Author Archives: admin

Consider allowing tenants to redecorate

In the past, rental properties were largely seen as short-term living solutions, but in recent years the number of people living long-term in rented homes has risen hugely. With many people spending years at a time in their rented properties, it’s unsurprising that they want the chance to personalise the property and make it unique. However, due to restrictive tenancy agreements which forbid redecorating, many tenants may be unable to personalise their home as much as they would like to. Continue reading →

A new law for landlords to be aware of in 2016

From the 1st of February 2016, landlords will have to carry out Right-to-Rent checks on prospective tenants before they enter into a tenancy agreement. This is the date when Section 22 of the Immigration Act 2014 comes into force following the six month trial period that has been conducted in the Midlands. As part of the checks, a landlord will need to confirm the age of each tenant and ensure every adult has the right to be in the UK. If they fail to do this, landlords can face fines of up to £3,000 per occupier. Continue reading →

When a new build isn’t necessarily new

In most cases, the term “new build” refers to a brand new, recently constructed house or flat. However, on the London property market, there are some cases where the term is used to refer to buildings which have been transformed and repurposed through regeneration work. An example of this can be seen in Bromley, where a disused engineering works building has been converted into flats. Although the building itself has been around for many years, the flats which are now in it are considered to be new builds. Continue reading →

Make sure your rent arrives on time

In order to make a healthy profit from your buy to let property, it is essential that you are able to collect rent from your tenants in a timely manner and that your cash flow is being managed properly. A tenant who is unwilling or unable to pay their rent at the right time can be a nightmare for landlords, leading to a loss of income, not to mention the inconvenience. Here are some ways you can handle your rent payments to ensure you are always given the money you are owed. Continue reading →

Attract quality tenants with quality properties

If you have invested in a buy to let property, you will likely be keen to get your new tenant in as soon as possible. With the resurgence of the buy to let market in London and throughout the UK, there is high demand from potential renters and there are many opportunities for buy to let landlords to enjoy lucrative benefits and long term financial solutions. Continue reading →

Upholding the highest standards in flats

Managing a block of flats is one of the biggest challenges facing any landlord, as it essentially means you are managing multiple properties and large numbers of tenants, and will have to take care of public areas as well as private homes. A poorly managed block can lose its value due to damage and deterioration, and if tenants are unhappy with the way the property is being managed they are unlikely to want to stay around, leading to the inconvenience of frequently having to find and deal with new tenants. Continue reading →

London Boroughs with the best potential for house price growth

Property group Savills is predicting that house prices will continue to rise in London, gaining an average of 15.3% by 2020. Boroughs across the capital are expected to see rises, but some areas will perform better than others. Investors looking to target areas with the best growth potential will need to look carefully to ensure they invest in the right location. Continue reading →

Preventing illegal subletting

Unauthorised subletting can be a huge problem for landlords, as it can not only cause damage to their valuable property investments but also result in legal and financial issues, breaching the terms of your mortgage and invalidating your insurance. In certain cases, it may even result in fines and prison sentences. This means you need to take every step to protect yourself from this eventuality. Continue reading →

Kingston Upon Thames is popular with renters

When it comes to investing in a buy to let property, location is everything. You need to ensure that you are investing your money in an area which is appealing to tenants, in order to optimise your chances of long and successful tenancies and minimise the risk of void periods. If you are a property investor in search of a suitable property in London, but you are looking to extend your search outside the central areas, Kingston Upon Thames could be an excellent place to make your next investment. Continue reading →