How to Increase the Net Yield on Your Rental – Without Hiking the Rent

Buy-to-let investors can tighten their belts and improve their bottom line in many ways.

Landlords searching for inspiration need look no further than Apple founder Steve Jobs, who famously said, “Details matter.”

That’s because the key to success as a landlord is keeping a firm eye on all the details.

That means making the big decisions—such as setting rent—right, but also paying attention to other ways you can minimise your expenses and protect yourself from one-off cost blowouts.

So, here are some simple … Continue Reading…

Mortgage Expert Reveals Why Landlords Are Investing in Buy-to-Let

A rise in the number of landlords taking out buy-to-let mortgages shows that the market fundamentals in the lettings sector remain strong.

As Chief Commercial Officer of buy-to-let lender Fleet Mortgages, Steve Cox is a numbers man.

And after crunching the data released so far this year, he’s given his verdict on the outlook for the buy-to-let (BTL) sector, and it’s pretty positive.

In an analysis piece in Mortgage Solutions magazine, Cox said BTL had outperformed expectations last year and got off to … Continue Reading…

Landlords: Why and When You Should Do Property Checks

Most tenancies run smoothly. But when a tenancy goes wrong, it can go very wrong. Conducting a regular property check is one way to head off problems.

Why should you inspect your rental?

An inspection of your rental is an opportunity to check its condition. You can see how your tenant is looking after your property and identify any maintenance that might be needed.

You can also ensure no one is living there who isn’t on the tenancy, and that there’s no unauthorised … Continue Reading…

Renters’ Rights Bill: New Rules on Addressing Mould Explained

New rules on dealing with mould and damp in private rental properties are on the horizon. Here’s what landlords need to know.

The UK is a (generally) cold and wet country with the oldest housing stock in Europe.

So, it’s no surprise that problems such as damp and mould can arise in residential properties.

This was brought into sharp focus earlier this month when the English Housing Survey revealed that damp is a growing issue in the private rental sector which affects 9% … Continue Reading…

Why There’s No Room for Complacency Around Lettings Laws

Landlords need to know about an important government rule change that quietly came into force late last year.

Landlords have been warned to keep a close eye out for any new regulations introduced by their local council.

The advice comes after new rules making it easier for local councils to introduce selective licensing schemes quietly came into force in December.

Due to the timing of the changes – just two days before Christmas – the move largely flew under the radar.

However, many in … Continue Reading…

Psychologists Reveal How to Keep Your Tenants Happy

How can you encourage tenants to settle long-term in your rental? A report compiled by consumer psychologists claims to have the answers.

A report on the psychology of buying and renting includes some helpful advice for landlords.

The Bricks to Belonging report* was compiled by the psychological and behavioural science firm IB.

It examines what drives renters to become first-time buyers or to move from one rental to another.

“Beyond the more obvious demographics of wealth and life stage”, the report found three important … Continue Reading…

Should You Raise the Rent in 2025?

Getting the rent right is a must for all landlords. Here we’ll look at how to assess if the time is right to raise the rent on your investment property. 

So let’s deal with the question: Should you raise your rent in 2025?

We believe all landlords should review the rent they charge every year.

And, if appropriate, increase it. (But there is a ‘but’ – see later.)

Here’s why.

Your landlord costs go up every year. You need the rent to keep pace so … Continue Reading…

Letting Yields: What Landlords Need to Know

Letting yields are the lifeblood of successful property investing. Here we’ll look at why it’s so important to understand yields.

What is meant by letting yield?

Yield is a simple way of calculating the financial return you can make on a buy-to-let.

Knowing what yield a property offers can help you decide if it’s a good investment (or not).

It allows you to compare different properties and weigh up the best one to buy.

Yields can also help you compare different types of investment. … Continue Reading…

Energy Bills in 2025: A Guide for Landlords

With household heating costs still a key concern, here are some tips for landlords on managing tenant energy bills.

Let’s start this article with some timeless wisdom: “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Taking inflation into account, those pennies have become pounds.

As we move into 2025, energy expenses and efficiency remain pressing concerns for landlords and tenants alike.

While energy prices are expected to stabilise, they are still projected to stay high compared to pre-2020 levels​.

Here’s a plan to help landlords navigate … Continue Reading…

Getting The Best Out of Joint Tenancies: Tips for Landlords

Many landlords will find themselves managing joint tenancies. Here are some tips on how to get the best out of them.

It’s easy to understand why joint tenancies are so popular with renters in the UK. Sharing a tenancy with a friend, partner or family member means you can split the bills and divide up the chores. And it’s nice (most of the time, at least) to come home to a familiar, friendly face. However, joint tenancies rely on mutual trust and good communication … Continue Reading…