There were some significant developments in the property markets in the five most expensive central boroughs in London last year. According to figures from LSL Property Services, prices were down across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Islington. The only exception was Camden, where prices in November 2015 were up 7.4% on the figure from 2014. Continue reading →

London investment properties have the potential to provide excellent returns, but it is crucial to make sure you are as informed as possible so you can buy the right property at the right time in the right place. If you are thinking about purchasing an investment property in the London area, we can act as your partner and guide you through the entire process, helping you to decide which area has the most potential. Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Lately there has been concern that the shortage of affordable housing in London may force many of the city’s artists and creatives to relocate. According to the Mayor’s office, London makes £3 billion annually from cultural tourism, so it stands to reason that the loss of singers, artists, dancers, digital designers, chefs, stage hands, gallery attendants and nightclub doormen would make the capital a less entertaining and exciting place. Continue reading →

Islington is the third smallest borough in London, covering just over six square miles and with a population of approximately 215,000 people. It is a mainly residential district, which means it offers many opportunities to property investors and renters, but still retains its reputation as one of the liveliest and most interesting areas of the capital thanks to its diversity, its nightlife and its wide range of cultural attractions. Continue reading →

We already know that London is full of unusual and distinctive properties, but our attention was recently caught by a particularly interesting news story – a former public toilet which has been placed on the market with an asking price of £1 million. If it sells, it will become the most expensive public toilet in Britain, smashing the previous record of £115,000 which was fetched by a block in Cornwall’s Charlestown in 2015. Continue reading →