Lets Talk with Citylets

Chris Minchin, Director of Winchesters in Aberdeen, features on episode 39 of LetsTalk. The agency recently merged with CDM Lettings and Chris talks about the acquisition between the two companies, it’s new ethos, website and offices. Chris and host, Gillian Semmler, also discuss the current rental market in Aberdeen, as well as the challenges over the past year and half, due to the pandemic.

Professional landlord for over 18 years, Colin Pretty, features on episode 38 of LetsTalk. With a sizeable portfolio in Edinburgh, Colin gives his advice and thoughts on various aspects of buy to let including the effects of the pandemic.

Property developer, Vanessa Van De Velde, features on episode 37 of LetsTalk. A buy to let landlord for almost 10 years, Vanessa has also purchased properties to renovate and sell (flip) during that time. She offers insights and helpful advice for those considering investing in property as well as the pros and cons of different strategies. Vanessa also discusses the effects of the pandemic and Bre...

Owner and Managing Director of events company KD Media, Kirsten Speirs, features on episode 36 of LetsTalk. Now established for 20 years, KD Media hosts not only the Scottish Home Awards but five other awards programmes plus conferences and trade shows. Kirsten talks in detail about the Home Awards as well as the challenges brought about by the pandemic, how they overcame them and their plans for...

Branch Manager of Belvoir Perth, Aimi Lewis, discusses the effects of the pandemic over the past year on the Perth private rented sector. Aimi highlights the repercussions on agents, landlords and tenants alike, as well as the market itself. Having operated within the Dundee private rented sector too, Aimi makes comparisons between both cities’ markets during the pandemic.

Owner of Scottish Borders based CY Lettings, Camilla Younger, talks about the various challenges facing the Borders private rented sector. Camilla discusses her career in letting, including her 14 years with Rettie and Co, as well as the various services covered by her own private lettings consultancy. A keen contributor to the Peebles community, Camilla chats about her own interests and involveme...

CEO of LAR Housing Trust, Ann Leslie, talks about the aims and ethos of the organisation which is funded by loans, not grants, providing mid-market rental homes to Scotland. With 39 developments and a unique, canal-side church conversion confirmed as their next project, Ann discusses how LAR is contributing towards more affordable homes in Scotland.

Michelle Christie, manager of Edinburgh based Jobs in Letting (JIL) discusses how JIL operates differently from other recruitment companies serving the property industry. Michelle highlights the opportunities and challenges that significant technological changes have raised in her line of work and the need to match candidates with employers for sustainable success.

Owner and Managing Director of Citylets, Thomas Ashdown, recants the journey of his organisation from start up through to its now 21st year. Thomas discusses the challenges faced, healthy portal competition, his passion for local economy and interest in blockchain technology. Thomas also offers some thoughts to those considering setting up an online business. Host, Gillian Semmler, delves into Tho...

Operations Manager of SafeDeposits Scotland, Mike Smith, features on episode 30 of LetsTalk and highlights their deposit scheme, services and charitable trust. Mike also discusses a few case studies where deposit disputes have arisen and offers advice to all sides on how to avoid lengthy and complicated issues at the end of a tenancy. Host, Gillian Semmler, also chats to Mike about his musical and...

Episode 29 of #LetsTalk hears Jack Gallagher, founder of Western Lettings, chatting to Gillian Semmler about his agency’s recent award at the Scottish Home Awards. Jack also talks about how the pandemic affected their specific lettings market and what his predictions are for Glasgow in quarter 4.

Rick McCann, Director of At Home in Edinburgh, joins Gillian Semmler for Episode 28 of #LetsTalk. Rick and his wife, Vicky, decided to use lockdown to bring about significant changes to their family business; moving premises, completing a full rebranding and introducing a new brand slogan, ‘believe in a friendly that works’. Rick also discusses their experience of the Edinburgh PRS this year.

Stuart Petrie, Tax Director at Anderson Anderson and Brown joins Gillian Semmler for Episode 27 of #LetsTalk. With so much change in the property landscape over the past four years, Stuart offers advice for landlords on how to minimise tax liabilities. From recent significant changes in CGT and LBTT to the full implications of the abolishment of mortgage interest tax relief, the podcast offers ess...

John Cox, Director of Cox and Co, joins Gillian Semmler for Episode 26 of #LetsTalk. John talks about the turn-key services his family run business offer and explores the main considerations for any new buy to let investor. They also touch on John’s professional rugby career and how this has helped him develop Cox and Co to where it is today.

Episode 25 of #LetsTalk hears Steve Coyle, Managing Director of Edinburgh based Cullen Property talk about the roller coaster ride of the PRS during the pandemic. Steve discusses how the sector has adapted and what has become the ‘new norm’ for letting agents. He also chats about the systems and services that Cullen Property introduced to help students, tenants and landlords during this unpreceden...

Episode 24 of #LetsTalk hears Leasing Director at Aberdein Considine, Adrian Sangster discussing the effects of the pandemic on the Scottish PRS over the last five months. Adrian also talks about the changes in procedures and his experiences during his last 30 years with Aberdein Considine, as well as the responsibilities involved as an ARLA representative for North East Scotland, Tayside and Pert...

Episode 23 of #LetsTalk hears Senior Conservation Architect of Mill Architects, Jo Parry-Geddes discussing the recent proposals put forward to the Scottish Government on tenement maintenance. Jo details typical ‘hotspot’ areas for repair and maintenance in a standard tenement as well as the current procedures and the help available. She also advises on the best practice to ensure minimal problems.

Owner of Edinburgh based ‘Pateriors’, Angela Moffat, joins #LetsTalk for episode 22 to discuss how her business provides ‘make overs’ for areas of properties and gardens that are often left bare or neglected. Having worked as wardrobe, props and set stylist for major brands and people such as David Beckham and Jimmy Choo, Angela stresses the importance of appearance in selling a product and for ma...

In association with ARLA Propertymark Scotland, episode 21 hears Strategic Development Manager for Scotland, Daryl McIntosh, discuss recent cases for rent arrears. Daryl explains why these cases resulted in their particular outcomes and why it’s crucial for a landlord or agent to ensure the timing of any eviction application is correct. He offers advice and informs of ARLA’s courses that can help...

Senior Associate and Solicitor Advocate at Aberdein Considine, Carly Stewart, joins #Letstalk for episode 20 to explain eviction applications and common mistakes made which can lead to rejection by the tribunal. Carly offers helpful advice to ensure fair procedure is observed mitigating delays. Other aspects of the First-tier Tribunal are discussed including a number of legislative difficulties id...

Former Gladiator ‘Siren’ discusses her views on Airbnb in Edinburgh and also Vancouver where she lives half the year. Ali details her experiences as a portfolio landlord with all the changes in legislation, with HMO and non HMO properties in Edinburgh, West Lothian, the Borders and Nottingham and her dealings with the different councils. Naturally we discuss her time at Gladiators, part of a disti...

Managing Director of Cullen Property, Steve Coyle joins Lets Talk for episode 18. Steve details the origins of Cullen and its journey to where it is today managing a portfolio of circa 400 properties. Steve explains why Cullen operates on a principle of the acronym T.R.U.S.T. and why the company is also known as a ‘buy to let personal shopper’. Steve discusses Edinburgh’s PRS which he views as a m...

Director of Build to Rent at Rettie & Co, Gillian McLees joins Lets Talk for episode 17. Gillian discusses the concept of BTR and why this year in particular can be described as a ‘watershed year’ for the tenure in Scotland. Gillian covers Rettie’s active involvement in BTR including the Harbour Gateway MMR Development and the commonalities between the two housing deliveries, as well as the simila...

Director of the Council of Letting Agents, Mike Campbell, joins Gillian for episode 16 of Lets Talk. Mike shares his views on the PRS of today and how the PRT has fared in practice, almost two years on since its introduction. Mike also talks about the Letting Agent Code of Practice and why landlords should read this document and how the market has adapted to changes in the sector. Short term lets...

Labour MSP for Glasgow Pauline McNeill discusses her proposed bill for fair rents in Scotland. Pauline believes current Rent Pressure Zone legislation is not fit for purpose and following in the footsteps of early 20th century Labour activist Mary Barbour, Pauline aims to tackle rising rents in Scotland’s private rented sector by capping annual rent increases.