Latest Property News - Homelets & Sales

Details: Published: 12 December 2022; Hits: 648

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW?

Every landlord needs to follow around 170 different pieces of lettings legislation, so you’re not alone if you’re feeling flummoxed by so many rules and regulations.

Even though we let and manage rental homes every day, we still need to set aside time to keep track of changes to the law and landlords’ responsibilities. And to make sure we get everything right and done on time, we need watertight systems, reminders and checks.

Does this mean that being a landlord is difficult or unprofitable? No, but it can be time-consuming when there’s so much to know and do. You can also be fined or taken to court if you get things wrong.

Some of the biggest misunderstandings we see among landlords and tenants are also some of the most important. So our blog this week covers what you can, can’t, must and mustn’t do, to keep you on the right side of the law for smooth and successful tenancies.

Details: Published: 28 November 2022; Hits: 677

WHY BEING A LANDLORD IS A SOLID PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE

How do you feel about becoming a landlord?

If you're planning your long-term financial security, you have plenty of options to choose from. Savings, shares, pensions, property… they all have their pros and cons, and people choose one or more for multiple reasons.

We have many different types of landlords as clients. Some of them own just one property, while some have large portfolios. But regardless of whether they’re private individuals or limited companies, they share some common motivations for owning rental homes.

Freedom, stability, feeling in charge, retirement planning and financial security for their families are all in there, and so is the feelgood factor in nurturing their passion for property and providing comfortable homes that people to live in for many years.

So, in this week’s blog, we’re diving deeper into how our clients choose to become landlords and why they enjoy it, so you can decide if you’d like to start and grow your own lettings portfolio.

Details: Published: 14 November 2022; Hits: 725

COULD RISING INFLATION SPELL GOOD NEWS FOR LANDLORDS?

Everyone's talking talking about inflation right now, and usually in negative terms. The current climate of rising prices is affecting us all, from filling up the car to doing the weekly shop. There’s also plenty of news about tenants and buyers feeling the squeeze, but what about landlords? Reduced tax allowances and rising interest rates are affecting monthly profits, and you might be
wondering whether buy-to-let is still a viable business.

While today is nothing like when inflation hit 25% in the 1970s, or when mortgage rates breached 15% in the 1990s, those numbers aren’t very useful for making decisions now. Nonetheless, there are some lessons to learn from previous times of uncertainty, not least that growing your business and income can be far more profitable than simply cutting your losses.

As a landlord, you want your rental portfolio to thrive and give you a passive income into retirement, regardless of economic ups and downs. With that in mind, this week’s blog explores how rising inflation can work to your advantage.

Details: Published: 31 October 2022; Hits: 740

WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN YOUR TENANT PAYS THE RENT LATE OR LEAVES WITH ARREARS?

Arrears - a dreaded word among landlords and, for anyone with even a mildly British temperament, an often uncomfortable situation to discuss and resolve. We’re fortunate enough to have very few tenants behind with their rent, but we also know the current economic climate could throw anyone’s finances off course. As the cost of living crisis bites, household budgets are getting squeezed, and rent arrears are
more of a threat. It may never affect you, but if your tenants do stop paying their rent, you need to act quickly to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. With that in mind, this week’s blog contains everything you need to protect yourself from the start, find solutions to financial hiccups, and recover what you’re owed.

Details: Published: 17 October 2022; Hits: 725

THE TIME IS NOW TO GET YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY READY AND LEGAL FOR WINTER

Winter is the time when most problems arise in rental properties.

Emergency callouts abound, and insurance claims rocket, mostly from water or weather damage. While your policy might cover the costs, the inconvenience of midnight phone calls, stressed-out tenants and urgent repairs is something every landlord wants to avoid.

Autumn is the perfect time to plan for the colder months, get ahead of the elements and give your property a seasonal MOT and fix any minor repairs before they become a major headache.

Covering everything from your legal obligations, the checks to make at your property, and the conversations to have with your tenants, this week’s blog is a complete landlord’s guide to getting your rental property prepared and protected for winter.