16 Aug 2019
Paramount recently donated an entire kitchen refurbishment to The Winch - a child and youth charity based in Camden that helps children to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. We turned a dark and cluttered basement room into a bright, comfortable communal space for their visitors and staff. What a transformation!
24 Jul 2019
Paramount Properties are delighted to support our good friend Hew Stevenson, a London based landscaper for www.shootsandleaves.co.uk. This year Hew is taking on the treacherous Mongol Rally for Cancer Research UK: 11,000 Miles, 41 Days, 12 Countries, 3 Mountain Ranges, 2 Deserts, and 1 Car!
24 Jul 2019
We've recently unleashed work experience student Analiese on our team to show her how we do what we do - find out how it went!
23 Jul 2019
Paramount Pantry is raising money again, This time our Lettings Director is taking on a 26-mile kayak challenge along the River Wye over 2 days. Read his story...
11 Jul 2019
What do you expect from your sales and letting agent? A one-size-fits-all service where the highlights are glossy brochures and online marketing for your property? We take a different approach. We begin with you. With everything you need all under one roof, we are able to offer a premium, flexible service to help you achieve your property goals sooner. Contact us now to find out what we can do for you and your portfolio!
02 Jul 2019
The Winch is a child and youth charity with a mission “to help each child succeed, regardless of their circumstances, by giving them the opportunities and support they need.” They offer a huge list of programs catering to families, children, and young adults up to the age of 25; from After School Clubs and Holiday Play Schemes to a business start-up programme for young adults (called ‘The Company’).
25 Jun 2019
Between the 17th to the 21st of June, we ran a food drive collection of non-perishables in our office for our local Brent foodbank (part of the Trussel Trust, which works to end hunger and poverty in the UK). During the week we received donations from so many local people, from all of our team and their families, from clients and businesses in the NW6 area.
09 Jun 2019
This month, between the 17th to the 21st, we will be running a food drive out of our office for our local Brent foodbank. With a 400% increase in visitors using their services this year, we hope that you will help us to help Brent foodbank support those in our community struggling to put food on their table. Every donation makes a difference!
07 Jun 2019
As I sit here writing, I look out the window and see bright sunshine, blue skies and 20-degree forecasts for the rest of the week. This can only mean one thing – summer is coming!
02 May 2019
We are extremely proud to host our own Paramount Maintenance Team who are on call 24/7 to cover plumbing, gas, general maintenance, cleaning & carpentry across the North West London area. Find out why that is so important to landlords and tenants.
08 Apr 2019
Click here to read our Lucy's advice on how to maximise the fun with your kids this Easter!
04 Apr 2019
Being a landlord feels a little unfair at the moment doesn’t it? Honestly – we feel your pain. With the Tenant Fee Ban coming into effect shortly, find out how choosing an ARLA-qualified agent can protect you and your property.
04 Apr 2019
To celebrate 10 years of repairs and refurbishments in the local area, we are offering our landlords 10% off of their next Paramount Maintenance job over £100!
01 Apr 2019
Find out why this spring is the perfect time to buy into or trade up the property ladder!
19 Mar 2019
Danielle has just joined us from Canada. Read about her transition to the British way of life here...
08 Mar 2019
Katie has been helping out in the property management team whilst a new candidate was secured and trained, so read all about her experience here.
07 Feb 2019
Lucy Shapiro has worked at Paramount Properties for an entire decade and she has seen lots of changes in that time. Here she talks through 10 things she has learnt in her 10 years.
07 Feb 2019
It is always lovely to introduce new blood to our wonderful team and we are really excited to announce the news of our exceptionally experienced and dedicated Head of Sales. Please let us welcome Mr Peter Gobey and find out a little more about him.
23 Jan 2019
Everything was different back in the 1980s when Paramount Properties opened their doors for the first time. Everything except London property being a very sound asset. We have an amazing 30th Birthday celebration offer for all of our clients looking to sell in the NW London area. Not to be missed (unlike the 1980s decor).
21 Jan 2019
January is a time for resolutions and here are some of our top tips for savvy landlords to consider.
20 Dec 2018
We were humbled to receive the "Outstanding Contribution to Charity Award" at the latest Agents Giving Ball, a magnificent way to end the year and a huge plaudit for the team both past and present.
11 Dec 2018
A quick overview of the Tenant Fee Ban as is it looms ever closer!
21 Nov 2018
This is the most common question our vendors ask us "how can I sell for the highest price in the quickest time?" but it really is imperative to get the price just right in order to sell in the optimum time.
06 Nov 2018
A property was sold somewhere across England and Wales every 9 seconds of working hours between January and July of this year. How impressive is that? Now whoever said that the housing market was quiet?
29 Oct 2018
It is incredibly important to minimise the time that a property remains on the sales market so that it does not become stale and lose its appeal. That is why Paramount work on keeping the time between a property first being listed and being sold, as short as possible. The average time it takes us is 85 days - just under 3 months - when the average for most of our local agents is nearer 5 months. Find out how we do this...
29 Oct 2018
There is now another way to boost your credit rating if you are currently renting. Records of rental payments are now being included in credit reports, meaning tenants could find it easier to get a mortgage.
29 Oct 2018
What happens when you have an amazing rental month at a time when stock levels are low? Well, we have found out during October... have a read!
08 Oct 2018
Looking at the upcoming tenant fee ban, the latest information and what we can expect to come.
01 Oct 2018
Lettings law is always changing and Landlords are subject to over 145 pieces of legislation covering the private rental sector. It is essential to remain up-to-date with legislative changes to avoid falling foul of the law and ending up with large fines, or imprisonment. This is why most professional landlords instruct the services of a regulated and qualified letting agent, such as Paramount Properties. On 1st October 2018, the law changed for service of notice to tenants in order to regain possession of a property under Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
16 Sep 2018
Our sales negotiator Tony Mixides has been saving for his first home and ponders whether he should go for a new build property and use the Government Help to Buy scheme, or keep saving and buy a second hand residential property, once he has saved enough deposit.
11 Sep 2018
Maintaining a good standard of rental property is a lot harder than you would think, which is why most professional landlords use the service of an accredited agency with a team of property managers, such as Paramount Properties, in order to keep the investment sound. We give you our top tips for managing a rental property successfully.
03 Sep 2018
This week the School Summer Holidays end and the Autumn term begins. This is always a time of mixed blessings, so we have written this article to help you with the transition.
02 Sep 2018
Joe Stoll, one of our Property Managers, discusses how going over and above in order to protect a landlords investment is all part of his very rewarding job.
20 Aug 2018
As a school mum working in West Hampstead, our team member Lucy is always on the lookout for places to visit with the children over the Summer Holidays.
06 Aug 2018
Property refurbishment is one of our specialities here at Paramount Properties and recently we have been working on one of the fabulous West Hampstead Mansion Blocks, Yale Court and wanted to show you the results of a complete refurbishment and how delighted the owner of the property was with the end results.
02 Aug 2018
We give our view on the recent change to interest rates, and what this could mean for the property market.
04 Jul 2018
Dani has joined us from Leeds University for the summer to work as a letting negotiator, find out how Dani got on...
22 Jun 2018
Joe one of our property managers spent some time with Vinni from our in-house maintenance team to get a better insight, read his thoughts.
01 Jun 2018
Can you help the local community by donating food to our office in a collection for Brent Food Bank? Any donation big or small makes a difference!
16 May 2018
Looking for a rental property, but you're not sure whether to go for un-furnished or furnished? Chloe details which could suit you best.
11 May 2018
There's a whole host of things going on in North West London this month, you'll be spoilt for choice.
23 Apr 2018
Spencer reflects on the ARLA Conference 2018. A day filled with industry insight that we're passing on to you!
16 Apr 2018
Spring is finally upon us and the warmer weather is on its way, London is always extra beautiful in the sunshine!
29 Mar 2018
The Sherriff Centre is a unique charity based community centre in the heart of West Hampstead with some great concerts coming up.
08 Mar 2018
This Sunday is Mothers Day, if you are looking for ideas of what do or buy here in West Hampstead, here is your guide to a great Mothers Day in West Hampstead.
01 Mar 2018
Katie from our new homes team in lettings, lets you in on some of the things that make renting in Camden so appealing!
23 Feb 2018
Reagan, our lettings operations director explains why it is a great a thing to retain a single office presence in West Hampstead!
15 Feb 2018
Joe worked Saturdays in West Hampstead at Paramount when he was 17, he has now returned as a property manager for our lettings team.
09 Feb 2018
Whether you are near or far from your property we make sure, they are maintained, inspected and most importantly let!
24 Jan 2018
It has been a good start to 2018 for Paramount as the stats show we agreed the most sales in 2017
16 Jan 2018
As the curtain closes on a busy and at times challenging 2017, we look forward to the year ahead with renewed vigour and a collective determination to improve all that we do.
02 Jan 2018
Take a trip down memory Lane with Jason from our New Homes Team, he reflects on the difference technology has made to the industry.
13 Dec 2017
What is the connection between football and Lettings? You can find out in this blog by our Lettings Negotiator Adam
05 Dec 2017
Chloe our Lettings Negotiator has undertaken the challenge of learning and completing the ARLA, she talks through what the ARLA consists of, and why landlords might want to choose an ARLA register agent.
28 Nov 2017
At the end of a smooth, problem free tenancy the deposit return can end up being a time consuming process for both tenants and landlords. The property needs to be returned in the same standard it was when you started the tenancy – taking into account fair wear and tear. The House of Lords defined wear and tear as “reasonable use of the premises by the tenant and the ordinary operation of natural forces”. This essentially means it will not consider anything which happens just through day to day use of the property. We hold our deposits in the TDS (Tenancy deposit Scheme) who have a full guide on how to classify wear and tear.
22 Nov 2017
Chancellor Phillip Hammond has abolished stamp duty with immediate effect for first time buyers purchasing a home up to £300,000. A saving of £5,000 which is not to be sniffed at.
14 Nov 2017
New front desk support Freddie is just getting used to working in London, and has been looking at the best places to go this Christmas!
07 Nov 2017
Help keep vulnerable people warm this winter by donating a coat this November!
03 Nov 2017
The time has almost come for Reagan and I to don our sparkly outfits and dancing shoes in front of 400 of our peers all in the aid of charity (and the amusement of our co-workers).
03 Nov 2017
The Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.25% to 0.5%. The Bank’s monetary policy committee was split seven to two. Mortgage lenders are now expected to follow suit with small increases to their lending rates.
16 Oct 2017
Hear from Tony Mixides, the winner of our charity bake-off on his journey to being crowned bake-off champion
05 Oct 2017
Should I buy or rent? A question that many would be property purchasers and their families are probably asking themselves at the moment.
03 Oct 2017
As well as Reagan and Steve dancing at Agents Giving, we have been shortlisted for the Agents Giving Fundraising championship Award. We are honoured to be listed alongside these other great companies doing great work for so many charities.
12 Sep 2017
Spencer Lawrence reflects on 20 years in West Hampstead, with change occurring in both the area and the professional landscape.
30 Aug 2017
Oliver Gorman gives his tips on how to add some attractive decoration to your home on a budget.
22 Aug 2017
Newest recruit, property manager Richard O’Brien gets to grips with joining Paramount from a larger corporate agency!
10 Aug 2017
The very best quality comes at a price, but with many unwilling to compromise on quality, West Hampstead has become THE destination for young Londoners who want to get the best of both.
02 Aug 2017
Unlike most agencies, at Paramount we have a high number of employees who have come to us from an employment background not based in property. We find the wide range of transferable skills our team have from other industries often bring varied skill sets and points of view to the table. As we recruit for new positions across our departments, Hollie Measures talks you through why a background in catering made her the perfect choice for our front desk and why you shouldn’t judge a candidate just based on their CV!
26 Jul 2017
As a mother with two young children, I am always looking for child friendly places and having worked in West Hampstead for the past 8 and a half years, I have come across some lovely places that I would recommend families to visit.
19 Jul 2017
After being an agent for many years, the joy of giving a buyer a set of keys to their newly acquired home never diminishes.
12 Jul 2017
I’ve worked at Paramount for nearly two and half years now and can honestly say that West Hampstead is one of my favourite places with some lovely little spots to meet up.
07 Jul 2017
Property rental reality TV, who would have thought it? Paramounts Compliance Manager, Jason Pevovar reviews the next best thing to Love Island...
21 Jun 2017
Hope Alves, our Property Management Assistant, runs us through her top five things to do in West Hampstead.
14 Jun 2017
Adam Wright gives you the top 10 things he has learnt in his first week as a Lettings Negotiator here at Paramount.
07 Jun 2017
At Paramount - we now carry out pre-check out inspections in order start preparing tenants for this process and advise them on how to have the best chance to recoup all of their funds.
31 May 2017
It's only human nature to desire the newest and nicest property that you see, but you will still have to put you best foot forward to secure that dream home and in this blog I will be showing how you can stand out from the crowd.
26 May 2017
As another bank holiday approaches, the question arises as to why do employees still get the traditional paid-for holidays each year; be they federal holidays in the states or bank holidays here in the UK?
19 May 2017
With next week marking the start of The Chelsea Flower Show, in our latest blog we take a look at how to make the most of any limited space when it comes to working some green-fingered magic.
15 May 2017
Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area of Whitechapel was the centre of the Jewish community and has since become known for the Jack the Ripper murders in the late 1880s. Nowadays, the area is famed for its curries and pop-up bars and restaurants.
07 May 2017
What's the market like at the moment? This is a question I get asked on 90% of the viewings I attend by interested applicants looking for an insight on whether or not now is a good time to buy a property.
25 Apr 2017
Could Labour's proclamations of scrapping the Tories' Brexit white paper offer stability for EU nationals hoping to rent in London?
19 Apr 2017
With summer creeping up, and holidays getting booked, it might be a prudent time to think about how secure your home is when it's empty
03 Apr 2017
Last week, I headed down to the annual, newly re-branded 'Arla Propertymark' conference in London's Excel centre. Here are a few of the highlights...
27 Mar 2017
Last week, our West Hampstead office was filled with the delicious smells of baking as we cooked up daily treats for Red Nose Day 2017.
15 Mar 2017
Whether you're a tenant or a landlord, Spring is the perfect time to get your home in order and get to work on all those odd-jobs you might have been putting off during the winter months.
08 Mar 2017
This week we popped down to Brent Food Bank who do an amazing job helping out the local community not only in terms of food but also clothing and support for those in need.
27 Feb 2017
Since 2014, Paramount has invested in the unique property repair service, Fixflow to ensure every single landlord's property is protected around the clock
23 Feb 2017
Exactly one month ago to the day, I sat at this desk for the first time as the newest member of Paramount's Lettings department. Despite over 8 years of experience in the industry and various other jobs, you never lose those first-day nerves, eager to impress and quickly rid yourself of the 'new boy' nickname.
21 Feb 2017
On Friday 3 March, we took part in The Big Issue's London Night Walk in order to raise money for the homeless vendors and help them on their journey out of homelessness.
20 Feb 2017
The winter months saw the usual drop off in activity in the local lettings market. Overall the demand last year was as high as ever, assisted by the unusually higher stock levels not encountered in previous years.
15 Feb 2017
Whether it was named during the time Robert Browning lived in the area between 1862 to 1887, or whether it was named earlier by Lord Byron; Little Venice is a beautiful part of London surrounding three waterways; The Grand Union canal, Regent's canal and the Paddington Basin.
10 Feb 2017
There is more to Paramount Properties than just sales and lettings. Did you know that we have our own management department? They ensure our tenants are happy in their property and that everything is functioning as it should.
07 Feb 2017
This week, Mayuri Depala delves into the benefits of Paramount's staff perk-scheme, Perkbox... I think an ideal chilled night out with a friend or with family is when you can indulge in some warm sweet popcorn. Not
26 Jan 2017
Moving home can be quite unsettling for young children. Making their move go smoothly can have a great impact on how they settle into their new home. Children’s toys provide an element of comfort and company whilst the move gathers pace, but moving their toys can
19 Jan 2017
At Paramount we offer three different tiers of landlord service; each of which has been carefully designed to suit your requirements. Whichever package you choose, our experienced Lettings and Property Management team will be on hand to
18 Jan 2017
Kilburn is an area of north-west London, England, which is divided between three London Boroughs and two postcodes: most of Kilburn is in NW6 Brent or Camden, but a small section is inside Westminster.
16 Jan 2017
Sitting in traffic in Elephant and Castle with two tepid Starbucks may not be the opportune time to write a blog, but for us, the start to this year has been so busy it's hard to find the time. We're on our way to visit two new blocks in South London which we will be taking
12 Jan 2017
So you're moving? Fantastic :) However, moving is incredibly stressful and is even more so when you have pets to relocate too. Our furry friends deserve to be well looked after during the move as the volume of things that are going on around them can be difficult for them to understand and will inevitably make them nervous.
10 Jan 2017
Just under 6 miles from central London lies the London Borough of Lewisham, which become part of London as late as 1965. The main centre was hit by a V-1 flying bomb in 1944 flooring most of the buildings which were rebuilt in the ‘50s. The main shopping centre now consists of Lewisham Shopping Centre and a daily market at the north end of the High Street.
04 Jan 2017
Then known as a dangerous route due to the frequency of highwaymen, Camden High Street (as it's now known), began to be developed in the late 1700s by Earl Camden (Charles Pratt) and other wealthy landowners. When the Grand Union canal arrived in 1820, (and Euston railway station in 1837), the area became rapidly transformed, especially around the locks with goods being loaded and unloaded by horse and cart for distribution into London.
28 Dec 2016
Originally named Gislandune by the Saxons, "Gisla's hill" from the Old English personal name Gisla and dun ("hill", "down"), the name later mutated to Isledon, which remained in use well into the 17th century when the modern form arose. In medieval times, Islington was one of many small districts, along with Bernersbury, Neweton Berewe or Hey-bury and Canonesbury (Barnsbury, Highbury and Canonbury's names first recorded in the 13th and 14th centuries).
20 Dec 2016
Our office opening hours over the holidays are as follows: Friday 23rd – Tuesday 27th December: Closed Wednesday 28th December: 10am – 4pm Thursday 29th December: 10am – 4pm
07 Dec 2016
High volumes of unnecessary internal emails received were cited as an issue for many at a recent team meeting.
06 Dec 2016
Another year, another award - this time we were thrilled to collect the silver award for Best Single Office, London at the Estate Agency of the Year Awards.
29 Nov 2016
As if you didn't have enough to think about when moving home, there's now another item to add to the extensive list: checking broadband at your new home.
29 Nov 2016
Congratulations to our team of nine who braved the elements last week for Centrepoint's Sleep Out and raised a whopping £3,684 :)
15 Nov 2016
Once known as Penceat, meaning 'edge of wood', Penge lies on the borders of Bromley, Lewisham and Croydon and a mere 7 miles south-east of Charing Cross. With great transport links (mainline train to Victoria in 17 mins and Brixton in 8 mins, Overground to Shoreditch in 28 mins or the 176 bus to Tottenham Court Road), it's easy to see why this once forgotten suburb is now attracting a whole host of house hunters.
10 Nov 2016
80,000 young people experience homelessness every year, with this figure set to rise. Whilst we can't begin to imagine the difficulties and dangers that people in this situation face, especially at this time of year; we wanted to raise awareness and put ourselves in that position - if only for a very brief moment.
08 Nov 2016
The largest charity coat drive is back this year, from the 7-18 November, and Paramount is pleased to be acting as a drop off point for any unwanted or old coats.
01 Nov 2016
In the run-up to Christmas, we'll be giving out these mouth-watering chocolates from local chocolatiers, Cocoa Bijoux to anyone who invites a member of our Lettings team round to value their property!
28 Oct 2016
As we all know, buying your first home is a big step and can be fraught with difficulties if you're not armed with the right knowledge.
24 Oct 2016
Our Lettings department has been using the Goodlord app for the past few weeks, and last week hit our '50 deal milestone'.
18 Oct 2016
The summer months have seen the usual frenetic activity in the local lettings market. The demand this year was as buoyant as ever assisted by the unusually higher stock levels not encountered in previous summer months.
12 Oct 2016
It is very rare that, as a negotiator, I find myself at 9pm on a Friday night running down isle 69 in Ikea seeking out a LUGNVIK or defending myself from a falling JOKKMOKK.
04 Oct 2016
Last week saw the return of Macmillan's Coffee Morning event, an annual fundraising event where local businesses and individuals are encouraged to hold an event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support.
20 Sep 2016
To celebrate Gas Safety Week, we put our plumber Dipak Patel on the spot and asked him a few quick' get to know you' questions.
19 Sep 2016
Launched in 2011 and coordinated by Gas Safe Register, Gas Safety Week provides a platform for the gas industry and linked organisations to promote awareness about Gas Safety for homeowners, landlords and tenants alike.
08 Sep 2016
Be quick - summer's nearly over, so grab your jacket and make the most of the last few warm evenings in these fantastic north London beer gardens and rooftops.
30 Aug 2016
When you think of Hampstead, you may be forgiven for thinking 'I could never afford to live there', with its beautiful heath, Kenwood House and numerous famous residents (Sting, Jonathan Ross, George Michael, Emma Thompson etc).
17 Aug 2016
Read our quick tips on how to prepare for moving day so it goes without a hitch. Prepare early: As is often the case when undertaking a big project, early preparation and organisation can save you a lot of turmoil and stress down the line. Nowadays, the time between exchanging and completing when buying a property, can be minimal, so it's best to get your 'to-do' list done as soon as possible.
02 Aug 2016
Having now completed my first week as a Property Manager at Paramount I wanted to share the three main things that have really stood out for me.
26 Jul 2016
At Tesco, it is company policy that head office staff spend days of their year working on the shop floor with the front facing staff. An idea which pushes people out of their comfort zone and creates a better understanding between the two equally important parts of the business.
18 Jul 2016
In Paramount’s last quarterly review we had a lot to comment on, including the additional stamp duty charges for second properties, and the then Prime Minister's announcement of the date for the EU Referendum.
15 Jul 2016
Monday morning. I rise from bed at approximately 6:00am. First things first - a vision. A checklist for completion, immediately cementing the foundations of my day ahead. I think to myself if nothing else arose, I could be well ahead by lunchtime. It never falls that way, but that’s the best bit. The excitement of the unexpected. I’ve created clarity and a pathway to follow, I carry out the mandatory tasks remaining before starting the daily commute.
14 Jul 2016
I was absolutely thrilled last month to be part of a team awarded The Sunday Times Best Property Management in the UK 2016. We collected our award from the brilliant Sir Clive Woodward, and made our way out for our winners interview. We were only asked two questions – the first one I can’t even remember, I was too busy grinning like an idiot. The second one though was ‘why should people use your managed service?’ – and it’s something I have thought a lot about since.
12 Jul 2016
Way, way back on June 23rd when England was still part of the EU and still had a chance of winning Euro 2016, here at Paramount Properties, we embarked on a challenge of our own - to raise as much money as possible for Agents Giving.
12 Jul 2016
Because the sun is finally showing its face (writing this quickly before the next torrential downpour!), and a brief respite from all the doom that Brexit is bringing to London, we thought we'd run a little competition here at Paramount Properties.
11 Jul 2016
The lettings sector is often a reliable barometer of general market sentiment due to the high turnover of property and applicants' ability to react quickly to changing economic conditions. I truly believe the next few months could be a real opportunity for our sector. There may well be a real boom in immigration from Europe before any Brexit deal is made. This would in turn mean even more people needing rented property and for Landlords is likely to produce a further rise in rents. With an expected nervousness happening in the sales market, now could be a great time for landlords to be expanding their portfolio. People will still need to move and live somewhere and traditionally in times of uncertainty people now look to rent for longer. Whilst we do not know exactly what will happen, any shrinking in our economy has always seen the rental market grow even stronger. Whilst current economic and political turmoil has slowed the lettings market a fraction, it is certainly not all bad news.
24 Jun 2016
It's been a busy Friday morning as Britain voted to leave the EU, David Cameron resigned and Jeremy Corbyn faced a no confidence motion.
22 Jun 2016
Agents Giving is the industry charity for the property industry. They work with estate and letting agents across the country, encouraging them to raise money for local and national charities.
21 Jun 2016
Changes to stamp duty and the upcoming EU referendum are just two of factors that have affected the housing market this year. Here are five property statistics that caught our eye this month.
08 Jun 2016
Spencer Lawrence, Lettings Director at Paramount, reflects on his career and those who have contributed to it ahead of the Lettings Agency of the Year awards ceremony on Friday.
02 Jun 2016
This weekend head to Fortune Green to watch Brooklyn on the big screen. Each summer the Friends of Fortune Green arrange a free open air cinema event on the Green. 'Doors' open at 6:30pm and the film will begin at 9pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear warm clothing and bring a picnic.
25 May 2016
The new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has appointed James Murray as his deputy mayor for housing. James Murray is currently the lead councillor for housing and development at Islington council but will stand down from his current role to focus on his new position.
10 May 2016
It's fair to say that us Londoners love a good weekend brunch. Between our seemingly insatiable appetite for avocado and a penchant for bottomless booze, we're certainly doing our best to keep London's restaurants in business.
06 May 2016
Make the most of the British sunshine this weekend by throwing an impromptu barbecue party. The best barbecues involve great friends and quality meat, and your local neighbourhood pal The Hampstead Butcher & Providore can certainly help you source the latter.
03 May 2016
The London mayoral election takes place on 5 May 2016 and Londoners are encouraged to vote for the Mayor of London and the 25 members of the London Assembly. With high demand for and low supply of property in the capital it's no surprise that housing has been a key talking point this election. The candidates have covered it extensively in their manifestos and today we’re taking a closer look at what each of the key Mayoral contenders are promising.
29 Apr 2016
Did you notice that throughout the recent winter you were less inclined to reach for that extra jumper or refrained from putting up your thermostat up to MAX? The reason for this is the previous winter was apparently the warmest on record since the 17th Century.
27 Apr 2016
Mortgage lending spiralled upwards in March as landlords and second home buyers rushed to beat the stamp duty increase on second homes that came into play in April. Gross mortgage borrowing in March reached £17.1 billion – 64% higher than a year ago and the highest borrowing seen since April 2008.
21 Apr 2016
Paramount are supporting a different charity each month throughout 2016. April's charity is Down's Syndrome Association. Every month at Paramount we pick one charity that we want to raise money for, and as April is my month to pick a charity I wanted to select one that means a lot to me.
11 Apr 2016
A good armchair can make or break a living room. The best armchairs define a space whilst also providing the perfect place to settle down with a good book or the Sunday papers. Here are five armchairs that caught our eye because of their stylish aesthetics, comfort credentials and nap-inducing powers.
05 Apr 2016
At the beginning of the year we looked at where the London property market stood at the start of 2016. The average London house price had topped £500,000, the bank rate was still set at 0.5% and gross mortgage lending was 23% higher than the previous year.
30 Mar 2016
Over the last 12 months house prices have increased, rents have risen and a wave of legislative changes have shaken up the lettings industry. More change is coming, with tax changes and stamp duty hikes for buy to let landlords coming into play – and a potential bank rate increase on the horizon.
22 Mar 2016
Paramount are supporting a different charity each month throughout 2016. March's charity is Gesher, a special needs primary school. It was great to be able to get involved with the Paramount Collective and assist with some of the charity work the company has been involved with.
21 Mar 2016
Ensure moving home is simple and stress free. Follow our moving day checklist and you'll be ready to move in no time! Change of address Although you will apply for your post to be redirected (see below) you still need to notify a host of different people and companies of your change of address, including your bank and DVLA.
10 Mar 2016
Every day individuals in Brent go hungry for a range of reasons, from benefit delays to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Thanks to donations, Brent Foodbank are able to still help people put food on the table. Since opening they’ve provided 1,542 three-day emergency food supplies to people in the community that would have gone hungry.
07 Mar 2016
In celebration of International Women's Day, we wanted to learn more about some of the numerous inspirational women with a connection to West Hampstead. Dame Margaret Postgate Cole From the late 1920s to the late 1930s, socialist and feminist Dame Margaret Postgate Cole lived at 7 Parsifal Road in West Hampstead.
02 Mar 2016
Moving into a new property can seem like a daunting task as there is so much to remember to do (take a look at our moving day checklist to make sure you don't forget anything). However the one job that really seems to drive new tenants round the bend is setting up new utility suppliers, which is why we’ve started working with a company called Tenant Shop.
29 Feb 2016
We're huge advocates of shopping (and eating!) local. Thankfully we are spoilt in West Hampstead with a range of amazing independent shops that stock thoughtful and considerate gifts.
26 Feb 2016
The popularity of buy-to-let property is relatively new. The critical change came with the Housing Act of 1988, and the introduction of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in 1989 opened the door for private landlords.
15 Feb 2016
Like much of North London Tufnell Park was a rural area until the railways came in the middle of the 19th century. Unlike neighbouring areas Tufnell Park was spared disruption as most lines passed through the area in tunnels, and it’s this element of planning that has helped keep Tufnell Park a relatively quiet area whilst also benefiting from its proximity to the hubbub of neighbouring Kentish Town, Archway and Holloway.
12 Feb 2016
We all know that location, location, location is key when you're looking to buy or let a property, but how important is it when choosing an estate agency to sell or let your home?
09 Feb 2016
Paramount are supporting a different charity each month throughout 2016. February's charity is Sands, a charity that aids stillbirth and neonatal death amongst new born babies.
08 Feb 2016
Whether you want to do something a bit different this Valentine's or you just don't fancy traipsing into town for an overpriced meal, share the love with West Hampstead this weekend when you celebrate Valentine's Day with the best restaurants and shops in London town.
01 Feb 2016
Access to green spaces is a top priority for Londoners, with 54% saying that's what they like most about where they live. In fact, Londoners prioritise outside space even more than shopping facilities, good schools and community spirit.
29 Jan 2016
The average London property now costs £514,097, compared to £188,270 for England and Wales overall. House prices in London have been increasing at a steady rate for many years and saw an increase of 12.4 per cent in the last year alone. This compares to an annual increase of 6.4 per cent for England and Wales.
14 Jan 2016
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have voted to maintain Bank Rate at 0.5%. The MPC voted by a majority of 8-1 to maintain it at the same level.
08 Jan 2016
Paramount are proud to sponsor "Music of the Spheres" , a concert of music for instruments, stars and planets in West Hampstead on Saturday 30 January.
04 Jan 2016
The average house price in London is £506,724, compared to the average for England and Wales of £186,325. Hillingdon is the borough with the highest annual price rise, with an annual movement of 14.4 per cent. The London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea saw the lowest annual change in London, with a movement of 0.3 per cent. This compares to an annual movement of 11.2 per cent for London as a whole.
