News
Buy-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…
Read moreLegal site launched to help landlords with rogue tenants
Written bylettings: 10 December, 2012Legal repossession specialist Moore Blatch had launched a website to make it easier for landlords to deal with rogue tenants. PropertyReclaim.com is a simple to use website offering flat rates for a variety of legals services that range from sending a letter before claim to a full scale eviction or…
Read moreLetting agents face having to produce Tenant Information Packs
Written bylettings: 03 December, 2012A new duty will mean that private landlords or their agents in Scotland will have to give their tenants a Tenant Information Pack from next year. The pack – to be known as a TIP – runs to over 30 pages with five sections, and will have to be prepared for all…
Read moreEPCs – Changes for Scotland have arrived
Written bylettings: 01 December, 2012The majority of the new Regulations applicable to buildings in Scotland come into force on 1 October 2012, with further changes applicable from 9 January 2013. The key features of the original 2008 Regulations remain unchanged: EPCs will continue to be required on the sale, lease or construction for the…
Read moreEPC - More legislation for landlords
Written bylettings: 01 December, 2012For those who think “More legislation to make life difficult for landlords” let’s first look at why Government need us to have Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s). When fossil fuels are used they emit carbon dioxide (CO2), which is known as a “greenhouse gas” (GHG) because it helps produce something called…
Read moreGreen Deal: energy-saving for your home or business
Written bylettings: 01 December, 2012Part 1:How the Green Deal works You can make energy-saving improvements to your home or business without having to pay all the costs up front through the Green Deal. Energy-saving improvements include: insulation - eg loft or cavity wall insulation heating draught-proofing double glazing renewable energy technologies -…
Read moreLandlords Liability Insurance – do flat owners need it?
Written bylettings: 01 December, 2012It’s not a legal requirement for landlords to purchase landlords liability insurance for flats but I do so myself and strongly recommend it. Many landlords make the mistake in thinking that the freeholders insurance will cover their landlords liability. This is rarely the case. We have all seen the adverts…
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