So today my book ‘Parasite? The Secret Diary of a Landlord’ is out.
It’s a strange mix of emotions for my book to go out into the public domain, because it is a very personal story. It is about property, but it’s also about me and my life.
And so it feels kinda weird for people to be reviewing and commenting on what is essentially my life.
Obviously, I put my story out there and so I want people to read it, but still…it kinda leaves you feeling, well, strange.
So first things first, I know I will have many people who continue to dislike what I do because I am a landlord. I cannot change that. Perhaps when I’m no longer a landlord, they still won’t like me. Again, I can’t do anything about that. I am who I am.
I wrote this book because a friend of mine suggested it. I thought it was a good idea to chronicle my adventures in property. Although, when I started out I had no idea where it would go, and how it would change me and my life.
The ending is no word of a lie. This book changed my life.
So I’ve been perusing through some of the early reviews to get a feel for the reaction.
I was intrigued to see the title of one review called ‘Dispatches from the dark heart of Capitalism’. As a heading, I’ve got to say that’s eye-catching and thought-provoking. I was pleased to see the reviewer did understand I am a well-intentioned landlord, despite them not agreeing with the system.
Another reviewer, Rebecca, made me smile ear-to-ear when she described the book as ‘gold’. And I loved she loved the ‘truly personal account of life as a landlord’. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me (I chose to invest in property), but I’m pleased she recognised the bad rap so many good landlords get, and how misunderstood this business is. She offered me her hat for doing my job, and I’ll glad take it, thank you Rebecca.
But what really got me about her review was her saying ‘It has become easy for society to demonise landlords’, but ‘it’s obvious that we need to have a very long, hard look at tenants.’ It was nice for someone who isn’t a landlord to understand the issues faced. She concludes, ‘This book is definitely an eye-opener and I would recommend this read to everyone.’
Mai also enjoyed the story ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’ and said ‘encounters ranging from funny to heart-breaking, to just downright awful, SL’s diary provides a fascinating insight into the world of the property developer, and left me with a new appreciation for just how hard that particular career choice can be.’
I would never want to put anyone off, but I do want to share my experiences, because I think a lot of people have been fed a false sense of what being a landlord is. However, ‘If you are thinking about getting into property development as a landlord, before you do anything READ THIS BOOK!!!!’
‘My Reading Corner’ says, ‘The book is written in a very forthright manner – It is however extremely readable and I found it really interesting – not only to read about the good and the bad side of renting but also there are useful little nuggets of information. This is not a ‘how to rent book’ however but more about twenty years of drama, bad judgements and bad luck and the effect it has had on their health and well-being.’
“Now I know everybody will take you for a sucker if you let them. You can show no weakness in this business”
‘It was both a thought provoking and entertaining read – definitely a book to read if you thinking of taking a step into the rental business as a landlord’.
I’m really happy to share my truth, the other side of the door. And I’m really happy people are reading it.
I’ll close with this thought:
