UK Landlord Forum / Life

Ok, I know a lot of people would have completely ignored this week's property ladder because of the UEFA champion's league final, but I have to admit- there was really no choice for me. I proudly ignored the football and firmly left my TV on channel 4. Man, I'm so glad. What a corker of an episode- probably the best I've seen in a long time. You football fans can watch a repeat tomorrow night.

This particular episode appealed to me because it concentrated primarily on the renting side of things, and I've NEVER seen an episode that focused so much on developing a property to maximize rental income. Being a landlord, I found it extremely interesting. Of course, it helped that there was a less than able developer on this week's episode that added to the spice.

PROPERTY 1- Acton



Derek Gallimore tried to increase his rental income by modernising and adding rooms.



This guy was good. He knew what he was doing. He didn't exactly what he wanted to do- on time and on budget. He ended up getting the rent he wanted, and was getting a 10% return annually, which is just about right. I didn't really like the finish, but then again, you don't need a top quality finish for a big rental property. I can't really say much more, or at least I don't want to. Because the next development was way more interesting, and I'm itching to unleash my claws...


PROPERTY 2 - Hendon





I imagine the nation was watching Shaffi's development with their mouth wide open and their hands over their eyes! My God, what a shocker. She got the budget wrong, she got the planning wrong, she got the management wrong, she completely ignored Beeny's advice- I think it's safe to say that she got everything but appearing on Property Ladder for us to witness wrong.

1. She tried to squeeze 10 bedrooms into a standard 3 bedroom property. I mean, you don't even need to see the blue prints for that property, the math is obvious- it ain't gonna work, no matter what kind of crazy extension you do. And oh boy, were there crazy extensions...

2. She wanted to budget a massive extension with a measly 45k budget. Again, 45k to transform a 3 bedroom property into a 10 bedroom? HELLO?

3. She got the builders to start work on an extension that she didn't have permission for.

4. She paid the builders a huge lump sum before even doing any work, which tied them into the contract no matter what.

5. We all know that there have been plenty of cases where know-it-all developers happily ignored Beeny's sound advice- but this woman took the piss. She didn't listen to ANYTHING Beeny suggested. It started to become extremely frustrating.

6. she got tenants in during the development so she could recoop some money. Why would you get tenants into a property which was being worked on in ALL rooms? It wasn't like certain sections of the property was being renovated- every room/section needed attention.

I could go on and on, this whole development was a complete disaster. It took a year to complete and the end result was shocking. Dodgy looking rooms, small spaces and awkward positioning of furniture.

Alas, I can't help but feel sorry for the lady. I mean, she seemed like a nice lady and she looked kinda' sweet when she had her frail little glasses on; shame she was way out of her depth.

It was a classic case of someone clueless jumping in with two feet. Granted, some times that method works, but this time it didn't because "common sense" was lacking from the entire equation. I just hope she's learned from her mistakes (which she said she did), and does something much, much, much better in the future to restore some kind of dignity. On a positive note, if she decided to wipe her hands with the entire project, she would be 10k in profit. Not much for 1 years work, but considering how much she did wrong- I consider it a good place to be in.

Overall, shockingly bad, ignorant developer (if you can even call her that). But underneath the stupidity, it could have happened to a much more unsavory character- Shaffi was alriiiight. However, Beeny's final words were that you have to admire her perseverance. Agreed. Most people would have either walked away after a week or hung themself. She hung on for a year.

What did you guys think?

haha makes me laugh how youd rather watch sarah beeny over foolsball.
I missed it, but it was for desperate housewives which did seem abit more appealing than another pissing repeat of property ladder or football.

Was it a repeat though ??  I dont know.

Im sure i'll watch it.... because id love to know how you could fit 10 bedrooms into a house from 3 ! Sounds great.

Quote from: FeeFee on May 22, 2008, 10:22:34 AM
haha makes me laugh how youd rather watch sarah beeny over foolsball.
I missed it, but it was for desperate housewives which did seem abit more appealing than another pissing repeat of property ladder or football.

Was it a repeat though ??  I dont know.

Im sure i'll watch it.... because id love to know how you could fit 10 bedrooms into a house from 3 ! Sounds great.

It wasn't a repeat! The PL producers got it all wrong. For the last 3 weeks they have been showing repeats/revisted, and the one night the football was on, they show a new episode. What kind of logic is that? It's on again tonight, so make sure you watch it!

I watched desperate housewives on Sunday- the one with the hurricane was the best episode! I've only been watching it for 3 weeks, but I'm hooked! I've been wanting to find someone I can gossip with about desperate housewives- I've found you!!!!

A little gay i feel 

Quote from: Uncle Norman on May 22, 2008, 01:27:16 PM
A little gay i feel 

Don't be like that, B. Watch it with us, you'll love it!!!

Badge have you ever watched it ? No. So shush and watch it 

Its really good isnt it faggie.
All men think its abit girly but it really isnt... its getting really good atm with the hurricane.

Did no one watch this episode? Man, you guys missed out!

Ive missed two episodes in a row now... my catch up thingy thing keeps on not recording it! and so I thought atleast 4OD will have it .... but oh noo ... they are both just as crap as each other it seems!

This is so upsetting!

Hello

I am contacting you with regards to Derek Gallimore's Acton Property.
I was particularly interested by the this building project.

I am about to commence a similar building project in Hanger Lane
and was inspired by the professionalism of his (German ?) builders.
Their approach to the job was excellent and i would be very interested in
making contact with them to see if they would be interested in working
with us on our upcomming project.

We were about to commence the build with a contractor, but now that we found out they
were not a member of FMB (despite having stated they were) we are now considering alternatives.

Would you e able to put me in touch with these builders / Derek Gallimore or any other in the area that are
well reputed?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Hey Hangler Lane,

You can get all the contact details for the builders and Derek Gallimore himself from the channel 4 website:

Derek Gallimore's contact details

Hope that wells.

Dont get the Germans to lay a flat roof for you, esspecialy if it beds down under something else, OMG, you have bbeen warned my little bundles of fresh goodness.

There are many people struggling to buy homes today as many people are rejected when setting an offer to buy a house. Dont get the Germans to lay a flat roof for you, esspecialy if it beds down under something else, OMG, you have bbeen warned my little bundles of fresh goodness. I missed it, but it was for desperate housewives which did seem abit more appealing than another pissing repeat of property ladder or football.