have taken advantage of any services that I have provided, I would really appreciate you taking two minutes of your time to provide a rating here:
The next few weeks will see me undertake the judging for the International Building Press Journalism Awards - I am proud to have been a judge of these awards for 17 consecutive years.
September will aslo see the LFS Conveyancing conference and awards held on the NEC site in Birmingham. I have been a judge of these awards since their inception and it is always a great event and an opportunity to catch up with the great and the good from the conveyancng industry.
My diary for the remainder of 2017 is filling up nicely and a challenging year looks set to be a good one overall. My 2018 diary is now taking bookings and the challenges of the tenant fee ban and new data protection legislation will, alongside the usual rigours of running successful businesses, mean there will be plenty of projects to work on with clients as we go forward.
As always, I welcome the opportunity to talk about any issues, plans etc. you may have and where my vast experience and pragmatic, practical and positive approach an be of assistance.
Michael S Day MBA FRICS FNAEA
Managing Director