News
Rural Scottish property with wood burning stoves are in demand, it is claimed
Written bylettings: 13 January, 2013Private property sector tenants in Scotland are increasingly interested in renting properties that come with a wood burning stove, according to agents. With cold winter days now upon us, the prospect of a welcoming cosy log fire to return to at night is one that most of us would relish,…
Read moreFinancially savvy landlords “cutting out the middleman” to make buy to let more profitable
Written bylettings: 12 January, 2013THE economic downturn has led to a new breed of financial savvy landlord who prefers to manage their own property portfolio rather than pay hefty fees to letting agents, a survey reveals. THE economic downturn has led to a new breed of financial savvy landlord who prefers to manage their…
Read moreClean up or clear off, ARLA boss tells letting industry rogues
Written bylettings: 07 January, 2013Rogue letting agents and landlords should either mend their ways or quit the market. The call has come from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), which says tenant demand will continue to outstrip supply this year, with more families opting – or having – to rent. Ian Potter, managing director of ARLA,…
Read moreLandlords have until the 31st December to install flue inspection hatches
Written bylettings: 21 December, 2012According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a flue in poor condition, combined with a boiler that isn’t working properly, may put people at risk of death or serious injury from carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2010, with the risk of CO poisoning in mind, new gas safety guidance was…
Read moreHow tenants can take responsibility during cold winter months
Written bylettings: 20 December, 2012Assuming that your landlord will be liable for damage to the property and your possessions through frozen pipes is often wrong. With Christmas only just around the corner, some tenants will be going off for a break to visit friends or relatives. However, a tenant does have responsibilities. In these times…
Read moreIs this the death of the high street estate agent?
Written bylettings: 20 December, 2012New statistics indicate that nearly everyone's first port of call is the internet when looking for a new home Digital has not only changed the future of retail, publishing and the music industry, it’s now changing the future of the property market at a rapid pace, marking the possible death…
Read moreBuy-to-let 'not stacking up in most of country'
Written bylettings: 20 December, 2012Despite the huge growth in buy-to-let, the private rental market is ‘inactive’ in three-quarters of Britain, lenders have been warned. Property analyst firm Hometrack says the rental market is not working properly in much of the country, making it unsuitable for investment. The warning – for lenders, buy-to-let investors and…
Read moreBuy to Let app for iPhones proves popular with landlords
Written bylettings: 20 December, 2012Buy to Let, the free app which lists all the latest buy to let mortgage rates for iPhone using landlords and brokers has been downloaded nearly 1,500 times since launching in September. The app was developed by Mortgages for Business’ head of IT development Mark Ryan and is based on…
Read moreWinter advice for Landlords
Written bylettings: 14 December, 2012When dark nights draw in and there's a chill in the air, it's easy to think that hibernation is the only answer. If you are a landlord it is time to consider how to protect your buy to let investment against weather damage. While buy-to-let owners would be wise to have…
Read moreMaking tenants feel right at home
Written bylettings: 11 December, 2012Your approach to life as an investor and landlord has a bearing on everyone's happiness. In my experience, happy tenants and happy landlords come in pairs. A good tenancy, just like any relationship, works best when both parties feel the arrangement is fair and everyone is genuinely doing their best…
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