Elem Homes

12/10/2026

💭 JANE’S PERSPECTIVE

Your letting agent shouldn’t just tell you what you want to hear. They should tell you what you need to hear.

And sometimes, that means challenging your decisions.

As both a letting agent and a property investor myself, I look at rental properties from two perspectives.

I understand that your property is an investment. You want to protect it, achieve the best possible return, avoid unnecessary costs and attract good tenants.

But I also know that sometimes, the decisions that feel like they’re saving you money or could potentially make you more money can actually cost you more in the long run.

🏠 Want to achieve the best from your investment?

That might mean advising you to:

🔑 Make improvements that help attract better-suited tenants.

💷 Review your rental price to remain competitive and reduce void periods in the current market.

🛠️ Deal with maintenance issues before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

And sometimes, it means being honest when something simply isn’t working.

I’ve been investing in property myself since 2014, so when I look at a rental property, I’m not just thinking about getting someone through the door.

I’m asking myself:

“What’s going to attract good tenants quickly and retain them”

Is it the price? The presentation? The condition? Or are we missing something that could make the property more appealing?

The rental market has changed, and simply putting a property online and waiting for applications isn’t always enough.

Sometimes, a different approach is needed.

My job isn’t to agree with everything a landlord says. It’s to use my experience to help them make informed decisions, protect their investment and get the best out of their property.

Because good property management isn’t just about finding a tenant. It’s about helping landlords make better decisions that can lead to fewer voids, stronger tenant interest and a better-performing investment.

💬 Landlords, would you rather have an agent who tells you what you want to hear, or one who challenges you when they believe there’s a better way?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇

💭 Jane’s Perspective
Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

09/10/2026

⚖️ COMPLIANCE CORNER | Is Your Empty Property Still Insured?

🏠 An empty property doesn’t mean an empty list of responsibilities.

Whether you’re selling a property, carrying out refurbishment works or waiting for your next tenant, it’s important to understand exactly what your insurance policy requires when a property is unoccupied.

Here are 4 things every landlord should check:

🔍 1. Property inspections
Does your insurer require regular inspections? Check how often they must take place and whether you need to keep records.

💧 2. Water damage
Burst pipes can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. Your policy may specify whether the water supply needs to be turned off, the heating maintained or other precautions taken.

🔐 3. Security
Check the requirements for locks, security measures and keeping the property secure while it’s empty.

📋 4. Unoccupied property cover
Don’t assume your usual policy automatically provides full cover. Some policies restrict cover after a property has been empty for a certain period, while others impose specific conditions.

The important thing to remember is that every policy is different. Never assume you’re covered — check the wording and speak to your insurer if you’re unsure.

✅ FRIDAY COMPLIANCE CHECK

Take 10 minutes today to read your buildings insurance policy. Know your unoccupied property conditions before you need to make a claim.

And if you’re unsure, ask your insurer or broker to explain them.

🎤 Want to learn more about protecting your property investment?

At this month’s Property & Poppadoms Nottingham networking meeting, our main speaker is an insurance specialist, sharing valuable insights into the insurance gaps that property owners, developers and contractors can overlook.

From underinsurance to refurbishment works, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about protecting your investments.

📩 grab your tickets here: https://propertyandpoppadoms.co.uk/nottingham-oct-26

⚖️ Compliance Corner
Making compliance simple. Protecting landlords. Building confidence.

07/10/2026

📂 THE LANDLORD FILES

The service that felt unnecessary… until it was too late.
I had a landlord selling an empty property who initially used my caretaker service.
I visited regularly to check for leaks, damage and any issues, as well as running the taps and flushing the toilet — important checks when a property is unoccupied.
Once the property was sold, the landlord decided to stop the service.

A couple of months later, I checked in to see how the sale was progressing.
That’s when I found out a pipe had burst 💦
The damage was so severe that the ceiling had come down, resulting in the sale price being renegotiated and the landlord losing thousands of pounds because her insurance was void and would not cover the damage.
She told me she hugely regretted stopping the service because the issue could potentially have been spotted much earlier.

My takeaway?
Sometimes the cost of preventing a problem is tiny compared with the cost of fixing one.
An empty property still needs looking after.
Regular checks can help spot problems before they become expensive ones.
Protect the property. Protect the investment.

📂 The Landlord Files
Real experiences. Real lessons. Helping landlords make confident decisions.

05/10/2026

💭 Jane’s Perspective

Sometimes, It’s Not the Rent That’s the Problem… It’s the Property.
I had a rental property come onto the market recently where I advised the landlord to carry out some work before we advertised it.

My advice was simple:
Remove the tired bathroom tiles and silicone and replace the shower.
The bathroom looked tired and messy, and I knew it could affect how potential tenants viewed the property.
The landlord decided not to carry out the work.
So we put the property on the market.

We had viewings, but nobody was taking that final step and submitting an application.
People were interested enough to view it, but something wasn’t quite convincing them to say “yes.”
After some time, I went back to the landlord and had another conversation. I explained that we had two choices:
1️⃣ Carry out the improvements I’d originally recommended.
2️⃣ Reduce the rent to compensate for the condition.
The landlord decided to do the work and the bathroom was transformed.

The result?
One day after the first viewing following the improvements, we received an application and the property was successfully rented.

💭 My takeaway?
Sometimes landlords look at a property and think:
“Why would I spend money on it? It’ll only get trashed.”
But I look at it differently.
Create a property that people want to live in, and you give yourself a much better chance of attracting good-quality tenants.
A well-presented property is more likely to:
✔️ Attract better interest
✔️ Rent at a good market price
✔️ Reduce the time it sits empty
✔️ Make a great first impression on potential tenants
You don’t have to create a luxury property. You just need to create a property that people are proud to call home.

Sometimes spending money in the right places isn’t an expense, it’s an investment in getting your property rented quicker and at the right price.
And this is why I believe having an agent who understands property as an investment matters.
I’ve been investing in property myself since 2014, so I’m not just looking at a property thinking:
“Can I get someone through the door?”
I’m thinking:
“What is stopping someone from saying yes?”
Sometimes it’s the price, sometimes it’s the presentation and sometimes it’s one tired bathroom that needs a little attention.
Good property management isn’t just about finding a tenant, it’s about understanding what makes a property rentable and sometimes a little tweak can make a whole lot of difference 🤩

💬 Have you ever spent money improving a property and found that it made a bigger difference than you expected?
I’d love to hear your experience.

💭 Jane’s Perspective

Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

📣📣📣The next Renters Rights phase is coming 📣📣📣

The new Private Rented Sector Landlord Database.

❗️Nottingham and East Midlands landlords: registration begins on 15th FEBRUARY 2027. With a deadline to register by the 14th May 2027❗️

What You Need to Know:

If you’re a landlord in England, you will be required to register your rental properties on the Government’s new Register Your Rental Property service.

The rollout is due to begin in December 2026, and will happen region by region over the following 12 months.

So, what does this actually mean for landlords?

The database is being introduced as part of Phase Two of the Renters’ Rights Act and is intended to give councils better information about privately rented properties and the landlords responsible for them.

There will be an annual registration fee of £65 per property.

The rollout will begin in the West Midlands on 15th December 2026, before moving across the country.

Landlords will then have a three-month window to complete their registration.

What information will you need?

The database is expected to require information including:

* The property address
* Property type and ownership details
* Whether the property is licensed
* Whether it is an HMO
* Number of occupants
* Rent amount and payment frequency
* Relevant safety information and certificates, including gas, EPC and electrical safety information

The exact requirements may develop as the registration system is rolled out.

Can my letting agent register it for me?

Ultimately, the responsibility for registration sits with the landlord.

An agent may be able to assist with some of the information required, but landlords will still need to make sure their properties are correctly registered and that their information remains up to date.

Using a letting agent does not remove the landlord’s legal responsibilities.

What happens if I don’t register?

🚫This isn’t something to ignore.

⚠️ Landlords who fail to comply could face civil penalties of up to £7,000, with penalties increasing to £40,000 for multiple or continued breaches.

What about empty properties?

The rules around empty properties are also expected to develop.

The Government has indicated that, in the future, landlords will need to register an empty property before it is marketed for let.

My advice to landlords?

Don’t leave it until the deadline.

There has been a huge amount of change in the private rented sector recently, and there is more to come.

The best thing landlords can do is keep their property records, certificates and paperwork organised and make sure they understand the requirements that apply to their particular property.

Compliance is becoming an increasingly important part of being a landlord.

If you have a rental property in Nottingham or the surrounding area, the 15th February 2027 rollout date is the one to put in your diary.

As always, legislation can change, so make sure you check the latest Government guidance when registration opens.

08/09/2026

🚨 PROPERTY & POPPADOMS IS NEXT WEEK! 🚨

And this month, we’ve got a BIG speaker joining us… 👀

🔥 DAN MATTHEWS 🔥
Property Investor & Co-Founder of Inspired Property Group

Dan specialises in title splitting and has an incredible story of scaling a £50,000 property portfolio to £3.5 MILLION in just 7 months — by restructuring what was already there. 🤯

No magic wand.
No buying hundreds of properties.
Just understanding how to unlock the potential in what you already have.

📅 Thursday 17th September
📍 Nottingham
🍛 Property. Poppadoms. Networking.
💡 And plenty of ideas you can take away and put into action.

🎟️ Tickets are available NOW — grab yours here:
https://propertyandpoppadoms.co.uk/nottingham-sep-26

If you’re serious about growing your property business, you’ll want to be in the room. 👊

TitleSplitting PropertyEducation Landlords

19/08/2026

It’s that time again! Property and Poppadoms network meeting tomorrow 20th August 🤩 so let me to introduce you to our speaker for this month 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁
we're delighted to welcome the amazing Jessica Garner, who will be sharing how property investors can get involved in this growing sector.

After building a successful electrical company with her husband, Jessica transitioned into property investment and now specialises in sourcing and developing accommodation for social housing and children's home providers. She'll explain how the sector works, where the opportunities lie and what investors need to know.

Get your tickets here this one is going to be very interesting!
https://propertyandpoppadoms.co.uk/nottingham-aug-26

22/07/2026

📂 Wednesday – The Landlord Files #2
The Small Issue That Turned Into a Big Repair!

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt over the years is this…
Small maintenance issues rarely stay small.
🚰 A dripping tap becomes water damage.
💧A loose roof tile becomes a leak.
🌚 A small patch of mould becomes a much bigger conversation.

That’s why I always encourage tenants to report issues as soon as they notice them.
Not because landlords enjoy spending money…
But because early intervention almost always costs less than waiting.
One of the most valuable parts of property management isn’t arranging repairs…
It’s spotting problems before they escalate.
A quick visit today can prevent a costly repair tomorrow.

💭 The Landlord Files

Real experiences. Real lessons. Helping landlords make confident decisions.

💬 Question

What’s the smallest repair you’ve seen turn into the biggest bill?

20/07/2026

💭 Jane’s Perspective #2
A Property Is More Than Just Four Walls.
One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that a property isn’t just bricks and mortar.
To a landlord, it’s an investment they’ve worked hard for.
To a tenant, it’s home.
It’s where birthdays are celebrated, children grow up, Christmases are spent and memories are made.
I genuinely believe the best outcomes happen when landlords and tenants see each other as people, not just as contracts.

A landlord who looks after their property is protecting their investment.
A tenant who looks after their home is protecting the place they live.
When there’s mutual respect, good communication and a willingness to work together, everyone benefits.

Do things always go perfectly?
Of course not.
But I think if we approached property with a little more understanding and a little less conflict, we’d all be in a much better place.

That’s why, at Elem Homes, my goal has never simply been to manage properties.
It’s to help build positive relationships between landlords and tenants, while protecting the investment that brought them together in the first place.
Because…
A property may be an investment…
But to someone else, it’s home.

💭 Jane’s Perspective

“The best tenancies aren’t built on contracts alone. They’re built on trust, communication and mutual respect.”

💬 Question of the Week

What’s one thing you think landlords and tenants could do differently to create a better renting experience?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Want to see more of these post? If your a landlord join my landlord group here:
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