Monthly Archives: May 2016

Southwark identified for future development

If we were to give someone £1 every time a report stated that the demand for housing in London was far higher than the supply, we’d need quite a few of those coins always at the ready. From our perspective as leading property service providers in London, we’re always more interested in looking at what’s being done about addressing the problem rather than complaining about the fact that it exists. Continue reading →

Managing multiple properties with ease

If you own multiple London properties and have a varied portfolio which involves different types of investments at various locations throughout the city, you will understand both the potential for profit and the difficulty of managing and keeping track of everything. You have to do everything you can to make sure your properties are well managed so that they can maintain or increase their value, and this means that detailed, regular and attentive management is essential. If you let your properties to paying tenants, you will also need to ensure that they are happy. This can be an overwhelming task to take care of by yourself. However, we are here to help. Continue reading →

Hillingdon highlighted for investment success

The far west area of London offers some outstanding investment opportunities for those who are looking to make an optimised profit. Hillingdon is a London borough which is most well known for being home to Heathrow Airport. It’s also home to just under 2,000 acres of green belt, and has the fifth largest economy of all the London boroughs. If you bring these three factors together you can see why there is a constantly growing demand for property across the suburbs. At this moment, Hillingdon also provides a rare opportunity for investors. Continue reading →

Where can your money go the furthest in Central London?

The latest figures from Property Partner show that Tower Hamlets is the third most affordable borough in London for home buyers. Homes in the area cost slightly less than nine times the average salary from 2015. The only two areas with better affordability are Barking and Dagenham, where properties typically cost slightly under seven and a half times the average salary. The statistics show that east London continues to be cheaper than west. Continue reading →

Our tips for finding your rental property

As a leading lettings agent working throughout Wandsworth and the rest of London, we’re always aiming to help prospective tenants to find the perfect rental property, while also offering vital support to landlords and investors. If you’re looking for a new home to rent in London, here are some of our top tips for ensuring you make the right decision and can enjoy a hassle-free searching process.
  • Firstly, think about exactly what you want in a new home before you begin your search. Research some different areas of the city to see what they have to offer in terms of local shops, schools, parks, bus stops, Underground stations and other facilities you may need. This will help you to narrow down the choices.
  • Set a budget. Research the average prices in your chosen areas and determine how much you can afford, not forgetting extra costs such as agency fees and upfront rental deposits.
  • Be flexible. You may have your heart set on a certain area, but you may be able to save significant amounts by living further outside the city centre and travelling in.
  • Be organised. Keep lists of the properties you are viewing and keep track of phone numbers and contact details. Write down any questions you have about the property so you don’t forget to ask during your viewing.
  • If you want to save some money on rent, consider sharing. Renting a room in a house or a flat with other people is likely to be much cheaper than renting an entire place to yourself, and you’ll also be meeting people, which makes this a popular option for students and professionals who are just starting out in London.
  • Make sure your deposit will be placed into a suitable tenancy deposit protection scheme and that all rental payments are being recorded. There should also be a detailed inventory of the house or flat, and you should be able to record any problems that existed before you moved in so you won’t be charged for them when you move out.

Access maximum returns on your buy to let investment

A recently released set of financial figures have revealed that buy to let properties remain one of the most attractive investment opportunities across the UK, being particularly sought after in London. In March 2016 the year on year growth in this market was calculated as being just over 160%. While acquiring a buy to let investment is a financially significant step, you have to remember that in real terms this is only the first stage. We have a proven track record of success in taking your investment to the next level. Continue reading →

A borough with so much to offer for owner occupiers and landlords

Lambeth is a vibrant London borough to the south of the Thames, in an incredible location with easy access to the City and other central areas. The location is highly attractive for both work and leisure. It is home to several vibrant urban centres as well as a number of spacious suburban areas. This diversity attracts a huge number of people, making the area the fourth most densely populated in England. Continue reading →

Providing unbeatable stability and consistency

With our years of experience working in the world of London property, we have gained extensive in-depth experience about the pressures, strains and worries which landlords deal with on a daily basis. For many, those worries are primarily based around finances; namely, the worry that tenants will be unable or unwilling to pay their rent on time, leaving the landlord out of pocket and possibly unable to make their mortgage payments or pay other important bills. Our understanding of this is the reason why we created our unique guaranteed rent service. Continue reading →

Keeping up to date on HMO licensing in Islington

In 2015 Islington Council re-evaluated its rules on HMO (houses of multiple occupancy) license requirements on Caledonian and Holloway Roads in the Borough. A survey had previously been conducted in the areas to determine the standards of management. It found that there were concerns with a surprising 68% of the 200 homes on the two roads. As a result, new stricter rules were introduced. Continue reading →