Lets Talk with Citylets

Episode 64 hears Matthew Bringloe, Service Manager for Aberdeen Cyrenians’ ‘Settled Homes for All’ initiative, talk about the empty homes crisis in Aberdeen and how they aim to get these homes back into use, to help support those in need as well as landlords.

Episode 63 features Business Development Director, Louis Daillencourt discussing Novoville’s Shared Repairs App, which the City of Edinburgh Council introduced to help owners of housing blocks deal with shared repairs. Described as a ‘game changer’, the app integrates all aspects of the repairs process benefiting owners and property professionals too.

Managing Director of Grant Fairbairn Property Leasing joins Lets Talk for episode 62 to share his views on the recent Scottish Government announcement on the rent freeze for existing tenancies and the moratorium on evictions. Grant also discusses the housing crisis including the Glasgow student market, and speaks about his recent office relocation to Edinburgh.

Portfolio landlord, Fred Lawson joins Lets Talk for episode 61 to discuss how he built a property portfolio in his 70’s. Owning long and short-term let properties in Edinburgh and East Lothian, Fred offers helpful advice to existing landlords and those considering investing in property in current times.

Managing Director of Cullen Property, Steve Coyle joins Lets Talk for episode 60 to discuss the pro’s and con’s of letting out a property short term or long term. Steve also considers the new legislation for the licensing of all short term lets and shares his view on whether it will have any long term effects on the private residential lettings market.

Episode 59 features Steve Cox, Account Executive at Alan Boswell Group. Steve discusses important factors regarding landlord insurance and common mistakes landlords make when arranging their cover. Steve also talks about insurance for tenants.

Episode 58 features director and owner of Gas Care Domestic Ltd, Sean Harper, sharing advice and information on full compliancy for buy to let properties in Scotland.

Episode 57 hears Nicki Wise, a professional who lives with her husband and their youngest child in Edinburgh, share her experience of renting as a family in Scotland and her views of current rent levels, SNP and the Green’s proposed ‘New Deal for Tenants‘ and the main focal points of the ‘Rented Sector Strategy’.

Portolio’s Chris Wood and Ross MacDonald feature on Episode 56 of Citylets Lets Talk and provide an update on the market and offer advice on achieving a good price for a tenanted property. They describe the process from the tenant’s perspective and discuss portfolio sales too.

Episode 55 features Rory Cowan, partner at BKF & Co. Rory provides updates on Coronavirus legislation and discusses the proposals of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill 2022 currently going through parliament. Rory also discusses the proposed PRS rent controls within the Scottish Government and Green’s ‘New Deal for Tenants’ as well as offers advice to landlords experiencing rent...

Managing Director of Dundee based Finlayson Gore, Eilidh Finlayson joins Lets Talk for episode 54 to share her views on the current Dundee rental market and legislative matters such as EPC requirements and the discretionary grounds for possession.

Episode 53 hears Director of Mill Architects, Richard Webb give advice on different styles of property conversions, from attic space to basements as well as commercial to residential.

Crew members from the only Scottish team in the 2021 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (sponsored by Citylets), describe in detail their experiences of rowing for 5 weeks unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean.

Associate and Conservation Architect with Mill Architects, Jo Parry-Geddes answers questions that are often asked by landlords regarding housing standards and repairs in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). Citylets Lets Talk is brought to you in association with ARLA Propertymark Scotland

Managing Director, John Cox and Business Development Manager, Neill Bukes of Cox and Co, join Lets Talk for episode 50 to discuss their new business projection - expanding their team as well as how they ensure they have the right ‘fit’ in their office dynamics for delivering success.

Episode 49 features Managing Director of Aspray Glasgow West, John Strange explaining who Aspray are and what they do. John also talks about their support to local sports teams such as St Mirren and Glasgow Clan Ice Hockey, as well as his involvement with Glasgow East Alcohol Awareness Project.

Episode 48 hears Directors of Edinburgh based letting agent Clan Gordon, Jonathan and Andrew Gordon, review how they coped through the pandemic, ensuring no tenant evictions or staff redundancies; indeed, they recruited more staff. They also discuss their recent awards scoops, the current Edinburgh rental market and their views on PRS legislation in Scotland and the UK.

Former Dundee Housing Convenor and Housing Justice Campaigner, Jimmy Black, joins Lets Talk for episode 47 to share his views on the Dundee rental market as well as the Scottish private rented sector. Jimmy also talks about his time as a radio broadcaster for BBC Scotland and his passion for piping.

Managing Director and owner of Northwood Aberdeen, Laura Mearns and Director, Matt Pullinger feature on episode 46 of LetsTalk. Following a unique period in the private rented sector for Scotland, Laura and Matt discuss Aberdeen’s rental market during quarter 3 and the past year. They talk about their new satellite office that opened this year in Inverurie and also what attracts tenants and invest...

Mark Hastie, Manager of Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL), a subsidiary of Port of Leith Housing Association, features on episode 45 of LetsTalk. With over 360 mid-market rental (MMR) homes spread across 13 locations in Edinburgh, and another 188 MMR homes in the pipeline, Mark discusses the developments in detail as well the eligibility criteria and application process. He also shares his love of...

Business Development Manager of Northwood Edinburgh, Lewis Mallen, features on episode 44 of Lets Talk to discuss the Edinburgh market during Q3 2021, the Dubai investment market and the uniqueness of Northwood. Lewis also tells host, Gillian Semmler about his new gin company that he started up in lockdown.

Policy and Campaigns Manager for ARLA Propertymark Scotland, Daryl McIntosh, joins Lets Talk for episode 43 to discuss SNP’s ‘Housing to 2040 document’ as well as the Govt’s agreement with the Greens to deliver ‘a new deal for tenants’ as part of their ‘Rented Sector Strategy’.

Founder and Managing Director of Glasgow Property Letting (GPL), Colin Macmillan, features on episode 42 of Lets Talk to discuss the Glasgow lettings market. Colin also chats about his agency, staff and their values, as well as mentions about his tennis skills!

Direct of Lettings at Rettie & Co, Karen Turner, joins Lets Talk for episode 41 to chat about the company, its services, the Scottish rental market and, in particular, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Karen discusses aspects of the market in relation to Citylets findings from their Q2 21 report and what we may expect from Q3 21.

Clive Rooney, crew member of ‘Five in a Row’, the only Scottish boat in the challenge, and sponsored by Citylets, features on episode 40 of LetsTalk. Described as the ‘World’s Toughest Rowing Race’, Clive chats about all aspects of the crossing, from the physical and mental challenges - to the training and preparation - as well as the extreme conditions they will endure during the four to six week...