The All Things Property Podcast

The conversation focused on  managing property maintenance and repairs, moving beyond the theory to the unpredictable reality of what actually happens when tenants report issues. A key theme that emerged was the importance of clear communication between agents, tenants, and landlords, especially when establishing the severity and urgency of a maintenance problem. The discussion explored how agents...

In this episode of The All Things Property Podcast, Simon Bacon dives into the nuts and bolts of rent collection, a process that might seem straightforward when payments are flowing in, but which quickly reveals its complexities when things go awry.  From distinguishing genuine financial difficulties from simple banking errors to understanding the importance of clear communication and respectful l...

What should your letting agent actually be doing once the tenant has moved in? Simon Bacon of Preferential Properties and co-host Ian Sadler explain why the first 30 days can be the most important part of a tenancy. This is part 2 of our 10-part series on property management. We cover early tenant queries and snagging, getting the inventory agreed and how an experienced agent tells a genuine repai...

Finding a tenant is only the start. Between someone saying "I'll take it" and the keys being handed over, a good letting agent has a surprising amount to get right. This is the first episode of a new 10-part series in which Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler lift the lid on property management: what your letting agent is actually doing, why it matters and where a good agent makes a real dif...

Thinking about buying a buy-to-let property? Before you make an offer, these are the 20 questions every landlord should be asking. This week Simon Bacon of Preferential Properties swaps roles and puts the questions to co-host Ian Sadler, a long-standing buy-to-let landlord. Together they cover location and tenant demand, yield versus capital growth, whether flats and family homes still make sense,...

Selling your property but not getting any offers? This week on The All Things Property Podcast, we dive headfirst into the top 20 questions every seller asks when their property just won’t budge.  Join Ian Sadler and Simon Bacon for a refreshingly honest, practical conversation that strips away the corporate jargon and gets right to the heart of what’s blocking your sale, whether it’s price, prese...

20 Essential Questions Every Seller Must Ask Before Presenting Their Property for Sale. Buyers aren't just looking at bricks and mortar. They're deciding whether they can see themselves living there, and presentation affects how many enquiries you get, the offers you receive and the price you finally achieve. Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler work through the 20 questions every seller should as...

Understanding Damp and Condensation: Practical Tips for Landlords and Tenants. Is it damp or condensation? It is one of the most misunderstood issues in the private rented sector, and getting the answer wrong means fixing the wrong thing. In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler work through 20 questions on damp, condensation and mould: what actually separates the two, what causes condensation,...

Property ownership is not a passive investment. Maintenance spending is not optional, and the only real question is whether it happens on your timetable or on the boiler's. In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler work through the 20 questions landlords ask about maintenance: the difference between reactive and planned, which is genuinely cheaper over a full ownership cycle, why reactive is...

In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler work through the 20 questions landlords ask about presenting a property for rent: what tenants notice in the first thirty seconds, whether to redecorate before letting, why neutral decor still wins, whether to furnish (the answer depends more on where the property is than most landlords realise), how much energy efficiency now matters to tenants worried a...

Most landlords choose a letting agent on fee percentage and a gut feeling about the person who turned up to the valuation. Both are the wrong place to start. In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler work through the 20 questions landlords should be asking before they hand over their property: what a letting agent actually does day to day, the real difference between let-only and fully managed, w...

Every privately rented home in England and Wales needs to reach EPC Band C by 1 October 2030, with a cost cap of £10,000 per property. If you own one rental or a portfolio, the planning window is open now. In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler take 20 questions on EPCs and answer them in plain English: what the minimum standard is today, what to do if your property is rated D, E, F or G, how...

Can your landlord still evict you? Does your tenancy have an end date any more? And what actually happens if you challenge a rent increase? Last week Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler answered the 20 questions landlords are asking about the Renters' Rights Act. This week the microphone flips: the 20 questions tenants are asking, answered calmly and in plain English. How rent increases now work and t...

Section 21 has gone, fixed-term tenancies have been abolished and the rules on rent increases have completely changed. So what does that actually mean for your rental property? Since the Renters' Rights Act went live, the same questions keep landing with us. In this episode Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler answer the 20 questions landlords are asking most, in plain English: what happened to existin...

Welcome to another episode of The All Things Property Podcast with Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler. Today, we’re diving into a topic that sits at the heart of every successful tenancy but is often misunderstood or overlooked: property inventories. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, understanding what a property inventory is—and what it isn’t—could be the difference between a smooth deposit return a...

ost deposit disputes don't start at the end of a tenancy. They start on day one. In this episode, Simon Bacon of Preferential Properties and co-host Ian Sadler walk through the complete move-in and move-out checklist that protects landlords and tenants from end-of-tenancy disputes. Simon draws on 17+ years of lettings management across North Birmingham to explain what should be in place befor...

What Really Happens During Tenant Referencing and Why Applications Don’t Always Pass. Welcome to this episode of The All Things Property Podcast, where the conversation focused on the all-important subject of tenant referencing. The discussion explored what referencing actually involves, looking closely at how suitability for a tenancy is assessed beyond just ticking boxes. Several points were rai...

Welcome back to The All Things Property Podcast with Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler. In this episode, the spotlight is on guarantors, a sometimes misunderstood but crucial part of the rental process.  Simon and Ian  cut through the jargon to explain exactly what being a guarantor means, who is eligible, and the true extent of the responsibilities involved.  They tackle common misconceptions, the impac...

Welcome back to The All Things Property Podcast, where Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler break down the realities of property management in a rapidly changing legislative landscape.  To get the resource we mentioned, simply email simon@prefprop.com, and we'll send it over.  This week, we’re tackling what it really takes to end a tenancy under the new rules. Gone are the days of quick, straightforwar...

Welcome back to the All Things Property Podcast with Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler, your go-to source for honest, straight-talking property advice in Birmingham and beyond. This week, we dive into breaking political news: Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation and the rising possibility of Andy Burnham stepping in as Prime Minister. What could a Burnham government mean for landlords, the private rented secto...

Wear and Tear Explained: Avoiding Common Deposit Disputes for Landlords and Tenants. Welcome back to The All Things Property Podcast. In this episode, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler return for Part 2 of their deep dive into fair wear and tear, an essential topic for landlords and tenants alike.  This week, they break down what landlords can and cannot deduct from a deposit, tackle the importance of de...

What Counts as Fair Wear and Tear in Rental Properties? Welcome back to the All Things Property Podcast with Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler. In this episode, we dive into one of the most debated issues in property management: fair wear and tear.  Is it just the natural ageing of a property, or does it cross the line into damage for which a tenant is liable?  Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler break down their...

Reporting Repairs Made Easy: Communication Tips for Tenants and Landlords - Ep. 28. Episode Introduction Welcome to the All Things Property Podcast! In this episode, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler dive into one of the most common, and sometimes contentious, aspects of property management: reporting repairs.  From the moment a tenant spots a leak or faulty appliance to the landlord’s responsibility in...

Rethinking Property Inspections: Maintenance, Trust and Communication - Ep. 27.  Welcome back to The All Things Property Podcast. In today's episode, Simon Bacon and Ian Sader dive into one of the most misunderstood aspects of property management: inspections.  Far from being a landlord's excuse to check up on tenants, regular inspections, handled with respect and open communication, are...

Most tenants sign a tenancy agreement without really reading it. And most landlords rely on clauses they've never actually checked are enforceable. In this episode of All Things Property, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler walk through the key clauses that matter, the ones that cause problems and the ones that protect both sides. What You'll Learn: - What a tenancy agreement actually is and why...