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 Thomas’ past and discovers his upbringing under an arts business pioneer and a surprising link to Game of Thrones.

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 theatrical background.

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 essential advice for all landlords.

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 unprecedented time. Gillian and Steve raise the subject of the increasing variety of tenures such as PBSA’s and BTR and how they affect Edinburgh’s PRS.

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 Perthshire.

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 maximising rental values and minimising void periods when letting a property.

Lets Talk is brought to you by Citylets in association with ARLA Propertymark Scotland.