THE PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE BROUGHT TO YOU BY FISKS | ISSUE 46
inside this issue
GIRL POWER GOALS SLEEP TIPS TOWARDS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH THE END OF LETTING FEES PLUS ALL OF THIS MONTH’S PROPERTIES
Contents Girl power goals This summer, plenty of films are lined up but Ocean’s 8 is the one that has got everyone talking.
Sleep tips towards better mental health Premium mattress brand Tempur have been offering advice to help people on the path to ensuring more restorative sleep in order to improve mental wellbeing.
The end of letting fees We take a look at everything you need to know about the letting fees ban and explain just how it could affect you.
Our properties Last, but certainly not least, you can find all of this month’s feature properties throughout the magazine. Enjoy!
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Welcome to our
magazine... Welcome to the June edition of our Gateway magazine.
John Pring FNAEA (Honoured) & MARLA | Director
Summer is here at last, in fact the longest day will soon be upon us. In this edition we are focusing on properties in SS7 & SS8, the local government area known as Castle Point. Castle Point, being located just outside of the M25 to the east, has always had a varied mix of properties, the prices of which seem great value compared to the inner areas of the M25 motorway. The commuting railway station at Benfleet on the mainline from Southend to Fenchurch Street serves the City and Canary Wharf through the Jubilee Line with connections at West Ham. Castle Point has an interesting history. The name was created by the amalgamation of the old urban district councils of Benfleet and Canvey. Canvey really is an island and is separated from Benfleet by Benfleet creek and still maintains a strong community spirit deriving from its island heritage. The area is blessed with good junior and secondary schools, an ideal location to bring up your family. The name ‘Castle Point’ is derived from the views of Southend from Canvey Point and the ruined Norman castle in Hadleigh Downs which overlooks Canvey. If you have never visited the area before, it is worth a look. For an updated Sales or Lettings valuation, to see your property in our July Gateway magazine or for further advice, please contact your local Fisks branch.
fisks.co.uk
Meet our
Benfleet Team Our centrally located estate and letting agency branch offers a professional sales, lettings and property management service for Benfleet and the surrounding areas benefitting from ARLA and NAEA qualified staff.
THERE ARE A LOT OF ESTATE AGENTS BUT ONLY ONE FISKS “We gave our property to Fisks when we decided to move as Ian seemed the most professional of the three agents who we asked to value our property. Boy are we glad we did house sold to the first viewers in 36 hours from instructing Fisk’s. We were kept up to date with regular calls and nothing was too much trouble. Now we have moved Ian is collecting post from our old address for us and calling for us to collect from the office. Beyond the call of duty Great service thanks again Martin and Melanie Bagnall “
Located some 30 miles east of the City of London on the north bank of the Thames Estuary, Benfleet is primarily based around three historically separate settlements; South Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh. which gradually merged during the 20th century. The residential areas are now said to have the highest proportion of owner occupancy in the country which speaks volumes for the quality of life here! The mainland station in South Benfleet services the entire area and is the busiest commuting station on the Fenchurch Street C2C line.
AWARD WINNING
2016
Fisks 146 London Road, Benfleet Essex, SS7 5SQ T 01268 565555 F 01268 566291 E benfleet@fisks.co.uk
fisks.co.uk
LOCAL
WOODBURN CLOSE, BENFLEET £310,000 Modernised and refurbished throughout, this three bedroom mid-terraced property is perfect for first time buyers, families or buy to let investors. The property has a modern fitted kitchen, good sized lounge/diner and a rear garden mainly laid to lawn with a patio area. Energy Band – D.
CALL 01268 565555
ELOUNDA COURT, BENFLEET £595,000 Beautiful four bedroom detached home presented in immaculate condition throughout. Maintained to a very high standard, the property features a good sized dining room, utility room, modern fitted kitchen and a nice sized lounge. Upstairs all the bedrooms are doubles, with the master having an en-suite shower, plus the family bathroom. Energy Band – D.
CALL 01268 565555
EVERSLEY ROAD, BENFLEET £425,000 This well-presented detached property is a great size, offering a spacious lounge, refitted shower room and a modern fitted kitchen leading into the dining room/living room. On the first floor you have four double bedrooms and a large family bathroom. The south facing garden is approximately 120ft long with a patio area at the front and the rest laid to lawn. Energy Band – E.
CALL 01268 565555
HIGH ROAD, BENFLEET £285,000 This delightful two bedroom semi-detached bungalow offers a fitted kitchen, lounge/diner, bathroom and conservatory. An added bonus is the garage and parking space accessible at the rear of the property, which is gated and opens via a laser remote control. Energy Band – E.
CALL 01268 565555
fisks.co.uk
LONDON ROAD, BENFLEET £255,000 Two bedroom executive apartment offering fantastic living space throughout and presented in an immaculate condition. Benefits include an ensuite to master, family bathroom and a spacious open plan lounge/diner. You also have the added bonus of a south facing balcony and private parking. Energy Band – C.
CALL 01268 565555
SAXON COURT, BENFLEET £200,000 Two bedroom purpose built apartment offering plenty of living space throughout. Internally the property boasts a separate lounge and dining room, a refitted family bathroom and fitted kitchen. The property has been maintained to a very high standard and would be ideal for a first time buyer, couple downsizing or buy to let investor. Energy Band – C.
CALL 01268 565555
Image credit: Everett Collection
Girl Power Goals
This summer, plenty of films are lined up but Ocean’s 8 is the one that has got everyone talking4
Image credit: JStone
GIRL POWER GOALS Britain’s favourite
This month, Ocean’s 8 will be released –starring an all-female cast. Featuring none other than Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock, the female-led Ocean’s 8 revolves around Debbie Ocean (estranged sister of Danny Ocean, i.e. George Clooney from the Ocean trilogy) and her gang of girls who set up a heist to rob the Met at the time of the gala. The jaw-dropping cast also includes Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, and even a few Kardashians. However, the biggest mystery of the film is whether or not Anne Hathaway’s character is actually part of that titular eight, or is she just a hapless victim? The first full-length film advert focused mainly on Sandra Bullock’s character, Debbie Ocean, reuniting with an old friend, played by Cate Blanchett, and then recruiting other women. Hathaway’s character, a Hollywood actress is not shown with the other women, and we’re led to believe she’s the target of
the crime (or at least the wearer of the presumably loaned jewellery that is the real target), rather than a co-conspirator. We’ll have to wait and see. Whatever her involvement, we’re sure she’s going to do just great. The 35-year old American actress was confirmed as one of the world’s highest paid actresses in 2015 and she’s also received a number of awards. It is even rumoured that her films have earned $6.4 billion worldwide, and she appeared in the Forbes Celebrity 100 in 2009. Is there anything she can’t do? In 2001, she was propelled into the limelight following her lead role in the Disney comedy The Princess Diaries. She then transitioned into adult roles starring in Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, Bride Wars and Love & Other Drugs. In 2012, Hathaway starred as Selina Kyle in her highest-grossing
film The Dark Knight Rises, the final instalment in The Dark Knight trilogy. That year, she also played Fantine, a prostitute dying of tuberculosis, in the musical romantic drama Les Misérables, for which she earned multiple accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She’s since starred in various other flicks and has also sung for soundtracks, won an Emmy for providing her voice in The Simpsons, appeared on stage and hosted events. Wow. Aside from her acting, she also supports several charities and causes. A board member of the Lollipop Theatre Network, an organization that brings films to sick children in hospitals, she advocates gender equality as a UN Women goodwill ambassador. We can’t wait to watch Anne in Ocean’s 8 this month and we wonder what she’s got planned next!
Image credit: Everette Collection
Meet our
Canvey Team Our office located at the heart of Canvey Town Centre offers a sales, lettings and property management service for Canvey Island and the surrounding areas and benefits from ARLA and NAEA qualified staff.
GREAT PROFESSIONAL YET FRIENDLY AGENT “Gemma North & the Fisks team were incredibly easy to work with .....even from 3000 miles away in Canada. .Gemma was always available, polite ,freindly & returned calls swiftly . .The whole transaction went smoothly with many excellent recommendations for other professionals ie solicitors, inspectors etc We would not hesitate to recommend or use Fisks in the future. Thank you so much for all your hard work !!!!�
AWARD WINNING
With excellent rail connections into the City from neighbouring Benfleet station, Canvey is today permanently connected to the mainland via two road bridges, offering fast access to the M25 and East Anglia via the A12 trunk road. However the island still manages to preserve an independent character and a vibrant community spirit all its own. Thanks to development in recent years, Canvey offers a wide range of exceptionally reasonably-priced property, from first time buyer apartments to detached executive homes - many with stunning views across to the wooded Hadleigh Downs, and along the estuary towards Southend.
2016
Fisks 85 Furtherwick Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 7AY T 01268 510510 F 01268 697126 E canvey@fisks.co.uk
fisks.co.uk
LOCAL
BEACH ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £455,000 This four bedroom detached home has been refurbished to the highest standard and integrated with all the latest home technologies, including a voice activation system combined with a CCTV linked burglar alarm. The property boasts a large lounge, conservatory and en-suite bathroom, plus a barbecue area and a swimming pool in the garden. Energy Band - Awaiting.
CALL 01268 510510
WILRYCH AVE, CANVEY ISLAND £265,000 Located in a quiet cul-de-sac is this three bedroom end of terrace house situated on a generous plot with front, side and rear gardens. Internally the property comprises of a large lounge area, kitchen/diner overlooking the rear garden and a three piece family bathroom. Energy Band – F.
CALL 01268 510510
AZALEA MEWS, CANVEY ISLAND £299,500 The owners have spared no expense modernising and updating this three bedroom semi-detached home. You will benefit from a newly fitted kitchen and wooden flooring. To the rear they have added a slate patio along with a landscaped garden. With modern designer decoration, new boiler and double glazing this is a must view. Energy Band – C.
CALL 01268 510510
SURIG ROAD, CANVEY ISLAND £290,000 This detached family home is offered with no onward chain and has plenty of living space downstairs, three good size bedrooms and a generous sized family bathroom. The L-shaped lounge offers space for a dining area while leading on from the kitchen is a conservatory overlooking the rear garden. Energy Band – D.
CALL 01268 510510
fisks.co.uk
ST MICHAELS RD, CANVEY £1,250 pcm This three bedroom terrace has good sized double bedrooms as well as the added benefit of a large 'L' shaped third bedroom which has more than enough space for two single beds. Outside the property offers off street parking and a garage, along with a lawned rear garden. Energy Band – F.
CALL 01268 510510
LINCOLN WAY, CANVEY £1,100 pcm This three bedroom terrace property has a lot to offer, with a fair sized kitchen to the front of the property and a large living room to the rear - possible for a lounge/diner. Sliding doors provide access to the back garden which is mostly laid to lawn. The property also offers a large driveway and integral garage. Energy Band – D.
CALL 01268 510510
Image credit: Mascha Tace
Sleep tips towards better mental health Premium mattress brand Tempur have been offering advice to help people on the path to ensuring more restorative sleep in order to improve mental wellbeing4
Image credit: Stock-Asso
SLEEP TIPS Britain’s TOWARDS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH favourite
“We spend about a third of our lives asleep,” says Tobin James, Tempur UK Managing Director. “Good quality sleep is essential to maintaining good mental and physical health. It’s as important to our bodies as eating, drinking and breathing and can affect our performance, concentration, energy levels, relationships, moods and interpretation of the world. We can all benefit from improving the quality of our sleep. For many of us, it may simply be a case of making small lifestyle or attitude adjustments to help us sleep better. Together with the Mental Health Foundation, we have put together the following guide to help those struggling with sleep to form better habits in order to work towards improving or maintaining good mental health.” 1. Environment Make your bedroom a temple for sleep. That means a good bed that suits you, curtains or blinds that keep out the light, and a comfortable temperature – ideally a little cooler than the rest of the house. Checking your phone last thing at night or browsing social media when we can’t sleep… We’ve all done it. It’s a problem because the films we watch or the emails or feeds we check stimulate our minds and the light from a phone or TV screen can fool our minds into believing it’s daytime. 2. Attitude Our bodies release a hormone called melatonin that makes us feel naturally tired at around 10-11pm. If you go with it and head to bed as you feel tired, you’ll sleep better. Try establishing a bedtime routine that can help you recognise and promote that wave. Turning off the TV and listening to music, having a milky drink or enjoying a warm bath are good ways to rest the mind, and open ourselves up to sleepiness. Don’t lie in bed awake tossing and turning. If you can’t get off to sleep or get back to sleep, get up. Try a warm caffeine/sugar free drink or listen to some calm music for a while. 3. Lifestyle As a rule, eating less than two hours before bed means that food hasn’t had time to digest before we try and sleep. This can lead to discomfort and indigestion. Rice, oats and dairy products can encourage us to feel sleepy. We like to think that alcohol makes us sleep better. It may help us nod off, but the quality of the sleep you get may be poor. Exercise is great for mental health and regular light exercise is a good way to improve sleep. Exercise floods the body with feel-good hormones that stimulate our minds and bodies, so beware of exercising late at night as it can actually keep us awake. 4. Health If you lie awake mulling over concerns about your health, or the health of a loved one, you could try a relaxation exercise or mindfulness practice to help settle your internal worries. If tips like these don’t work, speak to your GP. It may be that you have an underlying health issue. “We’re delighted to be working with Tempur to highlight the importance of good sleep in preventing mental health problems” says Chris O’Sullivan, sleep expert at the Mental Health Foundation. “Modern lives place our sleep hygiene at risk - Netflix has even listed sleep as its greatest competitor - so we all need to take action to ensure that good sleep is the first thing we plan in our day, rather than the thing we squeeze in when everything else is done.” n
Meet our
Docklands Team Located at South Quay, at the foot of the pedestrian bridge to Canary Wharf, our Docklands office offers sales, lettings and property management services for the Docklands and Royal Docks area benefitting from ARLA and NAEA qualified staff.
GOOD PROMT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE “Fisks have found 3 good tenants for me over 5 years, each time they handled the transaction with high professionalism, promptness and doing more than their job description to get the deal done. All details were accurate and checked thoroughly. Good team support. Happy landlord, happy tenant. “
The London Docklands area has been transformed into one of the most exciting commercial and residential environments in the world. Alongside the glittering office towers of Canary Wharf, a rich mix of developments, purpose-built luxury apartment blocks and warehouse conversions full of period character all making the maximum use of the spectacular waterside setting - have helped to make today’s Docklands the last word in sophisticated urban living. Transport links with the City via the Docklands Light Railway and the West End via the Jubilee Line are first class.
AWARD WINNING
2016
Benfleet & Canvey
Canary Wharf, Docklands & Royal Docks
Fisks Docklands Suite 2 Parker House, Admirals Way, Marsh Wall, London, E14 9UQ T 0207 517 8810 F 0207 517 7902 E docklands@fisks.co.uk
fisks.co.uk
VICENTIA COURT, SW11 £399,000 Leasehold – one bedroom apartment featuring direct south westerly river views from the living room and balcony, plus a contemporary kitchen and bathroom. Energy Band – C.
CALL 0207 517 8810
GOUGH WALK, E14 £350,000-£400,00 0 Leasehold – three bedroom maisonette including an open plan kitchen and reception, a family bathroom with separate toilet and a good sized south facing terrace. Energy Band – D
CALL 0207 517 8810
HOLLAND ROAD, E15 £460 pw
MILLENNIUM DRIVE, E14 £340 pw
Lovely three bedroom, two bathroom end of terrace house presented in excellent condition located just moments from Stratford Station. Energy Band – E.
Furnished two bedroom apartment offering a separate fitted kitchen and living room with access to a balcony. Energy Band – C.
CALL 0207 517 8810
CALL 0207 517 8810
ARNHEM PLACE, E14 £460 pw
MARSH WALL, E14 £535 pw
Beautiful fully furnished two bedroom, two bathroom (one en-suite) apartment with stunning west facing views of the River Thames. Energy Band – B.
Two bedroom, two bathroom furnished apartment benefiting from west facing views, floor to ceiling glazing and granite finishes in the kitchen. Energy Band – B.
CALL 0207 517 8810
fisks.co.uk
CALL 0207 517 8810
BLACKWALL WAY, E14 £460 pw
ARNHEM PLACE, E14 £635 pw
Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment featuring an open plan kitchen plus a large balcony that boasts west facing views towards Canary Wharf. Energy Band – Awaiting.
Refurbished three bedroom, two bathroom apartment with direct river views from all the principal rooms and access to a terrace. Energy Band – Awaiting.
CALL 0207 517 8810
CALL 0207 517 8810
SEAGULL LANE, E16 £475 pw
BASIN APPROACH, E16 £395 pw
Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment including a high specification kitchen and bathroom with an en-suite to the master bedroom. Energy Band – B.
Top floor two bedroom, two bathroom apartment fully furnished to a high specification with a large living space and open plan kitchen. Energy Band – D.
CALL 0207 517 8810
CALL 0207 517 8810
Image credit: fizkes
The end of letting fees We take a look at everything you need to know about the letting fees ban and explain just how it could affect you4
THE END OFfavourite LETTING FEES Britain’s
At Fisks, our tenants never have to face unexpected letting fees. Our deposits of 6 weeks rent are clearly explained at the beginning of any negotiation with our fees and terms fully available for inspection on our website, so Fisks’ tenants will never face unexpected letting fees and high deposits. These can cause a significant affordability problem for tenants and are often not clearly explained – leaving many residents unaware of the true costs of renting a property. However, it has recently been confirmed that the Tenant Fees Bill will bring an end to costly letting fees and save tenants around £240 million a year, according to government figures. The Bill will also give tenants greater assurances that the deposit they pay at the start of the tenancy cannot exceed 6 weeks’ rent.
to tenancy at £50 unless the landlord demonstrates that greater costs were incurred • Creating a financial penalty with a fine of £5,000 for an initial breach of the ban with a criminal offence where a person has been fined or convicted of the same offence within the last 5 years. Financial penalties of up to £30,000 can be issued as an alternative to prosecution • Requiring Trading Standards to enforce the ban and to make provision for tenants to be able to recover unlawfully charged fees via the First-tier Tribunal • Amending the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to specify that the letting agent transparency requirements should apply to property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla
Housing Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said: “This government is determined to build a housing market fit for the future. Tenants across the country should not be stung by unexpected costs. That’s why we’re delivering our promise to ban letting fees, alongside other measures to make renting fairer and more transparent. The Tenant Fees Bill will stop letting agents from exploiting their position as intermediaries between landlords and tenants, and prevent unfair practices such as double charging for the same services. It will also help to increase competition between agents and landlords, which could help drive lower costs overall and a higher quality of service for tenants.”
• Local authorities will be able to retain the money raised through financial penalties with this money reserved for future local housing enforcement Alongside rent and deposits, agents and landlords will only be permitted to charge tenants fees associated with: • A change or early termination of a tenancy when requested by the tenant • Utilities, communication services and Council Tax
Other key measures in the Bill, which reflects feedback from a recent public consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, include:
• Payments arising from a default by the tenant such as replacing lost key
• Capping holding deposits at no more than one week’s rent. The Bill also sets out the proposed requirements on landlords and agents to return a holding deposit to a tenant • Capping the amount that can be charged for a change
It comes after the government confirmed they would be working to protect tenants and landlords through the introduction of new rogue landlord database, banning orders for rogue landlords and property agents as well as a new code of practice to regulate the letting and managing agents sector
Image credit: Pixelbliss
2016
Benfleet Fisks Ltd 146 London Road Benfleet Essex, SS7 5SQ T: 01268 565555 F: 01268 566291 E: benfleet@fisks.co.uk
Why use Fisks?
Canvey Fisks Ltd 85 Furtherwick Road Canvey Island Essex, SS8 7AY
Members of NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents) and ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents).
T: 01268 510510 F: 01268 697126 E: canvey@fisks.co.uk
Audited clients account
Docklands Fisk Docklands Ltd Suite 2 Parker House Admirals Way Marsh Wall London, E14 9UQ
Free rent guarantee insurance with management plus Option to spread payments over the length of lease (subject to Terms of Business) Three levels of service offered: Let Only, Management and Management Plus
T: 0207 517 8810 F: 0207 517 7902 E: docklands@fisks.co.uk Head Office 146a London Road Benfleet Essex, SS7 5SQ T: 01268 750000 F: 01268 758921 E: office@fisks.co.uk Property Management: 0207 517 8811
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To experience our service, put us to the test! Contact your local branch at Benfleet, Canvey or Docklands