Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, Sarah Blaney is joined by Mark Paterson, Senior Associate at Montagu Evans and an expert with over two decades of experience in business rates. This fast-paced, insight-packed conversation gets into the often-overlooked but critical subject of business rates for property investors, commercial landlords, and serviced accommodation operators.

• What business rates are and how they're calculated
• Key differences across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
• Reliefs, exemptions, and the "magic numbers" like the £12k and £15k thresholds
• Business rates for serviced accommodation and how they differ from council tax
• Common investor mistakes and how to avoid them

Timestamps

[03:10] - What business rates are and how they differ across the UK

[14:43] - Difference between rate per value and actual value. 

[19:10] - COVID-era reliefs ending in 2026 and what replaces them

[30:40] - How often business rates change and what’s coming in 2026

[48:24] - where to follow Mark? 

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Mark Paterson Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-paterson-a877bb1
• Twitter: https://x.com/markcpaterson 
• Website: https://www.montagu-evans.co.uk/ 
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/montagu-evans/ 

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025 ——————————————————————

In this solo episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney unpacks the much-anticipated Renters' Rights Bill currently moving through UK Parliament. Sarah discusses not only the legal changes but also the broader impact on the property market, landlord operations, and tenant-landlord dynamics.

What You'll Learn:

• A detailed overview of the 12 key provisions in the upcoming Renters' Rights Bill.
• What the end of fixed-term tenancies and the ban on Section 21 evictions mean for landlords.
• The new pet request rights and how to handle them responsibly.
• Why a PRS landlord database and ombudsman is a game-changer.
• What risks casual landlords face and how professional landlords can turn this into an opportunity.

Timestamps

[03:52] - End of Fixed-Term Tenancies

[07:33] - No-Fault Eviction Ban (Section 21)

[09:24] - Rent Increases, Bidding Wars, and Pet Requests

[11:37] - Written Terms, Fees, and Discrimination Rules

[12:24] - Penalties & PRS Database

[15:11] - Decent Homes Standard & Enforcement

[16:19] - What It Means for Tenants and Landlords

[20:13] - Final Thoughts and Advice

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.blaney.1232
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ 
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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode, host Sarah Blaney is joined by commercial property surveyor and investor Kirsty Darkins, Founder of KD Commercial who brings over two decades of experience in the commercial space. While others are turning away from retail property and the high street, Kirsty is doing the opposite, uncovering overlooked opportunities in town centres across the UK.

Key Learnings 

• Top performing commercial sectors in 2024
• Ideal characteristics of investable high streets (vacancy, parking, tenant mix)
• Realistic yield expectations and lease structures
• The benefits of small retail units over large ones

[00:00] - Trailer

[03:43] - Kirsty’s background as a commercial surveyor and investor

[10:35] - What is Kirsty’s analysis about the high street?

[20:58] - Top 3 things before investing in high streets. 

[24:14] - Rents difference in long commercial and towns.

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Kirsty Darkins Socials:

• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/KDCommercial/
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/kirstydarkinscommercial/ 
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/kd-commercial/ 

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ 
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• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In the episode of This Property Life, Nick Claydon sits down with the co-host Sarah Blaney to dig into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in property investing: your gut feeling. From personal stories of financial loss to red-flag characters and dodgy deals, they explore why your subconscious is often smarter than your logic when making crucial decisions.

• Red flags often come disguised as flattery, urgency, or too-good-to-be-true deals.
• Losses aren’t just financial; they often cost mental space, time, and emotional bandwidth.
• Having a strong community helps you solve problems faster and stay grounded.
• It's okay to make mistakes, just don’t make the same one twice.

[01:55] - Gut feeling vs. logical thinking: How the "second brain" protects us

[04:15] - Sarah’s builder disaster: Ignoring instincts and paying the price

[07:20] - Nick’s story of “Nigel”: Flattery, red flags, and a £40k loss

[16:11] - A commercial tenant mistake: When pressure overrides judgment

[22:39] - Join the community: How to connect with like-minded property investors

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Nick Claydon Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/ 

Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod 

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney sits down with Jane Scroggs, property investor, business owner, and founder of Beam Virtual Property Support. Jane shares how she built a scalable, remote lettings and property management support business and offers deep insights into when and how investors should start delegating tasks and scaling operations.

• Start thinking about delegation and business structure early in your property journey.
• Don't just hire someone "nice" choose team members with specialized experience.
• The property market is shifting, tenant demand is softening, and regulations are tightening.

[04:05] - When to bring property management in-house

[10:11] - Challenges of delegation and personality dynamics

[14:50] - Self-managing portfolios vs using letting agents

[22:20] - Financial tipping point for switching to in-house

[26:35] - Transitioning from solo operator to team leader

[41:09] - Where to find Jane? 

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Jane Scroggs & Company Socials:

• Website: https://www.beam-va.com/ 
• Facebook (company): https://www.facebook.com/beamvirtualpropertysupport/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janescroggsproperty/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/beam-property-virtual-assistants/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeescroggs/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod 

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, hosts Nick Claydon and Sarah Blaney return with another power-packed mini “how-to” session. This time, they get into what happens after an offer is accepted, a stage many new property investors approach with excitement but often mishandle. Nick and Sarah stress the critical importance of keeping the pipeline moving, even once a deal is in progress.

• Don’t stop your deal flow once an offer is accepted, keep your pipeline active.
• Momentum is everything; agents forget you quickly if you disappear.
• Off-market deals can be found through consistent relationship-building with agents.
• Letting agents, auctioneers, and even beauticians can be sources of new properties.

[03:28] - The danger of losing momentum with agents

[08:43] - How to get into agents’ “little black book” of trusted buyers

[14:41] - Guerrilla marketing: Business cards, shop boards, and casual chats

[18:27] - Timeline after offer acceptance: Conveyancing, delays, and planning ahead

[21:18] - What This Property Life community offers behind the podcast

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Nick Claydon Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/

Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney sits down with the dynamic and experienced Susannah Cole, founder of The Good Property Company Ltd. Known for her straight-talking style and strategic mindset, Susannah shares how she built a successful property portfolio in one of the UK's most expensive markets, all while staying close to home and true to her values.

• Why freedom not just profit is at the heart of property success
• The power of starting small but with clarity and purpose
• The importance of volume, KPIs, and pipeline thinking in deal sourcing

[03:28] - Realising the need for financial and time freedom

[08:22] - Building a location-independent lifestyle with digital tools

[16:56] - Operating with integrity and transparency with investors

[22:40] - Using KPIs, follow-up, and staying focused in networking

[34:38] - How to connect with Susannah and her team

Follow Susannah Cole & Company Socials:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/goodpropertycompany 
• Twitter: https://x.com/SusannahColeUK 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusannahColeTGPC/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannahcoleuk/?hl=en 
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/thegoodpropertycompany.co.uk
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-property-company-limited
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannahcole 

Follow This Property Life Podcast:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod 

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, Sarah Blaney and Nick Claydon get into the art of making cheeky property offers without damaging relationships with agents or vendors. They explore how to balance assertive negotiation with credibility and rapport, sharing stories from their own experiences as property investors. From understanding a seller’s true motivations to presenting serious offers with proof of funds, this episode equips listeners with the confidence and tactics needed to succeed in competitive property markets.

• Building rapport with agents helps convey serious intent.
• Proof of funds adds credibility and can tip the balance in your favour.
• Follow-up and persistence often win deals others give up on.
• Know your number and stick to it without emotional bias.

[03:08] - Building rapport with agents and softening the approach

[07:34] - James Caan story: Negotiating with no emotion

[13:10] - Negotiating power with multiple offers and a big pipeline

[18:35] - Sarah’s best negotiation story: Buying below guide in auction

[21:17] - Nick’s Edinburgh townhouse win: Coming third but winning

[28:30] - Join the Property Life community: Networking and support

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Nick Claydon Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/ 

Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.blaney.1232
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
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• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney is joined by the straight-talking and insightful Murat Haykir, Co-Founder of Moorview Property. Mo shares the candid story of how he and his business partner jumped headfirst into every property strategy you can think of, from HMOs and SA to developments and lettings, before realizing that trying to do everything often leads to doing nothing exceptionally well.

Key Learnings 

• Doing everything doesn’t make you successful.
• Cashflow is king; build that foundation before chasing profits or equity.
• Success in property is about boring repetition.
• Mentorship is powerful, but only when paired with implementation.

Timestamps:

[03:04] - Mo’s start in property during university

[11:05] - Growing through sourcing, refurb.

[23:34] - Focusing on HMOs and letting go of distractions

[38:00] - Thinking long-term: will this serve my 5-year vision?

[46:18] - Wrap-up and where to find Mo online

Follow Murat Haykir Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murat-haykir-8a534045
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoHaykir/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muratjeffreyhaykir/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTXjKFKZkpFRIxiHwK67N9w 
• Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moorview-property/ 
• Company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moorviewlets/  
• Company's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorview_lets/ 
• Website: https://moorviewproperty.com/about-us/ 

Follow This Property Life Podcast:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylife?lang=en 
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod

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Ready to unlock your Property Investment game in 2025? Grab your FREE copy of our Buy-to-Let market guide today! https://bit.ly/buy-to-let-hotspots-guide-2025

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In this episode of This Property Life, co-hosts Sarah Blaney and Nick Claydon dig into the often-overlooked but critical stage of property investing: viewings. Whether you're brand new or have dozens of deals under your belt, this conversation breaks down exactly what you should be doing before, during, and after a viewing to make each visit count. Spoiler alert: it’s only 20% about the property and 80% about the people and information.

Key Learnings

• Viewings are 80% about people and information, not just the bricks and mortar.
• Build rapport with everyone, agents, neighbors, and even other viewers.
• Don’t just inspect the house, inspect the street, vibe, and tenant demand.
• Ask what isn’t on the market yet, off-market gems come from conversations.

Timestamps:

[02:35] - The biggest mistake: thinking it's all about the property

[04:15] - Aligning your strategy, goals, and area before viewings

[10:02] - Common refurb items: kitchens, bathrooms, and more

[14:20] - How to read the street and spot red flags

[16:02] - Chatting with locals for intel

[25:45] - Digging into offer status without being pushy

[34:10] - Final thoughts: go and do the viewings!

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.

Follow Nick Claydon Socials:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/ 

Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/

Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:

• Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 
• Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod

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