Interiors - what interiors trends do you need to know this year?
Ever since the start of the pandemic our homes have had to become much more multi-functional. Aside from being a comfortable living environment, the spaces in which we live have also had to perform as offices, schools, play environments and rest and wellness bubbles too. This has forced many of us to rethink the way we approach our ...
First time buyers
The UK housing market has gone through some fairly seismic changes over the past 12 months - but there could be good news on the horizon for many, especially young professionals in London looking to get a foot on the housing ladder. Storeys is a Hackney estate agent with a broad catchment area that extends to Islington and Shoreditch and we have supported many buyers and sellers on ...
Getting New Year fit in Hackney
It's a brand new year and, for many of us, that means a fresh start when it comes to fitness goals. Even if you're just looking for a fun new way to move your body this year - or some motivation to burn off all the Christmas treats you don't have to waste time and money on what hasn't worked before. And if you're lucky enough to live in Hackney then there are many ...
Cleaning causes the most letting deposit disputes - how can you avoid one?
We might be in the middle of a global pandemic but, as letting agents in Hackney we can tell you that there are some things that never change when it comes to landlord and tenant relationships: deposit issues over cleaning. Deposit disputes can cause a lot of tension at the end of a contract - something that an experienced letting ...
Valentine's Day 2021 in lockdown
The start of the year is always a bit of a tough time for many people with tax or Christmas credit card payments due, festive lights taken down and the weather not really helping. 2021 has been particularly grim, as we've all been in lockdown, unable to access the things we'd normally do to make us feel better, whether that's drinks with friends or getting away for some ...
Can you move home during lockdown?
One of the questions we've had a lot from tenants, buyers and sellers recently is whether it's okay to move house right now. England remains in lockdown with 'stay at home' restrictions in place for most of the country - but what happens if your tenancy has come to an end or you want, or need, to move house for other reasons? We are letting agents in Hackney and we can ...
What's with the traffic in Hackney?
Rush hour has always been very much a part of life if you live in London. With more than eight million people trying to get to work at the same time, using the same roads and public transport, there were always going to be a few bottlenecks. Areas such as Hackney, which are enormously popular with families as well as professionals, have more than their fair share of ...
The best sites to list a property on
The lettings market has picked up considerably since the spring when lockdown brought everything to a grinding halt. Now, if you're looking for fantastic rental properties in areas such as Hackney, Shoreditch and Islington there is a lot on offer. From family homes that have their own outside space to gorgeous Alats with terraces close to parks and green amenities ...
What is Containerville?
Storeys is a letting agent and estate agent in Hackney and covering areas including Shoreditch and Islington. We pride ourselves on being forward thinking and agile as a business and we also appreciate great design. That's why Containerville has been a natural home for our business as well as a community that continues to thrive. If you haven't yet come across Containerville then ...
London Design Festival 2020
This year the London Design Festival took place from 16th - 20th September. Although it has not been a great year for festivals and public events we were delighted to see this one go ahead, albeit with some challenges to overcome to integrate the changes that COVID has made to all our lives. The 2020 festival featured a number of Design Districts - including the Shoreditch ...
Selling to your tenant, the advantages to gain and pitfalls to avoid
If the time has come to sell a buy to let property then it may seem like selling to the person - or people - currently living in it is an obvious move. Maybe you have had a request to consider selling to a tenant and they have made a pretty attractive offer. If this is something you're thinking about, what are the advantages and the ...
London Fields lido is open again!
London Fields Lido is a much-loved pool in the heart of East London that has always provided an urban haven for city dwellers in the summer. The outdoor pool here is legendary and has been a draw for everyone, from fitness fanatics to those simply looking for somewhere to cool off. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK, London Fields Lido - like many other ...
Relocating from London the need for outside space
The COVID-19 lockdown that the whole of the UK experienced earlier this year caused a reassessment of priorities for many people. In conditions where it was not possible to leave your home other than to exercise once a day, those properties with outside space became even more of a luxury. Whether as a result of fears of a future lockdown or the need to ...
Stamp duty cut under £500k
This summer the Chancellor announced a change to Stamp Duty that could make buying new properties simpler and less expensive. This comes in response to the issues that the market has suffered as a result of COVID-19. This year the housing market in the UK experienced its first annual fall in 12 years - according to the Nationwide index prices were down 0.1% in June. ...
How easy is it to self-manage my property, do I really need an agent?
When it comes to self-managing a property, to a certain extent how easy this is will come down to your individual circumstances. Some landlords may have the time, money and resources to dedicate to this while others may not. If you're a new landlord then we would always recommend working with a managing agent at least until you ...
Home office - how to give your rental the edge
Over the past couple of months in lockdown there is one space in every property that has suddenly become even more important: the home office. With large swathes of the UK population working from home, those properties that have room for an office environment are as appealing as those with outside areas. For landlords looking to the future this is likely to ...
Top 5 commuter towns in Essex within an hour's commute from London
Whether or not working from home remains in our future once the COVID-19 pandemic has moved on, the commute vs. community question is one that dominates discussions where living locations are concerned. Being close to London for work may still be essential but you may also be keen to enjoy the benefits of locations that aren't within the ...
Let to buy, what you need to know!
Plenty of opportunities exist for UK homebuyers today but there are also many challenges too. Perhaps top among these is financing. Shifts in house prices, problems getting the right mortgage or dealing with the logistics of making the right payments at the right time can frustrate even the best efforts to get your foot onto the next rung of the property ladder. Let to ...
Will Brexit affect property rentals
Around a fifth of the UK population is now renting from a private landlord and tenant numbers are predicted to continue to increase. This burgeoning market is one that, so far, doesn't seem to have been that affected by the political game playing and confusion that has surrounded Brexit negotiations. However, the sales market in the UK has taken a hit and so is it only ...
The winter lettings market in London
The seasons have changed, the leaves have fallen and it's time to readjust to darker nights and shorter days. When winter comes it's not just nature that shifts - there are other subtle differences that happen too. As letting agents in London we have a great deal of experience when it comes to understanding how lettings change as the seasons do. This is our overview ...
How might Government changes to section 21 affect landlords and tenants?
Section 21 is the process by which landlords have traditionally been able to facilitate a "no fault" eviction. This has effectively enabled tenants to be removed fairly quickly from a property without the requirement for there to be any specific reason for the eviction. However, Section 21 is now set to be abolished in a move that ...
Welcoming Mama Shelter & Ozone coffee shop to Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a vibrant area and an exciting place to be, whether you're putting down roots or visiting for the weekend. New businesses pop up here all the time and some of the most creative and interesting entrepreneurs are starting new ventures in the area. As letting agents in Bethnal Green we always like to stay on top of the latest ...
The summer lettings market in London
Autumn has now very definitely arrived. We've had the last of the really sunny days and plenty of rain, indicating that we're about to start the weather changes that will lead us into winter in a couple of months time. The summer in London was a fairly momentous one this year, not just as a result of movements like Extinction Rebellion and the continuous uncertainty ...
Storeys/Goodlord rent protection for landlords
Becoming a landlord is a great way to invest in your future and to generate profit from an asset like an old family home. However, it doesn't come without its risks. Perhaps one of the most significant for every landlord is the potential issues that can arise if the rent stops coming in. Many landlords today are reliant on rent payments to cover mortgages or ...
The importance of having a pro-active letting agent
Letting agents come in many different shapes and sizes today. From those that are agile and favour the face-to-face approach (like Storeys) to the big operations with offices all over the country, there are plenty to choose from. We have been letting agents in Hackney for some time now and, in our experience, whatever else you opt for in a letting agent ...
Stokey...stoke Newington - why so many young families favour this north London hot spot
Stoke Newington - 'Stokey' to the locals - has come a long way in recent years. It's gone from being a rather edgy environment to somewhere that's renowned as a hub for creatives and professionals, and which now attracts large numbers of families too. With its leafy streets, great schools and wealth of local amenities ...
Arlington Association Summer Fete
As letting agents in Islington we are proud to be sponsoring the Arlington Association Summer Fete. This year the event will take place on 7th September from 1:30 - 5:30pm and will be a major fundraiser for the Arlington Conservation area in Islington, North London. For local residents, or anyone who appreciates a lovely London event, it's one for the late summer ...
Struggling to sell? Letting your property could be the answer
The UK property market has been going through a tough time recently. This month it was reported that property prices in London were flat or falling for the 16th month in a row. That's even longer than the property downturn that happened after the 2008 financial crisis. If you're a property owner in London right now and you're struggling to find ...
Property Management and the maintenance costs associated
"It takes a village to raise a child," as the saying goes - well, the world of property management is not that far off, as it takes an entire community of people to manage a property to high standards. As lettings agents in Hackney, we understand what tenants want when they move to this part of London and well maintained, attractive properties are ...
Landlords can profit as only 1 in 10 Millennials is getting a mortgage
Looking at the UK property market today it's often difficult to find something positive to say about it. Sales are sluggish, house prices are unpredictable and many have had to accept that buying a home is simply not going to be possible. In fact, last month, research carried out by the Nottingham Building Society found that just one ...
What to expect from your managing agent
The National Landlords Association describes letting agents as "a valuable resource" and says the "purpose of a letting agent is to alleviate stress for the landlord and to ensure that their property remains a savvy and profitable investment." Which sounds ideal in theory. However, as anyone who has experience of letting agents as a landlord knows, not all provide ...
The importance of great tradespeople
One of the major causes of friction between landlords and tenants is a lack of responsiveness when it comes to repairs and maintenance. At Storeys we always advise our landlords to stay on top of these practical details, to preserve relationships with tenants and also to help avoid minor problems escalating into expensive issues. Great tradespeople are the key to this ...
Best coffee shops in Hackney
Hackney has become Coffee Central these days with new fresh brew spots opening up almost every month. If you love your coffee - or you're just keen to find new, interesting people watching places - these are our suggestions for some of the best coffee shops in Hackney to try.
Lion Coffee + Records
Enjoy a flat white made from Allpress ...
Storeys proudly sponsors local schools
Being a local letting agent in Hackney, at Storeys we are pretty proud of our East London community. It's in this part of the city where you'll find many of the most exciting and innovative projects, creative ideas and up and coming ventures in areas such as food or design. It's also a fantastically family friendly location and home to some great schools - among them ...
Best Parks in Islington
London is a city of a surprisingly large number of green spaces. As letting agents in Hackney, Islington and Shoreditch we have a pretty good idea of where to go for greenery in these areas, whether you're looking to sit and contemplate life or get active. Islington may seem like a part of London that's all about urban life but, no matter what your park preferences are, you'll find a ...
Islington Square Development - London's New Neighbourhood
Islington is one of London's most popular boroughs. Since 2011, the local population here has increased by 11%, and 3% annual increases are expected between now and 2029. If you've ever spent any time in Islington this probably won't come as much of a surprise. Cosmopolitan and ridiculously well populated with eateries and amenities - yet with a ...
Co-sharing rooms lets
Renting in London can be an expensive business - and the costs for tenants just keep on rising. In April 2019, it was 1.9% more expensive to rent in London than during the same period the year before. The average rent in the capital is now £1,617 a month. That figure is more than 70% higher than the rest of the UK - and that's before you take into account the cost of choosing ...
Storeys - specialists in large PRS developments in London
Storeys specialise in letting large PRS (Private Rented Sector) developments - we are a Hackney letting agent with specific expertise in this burgeoning market. The PRS is now the second largest housing tenure in England and development is ongoing in locations across London, including in Islington, Hackney and Shoreditch. Negotiating the process of ...
Are you a Hackney landlord? there's never been a better time to switch letting agents
Let's be honest, not all letting agents are made equal are they. And when you add in the complexity of the tenant fee ban and the increased fees that this could generate for landlords it becomes even more important to make sure you have the right professional support. If you're a London landlord looking for a letting ...
Future: PropTech
Technology and lettings go hand in hand as far as we're concerned at Storeys. Any opportunity to improve service and create a better experience for the landlords and tenants that we work with is worth investigating. And so we were excited to discover Future: PropTech last week - an event that is all about driving innovation and evolution in the property industry.
On the ...
What's going on in Hackney this summer?
We're a local business and our heart will always be in East London - as a letting agent in Hackney we're always interested in what's going on around us. And summer is a fantastic time to be in this part of London. Whether you already live here and you're looking for events to fill up your diary, or you're considering a move, Hackney in summer 2019 is the place to ...
Storeys ‐ The agency of the future?
According to one of our clients that's exactly what we are! New (to us) landlord Petra described her experience of Storeys as “personable, always reachable, and team players who love what they do.” She said “Storeys stood out as estate agents of the future,” which left us pretty pleased ‐ as a hybrid agent with an eye on ...
Communication is key - especially in lettings
Great landlord and tenant relationships don't tend to just spring up overnight. They require some nurturing ‐ and fundamental to that is the need for positive (and plentiful) communication. Most of us have experienced a situation in which communication broke down at some point, whether that's business or personal. Poor communication is often ...
How many photos should you use to generate the best leads?
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” as the saying goes. But, when it comes to generating leads from property listings is one enough? Or even six or seven? Given the wealth of technology now available to facilitate better photography ‐ and the myriad of options for locations to post your images ‐ how many photos should you ...
What not to do in-between tenancies
Untenanted properties can be frustrating for landlords. Not only do they create a sense of unease about future income but they also tend to feel like a lost opportunity to generate a return on investment. As a result, it's often tempting to focus on other things in-between tenancies and avoid thinking about it. However, the reality is that this is a time of ...
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What is a hybrid letting agent?
The auto world has gone mad for the hybrid car - and financial investors love their hybrid products - but what about the property sector? The hybrid letting agent follows the same principles as those behind a Tesla Model S or a Volkswagen Golf GTE: harvesting the still-relevant elements of something outdated and combining it with the innovative to create a better result. Whether ...
Airbnb is often held up as a poster child for the gig economy but it has become a disruptor in the London property market too. The demand for short term lets in areas such as Hackney has increased significantly, resulting in a boom in listings on sites like Airbnb. Overall, Airbnb listings in London rose from 18,436 in 2015 to 74,153 in 2018. The Borough of Hackney alone saw an increase of 154%. So, what does this mean for the London ...
Security deposits are an essential part of the renting process. But they can be tough to find and may represent an obstacle for tenants who don't have lots of financial resources. That's why Storeys is offering a deposit replacement scheme that is designed to make it easier to get a foot in the door of your ideal rental home - Reposit.
Tenants and security deposits
The security deposit has been a pain ...
Finding London tenants, quickly
Being proactive is crucial. In a tenant's market, there is more leverage for those looking for properties than those who are letting. So, the emphasis is on landlords to be proactive. That means responding swiftly to contact requests, providing information and arranging viewings quickly, and being able to process all the key stages involved (e.g. referencing and producing ...
London's rentals market is booming right now. It's a great time to be a landlord for those who understand how to optimise the investment of London rentals. The furnished vs. unfurnished debate has a central part to play in this - where do tenant preferences lie in terms of furniture and, if you're going to furnish a property, how do you spend to get the best results?
What do tenants really want?
This ...
