The demand for houses in London remains high and supply continues to fall behind. Mayor of London Boris Johnson aims to ease the situation by ensuring that all City Hall owned land is released for redevelopment by the end of his term in office in 2016. Steps have already been made in this direction, with four former hospital sites currently being redeveloped to create new homes and commercial spaces. Continue reading
Taking advantage of a cooling property market over the Christmas period
December can be a great month for investors to buy properties if they are looking to make savings. The period generally sees the market slow down due to the arrival of Christmas and the preparations for the festive period and New Year. This means that demand drops and prices can dip slightly as a result. Sellers looking to offload properties before the end of the year may also offer discounts so they can complete a sale. This means there is potential for double savings. Continue reading
The stability and security of property
We all have different views, feelings and ideas about what a building represents to us. However, one thing that is surely common to us all is that a building should represent stability and security. While this is certainly true of any building we call home, these are also the qualities which property investors seek from the buildings they own. We are at the forefront of ensuring owners get that stability and security through our extensive range of property services, particularly our guaranteed rent schemes. Continue reading
Making your property attractive to potential tenants
Letting a property can provide you with a brilliant monthly income, but in order to optimise the profits you can make, it is important to ensure the property is well maintained, looks attractive and appeals to prospective tenants. There are a few key points regarding basic contents and decor that you should consider. Continue reading
London’s new Help to Buy scheme
There have long been stories in the news about the high prices of London property in relation to the rest of the country, but now steps are being taken to assist people who are buying their first property in the capital. As part of the recently announced Autumn Statement, it has emerged that a new London Help to Buy scheme is going to be brought in. Continue reading
Government to give £7 billion towards affordable housing
Chancellor George Osborne has announced a £7 billion programme designed to prioritise the construction of homes and provide over 400,000 affordable properties. The announcement came as part of the Autumn financial statement and has been referred to as the biggest affordable housing programme since the 1970s. Continue reading
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
