Ready for Anything: The Landlord’s Emergency Checklist

As any experienced letting agent or landlord can advise you, ‘expect the unexpected’ when it comes to rental properties.

And that’s why it pays to follow the Scouts’ motto and “be prepared”.

Being prepared for any eventuality can mean the difference between a minor hiccup and a full-blown catastrophe if you’re a landlord.

With that in mind, we’ve created a Landlord Emergency Kit.

Let’s dive into five essentials that can save the day.

Back-up keys

Locked-out tenants? Spare keys can quickly resolve this common issue. Store … Continue Reading…

Tricks or Treats? Demystifying Rental Myths for Landlords This Halloween

In this Halloween Special, we look at five scary things landlords need to be mindful of to avoid nightmares.

The ghostly guarantee of quick tenants

Some letting agents will convince landlords that finding tenants is a quick and painless process. However, rushing it without proper checks and considerations can lead to choosing the wrong tenant. Patience and due diligence will save you from a frightening future filled with unexpected issues.

The curse of the bad tenant

Many landlords dread being trapped in a lease … Continue Reading…

The Landlord, the Tenant and the Insurance: A Real-Life Warning

For landlords in Wellingborough, Irthlingborough and Rushden, having the right insurance coverage is not just a box to tick. It’s an essential safeguard for your investments.

But simply having insurance is not enough; understanding the policy’s specific requirements and declaring everything accurately is crucial.

In the following cautionary tale, we’ll explore a real-life incident involving a landlord who learned this lesson the hard way.

The names and details have been changed, but the lessons remain valuable for all landlords.

The story

A diligent landlord, let’s call … Continue Reading…

Is Your Rental Being Used for Criminal Activity? Here’s What to Look for

It’s every landlord’s worst nightmare: you discover the people you thought were trusted tenants are actually crooks using your property for illegal activity.

As a result, you face hefty repair bills, loss of income and a battle with your insurer. You may also find yourself at the centre of a police investigation.

Now, this is a worst-case scenario; most tenants are law-abiding, so there’s no need to panic.

But it’s still worth being on your guard for the signs that something isn’t quite … Continue Reading…

Market Update: What’s Happening in the Private Rental Sector

After a challenging 12 months for the economy, how is the private rental sector faring, and what lies ahead for buy-to-let landlords?

In this market analysis, we look at some facts and figures to give you an accurate update on the private rental sector.

Demand

Demand for rentals is running hot. It’s up 3% on 2022 levels and a whopping 42% higher than in 20191. Reasons for this include first-time buyers struggling to get on the property ladder (an issue made worse by … Continue Reading…

Trustworthy Tradespeople: A Landlord’s Guide to Stress-Free Property Maintenance

It’s up there with late rents, messy tenants and broken boilers on a landlord’s Headache-ometer.

What are we talking about?

Finding (and keeping) tradespeople you can trust to look after any property maintenance or issues landlords need to get sorted.

In this article, we share five tried, tested and trustworthy tips on how to find the very best and swerve the unreliable rest.

Tip #1: Know your needs

Understanding what you require is the first step. Is it a leaky tap or a major renovation? … Continue Reading…

Changes to Energy Efficiency Rules and the Impact on Landlords

Over the last few years, landlords have faced many changes. Tax reforms, rental reforms and energy efficiency measures have meant renting out properties is more complex (and expensive) than ever. But with changes to Government plans announced last Wednesday, is good news on the horizon?

Last week, controversial (and costly plans) for improved EPC targets by 2025 were scrapped by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

So, how does this impact property investors (and tenants)?

In this quick read, we look at what’s been going … Continue Reading…

How to Be a Pet-Friendly Landlord

If you’re a landlord looking to attract long-term tenants, it’s worth thinking about ways to make your investment property as appealing as possible.

And one area you may have overlooked is the army of British pet owners who need a rental property, and want to make their furry friends as comfy as possible.

Unfortunately, over the years, many landlords have been known to refuse pet owners, perhaps due to worries about damage or general unsuitability for a property.

Many pet owners tend to … Continue Reading…

Why It Could Be Better to Rent Out Your Property Rather Than Sell

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a financial position where you can rent out your home instead of selling it, should you take the leap?

After all, if you don’t need to sell to fund your next move, renting your property is an option worth exploring.

Here, we explore the dilemma of renting out a property instead of selling.

Timing

As we all know, property sales can take time. There are lots of hoops to jump through and boxes to tick before you … Continue Reading…

The Golden Rules of Setting Your Monthly Rent

If you’re a first-time landlord about to rent out a property, or an established landlord looking to purchase a new investment, one of the main questions you’ll have is how much rent you can charge per month.

Of course, you can (and should) take the advice of your agent, but it’s also worth understanding exactly what factors impact the amount of rent you can sensibly charge.

In this quick read, we explore the factors you need to consider before pricing your rental … Continue Reading…