Steyn Blog

Namaste

Alana Auld — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:27:06 +0000

We would like to say thank you to Susan for running our weekly office yoga sessions.

Yoga has been a great way to destress after a busy day!

For more information on Susan's classes, check out her website http://www.wee-yogi.co.uk/

Namaste!

Race For Life 2011

Alana Auld — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:09:54 +0000

The girls of Steyn Lettings and friends are taking part in the Race For Life in Edinburgh on 19th June 2011.

Any donation no matter how big or small will make a huge difference and will only take a few minutes of your time!

Thanks for all your support

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/clairegriffiths1302

Celebrating 20 Years!

Alana Auld — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:18:01 +0000

A big thank you to Lettingweb.com for the delightful cake to celebrate Steyn Lettings 20th birthday.

It is much appreciated and certainly brightened up our Wednesday!

Database Upgrade

Alana Auld — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:47:55 +0000

As innovative letting agents, we have recently upgraded our property database in order to improve our service to landlords and tenants.

Landlords and tenants will shortly receive an email with log-in and password details, which will allow access to several features of the database.

Access will be available under the Client Log-in section of the website. Once you receive email notification of your log-in details, please follow the instructions to set-up your client log-in.

We hope this feature will be beneficial and welcome any feedback you may have once you begin using this service.

Baby Layla

Alana Auld — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:45:26 +0000

Congratulations to office manager Paula, and husband Steven on the birth of beautiful baby Layla!

Born on Saturday 26 March 2011 (12 days late!) weighing 7lb 6oz.

We wish Layla a lifetime of health and happiness!

New Database

Paula Hyslop — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:15:43 +0000

Happy New Year!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new database which is designed to help with all areas of the letting process. For landlords, your statements will be in a different format from before, but the content will remain the same, and statement number will remain consecutive to your last one. Landlords and tenants will soon be issued with unique login details so that you can view your account online. You will be able to view various documents such as the lease, inventory and safety checks, as well as monitoring financial transactions. Details for this will follow. We may experience some teething problems so please bear with us while we make the transition. We are confident that the changes will be improvements and hope that you will agree. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

New Landlords Wanted

Paula Hyslop — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:33:37 +0000

We are urgently seeking new properties to manage! Due to popular demand, we have let nearly all of our vacant properties. Please contact our office and we can provide you with a lettings pack and an appointment for our property manager to meet you at your property.

Congratulations Paula & Steven

Alana Auld — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:44:38 +0000

The 1st May 2010 saw the holy matrimony of 2 of our staff members! Paula Marrian, Office Manager married Steven Hyslop, Lettings Negotiator at Aberdour Church, followed by a glamorous reception at the George Hotel, Edinburgh. Paula looked stunning in her Vera Wang gown (Joke!) and handsome Steven sported a modern style kilt. Leigh Hyslop, another Steyn Lettings member, and sister of Steven was one of the 3 beautiful bridesmaids and looked very pretty in purple!

The wedding was attended by the Steyn Lettings gang and a good time was had by all!

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs H - we wish you a very happy life together.

Cannabis Cultivation

Paula Marrian — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:46:29 +0000

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and cultivations are a highly profitable business. Often controlled by organised crime groups, cultivations may have links with other major crimes such as money laundering, prostitution, and human trafficking.

Closer to home however, cannabis cultivations threaten our communities. The risk of property damage is intense. Fires are of particular concern. The cultivations use large amounts of heating and lighting equipment and criminals bypass the electricity meter to maximise profits and avoid detection. The cost of this stolen electricity is estimated to range from £25 000 - £250 000 per year which must then be paid for by the public.

The police service in Scotland, power suppliers and other key partners are working together to dismantle and disrupt cannabis factories. The police are looking for our support to help them to get rid of this increasing problem.

Please be vigilant and look for clues of a cannabis factory:

- The windows of the property are permanently covered from the inside

- There may be an unusual, strong or sweet smell from the premises or an excessive use of air freshner

- There may be noise coming from equipment on the premises

- Tenants may not live on the premises but visit regularly possibly at odd times

- Powerful lights on all day or night in the attic, roof space or other rooms

- Empty compost/fertiliser bags and gardening equipment in the bins or back garden

If you become suspicious, please contact Lothian and Borders Police.

Race For Life 2010

Alana Auld — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:41:29 +0000

On 13 June 2010 Steyn Lettings will be participating in the Race For Life. If you would like to sponsor us, please visit http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/steynlettings

Thank you!

Landlord Registration Scotland

Michael Steyn — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Compulsory residential property landlord registration comes into force from 30 April 2006 (revised from 31 March). Landlords letting properties must be registered with their local authority to ensure they are a fit and proper person.

What you need to know about registration

All landlords renting residential property in Scotland are required to register with their local authority by 30 April 2006. Any landlord who has not submitted a valid application by this date will be letting illegally. The principle fee for registration is £55 for each local authority in which you let property (subject to a 25% discount for second and subsequent authorities) and £11 for each property you own. A 10% discount is available if you apply online.

Further information and details about exemption are available by contacting your local authority (see contact details below) or by visiting the Better Renting Scotland website. To register online, go to Landlord Registration Scotland.

The Repairing Standard

Michael Steyn — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:50:55 +0000

As defined by Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 the landlord must ensure that the property meets the Repairing Standard. The Standard refers to maintaining the property and its contents in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.

One important implication is the requirement to have a mains powered smoke detection system. From the 3 September 2007, when a battery operated smoke detector fails it must be replaced with a mains powered system.

The tenant can now apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel (PRHP) if they feel the landlord has failed to meet the Repairing Standard. The PRHP has the power to instruct a landlord to carry out any necessary work. Further details on the PRHP may be found at: www.prhpscotland.gov.uk

Digital TV Switchover

Paula Marrian — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:46:48 +0000

Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region. This process is called digital switchover. The UK’s old television broadcast signal (known as “analogue”) is being switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. Any TV set or video recorder that’s not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes.

Not all landlords supply a TV set, but almost all properties have an aerial socket for the tenants to use. The landlord is responsible for ensuring the aerial and cabling can receive digital. Landlords who supply a TV need to make sure it can work on the digital signal.

Flats with communal TV systems will need to have the system upgrades. This will require co-ordination with other owners in the block, so it is a good idea to start early.

Additional information about going digital can be found at: www.digitaluk.co.uk

Energy Performance Certificates

Michael Steyn — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:40:50 +0000

One year on and EPC’s are still with us. To summarise, an EPC has to be produced for all dwellings which are rented to new tenants from 4 January 2009.

What is an EPC?

An EPC is a certificate which shows how “energy efficient” your property is, on a scale of A to G (much like the system used on washing machines and fridges) and makes recommendations for improvements. The improvements are not mandatory, however, tenants may use an EPC when deciding which property to rent, particularly if fuel bills continue to rise.

The EPC is produced by an qualified energy assessor and landlords are responsible for ensuring that an EPC is available to view by prospective tenants prior to letting a property. An EPC is valid for 10 years. From the 4 Jan 09 Steyn Lettings can only market & let properties which have valid EPC’s. The Scottish Government have produced an EPC information sheet for private landlords it can be found at:

http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/pdfs/EPC_Leaflet03.pdf

What will it cost?

We are currently negotiating a special discounted cost with our Domestic Energy Assessor.

Edinburgh Landlord Accreditation

Paula Marrian — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:55:31 +0000

Steyn Lettings was one of the first letting agents to be awarded Accreditation for exceeding the standards of service required by the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland.

Edinburgh Landlord Accreditation is being promoted be the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland as a means of improving services to Tenants and Landlords

For more information on ELA please visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ela