Recently there have been several announcements in the press about buy-to-let mortgage providers tightening up their lending criteria. Skipton and Leeds Buildings Societies, Santander and New Street have all announced changes. NatWest has just released details of changes to its underwriting processes while stressing that it will continue to support investors. If you’re wondering what’s […]
Read MoreOne of the likely outcomes of the ban on upfront agency fees will be an increase in the fees charged to landlords. Coming on top of tax changes, landlords’ profitability is going to be under pressure. More and more of them will be trying to save costs and wondering whether they need to work with […]
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In the current climate, the focus is often on the protection of tenant’s rights, and it can be easy to forget that landlords get a raw deal when a tenant defaults on rental payments. Expenses are still incurred and there are legal costs to regain possession. If the property is not owned outright, mortgages still […]
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Despite increasing rules, regs and tax changes, the numbers would suggest that plenty of landlords are still looking to grow their property business. A recent survey by brokers Mortgages for Business suggests 48 per cent of landlords want to expand, and that’s a big climb from the 41 per cent figure recorded in May 2016. […]
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Everyone is familiar with the advice that it’s worth paying a little extra for a quality product. We hear it in so many guises – c; false economy; you get what you pay for. We’re certain you could add other sayings to the list, but we’d like to warn you of another danger. Paying less […]
Read MoreWe quote from Her Majesty The Queen’s speech: “Proposals will be brought forward to ban unfair tenant fees, promote fairness and transparency in the housing market, and help ensure more homes are built.” It now looks likely that a draft bill will be published later this year, and with cross-party support, it probably won’t encounter […]
Read MoreIf you think that Airbnb is just a great way to find inexpensive accommodation for your next city break, think again. Airbnb and similar platforms are widely used to advertise rooms for subletting – a nasty business that can get private landlords into a lot of trouble. You should have a clause prohibiting subletting in […]
Read MoreThe best-laid plans of mice and men do have a habit of lurching off the track. If one thing is certain, this post-election morning, it’s that Theresa May’s decision to call a snap election has not, for her or her party, gone according to plan. And the result – in the short term at least […]
Read MoreNot every promise made as part of a manifesto makes it into the real world. Priorities and budgets change and political systems crawl along. Some promises remain things the parties would like to do rather than things they manage to implement. But we thought it a good time, with the general election looming, to peek […]
Read MoreThe annual ARLA Propertymark conference is one of the year’s key industry events. 2017’s recent gathering was the biggest – and we think the best – yet. Held at London’s ExCeL, the conference provided a much-needed focus point for a sector with plenty to talk about. With many delegates concerned about the impact of recent […]
Read MoreWe believe we’re unique in the property rental sector. With a complete mix of services – referencing, legal and insurance – and a customer base that includes tenants as well as letting agents and landlords, we’re offering something very special: service, professionalism, an open and inclusive approach, and great value. More and more of our […]
Read MoreEver thought about putting up an illuminated sign to advertise a property for rent? Don’t do it. It might catch the eye, but it would also be in contravention of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007. You could find yourself with a Penalty Charge Notice and a rather hefty fine. The […]
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On January 17, Theresa May’s speech took us closer to understanding what a post-Brexit Britain may look like. Now, just a week later, the Supreme Court has ruled, by a majority of 8 to 3, that Mrs May’s plans must jump another hurdle before any negotiations can take place. Parliament will have to approve the […]
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Theresa May’s speech last Tuesday took us closer to understanding what a post-Brexit Britain may look like but offered little by way of concrete facts and figures. Now, with the Single Market inextricably tied to free cross-border movement, it seems Britain’s trading position is due for a bigger upheaval than some would have hoped, and […]
Read MoreWe’re doing what we can to promote a responsible, fair and professional property rental sector. Sadly, there are still landlords whose standards are poor, dangerous and unfair to tenants but, as the TV programmes show, there are plenty of rogue tenants too. If you’re unfortunate, and you fall victim, there’s no point running to the […]
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