What Expenses Can I Put against My Tax Return as a Landlord?

If you rent out a property and receive a rental income from that, you must declare it. You have to pay tax on any profit. It doesn’t change your employment status to ‘self-employed’ though, as it’s considered an investment.

Of course, HMRC can be more complicated than a day at Hogwarts. The best advice will be to seek professional advice from an accountant but we’ve picked out some key points to start you off.

Start hoarding

HMRC unimaginatively call this ‘record keeping’. Be … Continue Reading…

Relocating but Not Moving Far? We’ve Got You Covered!

The term ‘relocation’ is often associated with a particular notion: someone packing up their family to move cross-country or even internationally for a change in job or career and specifically at the request of and sometimes with the assistance of, their employer.  But did you know that the majority of moves RAN (Relocation Agent Network) members assist with take place within neighbouring areas and by people managing their own moves?

It’s true! According to RAN data, nearly half of all people … Continue Reading…

How to Help Elderly Relatives Move Home

For an elderly relative, moving on to the next chapter of their lives can be an emotional experience. The need to move home might stem from financial needs, bereavement, health reasons, or the wish to be nearer loved ones. But whatever the catalyst, time, diplomacy, and tact are the order of the day.

Don’t rush

It’s essential to broach the subject of a move sensitively. A move in the twilight years is likely to be a final move, so it’s important to … Continue Reading…

How to Calculate the Rental Return on Your Buy-to-Let in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough & Rushden

If you’re looking for a property to rent out, it’s important to understand the numbers involved. You may have inherited a property and are thinking of letting it. Use the information here to identify if that is a prudent thing to do or if the capital from selling the property could be better invested.

Find the numbers

The simplest way to work out your gross return on a rental is to estimate some numbers. You can have a browse on the property … Continue Reading…

Eight Ways to Celebrate National Children’s Day

The past year has been challenging for kids, so let’s make them feel special on National Children’s Day (NCD) on Sunday 16 May.

The lockdowns of the last year hit children particularly hard. While little ones often say they want to skip school, the reality is many find its structure reassuring. (Sadly, some also feel safer at school than they do at home.)

Not only did lockdown mean children couldn’t be with their friends, for many, it also meant less exercise and … Continue Reading…

Agent Fees: How to Get the Best Value Deal When Selling Your Home

Unless your name is Elon Musk, selling your home will probably be the biggest transaction you make in your lifetime. So, who will you entrust to get you the best deal?

Option 1: You go for the agent with the lowest fee. This agent is a doppelgänger for Del Boy, but you love the idea of saving yourself a few hundred quid in fees.

Option 2: You go for an agent who makes properties look and sound A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The fee is a … Continue Reading…

Being a Landlord in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough & Rushden: the Risks and How to Avoid Them

Having a rental property can be a great way to earn some extra income. Like anything, there are a variety of things that can go wrong. We break down five of the most common ones.

The wrong property

Being a landlord means running a business. You’re not buying a property for you to live in. Tenants often have very different expectations when looking for a rental property. Don’t turn down a great opportunity because you wouldn’t like to live in it.

The wrong … Continue Reading…

International Nurses Day: How People Can Say Thanks

As it’s International Nurses Day next week, we thought we’d share this brilliant quote with you: “Save one life, and you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, and you’re a nurse.”

International Nurses Day is on 12 May (the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing). It’s a chance to thank a profession that has given so much during the pandemic.

Nurses have served on the Covid-19 frontline for more than a year, delivering high-quality professional care along with unstinting compassion and … Continue Reading…

How to Spot a Committed Buyer When Selling Your Home

With demand currently outstripping supply in the housing market, sellers are in the driver’s seat, but there is still one hazard that could derail a sale: the flaky buyer.

In a hot market, it’s not uncommon for panicky buyers to make an impulsive offer or go beyond their financial limits.

A buyer might do this because they fear that prices are rising and the market is getting away from them. Or perhaps they’ve been outbid in the past and don’t want to … Continue Reading…