A confidential property advisory business - why and how?
Why?
Our goal is simple: to help our clients resolve their property challenges so they can focus on achieving their business objectives. Every project or commission we undertake is crafted to align seamlessly with our clients' goals, ensuring our work adds value where it matters most.
How?
We deliver a service that is user-friendly, responsive, and individually tailored to each client’s needs. By managing property-related issues with efficiency and expertise, we aim to alleviate stress and provide clarity in an often-complex field.
For every assignment, our focus is on finding practical, commercially viable solutions that work in today’s increasingly intricate property landscape.
Our Approach...
We operate discreetly and purposefully—avoiding the spotlight. We don’t rely on marketing through boards on buildings, advertisements, or press releases. Winning awards isn’t our focus (though we celebrate when our clients do!). Instead, our service is highly confidential, usually working behind the scenes to deliver results.
By maintaining a small, select client base, we ensure every client receives personalised attention and a service that is uniquely tailored to their needs.
What we do...
The core of our business revolves around providing strategic property advice. While this may sound lofty, our approach is grounded and pragmatic. We view property as an asset, considering it within a broader context to deliver well-rounded and insightful recommendations.
Our primary focus often lies in valuations. As RICS Registered Valuers, we offer formal reports for acquisitions and disposals—though we do not undertake secured lending valuations. Leveraging our valuation expertise and market knowledge, we develop and implement tailored property strategies. Unlike standardised templates, our reports are bespoke, designed to address specific circumstances and provide actionable solutions.
We also advise on landlord and tenant matters, representing either party. Our services include rent reviews, lease renewals, and addressing dilapidations claims at the end of a tenancy. We assist with lease re-gearing during the term and specialise in mitigating tenant obligations, often saving clients substantial sums in dilapidations disputes.
Our expertise extends to service charge reviews and interpreting legal aspects of leases. On an agency basis, we facilitate property acquisitions and specialised disposals, such as commercial or residential land, often collaborating with other agencies for mainstream transactions.
We have supported professional teams in due diligence processes for business acquisitions, analysing leases to identify potential liabilities. Additionally, we have extensive experience in resolving property disputes, focusing on pragmatic solutions that address our clients' needs.
With over 40 years in the property sector, there’s little we haven’t encountered. Our breadth of experience ensures we are well-equipped to tackle a wide range of property challenges.
Our Clients
We represent a select group of clients, including corporate entities, public bodies, SMEs, institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. While we operate nationwide, the majority of our work is concentrated in the East Midlands.
Building long-term relationships with clients is a cornerstone of our approach, and we prioritise working with those whose values align with ours. In one notable instance, we have proudly served a client for over 40 years. Our aim is to become a trusted advisor—someone who can navigate challenges, resolve issues, and provide sound guidance.
Advocacy is at the heart of what we do, consistently advancing our clients' best interests with diligence and integrity.
All our work comes through recommendations from existing clients or referrals from fellow professionals. We do not advertise, issue press releases, or pursue awards. For us, success is measured by the trust and satisfaction of our clients, not by rankings or growth metrics.
If needed, we are happy to provide references from our clients, who can attest to the value and quality of our service.
Tim Garratt FRICS
I have been in the property industry for 45 years - initially 'client side' but the majority of my working life has been working in private practice - getting the best deal or outcome for clients.
I began my professional journey as an Architectural Technician, working in the Estates Departments at Home Brewery and later Kimberley Brewery—both of which are now part of history. During this time, I completed an ONC and HNC in Building Studies at Basford Hall College and Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham. My career then pivoted towards surveying, and I was awarded a degree (with commendation) in Urban Estate Surveying from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in 1988, studying part-time while working at Walker Walton Hanson. I became ae Equity Partner there before we sold the business to Savills in 1994, where I took on the role of Director, overseeing property asset management.
Following my time at Savills, I joined FHP as a Partner and subsequently spent 21 years at Innes England, holding roles including Director, Managing Director, and ultimately Chairman. In December 2020, I embarked on a new chapter, founding Blackstar Advisory.
As a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and an RICS Registered Valuer, I specialise in valuing, acquiring, disposing of, leasing, and letting commercial property and residential land. I handle rent reviews, lease renewals, and dilapidations claims for both landlords and tenants. Whether a task demands forensic attention to detail or strategic thinking, I approach every challenge with a focus on securing the best commercial outcome. My tenacity lies in finding creative, practical solutions.
I also lecture part-time at my alma mater, NTU, teaching final-year students on Corporate Real Estate and Planning & Design undergraduate courses. My sessions emphasise practical surveying skills, including Landlord and Tenant matters, market analysis, future trends in real estate, negotiation tactics, valuation, and presentation skills. Watching students develop and prepare for the professional world is a rewarding aspect of my work.
Outside of work, I enjoy golf (with modest results), squash, and my latest endeavour, Padel. My hobbies include travel, photography, sketching buildings, and indulging in music—my business name, Blackstar Advisory, is inspired by the final album of my musical hero, David Bowie. My greatest joy, however, is spending time with my granddaughter, Fenn, born in September 2022, who always keeps me on my toes!
I split my time between Nottingham and St Boswells in the Scottish Borders. Among my favourite destinations are New York and Sevilla, two cities that never fail to inspire.
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