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Introduction
Introduction
31/December/2014
In 1984, I launched a newsletter, Quarterly Commentary, subsequently renamed Current Review, and now Rent Review Matters. An outlet for my opinions, technical comment and insight, the newsletter Rent Review Matters, and writings elsewhere, provide a mine of useful information, designed to stimulate and inspire.
Since 2012, I've also contributed to LandlordZONE's monthly newsletter and from 2014 as a Guest Writer for its twice-a-month blog. LandlordZONE® ("LZ") is a website community and forum for landlords, tenants and others involved in letting property. To read the articles, please click Landlordzone in the Index here and follow the links.
You will find an Index of keywords and archive years on the left-hand-side of this page and if you'd like to keep in touch via email updates then please click the RSS Feed at the foot of the Index.
I hope you enjoy reading and look forward to helping you in some way.
Michael Lever
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Since 2012, I've also contributed to LandlordZONE's monthly newsletter and from 2014 as a Guest Writer for its twice-a-month blog. LandlordZONE® ("LZ") is a website community and forum for landlords, tenants and others involved in letting property. To read the articles, please click Landlordzone in the Index here and follow the links.
You will find an Index of keywords and archive years on the left-hand-side of this page and if you'd like to keep in touch via email updates then please click the RSS Feed at the foot of the Index.
I hope you enjoy reading and look forward to helping you in some way.
Michael Lever
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome
01/September/1984
Many people know that I am a regular contributor to the correspondence columns, so circulating a commentary of this nature to Clients must look like an ego trip to a captive audience - it has crossed my mind that you may not read it!
The objective is to keep in touch with Clients (past and present) and their legal advisers on a regular basis and to offer a commentary designed to stimulate and keep you informed of the latest developments.
As a potential forum in which to air one's views, a quarterly commentary inevitably suffers from the disadvantage that ideas can be quickly out of date so I shall not be imitating the style of others. Large agencies issue periodic reports on market trends, but most seem to concentrate upon the top end of the market and the recent discovery by Hillier Parker May & Rowden that secondary shop rents have increased at a rate of 9.2% per annum since 1979 simply enhances many people's awareness that the larger agencies, and the property media, are addicted to prime.
It is common knowledge that only relatively few advisers really understand secondary property, despite the fact that it constitutes at least 90% of the market. A noticeable absence of commercial sense amongst many assistant surveyors, working for the larger partnerships, is startling and one wonders whether the modern concept of professionalism removes initiative. Few surveyors, whom I meet in the course of negotiations, display much individuality; most appearing to act as up-market messenger boxes, shielded from their own feelings and decisions by the supervising partner. This cannot possibly benefit the Client who, in instructing a name is entitled to expect the service and attention which the reputation behind that name commands. Since I introduced the concept of specialisation into rent review valuations, there have been many imitators who unfortunately maintain the money for old rope image. Direct personal attention at partnership level on all aspects is the least that every Client deserves - he rarely gets it and strangely enough, seems prepared to accept it!
The objective is to keep in touch with Clients (past and present) and their legal advisers on a regular basis and to offer a commentary designed to stimulate and keep you informed of the latest developments.
As a potential forum in which to air one's views, a quarterly commentary inevitably suffers from the disadvantage that ideas can be quickly out of date so I shall not be imitating the style of others. Large agencies issue periodic reports on market trends, but most seem to concentrate upon the top end of the market and the recent discovery by Hillier Parker May & Rowden that secondary shop rents have increased at a rate of 9.2% per annum since 1979 simply enhances many people's awareness that the larger agencies, and the property media, are addicted to prime.
It is common knowledge that only relatively few advisers really understand secondary property, despite the fact that it constitutes at least 90% of the market. A noticeable absence of commercial sense amongst many assistant surveyors, working for the larger partnerships, is startling and one wonders whether the modern concept of professionalism removes initiative. Few surveyors, whom I meet in the course of negotiations, display much individuality; most appearing to act as up-market messenger boxes, shielded from their own feelings and decisions by the supervising partner. This cannot possibly benefit the Client who, in instructing a name is entitled to expect the service and attention which the reputation behind that name commands. Since I introduced the concept of specialisation into rent review valuations, there have been many imitators who unfortunately maintain the money for old rope image. Direct personal attention at partnership level on all aspects is the least that every Client deserves - he rarely gets it and strangely enough, seems prepared to accept it!