Being a landlord can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not simply a case of buying a property and then watching the money roll in. Care, time and attention to detail are needed if you want to achieve success in the buy to let market. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by landlords. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2016
Bexley named as the happiest borough
Bexley recently came out on top of a Twitter survey which set out to find the happiest of the London boroughs. The result reflects the positive tweets coming from the area specifically over Christmas and New Year, but in truth the same sense can be found throughout the year. This is no surprise to us, as we know how many fantastic qualities Bexley has to offer for London residents. Continue reading
What are the responsibilities for commercial tenants?
There are several differences between letting a domestic property and letting business premises which both landlords and tenants need to be aware of. One of the most significant differences is that when renting a commercial property, a business will usually have to pay dilapidations costs to account for any damage incurred during the tenancy. The landlord will then use this money to get the property back to its original condition. Alternatively, the tenant may opt to handle this work themselves before their tenancy ends. Continue reading
Mews houses have a historic appeal for buyers
A mews house is a traditional style of British home, and they are often highly sought after by property investors and home buyers. Many of London’s mews houses were built in the late 19th century and were located down narrow “service streets”, behind the larger streets where affluent households were located. The mews house would usually contain a stable on the ground floor for horses, with servants’ living quarters upstairs. Continue reading
What to do in the event of unpaid rent
Every landlord wants to make a profit from their buy-to-let property, so a tenant who is unreliable, unwilling or unable to pay their rent can be a nightmare. It can be difficult to know what to do in the event of unpaid rent, but there are several possible steps you can take. Continue reading
Waltham Forest is undergoing extensive regeneration
We have often discussed the pressure of creating sufficient homes for the people of London as demand continues to increase, and there are currently several projects taking place in the capital with the aim of improving living standards. One example of this is the “Creating a Better Place” plan, which aims to boost standards and availability of housing in Waltham Forest. Continue reading
The East End is drawing investors and renters
Many areas of London are currently experiencing a wave of regeneration, resulting in potentially lucrative hotspots for landlords and renters. Investors and developers with properties in east London in particular are enjoying great benefits as the area continues to expand. There are now more Londoners residing east of Tower Bridge than to the west of the city, and the population of east London is expected to grow by 600,000 in the next fifteen years. Continue reading
Investing in homes near quality schools
When parents and families are in search of homes to rent in the capital, the quality and proximity of local schools will naturally be among their main concerns. Schools with high exam pass rates draw large numbers of families to an area as they strive to secure places for their children. If you are a buy to let investor targeting families, Sutton could be a great borough to invest in. Continue reading
A useful register of the public land in the capital
The London Land Commission recently released the first comprehensive register of public land in the capital. It highlighted 40,000 different sites owned by various bodies including Transport for London, the NHS and Government Departments. It is estimated that these brownfield sites could deliver a minimum of 130,000 new homes if they were all redeveloped. Continue reading
Viewing your property as a business
Rental properties can vary wildly in terms of quality, ranging from very basic accommodation to luxurious and well-equipped homes. Some properties have features which are detrimental to their value, such as old appliances, inefficient heating and lighting, and signs of neglect or insufficient maintenance. Landlords looking to maximise their returns and avoid long void periods need to ensure their properties are well presented and effectively meet the needs of their target market. Continue reading
