Letting Agent Talk
Legionella risk assessments: I can hear the landlords across the country groan…
The letting industry is awash with rules, regs and requirements ranging from deposit schemes to referencing to immigration checks through to inventories, smoke alarms, gas safety checks and now legionella (legionnaires’ disease) risk assessments. I can hear the landlords across the country groan….. yet another hoop to jump through, yet another cost to bare and surely its all…
Alex Evans
Seeking new landlords? Look at both ends of the spectrum.
You’ll all be familiar with the phrase ‘generation rent’ but a new report from economists at accountancy firm PwC suggests that the rental market is set to thrive and actually grow over the next 25 years. The research even goes as far as suggesting that over half of under 40s will be living in properties…
ARPM
Legionella and HSE Guidance – Why ignorance is not always bliss…
The HSE recently published its guidance document on Legionella risk assessment and control and more specifically the required response from landlords and managing agents (known affectionally as ‘ the duty holder ‘). Wonder if that title comes with an Oscar styled trophy? Love a bit of bling….. 🙂 Anyway; there are many, many, many discussions…
Landlord Action appeals to Ministry of Justice to transfer more evictions to the High Court.
The length of time it is taking to get a County Court bailiff appointment once a possession order has been granted, in some cases up to three months, is having considerable financial impact on landlords. As a result, Landlord Action is campaigning to enable more eviction cases to be transferred up to the High Court…
Christopher Walkey
Important Information For Letting Agents: The Fixflo Report 2015
The 2015 Fixflo Report has shown a marked improvement in repair management by letting agencies across the UK but it highlights that they are still losing clients due to poor repair management processes. This year the Fixflo Report was supported by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (‘ARLA’) and combined results from a survey of…
Alex Evans
Buying with “sitting tenants”
Finding a buy-to-let property with a tenant already occupying is in many respects an ideal situation for a new landlord looking to buy that property, there will be income from day one of ownership and all the hassle of finding a tenant would have been avoided, however before any potential buyer goes rushing ahead with…
Alex Evans
Buying a buy-to-let project.
An easy mistake to make when deciding to start a portfolio of buy-to-let properties is to under estimate the need for a professional approach and that infact you are running a business, to many it can appear a relatively simple way to make money with little risk, emphasis should be made on maximising potential return…
Alex Evans
Revealed … 75% of landlords left their agent due to poor service.
The Landlord & Tenant Survey, carried out by The Property Academy every year, has recently been published. With approximately 5000 participants, it’s one of the largest independent national surveys carried out each year. The results gave some key insights for letting agents when looking at how to grow your business. Landlords were asked what their…
2 Minute Repairs Survey: Your Chance To Win A £50 Amazon.co.uk Voucher!
Last year The Fixflo Report highlighted some startling trends for the lettings industry. Of particular note was the fact that over half of the property managers surveyed knew of a landlord who had switched agency due to a repair-related issue. This year’s survey is now open and there are TEN £50 Amazon.co.uk vouchers available for…
Alex Evans
Know your Money Laundering Red Flags
The term “Red Flag” originated during the days of gallant galleon combat where ships would signal their intent to engage each other in battle. Alas, those were simpler times. Criminals and scoundrels nowadays are unfortunately less forthright and you need to look for other signals that might be putting your business at risk. As I…
The lights are on but nobody’s home.
There are many different ways of looking after an empty property. Putting lights on timers, asking a neighbour to pop in and clear the post, nipping backwards and forwards to open the curtains at random times of the day. That’s all well and good if someone is going on holiday for a couple of weeks…
ARPM
More tips and advice when renovating a Buy-to-Let.
I have built up a good stock of reliable tradesman and I’m always glad to recommend their services. Ask for quotes and how long it will take to complete a job before anything is agreed. Getting a price upfront usually means that the electrician or plumber will not drag the job out and will want to move…
Alex Evans
Tips and advice when renovating a Buy-to-Let.
I purchased a one bedroom ground floor flat in Gorgie, Edinburgh last November with a plan to refurbish and rent it out. The property was in total disrepair. The previous owner had passed away and her son was selling the property. I viewed the flat on a wet and cold November evening and I could tell from the son…
Alex Evans
Top 5 Questions We’re Asked By Our Landlords.
As a first-time landlord there is so much to think about. If you are letting out the property you currently live in and purchasing a new home, not only will you have to deal with the stress of buying and moving, but you’ll soon realise that there is so much to organise before tenants arrive….
Alex Evans
Get with the programme, say tenants.
Half of tenants believe the tenancy application process is slow and outdated, according to market research company, Populus, who conducted a survey on behalf of tenancy software specialist OnBoard Pro. 1,000 Private Rental Sector tenants were questioned to give an independent analysis of the technology used in the lettings market. The results raised some thought…