AJGProperties - Adam Guirdham

16/05/2025

The Results We Delivered for a First-Time Landlord

At the start of the week, I wanted to share a success story of how we helped a first-time landlord take their empty property to fully let within a month.

In the beginning, they were unsure of what to expect, overwhelmed by what to do, and didn’t know how to handle it themselves.

Today, their property is tenanted, fully compliant, and they are already seeing the results of the work we do.

Let’s recap and break it down:

🔧 Initial Property Condition:
Structurally the property was sound and a lovely little home for somebody to move into. The only issue is the property was non-compliant with 11 electrical concerns and an unsafe gas hob.
→ We managed all compliance work quickly and effectively, being transparent with the landlord and keeping them reassured.

🗝 The Letting Process:
We had an influx of prospective tenants from listing online, due to the convenient location and condition of the property. We secured a fully vetted and reliable tenant in a week.
→ The landlord didn’t have to do anything as we handled it all.

The landlord now has:
✔ A legally compliant property
✔ A long-term tenant who pays on time
✔ Peace of mind, knowing it's all taken care of

That’s the power of working with the right property partner.

If you're a landlord, especially a first-timer, and you're juggling everything alone or unsure what to do next - you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

Let’s have a quick chat. No pressure. Just a 10-minute conversation about what’s possible when you’ve got someone in your corner.

📩 Drop me a message or comment “INFO” and I’ll get in touch.

📱 07591827529 | 📧 [email protected] | 🌐 ajgproperties.co.uk

15/05/2025

From Listing to Letting: How We Found the Right Tenant Without the Stress

Now that the property was close to being fully compliant, with trades booked in to complete the works shared in yesterday’s post (go read that if you haven’t).

There was no need to delay gathering interest from potential tenants.

This means we can start completing the relevant tenant checks for a swifter move-in date. The sooner we get a tenant moved in, the sooner the landlord is happy receiving their rent.

The good news with this property is it’s in a great location. Literally a stone from away from the town centre in Worksop meant without much listing, our inbox was full with enquiries.

We narrowed down the list of interest and invited those who were serious to view the property, which gave me the opportunity to meet them in person as well – such an important step to tenant selection!

Now we had met the prospective tenants in person and they had seen the house for themselves, those who were interested in moving in are required to pass our tenant referencing checks:

✔ Personal verification
✔ Credit history
✔ Affordability checks
✔ Landlord references
✔ Right to Rent compliance

Once the tenant had successfully passed, we take care of the tenancy agreement, deposit protection, and ensuring the tenant moves in smoothly.

✅ End result: A tenant who moved in without delay, and is now happily settled.

This is what a smooth, professional lettings process looks like when you’ve got someone handling it properly.

14/05/2025

EICR and Gas Safety Certificate Failed – Would You Know What To Do?

When people think about letting out a property, they usually imagine the tenant moving in, rent coming in each month, and everything ticking along.

But what you don’t always see are the unexpected things that pop up behind the scenes.

Like the 11 separate issues we uncovered during this property’s EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).

Yep, eleven.

❌ Exposed wiring
❌ A faulty socket in the bedroom
❌ Missing RCD protection
❌ Light fittings with no earth
❌ Loose connections behind switches
❌ The list goes on…

Then came the Gas Safety Certificate.

Which flagged up that the gas hob wasn’t up to safety standards and needed replacing. Fast.

Now imagine this landlord had tried to self-manage and rent it out without realising any of this.

It’s not just about ticking boxes, these are serious safety risks.

We handled everything:
✔️ Booked qualified tradespeople
✔️ Managed all repairs and replacements
✔️ Turned a non-compliant property into a safe, legally lettable home.

There’s a real sense of pride in being able to take that stress away from a landlord, especially one doing it for the first time.

Because when you’ve got someone on your side who knows what to look for and how to get it sorted - problems don’t become panic, they just become the next thing to handle.

💬 Have you ever had an unexpected issue pop up with a rental property? I’m sure you have and I’d love to heard the stories.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing how we found the right tenant for the property.

Thanks for reading,
Adam.

13/05/2025

What Needed Fixing: The Compliance Checklist That Got This Property Ready To Let

Following on from yesterday’s post, I’ll be sharing with you how we helped a first-time landlord get their property tenanted and the rewards that come with it.

When I took on the management of this property, the landlord’s main concern was…

❝ I don’t even know what I need to do to rent this out legally. ❞

A totally fair concern - especially for a first-time landlord.

So, we got to work.

Before you can hand over the keys to any tenant, your property needs to be fully compliant:

✅ EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
The current certificate had expired - and without a valid EPC, you legally can’t advertise the property. We arranged a new one, which needs to be a minimum rating of E. The EPC came back at a rating of B, so that’s the first one ticked off the list.

✅ Gas Safety Certificate
This is an annual legal requirement if your property has gas appliances. Ours flagged a faulty hob that needed immediate replacing. We organised with the engineer who replaced and fitted the new hob.

✅ EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
This one uncovered 11 separate issues, ranging from minor faults to more serious non-compliances. We brought in qualified electricians to get it resolved within a week.

✅ Inventory Report
This step is often overlooked, but it’s an important one. We completed a detailed, independent inventory to protect both the landlord and tenant, reducing the chance of disputes later down the line. This type of report also helps us to identify additional issues of compliance. An example of this, we had two smoke alarms not working.

Every one of these documents matters not just legally, but for peace of mind. It can be a lot to do and understand, but when you have someone managing the process for you, it all becomes a lot less stressful.

🎯 The result? A safe, compliant, and legally lettable property in just a couple of weeks.

Tomorrow we’ll look more specifically at the issues from the EICR and Gas Safety Reports.

All the best,
Adam.

12/05/2025

Why This First-Time Landlord Chose to Work With AJG Properties

Last Monday, we successfully filled another property on our books on behalf of a first-time landlord.

This week, I want to share with you exactly how we did this, and why working with an agent is so important.

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to an old friend.

A first-time landlord was buying a new house to live in, and wanted to rent out their current one. However, they didn’t really know where to start.

They were more stressed and focused on moving to their new home, that they didn’t want the stress, or have to time to learn how to rent their property.

❝ I’ve never done this before - I don’t want to get it wrong. I just want a good tenant and someone I can trust to manage it properly. ❞

We had an honest chat.

I didn’t throw jargon at them, I simply explained the process, step-by-step, and reassured them that I’d walk them through everything.

From legal compliance to tenant selection to ongoing management.

That’s exactly what we do at AJG Properties.

We can look after the full process, so you don’t have too. This gives landlords that reassurance and peace of mind, especially those doing it for the first time.

Fast forward a few weeks…

✅ The property is compliant
✅ A great tenant is now in
✅ The landlord is happy receiving their rent

This is an accurate story of how we helped this first-time landlord go from living in their home to renting to a tenant within one month.

Come back tomorrow where I will share how we got the property fully compliant to Let.

Thanks for reading, I hope you took some value.

Adam.

09/05/2025

Do You Want Less Stress and More Stability from Your Rental Property?

When I speak to landlords whether they’re managing one property or a whole portfolio the story is often the same:

✅ They want steady income.
✅ They want reliable tenants.
✅ They want peace of mind.

What they don’t want is:
❌ Constant tenant issues
❌ Chasing late rent
❌ Dealing with repairs at 9pm on a Sunday

I get it, I’ve been there myself.

That's why I started AJG Properties - to give landlords a better way of managing their rental investments without the stress.

We offer three services depending on what you need:

🏡 Full Property Management
We handle everything - from finding tenants to managing repairs, so you get your time (and sanity) back.

🏡 Lettings Only
Want to self-manage but need help securing the right tenants? We’ll find, vet, and move them in for you professionally.

🏡 Guaranteed Rent
No voids. No late payments. Just guaranteed income, every single month, even if the property is empty.

With local expertise in North Nottinghamshire and Chesterfield, we focus on building long-term relationships with our landlords and tenants meaning fewer voids, better tenants, and more stable returns.

🔎 If you’re tired of managing everything yourself, or feel like your current agent isn’t delivering, let’s have a quick chat.

📩 Comment "INFO" below or DM me and I’ll send over more details about how we can help you get more from your property, with less hassle.

📱 07591827529 | 📧 [email protected] | 🌐

AJG Properties is an independent property management company specialising in BTL and HMO property management across North Nottinghamshire & Chesterfield.

08/05/2025

Why Good Tenants Don't Just Happen - They're Created

When most landlords think about finding a ‘perfect tenant’, they imagine it’s all about luck.

List the property.
Wait for the right person.
Hope for the best.

The truth is.. Good tenants aren’t found, they’re made.

When I first started in property, I made the mistake of thinking tenant quality was fixed. Either you got lucky and got a good tenant, or you didn’t.

But over time, I realised that landlords and agents actually have a huge influence over the type of tenant they attract and retain.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

🔹 Clear Listings Attract the Right People
Be honest about your property, its strengths and quirks. The more upfront you are, the more you filter for tenants who truly fit.

🔹 Good Communication Builds Good Relationships
Set the tone early. Clear, respectful communication before they even move in builds trust that lasts.

🔹 Proactive Maintenance Makes Tenants Stay Longer
It’s simple: if you look after the property, tenants are more likely to look after it too.

🔹 Onboarding Matters More Than You Think
A thorough, professional move-in process with clear expectations and support sets tenants up for success.

📈 A recent study by HomeLet found that tenants who feel valued by their landlord are 65% more likely to renew their tenancy.

So if you want long-term, low-hassle tenants?
Stop relying on luck and start building the tenant experience from Day 1.

💬 Landlords: What’s one thing you wish you’d known earlier about attracting great tenants?
Let’s share ideas below 👇🏻

07/05/2025

The Day I Realised Property Management Isn’t Just About Properties… It’s About People

I’ll never forget one of the first properties I helped manage properly.

It wasn’t a brand-new build or a huge 6-bed detached property, it was just a simple two-bed semi, but to the tenants, it was their first proper home together.

At first, I approached everything with a checklist mentality:
✅ Gas safety certificate? Sorted.
✅ Repairs logged? Done.
✅ Rent collected? Tick.

This is fine but after a while, I noticed something.

When completing routine inspections I checked in with them, not just about the house, but also about how they were settling in. They became more open, and more invested in looking after the property.

That’s when It clicked. It wasn’t just about the house:
It was about trust.
It was about relationships.
It was about creating a real sense of home - not just for tenants, but for landlords too.

Since then, that’s shaped everything we do at AJG Properties.

Managing a property well isn’t just ticking compliance boxes (although important). It’s about being proactive, being approachable, and treating people like human beings - not just names on a tenancy agreement.

🏡 When you focus on people, the property looks after itself.

💬 I'd love to know:
As a landlord or tenant - has there been a moment that made you realise it's more about the people than the paperwork?

Drop your story in the comments 👇🏻 I’d love to hear it!

06/05/2025

Why ‘Set and Forget’ Doesn’t Work in Property Management Anymore

When I first got into property, there was this common belief going around:

"Find a tenant, hand over the keys, and sit back while the rent comes in."

Sounds great, right? Except… it’s not how it works anymore (if it ever really did).

Today's rental market is faster, more competitive, and way more regulated than it used to be.

If you want reliable income, happy tenants, and properties that keep their value - you can't just set and forget.

Here’s what happens when you do:
❌ Small maintenance issues snowball into expensive repairs
❌ Tenants feel neglected and start looking elsewhere
❌ Your property reputation suffers, and future lets become harder
❌ Compliance isn’t done properly

A recent report by Propertymark showed that over 50% of landlords are unaware of their legal responsibilities when it comes to property management - and that’s a costly mistake.

At AJG Properties, we focus on active management, not passive neglect.
That means regular inspections, quick turnaround on repairs, open tenant communication, and staying ahead of legal changes.

The result?
✔ Fewer void periods
✔ Better quality tenants who stay longer
✔ Properties that retain (and even grow) their value

👉 If you're self-managing or working with an agent who’s more ‘hands-off’ than ‘hands-on’… it might be time to rethink.

💬 Landlords - be honest:
Do you still have a ‘set and forget’ mindset?
I’d love to hear your lessons (and maybe share a few of mine) in the comments 👇🏻

05/05/2025

Why I Believe the Best Landlords See Tenants as Customers (Not Just Renters)

A few years back, I had a mentor in property say something that stuck with me:

"You’re not just renting bricks and mortar - you’re running a customer service business."

At the time, I’ll be honest - I didn’t fully get it.
I thought being a landlord was about finding a tenant, signing a contract, collecting the rent.

My experience has taught me that if you treat tenants like customers with respect, care, and professionalism - you get so much more back in return:

✔ Longer tenancies
✔ Less wear and tear on your property
✔ Better communication
✔ Fewer voids and missed payments

In one of the first properties I managed properly under this mindset, the tenant took real pride in the place, and even helped with minor maintenance bits without being asked.

It wasn’t because the rent was the cheapest.
It wasn’t because the property was the fanciest.
It was because they felt valued.

That mindset of care and service is now carved into how we work at AJG Properties.
We’re not just letting houses - we’re helping people find homes they love living in.

👉 Landlords: next time you're thinking about your rental property, ask yourself:
"Would I be happy living here?"

Small shift. Big results.

💬 What’s the best landlord or letting experience you’ve ever had - either as a landlord or a tenant? I’d love to hear your stories 👇🏻

02/05/2025

Why Professional Property Management Pays for Itself (and Then Some)

When I first started out in property, I thought managing everything myself would save me money.

No agent fees, no middleman, just me so it would be simple, right?

What I didn’t realise back then was the hidden cost of self-managing.

📉 Missed rent increases because I wasn’t confident handling negotiations
📉 Poor tenant vetting leading to late payments and more wear and tear
📉 Endless evenings and weekends chasing contractors and chasing tenants

It wasn’t until I worked with a professional management company that I realised:

👉 Good property management doesn’t cost you money.
👉 It makes you money.

Here’s how:
✔ Higher quality tenants - thorough referencing and selection means fewer issues down the line
✔ Optimised rent - regular reviews ensure you’re getting fair market value and looking after your tenant
✔ Reduced voids - faster turnarounds between tenants keeps cash flow steady
✔ Better maintenance - proactive care = fewer expensive surprises later

The most important?
✔ You get your time (and sanity) back.

At AJG Properties, we treat every home we manage like it’s our own. We don’t just find any tenant - we find the right tenant. We don’t just react to problems - we prevent them.

💬 If you're self-managing right now, ask yourself:
Are you really saving money... or are you losing more than you think?

I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments. 👇🏻

01/05/2025

Why Guaranteed Rent Isn’t "Too Good to Be True" (When Done Right)

When I first heard about "Guaranteed Rent," I’ll admit I was sceptical.

It sounded a bit too good.

You’re telling me I can rent out my property...
✅ Get paid on time every month
✅ Avoid void periods altogether
✅ Not have to chase rent or deal with arrears
✅ And even cover some maintenance costs?

It felt like there had to be a catch.

But here’s what I’ve learnt and what most landlords don’t realise:

Guaranteed Rent works when you partner with the right company.
It’s not about giving up control, It’s about gaining peace of mind.

At AJG Properties, we offer a Guaranteed Rent service that gives landlords exactly that:
✔ A fixed rental income, paid every month (even if the property is empty)
✔ Full management of the property, including maintenance coordination
✔ No more stress over rent collection or tenancy issues

It’s especially powerful for landlords who:
👉 Are tired of the ups and downs of the rental market
👉 Have experienced costly void periods
👉 Want a more passive, predictable investment

I always say: you didn’t invest in property to have another full-time job.
You invested for freedom.

Guaranteed Rent can help you get back to that.

💬 If you’re curious how it might work for your property, drop me a message or comment “GUARANTEED” below and I’ll send you some free info.