Tag: Commercial property

Making Empty Spaces Work

We all know getting a decent and safe place to live in London and other large cities is problem for those at University, those saving for a deposit or a big trip. Add to that, you guys as landlords have significant expenses to insure, to maintain and to manage your vacant building/s. Both of these issues cause significant problems for both parties.

Sometimes a problem can also be a solution. Property Guardianship offers a zero cost, security solution to you as landlords and you can feel assured that your building is having a positive impact on the current housing shortage.

London needs 66,000 new homes each year but nowhere near enough are being built, particularly when it comes to affordable properties, a new report claims.

read more

Whilst using property Guardianship Companies is not a long term solution to the housing shortage. Property Guardianship does give those who are willing to look after some incredible spaces, in the heart of a city, a significant reduction in outgoings. This in turn, can give students, young people and savers a chance to turn their dreams into a reality.

Umbrella Guardians can become your trusted property partner! Call us now on – +44 (0) 208 450 2620

Support for Conveyancing Solicitors

In 2017 the Law Society of England updated its standardised forms to assist the process of conveying of commercial property. Here at Umbrella Guardians we can support this process even further and can take on much of the practical tasks involved with the transfer of your building.

The third edition of the Standard Commercial Property Conditions updates and more information can be read here Law Society

Here at Umbrella Guardians we understand that there is so much more to transferring a building than the forms. Our Property Guardian team work across three key areas when dealing with housing Property Guardians and managing the subsequent handover:

  1. Legal
    No tenancy rights will be conferred to the property guardian
    Clear and concise agreements
    Termination period of 28 days
    Professional license agreements
  2. Financial
    Savings of up to 100% on traditional security services
    Cheaper empty property insurance
    Business rates mitigation and non-domestic rates
    Huge savings on repairs and maintenance
  3. Management
    Regular routine inspections
    Utility checks and meter readings
    Leak detection
    Maintenance package available
    Easy access for estate agents, viewings, contractors and site visitors

We can work with you to make sure there is smooth transition both during the empty property process, right up to when the new lease comes into play.

It is Umbrella Guardians job to remain abreast of all new changes in the law that affect your liability and ensure that your building is managed professionally, well maintained and inhabited by trustworthy Property Guardians.

Read more about how we can support you here.

London Office Market Remains Stable

Tracking the movement of the Commercial property market adds value to the argument for using property Guardian Companies to secure your investment between lease agreements.

On reviewing the latest quarterly review by Graham Shone on EGI. It could be said a more stable property market that is adopting a considered approach to idetyfying and secruing new poeperties is emerging.

Having said that, on closer investigation of individual London Boroughs for example. The figures do indicate that patterns of some types of property lettings are slowing down, as in the West End of London whilst other boroughs are moving faster.

The West End, for example, endured its quietest quarter for lettings since 2009, with just 448,000 sq ft let across the three months – 40% below the five-year average.

Elsewhere, the Docklands market has seen one of its most active periods for some time, with nearly 290,000 sq ft of space transacted – higher than eight out of the previous 10 quarterly figures for take-up. From EG

There is however a consistent flow of properties being exchanged. They are just moving at a less fluctuating rate.

This might indicate that the wild west days of ‘any property at any cost’ are subsiding. It has become more important to take a balanced approach to letting, securing and managing property portfolios.

Add to this slower burn, the reality for the UK’s exit from Europe looming on the horizon and professional property management (incuding reducing overhead) will become more important as the time a property can be empty is likely to increase.

One theme which has been consistent throughout the compilation of this quarter’s LOMA is how there’s an acceptance that the next six months will be fairly subdued across the London office market while we await the result of negotiations to complete the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. From EG

This evidence supports the economic argument to place vacant properties with ‘Property Guardianship Companies’ such as Umbrella Guardians.

Your building needs to be in good shape to attract new landlords that are taking a more considered view. To compete, your vacant property must appeal to any new landlords whilst keeping it secure, free of vandalism and in a ‘ready to view’ condition just makes sense.

See what Umbrella Guardians can offer you by downloading our brochure here

Film and bar props and more

In the market for funky furniture?

Umbrella isn’t like any other Property Guardian company

We share several of our buildings with innovative charities like Streets of Growth. A charity dedicated to intervention working with local young people in Tower Hamlets. Breaking youngsters out of a cycle of poverty, deprivation and crime.

One of their many projects involves upcycling and creating amazing and inexpensive film props and usable unique furniture.

Helping young people to learn valuable new skills, create job opportunity and produce an income to be ploughed back to support their good works. We’re rather proud to say that we’ve grown really fond of each other and often share ideas, brainstorm, help each other out and love to see the amazing items they create.

Such as these oil drum chairs which have proved extremely popular with bar owners, collectors, film production companies and prop and salvage hunters. You’re welcome to talk to us at Umbrella to be introduced, come and see and meet the Charity and yes, the chairs are for sale but hurry – only 20 or so left as we type this today…

Umbrella – we’re so much more than a Property Guardian company and proud to support innovation and the creation of opportunity

Commercial Insurance – the best deal?

Are you sure you’re insured for the best price?

Umbrella have partnered with a superb commercial insurance broker achieving some fantastic savings for many of our existing clients

In regards to what they can offer, they can provide insurance for:

• Unoccupied Commercial & Residential Property (including cover for Property Guardians living within)
• Landlords, Portfolio and Property Owners
• Occupied Commercial & Residential Property
• Non-Standard Home (including Mid/High Net Worth)
• Business Insurance
• Professional Indemnity & Public Liability
• They can insure almost anything (except for pets and single car/motorcycle)

Don’t lose the chance to bench mark, on renewal or at any time

Simply send us (edward@umbrellaguardians.com) the following details and we’ll ensure they contact you to discuss your needs:

• Name
• Telephone Number
• Email Address
• Insurance Document (if obtained)
• Renewal Date (if obtained)

Umbrella – continuing to offer far far more than Property Guardians. Is your existing Property Guardian provider working as hard for you…?

Breaking the cycle of poverty, crime, & street violence

Want to help alleviate poverty, crime and street violence?

Umbrella are pleased to help publicise and work with Streets of Growth. Whose sole aim is to break the cycle of poverty, crime, & street violence in Tower Hamlets and beyond

Put the 13th November from 5.45pm to 9pm in your diary and take one of the four spaces left to Umbrella. Email Darren (see the invite) mentioning our MD, Edward Fenner, in your email to register.

Umbrella work with the Streets of Growth team, co sharing a building. Helping each other with running costs and ideas and brainstorming. Streets of Growth do an amazing job and have won a series of prestigious awards for their methodology and hard work

What’s happening on the night? Fundraising with some unusual prizes on offer to highest bidder or donation (Darren knows more than we), chance to network with senior Police Officers, notables, a very famous family of one  of Britain’s most respected Leaders and so much more

We’d be delighted to pass on offers of help, donations and if you can’t come to this event ask our Edward about our Networking Business Event/s which Streets of Growth are supporting in turn.

See the invite below, venue 30 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9TP

SofG Event Invite 2018

#umbrellaguardians #networking #charitysupport #streetsofgrowth

Want to business network like never before?

Want to boost your business in the most effective way possible?

Umbrella have founded our very own business networking group. We will be using a unique fun  agenda so successful that when used for the FSB in Essex 80% of attendees were transacting with each other within three meetings. One accountancy practice saw business grow 120% within a year of coming along. Our first event is on the 16th October 2018 starting at 10am and finishing by midday. At 30 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9TP

We’re partnered with a wonderful charity who are providing unlimited tea and coffee and a unique space – we’re asking for a £5 donation for the charity to cover from each attendee.  To attend please just tell us you’re coming. Spaces limited to 30 heads for the first meeting…

#umbrellaguardians #networking

Why juggle more than one supplier for Vacant Property Security?

Need more than a property guardian? Worried about other aspects?

Umbrella have carefully partnered to ensure we can supply wireless monitoring, alarms, barrier blocks and even steel doors and steel screens from stock. In fact a great deal more – even access control for building sites. When you’ve a building, a land tract or something that you think one of our guardianships won’t suit or totally secure we can help. You’ve no longer a need to have to juggle more than one security aspect – come and talk to us…

 

#propertyguardians #emptyproperties #commerciallandlord #umbrellaguardians

Stuck in traffic again?

Have you sat in a traffic jam on the way to a property viewing today?

If you utilise Umbrella to manage your vacant property, we provide access visits without charge. Saving you frustration, time, fuel and more. But if you’re happy to continue idling in traffic and going nowhere – there is a link on our ‘to read more’ link below to discover lots of useful words associated with vacant property or to help you finish your crossword puzzle (whilst the engine is switched off and you’re safely off the road…) Struggling to manage inspections, keyholding, access visits, maintenance or rates? We can provide all this and more as part of our care package.

To read more.

#emptyproperties #commerciallandlord #umbrellaguardians #accessvisit

Raves, rates, retail and risks…

Illegal raves double, rates up 26%

National newspaper uses FOI request to reveal worrying statistics. Business rates in London have risen by average 26% since April 2017. Whilst illegal raves have doubled from 2016 to 2017. Add to this the decline in high street retail with shops forced to close and vacant property owners are being ‘hit from all sides’ it seems. There are plenty of suggestions on how to secure vacant property to be found using the internet… but how many produce a positive on your balance books? Fortunately, Umbrella can offer zero cost options and potential revenue streams where other solutions struggle…

To read more…

#propertyguardians #emptyproperties #commerciallandlord #umbrellaguardians #raveintoysrus #propertycrime