As a joke, I read out the formula to my son and It was as though I had changed the bed sheets for tin foil and the carpet for cardboard – the look he gave me as though I were mad – followed by THAT look from my son and “no mum, physics doesn’t work like that.”
Which is why I stick with obviously bad jokes and quotes.
I will have to do some research on fireworks – to know which one will give me bang for the buck.
Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off. – Tommy Cooper
Dear all,
It has been a busy and a strange week. The COP26 certainly has got the city buzzing, and due to the road closures we are having to rearrange works and visits to properties in the city. The news coverage by American news network CNN in Edinburgh was an interesting choice, but nice to see the castle in our Capital getting some exposure.
Following on from last weeks email about Aspray, if an insurance claim is going to be made we will need your insurance details. It may be an idea to send the details through so we can have them uploaded and on the system. Obviously we never want cause to start a claim, but I think being prepared just in case is always wise.
The documents will be uploaded to the landlord section of your log in.
Power to the people
Neil Swanson from EVA Scotland thinks landlords should take advantage of new government funding
The Scottish Government has created new funding to help enable electric vehicle (EV) adoption by those who live in accommodation with shared or factored parking. One of the best ways to charge an EV is overnight at the driver’s home location, which is easy for those with dedicated, private off-street parking, but a huge challenge for approximately 40 per cent of the population who do not. While there is funding available through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and Transport Scotland for various on-street parking initiatives, those in factored accommodation and in areas with private shared parking were being left at a disadvantage. EVA Scotland highlighted this to Transport Scotland, contributing to the development of a new funding path for organisations that manage communal residential parking. The funding will cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing the infrastructure.
So why do it?
The proposed ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars is expected to be in place from 2030. Many manufacturers are looking likely to cease ICE production before that, matching the increased implementation of low and zero emission zones in town and cities. All of which means that drivers will be increasingly found in EVs, with prospective tenants seeing the provision of an EV charge facility for the property as much of an essential as heating. Properties with EV charging points installed are already seen as more desirable, both by prospective and current EV drivers. There are already studies suggesting that having an EV charge point can increase the value of a property. The opportunity to target this market early, with government support, is one to seriously consider.
How it works:
Each installation will be fairly unique, so getting a recognised installer to design and price before applying for funding is essential. Units can be wall or ground mounted with a wide range of options and aesthetics. Power distribution and billing varies with design. Where practicable, having the supply directly from the property simplifies the billing process. However, where power has to be taken from a dedicated landlord’s supply, a layer of administration is required. Typically, users start the charge using radio-frequency identity (RFID) cards, with billing managed via a back-office function. Users pay the costs associated with their card automatically via direct debit. Possibilities include making the points only available to registered cards, typically limited to tenants. However, visitors with suitable cards could also be potential users, with identical billing.
Pricing
The question of costs and tariffs is always contentious, so EVA Scotland offers a guidance document at bit.ly/LF_EV_ tariffs We would always advise to make the tariff as close as possible to users charging from their own supply. Too high and no one will use the infrastructure, too low and it stops being financially viable.
Summary
Is it worth it? We think if you want to remain competitive in the marketplace, then this should be seen as an essential. Looking to the new build market, many already come with EV charging, with planning in Scotland set to mandate the provision in new build properties, for both private and communal parking areas.
See www.eva.scot for more information
CityLets report – Demandemic
What began as a resurgence of tenant demand late in Q2 2021 quickly evolved into what many letting agents in Scotland have described as simply the strongest and most sustained period of lettings activity on record. Stock levels in Scotland plummeted a full 65% over the quarter.
Strong rental growth was recorded in cities, towns and rural regions of up to more than 10%. Larger properties again, in general, continued to post the largest annual growth driving the Scottish average up 4.7% year on year to a new all time high of £906 per month.
Edinburgh returned to positive annual growth with Glasgow continuing its relentless steep rise, now at 10.3% YOY, where market fundamentals have likely been further pressured by the upcoming COP26 conference.
For a full view of the quarter’s trends with market overview please see report here:
https://www.citylets.co.uk/research/reports/property-rental-report-scotland-2021-q3/
- Stocks levels reduce 65% in a single quarter
- Widespread, unprecedented demand pushes rents higher
- Larger properties continue to outperform
- City, town and rural properties all experience high demand
- Glasgow and Dundee post annual growth over 10%
Colin Macmillan – Glasgow Property Letting “Q3 has seen unprecedented demand for properties in the private rented sector. There has been a limited supply of quality property available and this has led to inflated rental values across the city. The traditional student rush for properties has also been in the mix as many universities and colleges have decided to carry out face to face learning culminating in a late surge of demand for traditional student hotspots. With COP26 looming many landlords are seeking to profit from the short term rental demand opportunities available to delegates and visitors for the duration of the conference and we may well see these properties arrive on the market around the turn of the year.”
Affordable warmth for your tenants
In the next weeks Robin and I are hoping to attend on line sessions with Scottish Association of Landlords chief executive John Blackwood , Alan Cole from Changeworks and Rory Hill, Home Energy Scotland (HES).
Which will be an opportunity to hear about the help and support that is available to tenants, and to landlords through HES to help keep rental homes warm and affordable for tenants to live in. There is an event next week, but it is for the South East Scotland tenants, and I am hopefully that there will be similar sessions for the west.
Take care and stay safe, especially tomorrow night –
“Remember, Remember the Fifth of November”
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!
Kindest Regards
Michelle ODonnell
Branch Manager
17 Elmbank Street
Glasgow
G2 4PB
0141 221 3990
Registration number LARN1903009
VAT : 174415411
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