Renting, buying, managing property and flexible workspace.
How to choose · Renting a home
Judge a rental on what you can verify during the visit: damp and ventilation, heating and hot water, noise at the times you will actually be home, security of doors and windows, phone signal and internet options, and how the landlord or agent responds to questions. Photos hide most of these. Visit at a different time of day if you can, and note anything you want fixed before signing.
How to choose · Buying a home
Match the survey to the property: older, altered or unusual buildings justify a detailed building survey, while a conventional modern home may only need a lighter condition report. A lender valuation is not a survey. Choose a qualified, independent surveyor, give them access to loft and services where possible, and read the report for urgent, short-term and long-term defects.
How to choose · Property management
Compare agents on the services actually delivered, how client money is protected, regulatory membership, contract terms and how repairs are handled, not on the headline fee. Distinguish tenant-find only, rent collection and full management. Check complaint routes, notice periods and who owns the tenant relationship. Landlord obligations differ by jurisdiction and remain with you even when an agent acts.
How to choose · Serviced offices
Visit during working hours and judge the space on what your team will do daily: desk and meeting capacity, noise, connectivity, access hours, staffing and the way costs are itemised. Check how the provider handles growth and shrinkage, what is bundled versus metered, and who else shares the floor. A tidy reception can hide thin walls and weak internet.