My friend Cordelia has let her house on Cheyne Walk for the last twenty years, says Mrs. M. For the first time her tenants have expressed no appreciation for the house. They have exhibited no courtesies or manners. Her only contact with them is by curt, rude, official letters from their office. London as a global financial centre means 'adios manners!'

The London rental market has been by and large a rather polite workplace. I know as I've rented my own house over the years. The tenants are usually from the US and from the banking community. In general they have been polite and on the whole considerate and appreciative of the houses. Now it seems there is a new ruthlessness. Dealing personally has gone out the window. Everything should be done 'yesterday.' In Cordelia's case she has let to a well-known hedge fund. She only met the tenant before the 'move in.' All communication is conducted through an office memo with no flowery 'courtesies.'

I used to hear tenants say what a pleasure it was to rent homes in London, as the houses were full of character, and the landlord/tenant relationships were friendly. What a shame if this has turned into another cut-throat business. Is this one of the many prices paid for London turning into a global financial centre? More’s the pity!