Author: Tom

  • What is the legal status of almspersons?

    An almshouse is a private house which is used normally for the purpose of providing accommodation for older people who would pay no rent or a token amount.

    There are around 1,800 almshouse charities in the UK including here in Glastonbury which collectively provide accommodation for around 36,000 people. Do almspersons occupy the property as licencees or tenants? How can almshouse arrangements be terminated?

    For purposes of law, almspersons are not tenants and are therefore considered licencees. More details can be found here

    In order to validly end an arrangement made with an almsperson to reside in an almshouse, it would be necessary to serve a valid Notice to Quit. The provisions of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 should be kept in mind. Section 5 of the Act states that no notice by a licensor or a licensee to determine a periodic licence to occupy premises as a dwelling (whether the licence was granted before or after the passing of this Act) shall be valid unless—(a)it is in writing and contains such information as may be prescribed, and(b)it is given not less than 4 weeks before the date on which it is to take effect.

  • The customer experience formula is sooo simple

    No rocket science, complicated algorithms or the need for a spreadsheet here is the formula for what customer experience really is:

    R – E = CE

    Reality – Expectations = Customer Experience

    If you can make reality exceed expectations you have a positive customer experience

  • Are you branding or blanding?

    So you have decided you want to be ‘the best’ but ‘the best’ at what? This is where many businesses get it so wrong. Winning businesses choose a ‘position’. They clearly target customer groups and aim to be ‘THE one’ for those customers. Too many businesses try to be all things to all people. They’re ‘ok’ but not ‘brilliant’. The result is ‘blanding’, not ‘branding’.

    Good examples of this in our own industry are the estate agents who also ‘do lettings’ on the side, will have a go at residential and commercial property and for the right commission turn their hand to auctions and will even sell you some financial products as if they haven’t taken enough money off clients already.

    When was the last time somebody won an Olympic gold medal at the 100m and the marathon? Decide what you are best at and become brilliant at that event.

    Are you branding or blanding?