Hello, it’s Richard, Director of Operations at Lifeboat Lettings, wishing an early Merry Christmas to all our readers! Thank you for sticking with us through the year. We really appreciate your support and hope you have found the newsletter useful.
Continue reading Overview of 2023 for Lifeboat LettingsTag: Property Management
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mandatory from October 2022
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 2022You 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.When 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?Rising 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 pandemicLifeboat Lettings British Property Award 2021/2022 Gold Winner for best lettings agency in Ashford
2022 starts with gold! We are so excited to announce that we have been awarded first place by the British Property Awards in the category of ‘Best Lettings Agent, Ashford, Kent area’.
Continue reading Lifeboat Lettings British Property Award 2021/2022 Gold Winner for best lettings agency in AshfordHow to make sure HMO tenants do their share of housework
How to make sure HMO tenants do their share of housework
Cleaning in HMOs is often a difficult area to get right, mainly because there are many different scenarios in terms of house layout and tenant make up. A one size fits all approach on the part of the landlord and/or managing agent, is rarely applicable. As always, effectiveness of cleaning will come down to individuals and their attitudes (including the landlord), what they actually undertake, how well it is done and how regularly.
Continue reading How to make sure HMO tenants do their share of houseworkA Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.
A Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.
To reduce the carbon footprint of the UK, the Climate Change Act 2008 sets out legally binding carbon emission reduction targets that the UK must meet. The target is to ensure carbon dioxide emissions are at least 80% lower by 2050 than they were in 1990.
Continue reading A Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.
Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.
Whether it be that you are not happy with the service, or costs have started to escalate or you just want to try another provider, moving letting agents doesn’t need to be a headache.
Continue reading Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.Landlords vs Tenants Responsibilities
One of the perennial challenges in managing a rental property, is identifying who is responsible for what: landlord or tenant? Often there is confusion from both parties to the tenancy as to what they are responsible for. So, here is a quick run-down of the ‘big hitters’ in terms of areas for confusion or frequent causes for concern during a tenancy.
Continue reading Landlords vs Tenants Responsibilities