As expected, the government is toughening the requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in all rented properties in England. They are also levelling the playing field between private and social landlords. These changes are slated to come in, in October this year.
Continue reading Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mandatory from October 2022Category: News
Legislation Update
As with every year, the recent Queen’s Speech set out the government’s agenda for the next parliamentary session. This included outlining its plans to grow the economy and cut the cost of living, among other initiatives.
Traditionally, this has also been an opportunity for the government to update the property sector on the status of existing legislation and proposals for new legislation. The only deviation from tradition was that this year it was delivered by Prince Charles!
Continue reading Legislation UpdateRent to Rent Vs Lettings Agency
As a landlord wishing to put your property with a ‘managing agent’, there are essentially two main options: a long term ‘guaranteed rent option’ and a traditional ‘high street’ lettings agent. It is important that landlords understand the two models and are aware of the pros and cons of each.
Continue reading Rent to Rent Vs Lettings AgencyYou do not have to use the estate agent you bought your rental property from to manage it.
When you buy a new property to let, it can seem a good idea to keep the management with the estate agent you just bought it from but, have you considered that they might not really be set up as a lettings agency and are actually mostly sales driven? If the property was managed by another lettings agency before the sale, shouldn’t you check them out first?
Continue reading You do not have to use the estate agent you bought your rental property from to manage it.Rental property listings will require additional details by 31st May
Trading Standards and the government have jointly announced compulsory new data which must appear on property listings.
From 31st May this year, a property’s council tax band or rate (for lettings and sales) and the property price and tenure information (for sales) must be included on all property listings. This applies to individual landlords advertising their properties to let as well as those advertised by lettings agents.
Continue reading Rental property listings will require additional details by 31st MayWhen buying/managing with tenant in situ goes wrong?
A popular investment strategy currently – and a likely one going forwards – is to buy a property with ‘tenants in situ’. We have all seen these properties listed on Rightmove. Typically, the property does not sell as quickly as one that has vacant possession.
Continue reading When buying/managing with tenant in situ goes wrong?Local property market report – What is hot in Kent, what are the buying/developing trends
In this article, we look at where the hottest property markets are in Kent as well as places where significant developments are planned for investors to keep an eye on.
In terms of house price growth, Margate in Thanet is still top of the list with house prices more than doubling over the last decade.
Continue reading Local property market report – What is hot in Kent, what are the buying/developing trendsApril Legislations Updates
As always in the property rental industry there are constant changes to legislation and other rules and regulations to keep landlords on their toes. However, 2022 and 2023 are shaping up to be big ones, with many changes relevant to the industry scheduled to come into force over the next year or so. Here is the summary of changes for this month.
Continue reading April Legislations UpdatesRising number of guarantors needed since pandemic
Rising number of guarantors needed since pandemic.
Landlords are generally a cautious bunch – and rightly so. Aside from their main home, the rental properties they own are significant investments and therefore decisions who to rent to are not taken lightly and will always be means tested.
Continue reading Rising number of guarantors needed since pandemicKent Property News
Kent Property News
House prices in Kent – what is the market doing right now?
Everyone is aware by now that house prices in the UK have been rising at a rapid rate in recent months and indeed for several years (excluding the early stages of the pandemic). However, six popular towns in Kent have seen amongst the highest sustained rises in the UK over the last decade.
