The UK property landscape is evolving, and with the Renters Reform Bill having its second reading, it's crucial for landlords to stay informed. The bill aims to balance the scales, providing security for renters and assurance for landlords. Here's what you need to know: Key Changes Proposed by the Bill End of 'No Fault' Evictions: The bill proposes to abolish Section 21, ending 'no fault' evictions...
In this Halloween Special, we look at five scary things landlords in London need to be mindful of to avoid nightmares. 1. The ghostly guarantee of quick tenants Some letting agents will convince landlords that finding tenants is a quick and painless process. However, rushing it without proper checks and considerations can lead to choosing the wrong tenant. Patience and due diligence will save you...
It’s every landlord’s worst nightmare: you discover the people you thought were trusted tenants are actually crooks using your property for illegal activity. As a result, you face hefty repair bills, loss of income and a battle with your insurer. You may also find yourself at the centre of a police investigation. Now, this is a worst-case scenario; most tenants are law-abiding, so there’s no...
It’s up there with late rents, messy tenants and broken boilers on a landlord’s Headache-ometer. What are we talking about? Finding (and keeping) tradespeople you can trust to look after any property maintenance or issues landlords need to get sorted. In this article, we share five tried, tested and trustworthy tips on how to find the very best and swerve the unreliable rest. Tip...
Over the last few years, landlords have faced many changes. Tax reforms, rental reforms and energy efficiency measures have meant renting out properties is more complex (and expensive) than ever. But with changes to Government plans announced last Wednesday, is good news on the horizon? Last week, controversial (and costly plans) for improved EPC targets by 2025 were scrapped by Prime Minister Rishi...
If you’re a first-time landlord about to rent out a property, or an established landlord looking to purchase a new investment, one of the main questions you’ll have is how much rent you can charge per month. Of course, you can (and should) take the advice of your agent, but it’s also worth understanding exactly what factors impact the amount of rent you can sensibly charge. In this quick read,...
As a landlord, you’ve probably experienced that feeling of dread when your tenant’s name flashes up on your phone, reporting a problem. Or how about the horror of receiving the news that you’re going to have to pay for urgent (and expensive) repairs? If either of these situations sound familiar, it could mean you’re not inspecting your rentals enough. Being a landlord isn’t...
Type ‘tenancy agreement’ into Google and you’ll get thousands of results offering free online templates and guides to writing your own rental contract. So why bother using a letting agent to sort out the tenancy agreement if you can do it yourself? What could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot. Hastily downloading a template from the internet and high-fiving yourself for a job well done could...
Not since 2008, when Katy Perry stormed the music charts and Gavin and Stacey ruled the small screen, have interest rates been as high as they are today. As a result, many mortgage holders are looking for ways to trim their outgoings to ease the financial burden. Homeowners are putting DIY projects on the back burner and reducing their spending on holidays and takeaways, while some buy-to-let...