David Boyd, Managing Director, PAD4U Letting Agents Manchester writes:

2009 has certainly been an eventful year! It’s not many years where the housing market frequently makes the front page story of all major newspapers week in, week out.

The property market is not immune to the ups and downs of any other marketplace. And those who do not do their homework can certainly get their fingers burnt (being a landlord is not a one way ticket to riches). But property has over the long run been a good investment and will continue to be so.

It was a big year for PAD4U. We’ve worked harder than ever to ensure your properties are let and managed effectively. And whilst we’ve seen many competitors fall by the wayside, we’ve worked hard to strengthen our position and to ensure security of both our landlords and tenants.

Some of the achievements made in 2009:

· Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) Standard. PAD4U updated it’s accountancy practice to meet the more rigorous standards of ARLA and increased our insurance so that no landlord will ever lose money should the unthinkable happen.

· FMB MasterBond and Trustmark. FMB examined 7 of our recent projects and our accounts and administration and duly awarded us with the MasterBond/Trustmark award. This means we can offer FMB 10 year insurance on extensions/major building works, which are valid even if Peter Anthony Developments is not around which of course it will be!

· Direct Debits. After over 6 months of demonstrating our financial strength to the banks (ironic as that is). We are now able to setup Direct Debits for rent payments direct with the Banks which will assist in keeping Landlord’s payments as regular as possible and streamline administration. (starting 2010)

· More properties and Lettings than every before. As our competitors have let down landlords so they have come to us as a reliable long term agent to do business with. PAD4U are now managing more property and letting more houses than every before.

It only remains to say thank you for your business and that we aim to do even more to assist our landlords in 2010!

Donna Weetman, Maintenance and Development Manager, PAD4U Letting Agents Manchester writes:

The standard rate of VAT will return to 17.5% on 01^st January 2010, so make the most of any Building & Maintenance work you require before 31^st December 2008.

Where work has been agreed and a deposit is paid before the 01^st January, but work does not commence until after 01^st January 2009, 15% is chargeable on the deposit and 17.5% for the balance of the work.

For estimates PAD4U have sent recently where the VAT is calculated at 15%,  estimates need to be agreed and works scheduled before the 31^st December 2008.

Typical savings:               15%                      17.5%                      Saving of

£500                                    £75                      £87.50                     £12.50

£1,000                                £150                      £175                         £25

£2,000                                £300                      £350                         £50

£5,000                                £750                      £875                         £125

Simon Galgut, Accounts Manager, PAD4U Letting Agents Manchester writes:

 The dates of the landlord’s payment runs over the holiday period will be as follows:

1^st December

8^th December

15^th December

4^th January

11^th January

Payments will reach landlord’s accounts three days later.

Simon Galgut, Accounts Manager, PAD4U Letting Agents Manchester writes:

Please remember that in the new year Newsletters and Statements will be delivered electronically to your email address.

It’s therefore vital that we have your up to date email address on file.  Please contact the office if you have not already done so to provide us with this.

You should have received an email on the 16/11/2009 from Aweber with a link to confirm your subscription to the newsletter.  (If you haven’t seen this email please check your junk email folder in case it has been placed there).

Please email simon@pad4u.com if you have not received your Aweber email (after checking your junk email folder).