How to Choose the Right Tenant When Your Property is in High Demand

If you have a house or flat to let (or relet), then chances are you’ll have many applicants to choose from. Here are some thoughts on managing the process and selecting the very best tenant.

Have a great ‘to let’ advert

Have a detailed and accurate description of your rental, along with good photographs.

This helps by ensuring that only those tenants for whom the property is suitable apply.

Tip: Consider stating a minimum monthly income. Two-and-a-half times the monthly rent is one rule … Continue Reading…

Boiler Breakdowns, Servicing and Replacement: A Quick Guide for Landlords

According to one survey, boiler breakdowns surge by 50% in October.* Here are some tips for avoiding headaches and hassles if your rental has a gas boiler.

Is your boiler due for a service?

As a landlord you’ll know that gas appliances, including boilers, need an annual gas safety check by law.

Gas safety checks don’t necessarily include a service, however. A boiler that is serviced annually is more likely to stay reliable and safe.

Check to see if your boiler is due for … Continue Reading…

Landlords Beware: This TikTok Trend Could Lead to Sticky Situations

A popular DIY hack promoted on social media as a ‘renter-friendly upgrade’ is causing costly repair bills.

Search ‘renter-friendly hacks’ on TikTok and you’ll find endless videos on low-cost ways to customise a property.

Influencers share DIY transformation tips that they claim are easy to reverse at the end of a tenancy (so as not to jeopardise the rental deposit).

However, many of these so-called ‘upgrades’ are proving to be problematic.

Lettings expert Sarah Evans recently told The Sun newspaper that these ‘quick fixes’ … Continue Reading…

Are You New to Renting? Don’t Make These Rookie Mistakes

If you’re new to renting, here’s some advice that will help get your tenancy off to a good start and avoid future disputes.

Searching for a property to rent can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time tenant.

But by avoiding the rookie mistakes listed below, you can build the foundations of a long and happy tenancy.

Not using a legit letting agency

Thousands of Brits lose money to fake property listings each year. Don’t be one of them.

The scam usually goes like this. … Continue Reading…

Help, My Tenants Have Locked Themselves Out. What Should I Do?

Around 5.6 million keys of all types are lost every single year.* Here’s some advice for landlords on minimising the headaches caused when tenants lose their keys or lock themselves out.

Beware self-locking locks

Locks which automatically lock when the door is closed (or the wind blows it shut) are a common reason for getting locked out. When you’re changing locks, it may be a good idea to avoid them.

Have plenty of spare keys

Having spare keys cut is much cheaper than calling … Continue Reading…

The Clock’s Ticking: Why Landlords Should Prepare for Making Tax Digital Now

Some landlords will have to change the way they file their tax returns from April next year. Read on to find out if you will be affected.

Here’s a friendly reminder that changes in the way HMRC expects the self-employed, including landlords, to manage their tax returns are coming.

The initiative, called Making Tax Digital (MTD), is about digitising the tax process.

It’s already mandatory for businesses that pay VAT.

And in eight months, it will become compulsory for some landlords who pay income … Continue Reading…

What is Gas Safety Week, and What Landlords Should Know About It

Gas safety should be a number one priority for all landlords. Gas Safety Week 2025, which runs from 8 to 14 September, is a good time to make sure your properties are 100% gas safe.

What is Gas Safety Week?

Gas Safety Week is a publicity campaign run by industry body Gas Safe Register.

One of its aims is to encourage everyone – landlords, tenants and homeowners alike – to think about gas safety in their property.

This year’s Gas Safety Week theme is … Continue Reading…

Should You Fit an EV Charger in Your Buy-to-Let?

There are now 1.3 million electric vehicles on UK roads, with numbers rising 38% over the last year alone.* Here’s what landlords need to know about the demand for electric vehicle charging.

Do you need to fit an EV charger in your property?

There is currently no legal requirement for rental properties to offer EV charging.

However, all new build homes with private parking are now required to offer facilities for EV charging.

Are tenants allowed to charge EVs?

You could already have a tenant … Continue Reading…

Make Handling Tenant Complaints a Breeze With Our Simple, Stress-Free Tips

Even good landlords with good tenants sometimes receive complaints. Here are some top tips for handling any complaints you might receive quickly and easily.

What do tenants complain about most?

According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)*, most complaints aren’t actually about major disasters. They’re about small everyday issues. (Things that are pretty straightforward for landlords to sort out, if you’re well organised.)

Key issues highlighted in a report by the NRLA include problems with heat and hot water, leaking pipes and … Continue Reading…

Survey Reveals the Truth Behind ‘Landlord Exodus’ Claims

A new survey pours cold water on the claim that landlords are abandoning the private rental sector in droves.

The press loves a dramatic headline, don’t they?

Back in December, one national newspaper ran this thundering warning: ‘The devastating landlord exodus about to hit Britain.’

Other mainstream and specialist property news outlets followed suit, claiming that the private rental sector was facing Armageddon.

Landlords were set to exit the sector at a rapid rate because of increased regulation and rising costs, they said

Nine months … Continue Reading…