Lettings

Life has got more expensive for the majority of us and a review of finances is frequently needed to ensure we’re balancing the books. This is especially true for landlords who, for the first time in many years, will find mortgage rates have doubled since they last looked at home loans.

Making a ‘house a home’ is a saying that applies to everyone, including tenants, but there is often confusion over what a renter can do to a property in terms of DIY and decorating. In this blog, we explain how a tenancy agreement will provide clarity, and we’ll suggest a number of ways to personalise a rental property without making permanent changes.

In Coffee Break Questions today, we are talking about Rent Protection, How much rent can you afford to lose, how much stress can you afford to take on? Is now the time to protect your rental investment income & your peace of mind? We think so and this is why.

Note: If you have issued a 2021 How to Rent Guide prior to the updated version being available (i.e. prior to 10.00 am on 24 March) it would be best practice to reissue the updated 2023 guide. Remember to record any communication relating to which version has been issued and when.

The new year has certainly started on an upbeat note for the lettings sector. A survey by Finbri found more than 50% of UK property investors intend to expand their property portfolios in 2023. 

In terms of rented properties, we are often asked how tenants can keep their fuel bills down. As well as recommending the advice of the Energy Saving Trust, we thought it would be useful to share the answers to our most frequently asked energy questions.

Some tenancy applications that don’t proceed are a result of failed tenant reference checks. Knowing what may trip you up before you apply for a rental property will reduce the risk of you being turned down.

The latest Statistical Briefing by The Deposit Service – which represents the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, SafeDeposits Scotland and TDS Northern Ireland – found poor standards of cleanliness was the top reason for deposit disputes across the UK.

Landlords are legally required to uphold gas and fire safety standards in properties they rent to tenants, with a number of compulsory laws in place. Here we share the most frequently asked questions from landlords, along with our answers.

In the past, landlords would have been happy to purchase on older property stock and make improvements – perhaps adding value along the way. Today, however, there is a perfect storm of factors casting a cloud over investing in resale buy-to-lets.