Category Archives: News

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…

Three Tips to Help Neurodiverse Home Buyers and Sellers

According to Zoopla, almost two-thirds of neurodiverse people give up on buying a home.* Here are three tips to make the process easier and less stressful.

Decide what you want and don’t give up

If you’re selling, take all the time you need; don’t be rushed. Ask estate agents for valuations. Then decide the minimum price you can or will accept and stick to it.

If you’re buying, make a list of ‘must haves’ and a separate list of ‘nice to haves’. … Continue Reading…

Market Review – January 2025

The first month of the year has started positively with more buyers registering to buy and more new housing stock coming to the market. According to Rightmove, 27% more properties are available on the market today compared to a year ago. Furthermore, 11% more sales have been agreed in the period between Boxing Day and mid-January compared to last year; this could be due to a mini surge in activity directly after the pre-Christmas downturn.

Stamp duty concessions ending on 31st … Continue Reading…

Cryptocurrency: Can You Use It When Buying or Selling?

Cryptocurrencies are said to be the currencies of the future. Here we’ll ask can you (and should you) buy or sell property using crypto?

What is a cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrencies have been around for years. However, with President Trump pledging to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’, we could hear a lot more about it in 2025.

A cryptocurrency is a virtual, digital currency. It doesn’t exist in the form of notes or coins. It isn’t controlled by any one organisation, … 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…

Is It Wiser to Move or Improve Your Home?

With rising labour and materials costs, is it now more cost-effective to move rather than renovate?

There’s one question that millions of homeowners have asked themselves over the years: should I move or improve?

While both options have pros and cons, the broad consensus has generally been that it’s cheaper to renovate than sell up and buy somewhere else.

At least, that’s what people used to say. However, in recent months, many in the property industry have questioned whether this is still true.

Times … 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…

Latest News on the Renters’ Rights Bill

The Renters’ Rights Bill has just passed its latest stage in the House of Commons. Here, we’ll look at what happened and at what it could mean for landlords, tenants and anyone considering selling their rental property investments.

Renters’ Rights – what’s happened so far

The Labour Government unveiled the Renters’ Rights Bill in September 2024.

Key proposals for this new legislation for England include making all tenancies periodic tenancies and the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Also planned are new … Continue Reading…

Three Ways Trump Could Influence the Local Property Market

Next Monday (January 20th), Donald Trump will be inaugurated as President of the United States of America for the second time.

And whether you love or loathe him, there’s no escaping from the fact that he’s one of the world’s most powerful men (again).

Below are three ways President Trump’s policies might affect the housing sector on this side of the Atlantic.

Mortgage rates and borrowing costs

Trump’s economic policies could affect global financial markets, indirectly influencing UK mortgage rates. If market stability is … 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…