20th February 2017
It’s a common phrase you see rounding off nearly every rental listing - “No DSS”. DSS – being the now-defunct Department of Social Security – refers to LHA tenants, the catch-all term for low-income tenants who claim Local Housing Allowance (LHA), named after the now-defunct Department of Social Security.
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16th February 2017
The growth of the buy-to-let market isn’t slowing down, as the housing shortage in the UK continues. Because of this, you now see a lot of information out there to help landlords get the best rental yields for their properties, but interestingly there is less information on capital appreciation. More associated with buyers and vendors, capital appreciation is also a factor that landlords need to consider when they invest in property, now more than ever.
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14th February 2017
Being a good landlord means having to deal with problems as they arise, whether it’s appliances that have stopped working, issues with neighbours or the tricky situation of handling rent arrears. You may have vetted your tenants thoroughly and to the correct procedure, but it’s not always a guarantee that they’ll pay on time. Sometimes, a tenant will hit hard times – they may lose their job, go through a major life change, or simply have a tough month with expenses - and you need a strategy to deal with rent arrears when they happen.
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30th January 2017
The lettings industry is going through an online revolution. It feels like new agencies are setting up shop every day – lean, mean property-renting machines churning out valuations in seconds and getting you a sale all through a screen. As we become more squeezed for time in the modern world - and the process of selling or letting a property being time-consuming enough - the client numbers for online-only agents grow and grow. But, are they really doing the best job for you?
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13th January 2017
As increasing numbers of people choose to rent a home, with economic challenges and rising property prices making it difficult for many to get onto the property ladder, the UK lettings market is stronger than ever. This is good news for both landlords and letting agents, but with a larger number of potential tenants, it follows that the screening process is even more important to ensure you let to the right people.
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12th January 2017
Like any investments, HMOs come with risks and rewards. If you want insider knowledge gained from my many years’ experience in the property industry, I’ve got some insights that I’d love to share with you. Read on to discover how you can get ahead of the game when investing in HMOs.
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12th January 2017
Choosing the right letting agent can be a difficult task. Many landlords dive in without giving it much thought. After being in the industry for as long as I have, I know how to separate average agents from the exceptional ones, and why would you settle for anything less than exceptional? The right letting agent will make you money and free you from the day-to-day tasks that stop you from doing what you’re good at.
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4th January 2017
It’s easy to get carried away when searching for a new place to live. You want to find your dream home, your own safe haven.
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20th December 2016
You’ve made the decision – it’s time to sell your current home. You’ve probably done some research online and discussed your plans with friends, as well as asked around for some recommendations. Now you’re ready to choose an estate agent.
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9th December 2016
If you were to sum up 2016, in one word, what would you say? It’s certainly been full of surprises. Britain rocked the country by voting to leave the EU, David Bowie passed away and the world is still trying to get it’s head around the fact that Donald Trump was elected President of America.
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