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Published: 12 May 2021

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LETTING AGENTS: HOW TO PICK THE BEST ONE

Whether you've been a landlord for years or you're just starting out, finding a letting agent you can trust and build a long-lasting relationship with is a big deal.

Renting out your property is about so much more than just money and business. As well as wanting an agent who can find you the perfect tenant, you're sure to have feelings around confidence, connection and communication. None of these are financial concerns, but our experience tells us how prized they are by all of our landlord clients.

Letting agents will be competing for your business left, right, and centre, so how do you begin the selection process? Having a list of standards is a good place to start, and these five factors will help you narrow down the field and choose the best letting agent for you.

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Published: 15 April 2021

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RENTAL UPGRADES: FIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO INCREASE YOUR INCOME

The rental market has grown up. Tenancies are running for longer, and with stays of four or more years increasingly common, tenants have higher expectations around the place they're willing to call home.

This spells good news for landlords because those higher expectations come with a willingness to pay a higher rent. More than that, the right improvements will also increase the value of your property, giving you precious equity to finance and expand your portfolio.

But which improvements make the most difference?

There's a fine balance to strike between spending too little, spending too much, and spending where it counts. The key is to create a contemporary and timeless home that's durable and popular to give you wide and long-lasting appeal with minimal maintenance and repairs.

When we’re out on viewings, we see exactly what attracts people and excites them about their next home, and there's no doubt that investing in presentation is rewarded in the quality of tenant and the rent achieved. If you're considering making upgrades to your rental property, call us for a chat on 0151 280 4047 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for some expert advice on getting it right.

But for now, let's take a look at the improvements that will increase your income, attract high quality tenants and protect the value of your property.

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Published: 06 April 2021

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RENT ARREARS: FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN COMPASSION AND COLLECTION

Although rent arrears have been a hot topic during the pandemic, it’s far from being a new subject. That said, if the discussion has taught us anything in the last year, it’s that anyone can be affected by economic events: no-one is immune, however high their income.

Most tenancies run their course without arrears building up, but that means landlords and tenants have little experience to draw on when payments fall behind. Regardless of how and why they happen, arrears can be a source of friction and provoke all sorts of feelings and emotions around the possible repercussions.

For a self-managing landlord, it's vital to keep a level head when discussing arrears with your tenants. That might be challenging when their financial circumstances impact your own, but it's essential to avoid communication breaking down.

If you're unsure of how to approach any rent arrears at your rental property, you're welcome to get in touch. Part of a managing agent's role is to keep things polite and professional before they get too personal, which makes us well versed in acting as a cushion between emotions. So if you'd like some words of wisdom, or you'd like someone to handle things on your behalf, call us on 0151 280 4047 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Money can be a touchy subject, but as you'll discover in this week's article, there are many ways to keep the conversation going without sinking into acrimony or legal proceedings.

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Published: 16 March 2021

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PROOF POSITIVE: 5 SIMPLE SECRETS TO MAKE YOUR INVENTORY WATERTIGHT

Not every inventory ends up providing the protection that landlords expect. There are plenty of cases where the language used – and the style adopted – have caused more confusion and doubt over disputes, which for a landlord will generally mean a reduced or refused claim.

Inventories are essential to have complete clarity over the condition and contents of your rental property: without correct preparation, you'll not only risk a costly dispute, but you'll also sow the seeds of worry in your tenants. The more documentation you have that you can agree on from the outset, the more professional you'll look as a landlord and the more comfortable your tenants will feel.

Whether you're preparing a paper or digital inventory, you must ensure it’s signed off by you (or your managing agent) and your tenants. But as you'll discover below, there's more to it than that.

If you own a rental property in Liverpool and you'd like to know more about best practice when preparing inventories, do get in touch. Call us for a chat on 0151 280 4047 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - you'll always find an expert ear happy to guide you.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at how you can make your inventory the best it can be to give you, your property and your tenants maximum protection.

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