Typically, most tenants will look at about half a dozen properties before making a decision as to which one they should rent. Some people look at just a couple, and others spend months considering each and every one of the dozens of properties that come on the market within their price range.
Even though many
When the time comes to sell, there is usually a need for speed. Isn’t it always the case that the minute you start to think about selling, you see the ideal property you want to buy? The problem is that the chances of getting a chain-free sale on your own property to coincide with your
When the time comes to sell, there is usually a need for speed. Isn’t it always the case that the minute you start to think about selling, you see the ideal property you want to buy? The problem is that the chances of getting a chain-free sale on your own property to coincide with your
As soon as the Brexit decision was “concluded” late last year, we were hit by the pandemic. Four years of uncertainty was condensed into a bottle neck of demand, which was then frustrated by three months of lockdown – and longer hair! But three months of hair growth does not require three haircuts – yet
Our last article considered the benefits of buying to let in principle. Here we consider some practical elements:
Attitude: Buying to let is a long-term investment. So don’t over-stretch yourself, because if you had to sell in the short term you would almost certainly lose money.
Choose well: Follow your head not your heart. Take
As pension funds shrink, many people consider the buy-to-let opportunity as a viable alternative, and with good reason. The effect of low interest rates and a historically rising property market make buy-to-let one of the most attractive investments accessible to the public. And the great thing is – you can use the bank’s money! The
Some landlords, especially those who are new to the experience, understandably wish to use a letting agent simply as a route to market in order to find a tenant. However, whilst a return on investment is one thing, sleeping well at night is quite another! A managed service is not just about chasing late rent,
Almost half the UK population own a pet, yet many landlords are reluctant to accept pets! According to research by The Dogs Trust, some 78% of pet owners reported that they had experienced difficulty finding rented accommodation that would accept pets.
However, if you are a landlord, agreeing to accept pets can help you maximise
Finally, after the pent-up frustrations of lockdown, we have some very good news to report:
Firstly, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced a substantial boost for the housing market with the raising of the SDLT (Stamp Duty) threshold from £125,000 to £500,000. This really is quite incredible and will save buyers up
Landlords often ask us what they should do about their garden and what they can reasonably expect of a tenant in terms of maintenance.
Having a well-cared for garden can definitely help to attract good tenants, particularly if they arrive on a sunny summer’s day. However, if the garden is just too magnificent and obviously
Immigration legislation means that all private landlords have to check that new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting a property, although this responsibility can be given to your letting agent as part of a written agreement.
The penalties for ignoring the new legislation are severe. For the first time an
Superficially, lettings could be seen as relatively straightforward, and some firms do indeed regard themselves as a simple broking operation.
However, if your investment is going to provide you with peace of mind as well as a great return on investment, then you will want to know that the property is being managed by people
If you’re buying a second home, Buy to Let, or investment property, you should be aware that there is an additional 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on top of the standard SDLT amount payable. Since this regime was introduced in 2016, the market for second homes has certainly felt the pinch, especially for buy
It might be tempting to believe that the pandemic has been destructive and all-consuming on all fronts, especially in relation to the property market, which virtually ground to a halt a few weeks ago.
But we British are a resilient lot! Our compliant “keep calm and carry on” mentality has meant that we have/continue to
Most lettings agents see their role solely as a “purveyor of tenants”, and they pride themselves on their ability to find the right tenant for a property and to negotiate attractive terms for the landlord.
But lettings agency has moved on. Indeed, finding a tenant is arguably one of the most straightforward aspects of letting
A recent survey of over 500 residential landlords reports that landlords are overwhelmingly satisfied with the service they receive from their letting agent and find them an invaluable resource. Some 92% of landlords reported a positive experience with their letting agent.
The market for lettings is of course relatively buoyant that the moment and agents
Smart investors are keen to snap up bargains, and the buy to let market remains surprisingly active. However, whilst it is tempting to go out and buy, buy, buy – a word of caution, because it might not be so easy to let, let, let.
Finding a tenant is only one aspect of the venture which
The housing market has been an obvious casualty of the Coronavirus lockdown. Yet the desire to move is strong, once the decision has been made. Indeed, as soon as the government announced that people could once again move house, Rightmove buyer enquiries doubled within 24 hours. They were even 4% higher than the same day
According to the Department of the Environment about half of all landlords have had cause to ask a tenant to leave on at least one occasion, usually because of arrears, noise, damage, violence, or abusive behaviour. Around thirty percent of these end up having to go to court.
When you let your property, you hope
Just as anyone can open up an estate agency, so they can also start up a lettings business, without any training, experience or qualifications. This should concern landlords, because there is far more to the business than meets the eye. In some ways, finding a tenant is the easy bit!
The issues arise over how
David Clarke is an award-winning independent family company established for over 50 years.
David Clarke is an award-winning independent family company established for over 50 years.
David Clarke is an award-winning independent family company established for over 50 years.
