What the Rise in Older Renters Means for Landlords

Landlords looking to secure reliable, long-term tenants shouldn’t overlook a growing demographic in the rental sector – the older renter.

Recent statistics* show that the proportion of people aged 45 to 54 who rent is 16% (up 5% in ten years). During the same period, the proportion of renters aged 55 to 64 rose by 5% to 11%.

The benefits of older tenants
There’s no substitute for rigorous credit and reference checks when it comes to tenant selection. But it’s worth bearing in … Continue Reading…

Things to Think about When You’re Relocating for Work

Landing the perfect job is a dream for most, but what if that opportunity is in a different part of the country? Or abroad?

If this is the case, relocation may be the only solution.

Selling your home when you need to move out of Northamptonshire isn’t easy. You’ve got the start date of your new job to consider, selling your property quickly, the general hassle of moving, finding somewhere new in an unfamiliar area… the list seems endless.

So, in this two-minute … Continue Reading…

EPCs Are Changing! Landlords Are You Ready?

Calling all landlords! Have you checked your buy-to-let property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating lately?

No?

Unfortunately, there have been some legal changes that might mean you’ve got some work to do (and money to spend), so you need to keep reading.

An EPC details how energy efficient a property is, recommends how to improve efficiency, and gives a general idea of associated costs.

At the moment, a rental’s EPC must be a rating of E or above as per the Minimum Energy Efficiency … Continue Reading…

International Women’s Day: Four Trailblazers Who Changed Britain

To mark International Women’s Day next Tuesday, we look at four British women who made history in their respective fields. A three-minute, fantastic females-themed read.

They may not be household names, but these four pioneering British women deserve our admiration and respect.

Helen Sharman – Britain’s first astronaut
The Sheffield-born chemist was working at Mars (the makers of those chocolate bars) when she responded to an advert for volunteers to embark on a space mission.

After a rigorous selection process, Sharman was chosen from … Continue Reading…

What Tenants Want: The Changing Face of the Rental Market

With the rental market changing enormously over the past decade, savvy landlords need to stay on their toes to make the most of their investment.

General trends
1. Since 2010, the sector has almost doubled in size; these days, about 19% of all households rent.
2. Many tenants are renting for longer.
3. Renting is no longer all about young singletons. An increasing number of renters are aged 35 to 44 and have children.
4. Increased red tape: the number of laws relating to landlords … Continue Reading…

Five Reasons Why Landlords Sell Their Properties

It’s often thought that being a landlord is easy: buy a property, rent it out, and hey presto! You’re all set. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple, and many landlords look to sell up for an easier life.

Whether it’s age, personal circumstances or changes in the law, in this article, we explore five common reasons why UK landlords sell their properties.

Tenant issues

Let’s be honest, no landlord wants to take a call at 10pm from a tenant who has locked themselves … Continue Reading…

Keep Burglars at Bay by Beefing Up Your Home Security

With a raft of high-tech home security gadgets on the market, it’s easier than ever to keep your family, pets, and precious belongings safe.

Whether installing a completely new system or tightening up existing security measures, East Northants homeowners have plenty of options to choose from.

Smart system
There’s an app for everything these days – including home security. A smart system wirelessly links alarms, sensors, and cameras to a hub that you can manage remotely from your phone. Some systems can also … Continue Reading…

How Landlords and Tenants Can Feel the Love

If you do a quick Google search on ‘how to keep love alive’, communication comes out on top of many of the pieces of advice shared.

Almost all relationships benefit from good communication. And that advice extends beyond being a partner, parent, or friend – it can easily be applied to the landlord and tenant relationship.

But there’s more to it than that.

When it’s done well, the landlord and tenant relationship is precisely that – a relationship rather than a transaction.

Below are … Continue Reading…

What’s Putting Buyers Off Your Property

So, you’re keen to sell your home, but you’re just not getting any offers. What’s going on? How can you make your home more attractive to potential buyers?

What’s that smell?

Your home is your castle, but your pong is also your pong. If a buyer walks into a property and is hit with a bad smell, it’s likely they won’t be coming back. Whether you’ve just been cooking cabbage, or you’ve got a whiffy pet, always air your home before a … Continue Reading…

Landlords – Avoid These Common Décor Mistakes

Are you a landlord with a new rental property? Are you about to decorate? Step away from the colour charts, put down the paintbrush, and read on.

Sometimes, it’s hard to separate your personal taste from your rental. After all, you’ve paid a lot of money for it, and you’ve probably invested time and effort getting it ready for the rental market.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Getting too creative
Your rental property is NOT your home. You’ll probably never spend more … Continue Reading…