Blog: Landlords

Forecasters predict this winter will be cold and dry – making it likely we’ll get lots of snow.

While this is excellent news if you’re a skier, if you’re a landlord, it means there’s no room for complacency...

If you’re selling your home, then you’ll need a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property.

So, here’s a guide explaining what an EPC is and how you can get one.

What is it?

Think of an...

In today’s climate, it’s easy to paint landlords with the same brush – viewing them solely as money-grabbing opportunists.

As a letting agency that’s part of...

The expression ‘safe as houses’ has been used for almost two centuries to describe something that is rock-solid and risk-free.

But thanks to the elaborate efforts of a small but growing number of fraudsters, not even...

After a challenging 12 months for the economy, how is the private rental sector faring, and what lies ahead for buy-to-let landlords?

In this market analysis, we look at some facts and figures to give you an accurate...

If you’re a landlord looking to attract long-term tenants, it’s worth thinking about ways to make your investment property as appealing as possible.

And one area you may have overlooked is the army of British pet...

Over the last few years, landlords have faced many changes. Tax reforms, rental reforms and energy efficiency measures have meant renting out properties is more complex (and expensive) than ever. But with changes to Government...

If you’re fortunate enough to be in a financial position where you can rent out your home instead of selling it, should you take the leap?

After all, if you don’t need to sell to fund your next move, renting your...

If you’re a first-time landlord about to rent out a property, or an established landlord looking to purchase a new investment, one of the main questions you’ll have is how much rent you can charge per...

As a landlord, you’ve probably experienced that feeling of dread when your tenant’s name flashes up on your phone, reporting a problem.

Or how about the horror of receiving the news that you’re going to have to pay...

Whether you’re an established landlord or a first-time investor, you’ll probably be thinking about what to buy: a ready-to-go rental or a doer-upper. Which one should you pick?

Currently, lots of changes are being...

As a landlord, one of your main goals is to make sure your property is tenanted. As soon as the old tenants decide they’re moving on, it’s time to find new renters to move in.

But while you’ll be keen for a quick...

Type ‘tenancy agreement’ into Google and you’ll get thousands of results offering free online templates and guides to writing your own rental contract.

So why bother using a letting agent to sort out the tenancy...

As a landlord, as well as managing the finances, the property and any repairs or maintenance, you also have to remember to look after your tenants. Whilst nine times out of ten you’ll never have to deal with anything too...

Not since 2008, have interest rates been as high as they are today.

As a result, many mortgage holders are looking for ways to trim their outgoings to ease the financial burden.

Homeowners are putting DIY projects...

Problems in the home are a nuisance. A leaky tap, your fridge packs up and food goes to waste. When things go wrong, it’s understandable you want them fixed ASAP. But what if you’re a tenant? What’s the best way to get an...

Landlords use letting agents for all sorts of reasons.

Some need help navigating red tape and lettings legislation, while others want a third party to deal with inspections, inventories and disputes.

And some just...

Get things right, and you’ll build the foundations of a long and successful tenant-landlord relationship (the kind that all landlords dream of).

Get it wrong, and you could be in for a bumpy ride that absorbs much of...

With summer officially starting in a few weeks, most people will have banished all thoughts of winter and the dark, damp days that go with it.

But there’s a good...

It’s not just birds, bees and butterflies that come out in force in summer – unfortunately, burglars step up their activity, too.

With many people going away on...

Garden maintenance can be a thorny issue between tenants and landlords, so here’s a useful guide to help avoid confusion.

Now that spring is here, there are lots of tasks to be done in the garden, such as watering,...

As a landlord in 2023, it’s fair to say there are a lot of challenges on the horizon. From changes to rental rules, tax upheaval, mortgage mayhem… it’s all going on.

But the first thing to remember is your tenants...

What’s cute, has a bushy tail and could cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to a rental property? Unfortunately, as sweet as they may seem, squirrels and their nests can be a nightmare for landlords and...

You can’t open a newspaper (or app) without seeing something about the UK rental market. Whether it’s the increase in demand for property, changes to rent rules or landlords selling up – rentals are getting a lot of...

Being a landlord is one of those jobs where there’s no middle ground. It’s either low stress with great tenants and affordable mortgage rates, or it’s the total opposite: high stress, broken appliances, tenancy challenges...

Unless you’re lucky enough to have long-term tenants, every time a new lot of renters move in, there are lots of checks to be made, forms to sign, letters to send.

One thing that should never be ignored or delayed are...

As a tenant living in a rental property, you need to be aware of your rights. Fortunately, due to recent reforms in legislation, you’re now more protected than ever when it comes to matters of eviction and deposits. But what...

The end of a tenancy agreement can be stressful for landlords. You need to make sure the property isn’t vacant for long and there may be a need for repairs and maintenance. Then there’s the deposit release process and...

As a landlord, you might have invested in property for additional income; maybe it’s a way to save for your future, or perhaps you’re an accidental landlord and had to rent your property out due to a change in...

The rental market is a tough place to be, especially in the current economic climate.

With the cost of living crisis leaving many tenants feeling squeezed, now could be the right time for landlords to invest in rent...

Recessions hit everyone right where it hurts: in the pocket. Everyone feels the pinch as prices rise and the cost of living spirals. Homeowners face the prospect of higher mortgage rates and rising bills. But what about...

Three Nightmarish Buy-to-Let Scenarios and How to Avoid Them

Being a landlord can sometimes be unpredictable – but the experience is much less scary if you have a good letting agent on your side. Read on to find out...

If you’re a landlord, chances are you’re feeling a bit hard done by at the moment. It seems like every other day, new rules and revisions are being announced around landlord and tenant law, which means you have to change...

We’re all familiar with an MOT, an annual check-up to ensure your car is safe and good to go for the year ahead. Well, let’s apply the same concept to a buy-to-let investment.

Even if your current tenancy is ticking...

There are few guarantees in life, but we promise you this: let your property to a bad tenant, and your job as a landlord will get much more complicated.

Expect to be out of pocket (due to missed rent payments and damage...

There’s one rookie mistake that many first-time landlords make when they invest in property – and it can cost them dearly further down the track.

While most newbie landlords mull over the obvious financial stuff –...

As a busy landlord juggling a portfolio of multiple properties, you might be thinking about ways to reduce your workload or secure a regular income. Have you been enticed by promises of guaranteed rent?

Guaranteed rental...

Whatever property you’re marketing it’s well known that a home that feels spacious will always fetch a higher price than a similar property that comes across as cramped and crowded.  A few clever adjustments will do the...

As trusted local letting agents, we work with a lot of landlords. Finding tenants, managing properties, organising inspections – we take care of each step. However, more and more landlords are choosing to work alone, but is...

Do they need to sign a tenancy agreement?

Yes, yes, and yes again! They might be family, but they’re also your tenants and both parties need to know what is expected of them. For example, they might say they want to...

Joint tenancies are a great way for friends or couples to live together and share the rental burden. (Think about best buddies and flatmates Joey and Chandler in Friends, they had a ball, right?)

And joint tenancies...

Who is responsible for what?

Always check your contract, but as a general rule, landlords are responsible for structural features like walls and chimneys, along with windows, drains, stairs, toilets, showers, pipework,...

When it comes to tenant selection, there’s a saying that all landlords should heed: Go with the right tenant, not the first tenant.

Sometimes, landlords are so eager to see rent payments rolling in that they treat the...

From toxic tenants to financial friction – there are many reasons why a landlord might want to end a tenancy.

These reasons can include:

Landlords looking to secure reliable, long-term tenants shouldn’t overlook a growing demographic in the rental sector – the older renter.

Recent statistics* show that the proportion of people aged 45 to 54 who rent is...

Calling all landlords! Have you checked your buy-to-let property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating lately?

Unfortunately, there have been some legal changes that might mean you’ve got some work to do (and...

With the rental market changing enormously over the past decade, savvy landlords need to stay on their toes to make the most of their investment.

General trends

It’s often thought that being a landlord is easy: buy a property, rent it out, and hey presto! You’re all set. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple, and many landlords look to sell up for an easier life.

Whether...

Almost all relationships benefit from good communication.

Below are ten ways landlords and tenants can help to ensure good communication.

What tenants like about good landlords

Are you a landlord with a new rental property? Are you about to decorate? Step away from the colour charts, put down the paintbrush, and read on.

Sometimes, it’s hard to separate your personal taste from your rental....

Our tax system is often criticised for being complicated and unwieldy, but by following two simple rules you can take the stress and hassle out of filing a return.

Rule Number 1: Do your homework

Raise your hand if...

Now’s the time to give your spare room some serious thought about how to make the best use of this extra space in your home.

Especially after the past 18 months...

Before becoming a landlord, you need to consider how you want to buy your rental property. There’s lots of tricky tax stuff to consider and changes to tax relief over the last few years mean that becoming a landlord might not...

What’s the difference between a landlord and a property investor? Aren’t they the same thing? Does one rent out properties and the other sell them on? If these questions have got you scratching your head, read on....

Four New Year’s Resolutions Landlords Will Love

It’s 2022. A new year, new hopes, and a new focus on getting rid of old ways of doing things that are holding us back.

And Landlords are not immune to wanting a...

Councils Under Pressure to Clamp Down on Lax Landlords

Landlords who struggle with all the rules and regulations associated with renting out a property – be warned.

Councils are coming under increasing pressure to...

Landlords – Five Fantastic Ways to Make More Profit

In this two-minute read, we look at five fundamental ways landlords in can make their rental properties more...

In this three-minute read, we look at how landlords can gain the winning edge, starting with deposit disputes.

We know the Olympics have just finished but indulge us if you will as we explain how a popular...

This three-minute read explores the reasons why evictions happen and how they are carried out.

Getting to the stage where you...

In this two-minute read, we explain why your letting agent should be part of a client money protection (CMP) scheme.

The lettings sector used to be the Wild West of the property market, with a small group of...

In this three-minute read, we compare the different types of buy-to-let mortgages.

When choosing the right buy-to-let mortgage, landlords face a key decision: go with an interest-only deal or opt for a capital...

In this three-minute read, we look at what can go wrong if you side-step tenant reference checks and wind up with a bad tenant.

New landlords often flirt with the idea of ditching traditional tenant selection...

In this three-minute read, we look at ways landlords can prevent losing money in disputes about cleaning.

It’s not just couples who bicker over who did or didn’t scrub the bathroom; landlords and tenants can...

This three-minute read guides Bromley and South East landlords to declaring their rental income in the best way possible.

If you rent out a property and receive a rental income from that,...

A two-minute read to help you quickly determine the return on a buy-to-let property in Bromley and the South East.

If you’re looking for a property to rent out,...

In this three-minute read, we look at how landlords can avoid getting a bad insurance deal.

If you’re a landlord looking to take out insurance or renew a current policy, there are a few things you should...

In this three-minute read, we look at a study that found some landlords were putting themselves and their investment at risk by cutting corners on checks and maintenance.

Landlords are leaving themselves exposed to...

In this two-minute read, we look at how landlords can foster a good rapport with tenants.

Every successful landlord needs a rock-solid tenant retention plan or what we like to call “a happy tenant...

In this three-minute read, we list five things Bromley and South East sellers should look for in an estate agent.

It pains us to say this, but a recent survey found people were more likely to trust a traffic...

A two-minute read.

A landlords’ advice article published recently said property investors need to think more like the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The billionaire businessman is renowned for his...

In this two-minute read, we show you how to keep calm and in control when letting your Bromley and the South East property.

The idea that investing in rental property is easy passive income is a myth....

In this two-minute read, we look at how letting agents handle the fiddly, time-consuming elements of renting out a property.

In part two of our series on property management, we look at how letting agents save...

Deposit Disputes: How Bromley and South East Landlords Can Avoid the Most Common Cause of Conflict

In this three-minute read, we look at how Bromley and South East landlords can protect themselves from getting...

In this three-minute read, we look at a new report that outlines how Bromley and the South East landlords can build a long and prosperous partnership with their tenant.

What’s the secret to a successful...

In this two-minute speed read we look at 10 things you can do as a landlord to make 2021 a year to remember for all the right reasons.

1 – Review your buy to let mortgages. Great deals are continually coming to...

In this three-minute read, we look at the two biggest decisions landlords in Bromley and the South East make when renting out their property.

Life is a daily...

In this three-minute read, we outline the costs and expenses landlords encounter when letting a property.

To succeed as a landlord, you need to have a realistic idea about the costs you'll encounter when letting...

In this three-minute read, we look at the pros and cons of letting a property to a tenant with a pet.

Should tenants be allowed to keep pets in rental properties? It’s a thorny subject that is back in the...

In this three-minute read, we look at the documentation landlords need to meet their legal obligations – and avoid messy disputes.

First-time landlords often make the rookie mistake of underestimating the amount...

Tier 2

In this two-minute speed read; we look at what the new tier system means for landlords and people looking to rent in Bromley and The South East of...

In this three-minute read, we look at how landlords can manage tenants who are noisy, aggressive, or destructive.

Let us start with the good news: most tenants pay...

In this three-minute read, we look at the ten most important things a landlord needs to succeed.

If you’re contemplating becoming a landlord, here’s a helpful checklist explaining what it takes to let a...

In this three-minute read, we look at why landlords MUST take gas safety very seriously.

This Monday (14th) sees the tenth annual Gas Safety Week.

In this three-minute read, we explain how landlords can navigate their way through choppy economic waters and achieve good returns on their investment.

When officials announced on 12th August that the UK had entered...

The eviction ban extension means more than ever, why landlords need a property partner who has their back.

Whether you’re a veteran landlord with years of...

Landlords in South-East London and Bromley experience a release of pent up demand in lettings

Last week letting agents in England were given the go-ahead to return to...

In this two-minute read, we look at ways you can keep your home and family safe as the weather turns colder.

Households across the country are having the same argument.
And no, it’s nothing to do with Brexit...

In the next five years, price of renting property in the UK is expected to rise by 25 percent, while property values are set to only increase by 20 percent. The number of prospective tenants is expected to rise with less...

Perhaps you’ve considered buying properties for rental purposes, but held yourself back due to some very common misconceptions about being a landlord. One assumption, requiring debunking, is that by and large tenants are...

The rental market in 2016 in the UK continues to rise with an imbalance in rental prices and the amount of properties available. This has been an ongoing problem for some time now according to ARLA Propertymark organization....

New regulations going into effect April first of this year will restrict the Universal credit 18-21 year olds receive for housing costs. The move is aimed at alleviating the cost to taxpayers by keeping young people who can...

House-price linked mortgages can help more buyers, especially young people, onto the property ladder according to the below article. Banks have made mortgages available to keep financial institutions solvent. David Miles, a...

Are you looking for a fabulous new spa to go to in Orpington? If so then you are in luck - the Bannatyne Group has remodeled the former LA Fitness into a brand new spa. It is the first of a series of new spas that they will be...

Are you a landlord in Bromley, Beckenham, Dulwich and surrounding areas? Do you sublet? Surely you have considered the affect of reporting income from your property. If you are even considering investing in management property...

How is your "buy-to-let" investment in Bromley doing? Whether you have only one or rent several, you have an obligation of up-keep. There are two good reasons: if you decide to sell you want the best value, and if you want good...

Property investment can be a good source of income but it can be costly if not done right. You have to consider certain factors before buying the property in order to make it work. There are five important considerations you...