The All Things Property Podcast

Simon Bacon

Welcome to The All Things Property Podcast. Hosted by Simon Bacon, an independent property expert with over 35 years' experience, and Ian Sadler, this podcast cuts through the corporate noise to deliver authentic, practical advice for property investors, landlords and sellers. Whether you're building a property portfolio, struggling with landlord challenges or looking to sell your home with personal service rather than corporate scripts, you'll find honest market insights, news updates and real-world solutions that actually work. Each episode brings you either in-depth conversations between co-hosts or expert interviews with mortgage brokers, accountants, solicitors and other property professionals. From investment strategy to tenant management and realistic property valuations, we cover the topics that matter to quality-focused property professionals and entrepreneurs who value relationships over transactions.  Subscribe now for weekly episodes.

  1. May 22

    Tenancy Agreements Explained: What You Need to Know | Ep. 26

    Most tenants sign a tenancy agreement without really reading it. And most landlords rely on clauses they've never actually checked are enforceable. In this episode of All Things Property, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler walk through the key clauses that matter, the ones that cause problems and the ones that protect both sides. What You'll Learn: - What a tenancy agreement actually is and why it matters - The key clauses landlords rely on (and should check) - What tenants need to pay attention to before signing - Rules around commercial vehicles, caravans and parking - How to set expectations with tenants from day one - The pet question: questionnaires, the Renters Rights Act and what's reasonable - Smoking policies and how to handle them honestly - Why subletting is a firm no Key Topics Covered: The Basics - A tenancy agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the relationship between tenant and landlord. The first page covers the essentials: start date, term, rent, deposit. The rest covers how the tenant is expected to live in the property. Commercial Vehicles and Parking - Can tenants park works vans or caravans on the driveway? It depends on the lease or TP1 of the property. Enforcement usually starts with a neighbour complaint rather than an agent inspection. Pets and the Renters Rights Act - Landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse a pet, but interpretation is everything. Simon advocates for a pet questionnaire to gather the right information and support both the tenant's application and the landlord's decision. Getting it in the tenancy agreement with specific clauses is key. Smoking - Cynicism aside, most tenants who say they'll smoke outside actually do. But the clause needs to be clear and both parties need to understand the consequences. Setting Expectations Early - Communication starts at the first viewing. Telling prospective tenants what the landlord expects and whether the property suits their lifestyle prevents problems down the line. The Takeaway: A tenancy agreement needs to be clear, practical and understood by both parties. If you don't understand it, you can't rely on it. Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 0:35 - What Is a Tenancy Agreement? 1:18 - Key Clauses for Landlords 1:42 - Clauses Tenants Should Pay Attention To 2:12 - The "Immoral Purposes" Clause 2:20 - Commercial Vans on Driveways 3:06 - Caravans and Trailers 3:41 - When Neighbours Complain 4:40 - Do Tenants Ever Ask About Parking Vans? 5:00 - What Are Landlords Really Looking For? 6:24 - Setting Expectations at Viewings 7:33 - People Who Misrepresent Themselves 8:28 - Pets, Smoking and Subletting 8:50 - The Pet Question 9:29 - How the Renters Rights Act Changes Things 10:52 - When You Discover an Undisclosed Pet 11:20 - Why a Pet Questionnaire Matters 12:34 - Drafting the Right Clauses 13:07 - Responsible Pet Ownership 14:00 - Would a Large Dog in a Small House Be Reasonable to Refuse? 14:55 - How Case Law Will Shape This 15:35 - Link to the Pet Questionnaire 16:57 - Supporting Both Landlords and Tenants 17:29 - What If a Pet Owner Doesn't Get the Property? 19:35 - The Smoking Question 20:49 - The Takeaway: Clear, Practical Agreements 21:43 - Outro ______________________________ Get in touch with Simon for all your property needs.  www.prefprop.com E: simon@prefprop.com T: 0121 2402244

    22 min
  2. How to Handle Late Rent Payments as a Landlord | ATP Ep. 25

    May 15

    How to Handle Late Rent Payments as a Landlord | ATP Ep. 25

    How to Handle Late Rent Payments as a Landlord | ATP Ep. 25 Late rent rarely starts with a big dramatic moment. It starts small: a day here, a week there, and before you know it, it's a pattern. In this episode of All Things Property, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler break down what landlords should actually do when rent payments start slipping. What You'll Learn:  • How rent dates are set and when they can be changed  • The difference between consistently late and worryingly late  • When to communicate and when to escalate  • Why documentation is the most important thing you can do  • How Section 8 persistent late payment works in practice  • Why tenant referencing is your first line of defence  • The real cost of court proceedings (12-month waits and £5k minimum) Key Topics Covered: Setting the Rent Date - Your tenancy agreement locks in the payment date. Changing it is feasible but needs to be formalised in writing, and it does not change the tenancy anniversary date. Communication vs Escalation - The process always starts with a phone call. Early action and honest conversation prevent most problems from becoming serious. The Paper Trail - Documentation is everything. Without it, you leave yourself exposed if things do escalate to legal proceedings. Section 8 Persistent Late Payment - On paper it's a useful tool, but in practice a judge is unlikely to grant possession where rent is paid consistently, even if a few days late. It's designed for escalating, unpredictable patterns of non-payment. Referencing and Prevention - Do not take shortcuts with tenant referencing. Agents who cut corners risk professional negligence claims, and landlords risk months of problems that could have been avoided. The Bottom Line: Most rent problems are preventable. Clear expectations, early action and good communication make all the difference. If you're dealing with late rent or want to know how to handle it before it becomes an issue, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Changing rent payment dates 05:16 Handling late payments communication 06:49 Handling late rent payments 10:38 Handling late rent payments 13:53 Handling tenant communication issues 17:11 Importance of following admin processes 19:36 Preventing rent payment issues Got questions about rent payments or arrears? Get in touch with Preferential Properties for friendly, no-nonsense advice. #PropertyManagement #Landlords #LateRent #RentalProperty #UKProperty #AllThingsProperty #LettingAgents #PropertyAdvice #RentArrears #TenantManagement #Section8 #PropertyInvesting ______________________________ Get in touch with Simon for all your property needs.  www.prefprop.com E: simon@prefprop.com T: 0121 2402244

    20 min
  3. Starting a Tenancy Right: The Landlord Compliance Checklist That Could Save Your Property | Ep. 24

    May 8

    Starting a Tenancy Right: The Landlord Compliance Checklist That Could Save Your Property | Ep. 24

    Starting a Tenancy Right: The Landlord Compliance Checklist That Could Save Your Property | Ep. 24. To get my start of tenancy checklist send me an email at simon@prefprop.com and I'll get it over to you.  One missing document. That's all it takes to lose a court case and potentially your property. In this episode of the All Things Property Podcast, Simon Bacon and Ian Sadler walk through the essential checklist every landlord needs before a tenant moves in. Gas safety records, electrical certificates, EPCs, deposit protection, tenancy agreements, right to rent checks, we cover what's legally required, when it needs to be done, and the real-world consequences of getting it wrong. We also share stories of landlords who thought they were compliant but fell foul of technicalities, like registering a deposit before the money had actually been received. These are the details that catch people out in court.If you're a UK landlord, whether you self-manage or use a letting agent,  this is the episode that could stop a small oversight becoming an expensive disaster. What we cover:  00:00 Managing tenancy safety compliance 04:29 Issues with deposit registration compliance 07:03 Discussing tenancy agreements importance 12:14 Managing tenant share codes 13:57 Helping landlords with management tasks ______________________________ Get in touch with Simon for all your property needs.  www.prefprop.com E: simon@prefprop.com T: 0121 2402244

    16 min

About

Welcome to The All Things Property Podcast. Hosted by Simon Bacon, an independent property expert with over 35 years' experience, and Ian Sadler, this podcast cuts through the corporate noise to deliver authentic, practical advice for property investors, landlords and sellers. Whether you're building a property portfolio, struggling with landlord challenges or looking to sell your home with personal service rather than corporate scripts, you'll find honest market insights, news updates and real-world solutions that actually work. Each episode brings you either in-depth conversations between co-hosts or expert interviews with mortgage brokers, accountants, solicitors and other property professionals. From investment strategy to tenant management and realistic property valuations, we cover the topics that matter to quality-focused property professionals and entrepreneurs who value relationships over transactions.  Subscribe now for weekly episodes.