August 2004

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to"

- John De Pearce

Telephone Answering Machine
If you have reason to telephone our office and leave a message on the answering machine, then please leave your details clearly. Your name, return telephone information number and a short message would assist.


Letting
Did you know that we also offer a fully comprehensive letting service? For more details contact letting@grantandwilson.co.uk We can offer a full rental/management package at cost effective rates to landlords in buildings we already factor. Do not get caught out by the HMO licence requirement, the maximum fine is £5,000.00 - contact us today for more information.

Moving Check List
To make sure that everything goes smoothly on moving day, it pays to be prepared in the week before it arrives.
Utilities: have you arranged meter readings for your existing property and readings/connections for your utilities in your new property.
Telephone: even if you have a mobile phone do not forget to organise taking over the phone at your new home.
Keys: date, time and place where you deposit/collect the keys for your existing and new properties.
Mortgage: when will your solicitor receive the money?
Redemption Statements: does your solicitor have them?
Deeds: are these with your solicitor? Ask for a copy to familiarise yourself with the do's and don'ts in your property.
Removals: does the firm know where and when to turn up? Do they have full insurance for loss/breakage of your possessions? Who is doing the packing? Will they disconnect your washing machine/dishwasher etc.
(Please check that all re-plumbing is water tight on first use.)

Insurance Claims
In the recent review of insurance, there have been growing numbers of water damage between flats. These come about by water ingress from defective seals around baths/shower trays or from washing machines/dishwashers.
We are concerned as the number of claims grow it has an adverse effect on the loss ratio that in the long term may affect the premium or excess. We want to protect owners as much as possible so please have kitchen equipment checked and reseal baths / showers if in any doubt.
It is estimated that teenagers cause £134million worth of insurance damage each year in property by accidental damage, breakages, flooding etc.

Asbestos
Thank you for returning the asbestos questionnaires. We are sorting all of these out at present and will write to owners to update when a survey can be instructed.For owners in modern property we await "Comfort" letters from developers and will advise further when these are received by us.

Contractors List
Please make sure that you use the services of the contractors with caution as at weekend or out of hours costs are greater. If the repair can wait to the next working day, then it will be more cost effective if a private or common repair is arranged.