Before we dive into this post, we want to say that there are a whole bunch of good reasons to become a landlord. Some people choose to get into it from a young age, with plans to build a portfolio that will give them an eventual high return that they can then use to retire. Some […]
The tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April every year, but what does this mean for landlords and is there anything you need to be aware of when this near tax year starts?
A credit reference check is where an individual’s credit history is checked. For landlords, this usually gives an indication of whether the prospective tenant can afford to take on new debts. If you’ve ever applied for a loan, a contract phone or a mortgage, chances are you’ll have had credit reference checks carried out on you. If you’re a landlord […]
It’s not unusual for landlords of an HMO to be concerned about abuse of the utilities when the rent is inclusive of bills but the unusual circumstances of the past year has caused that concern to heighten as bills have risen and profits have reduced.
With more than a million burglaries and attempted burglaries taking place across the UK every year, the issue of tenant security is one that should definitely be on every landlord’s radar. This is especially true because rented properties are at even more risk of burglary than owner occupier homes.
With the rental market being as competitive as it is, any switched-on landlord with a compact property should be looking for ways to maximise the space available there to help them stand out from the competition.
Landlords have a responsibility to ensure their properties are safe for tenants. This includes paying close attention to fire safety. Unlike gas safety or electrical safety, there isn’t a certificate you can obtain that shows unequivocally that your property is safe for tenants, but there are certain things you must do, some of which are […]
A tenancy agreement is a contract between the landlord and the tenant. It sets out in writing all the terms and conditions of the tenancy. This includes how long the tenancy will last, how much rent the landlord expects the tenant to pay, and when these payments are due. Like any other contract, it is […]
Most landlords will be familiar with the major property portals Rightmove and Zoopla. They deal with both property rentals and buying and selling. These huge portals are popular with prospective tenants and house buyers and so they’re usually the first thing a landlord thinks of when advertising properties to rent. For many self-managing landlords though it […]
Until recently there haven’t been any laws or guidelines regulating electric installations in rental properties. Landlords have been able to deal with problems as and when they arise. Recently, however, more focus has been put on to tenant safety and landlords are now expected to keep the electric installations in their properties safe.
Managing rental properties can be time-consuming and give you a lot of sleepless nights when things don’t go according to plan. Small landlords don’t always take managing their properties seriously enough, and this is a huge mistake.
Damp is a common problem in the UK’s rental housing stock. Many landlords can’t or decide not to invest in their properties, leaving tenants to live in cold, damp homes. In areas where demand for rental housing outstrips supply, rogue landlords often get away with housing tenants in sub-standard accommodation. Tenants are often too afraid […]
Fans of smelly blue cheese might not view mould as a problem, but in a home, it is both unsightly and a potential health hazard. Unfortunately, mould infestations are common, especially in damp areas of the home. In this article, we are going to look at mould under a magnifying glass – horrifying!
An irrational fear of rats and mice is a very common phobia (murophobia or musophobia in case you were wondering). Even if you are not scared witless by rats or mice, you probably don’t want them scurrying around your food cupboards or playing in your bedroom at night. And nor do your tenants, as rodents […]
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