In July 2015 the Treasury released its Productivity Plan to help boost housing supply in the UK. The document contained a number of proposed planning reforms, including giving the Government the power to draft local plans, looking at planning for brownfield sites and creating high density developments around key transport hubs. A lot of discussion has gone into these ideas and the benefits they could offer. Continue reading
The rise in million pound property owners
New research from the London School of Economics and Santander predicts that house prices will continue to rise between now and 2030. Currently the average price for a home in the UK is £283,565. According to the data this will rise in the next 15 years, ultimately reaching £557,444. Continue reading
Areas to watch between now and 2018
In London, close proximity to transport links is an important consideration for property hunters. As a result areas around Underground stations tend to attract a huge amount of interest. This can drive prices up and provide excellent returns for the current owners if they decide to sell. Continue reading
The surge of private rentals in London
Domestic property ownership in London has changed dramatically since the turn of the Millennium. The extent of this is revealed in new data released in the recent English housing survey, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The headline-grabbing report reveals that last year was the first time people living in private rented accommodation outnumbered homeowners in over a decade. Continue reading
Are buyers concerned about their neighbours?
There are a huge number of different factors that can influence buyers when they are deciding where they want to live, such as accessibility, security, and the reputation of the area. One potentially surprising influencing factor is the quality of the neighbours. The other people living in the area could attract buyers, especially those that share similar interests, or deter them. Continue reading
Marketing your rental property to families
When marketing your rental property, one of the most important factors to consider is your target demographic. It is crucial to tailor your property and your marketing strategy to meet the needs of your audience successfully and make sure you appeal to the right kind of people. Continue reading
The leading North London borough
There is a common perception that North London is the most expensive area of the city to live in. While it is true that North London is home to some of the most exclusive homes in the capital, it is not the case that this is the only form of housing to be found there. There are also many more affordable investments and rental properties which are sure to appeal to a wide range of prospective renters. Continue reading
The importance of protecting renter’s deposits
Despite the deposit protection scheme imposed by the Government, new research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research has revealed that approximately 284,000 residential landlords in the UK have not placed the deposits paid by their tenants into an official protection scheme. This is a legal requirement, and the report shows that landlords that have failed to protect renter’s deposits are sitting on £514 million that should be protected by an official third party service. Continue reading
The numbers of renters in the capital continue to rise
The success of the UK rental sector is set to continue as new research shows that home ownership remains out of reach for many. The research has revealed that on average, by the time people purchase their first property they will have spent approximately £52,000 on rental accommodation. Continue reading
Questions every landlord should ask their tenant
One of the biggest worries for landlords in London and throughout the rest of the country is whether or not their tenants can be relied on to provide them with regular rent payments. Asking the right questions in advance can prevent the risk of missed payments, damage to your property, and other issues. Here are some of the most relevant questions every landlord should be asking of their new tenant. Continue reading
