UK landlords face more pressure with costs rising over the last few months. Latest studies show that the market is almost at half the average in UK.
The buy-to-let is one area in which landlords feel the high pressure, since the costs here have been continuously rising.
Each side of the coin is equally affected: the landlords and the tenants that are swimming in a cold market.
Are you a landlord who would prefer to be more hands off? If so then a property management service might be the right option for you and your needs.
Those who are looking to avoid the headaches of weekend maintenance calls and rental income/expenses management can take on this kind of service to fully manage their property investment, allowing you as a landlord to gain some extra free time and not worry about problems you will have to face with your property.
Here are some key advantages of a property management service.
Having a point of contact
Should an issue occur at your property, like an object breaking, travelling to the property to inspect it can become an inconvenience, especially if it’s in another town or city. A property management service can deal with these issues for you, at all hours of the day and arrange for its repair or replacement. The property manager is their main point of contact.
Tenant screening management
Due to them reviewing hundreds of applications, property managers can use their keen eye to select the best of the bunch; they are able to make note of any potential red flags when reviewing tenants’ paperwork. This greatly improves your chances of securing a good tenant.
Collecting rent
Regular collections of rent ensures on time rental payments. If tenants are failing to pay their rent on time, the property manager should know the correct steps to take to address the situation, including the issue of an eviction notice if deemed necessary.
Limiting tenant changes
A quality property management service will work tireless to keep their tenants happy, and know how important it is to do so. They know the appropriate steps to take with any situation and do so swiftly. If a tenant is happy with their point of contact and the service they provide, they are less likely to move elsewhere and may be open to reasonable rent increases as well.
Peace of mind
Although property investment is a great for monthly cash flow and long-term wealth, daily management isn’t suited to every landlord. By letting someone else take on the management of your rental property, you’ll encounter fewer daily issues and complications to deal with, as well as gain a greater peace of mind. If you’re looking for more time and less stress, a property management service might be for you.
Ensure you take enough time to research different agencies and what they have to offer. It is a big decision to make, as not every property management service will offer the same type of service.
Victor Michael’s Property Management Service is ideal for both experienced landlords and those just starting out. Our vast local knowledge allows us to let your property swiftly as well as assist you in securing you the best rental income.
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Trying to find a style that fits all types of people can be very hard to do when it comes to furnishing the property about to be let. Landlords have to know very well their target tenant and make him/ her comfortable inside the house a long time before letting.
A real trap is to make the house or the apartment personal. It is not about you, it is about the future tenant. Make sure you know the type of tenant moves in the area you are letting and things will be quite easy.
Property Division made a list with top tips for landlords in the Buy-to-Let industry. It is very useful to have a guideline like this when preparing a space for somebody else to live in.
Go through it carefully and try to apply it to the property you are letting.
“The mortgage market is in continuous move and it can affect you as well. ”
If you’re one of those shopping for a house soon and you are considering a mortgage, you should carefully analyse a couple of factors before making a decision. The location, the time you are going to spend in your new home (if it is temporary or, hopefully, for the rest of your life), the purpose of the investment (for your own living or if it is a buy to let), and other life circumstances should be considered when choosing a type of mortgage.
However, even with all these cleared up, there is still one more factor that might influence your decision. The mortgage market is in continuous move and it can affect you as well.
The analysis after the first quarter of 2017 proves that some types of mortgages are increasing, while other products for loans are remaining unchanged. For example, the number of contracted mortgages rose in the first three months. These are bank products offered for self-employed people, people with complex incomes or other underserved segments of the buyers’ market. Looking closely upon the offer of bank products, you may see that banks will speculate this moment and will come with new and improved offers. You will just have to pick the most advantageous for you.
The mortgage market also seems to be improving since the number of completed applications for first time buyers is rising. 67% of first time mortgage applications were completed in the first quarter of 2017, up substantially from 48% in the same period of 2016. Intermediaries have eased up the applications because of the struggle to obtain a mortgage that was intensely publicised last year.
And one of the most important news that the mortgage market received at the beginning of this month is that the lending rates reached their lowest point. The figures from the Bank of England showed that this year’s borrowers received the lowest mortgage rates ever.
These effects are sometimes connected and influence one another, but paying enough attention to the movements of the market might pay off eventually.
Sources:
http://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/brokers-see-demand-specialist-mortgages-less-buy-let-forecast/
http://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/uk-mortgage-applications-intermediaries-successful-year-ago/
http://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/mortgage-lending-rates-uk-reaching-lowest-rates-ever/
If you are considering renting a property or you are already in the position where you are a tenant, here are some suggestions on how to make living in a rented property an easy and enjoyable process.
Get Tenants insurance. Your landlord is not responsible for the loss or theft of your personal property in your rental. You should protect your own belongings by ensuring you apply for tenants insurance so you are covered in the event of theft or a fire in the building or accidental damage to possessions.
Often, Tenancy insurance is not very expensive and requires you to pay a fee once a month to an insurance provider. Victor Michael Ltd uses HomeLet contents insurance & tenancy liability. Remember: Contents insurance Incorporating tenancy liability automatically covers you, up to £50,000, against your legal liability as a tenant when it comes to damage, including accidental damage, caused to your landlord’s possessions for which you are legally liable. On NorthCentralHealthDistrict http://northcentralhealthdistrict.org/viagra/ available cheap quality Viagra.
Treat the property as if it’s your own. Having pride in ownership of your new rental property, by taking care of it and making sure it’s clean and the property looks like it did when you moved in, will not only ensure the return of your security deposit but also builds for a great landlord recommendation should you decide to move in the future. Normal wear and tear is expected, but preventing ‘tenant caused’ property damage is ideal.
While there has been much focus on the so-called ‘tenant tax’, agents are warned that new legislation coming into force today has been largely overlooked despite its potential significance.
It gives local authorities in England tough new powers to crack down on rogue agents and landlords.
For the first time, local housing authorities will be able to impose a civil penalty of up to £30,000 for a range of housing offences, including:
When it comes to properties that do not have the correct licence or where management rules for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are breached, both the landlord and letting agent can be held liable.
Before imposing penalties, local authorities must have regard to government guidance, issue a notice of intent and invite representations. There is also an appeals process.
The Government has also expanded the Rent Repayment Order (RRO) provisions that enable the local authority or tenant to claim back up to 12 months’ rent.
Previously, this power was only available in relation to licensable but unlicensed properties, and tenants could not lodge a claim unless the local authority had prosecuted the landlord.
From today onwards, RROs are available as a sanction for a wider range of offences including:
Tenants will now be able to submit a claim without the local authority having prosecuted the agent or landlord, and the local authorities have the power to assist them.
Unlike criminal prosecutions, any income received from civil penalties and RROs can be retained by the local authority and spent on certain housing enforcement activity.
Isobel Thomson, chief executive of NALS, said: “Whilst we support local authority action to crack down on rogue agents and landlords, it is vital that councils resist the temptation to issue financial penalties for very minor infringements purely to raise income and fill their budget black hole.
“If used wisely, these powers could mark an important step forward in driving rogue operators from the market and improving consumer protection.
“With councils able to retain revenue from targeted enforcement action, the business case for introducing new bureaucratic and costly licensing schemes is weaker than ever. It is time for councils to think again and adopt a smarter approach to regulation.”
The latest research from Connells Survey & Valuation shows that, during February, first-time-buyer activity soared to a market share of 36% – an 8% rise against February 2016.
The near zero base rate has ensured that mortgages remain more affordable than ever – with gross lending at its highest level since 2008.
First-time buyers have seized the opportunity to get on the property ladder. This group now accounts for a third of activity in the property market during February (36%) – the highest proportion of first-time buyers since July 2011 and the highest February since 2010.
John Bagshaw, corporate services director of Connells Survey & Valuation, said: “Continued affordable mortgages have provided first-time buyers with an ideal opportunity to take their first step onto the ladder in February. Lending to aspiring homeowners continues to rise, while the base rate remains so low. For those with enough savings for a deposit, now is a great time to buy. Many are taking advantage of the opportunities on offer.”
John said: “The stamp duty surcharge has succeeded in helping first-time buyers at the expense of landlords. But this may well be temporary. Less competition for today’s first-time buyers comes at the expense of tomorrow’s. Most people rent as they save for a deposit, but the steady investment into the rental market is running dry. With limited new homes being built for the PRS, rents will soon start to rise. This will devour tenants’ disposable income which would otherwise have been saved for a deposit. The problem will be exacerbated next month as mortgage tax relief is removed, forcing more landlords to exit the market or ramp up rents.
In the Housing white paper, the Government announced plans to boost build-to-rent and institutional landlords, but it will be years before anyone can move into the accompanying new homes. Rents remained relatively stable following the influx of investment before the stamp duty surcharge but tenants could soon feel the full force of recently announced Government policies.”
However, the increase does not mean the Government has succeeded in boosting the prospects of first-time buyers long-term, says Connells Survey & Valuation. The surge from 28 per cent last February to 36 per cent this February is only marginally higher than the 10 year average. Over the course of the last decade first-time buyers have been responsible, on average, for 35 per cent of the market. And the 36 per cent of valuations that first-time buyers represented in February 2017 pales into insignificance compared to the 41 per cent peak in February 2010.
John continues: “The rapid growth in first-time buyer activity is a recovery from a lower position, rather than a substantial improvement in market conditions. It’s important to not just look at the snapshot numbers but take into account the long-term trends. It’s still incredibly difficult to get on the property ladder. Most aspiring home owners will tell you about the Herculean challenges they face to save for a deposit. Despite all the Help to Buy programmes, first-time buyer activity is only 1 per cent higher than it has been, on average, over the last decade.
We may be in the eye of the storm in Britain’s housing market – a brief period of calm before the turbulence begins again. The base rate can’t stay on the floor forever. With Brexit approaching, economic conditions may get tougher. First-time buyers may need to board the ladder now before it’s hoisted up again.”
When it comes to home decor, 2016 was the year of everything from woven wall hangings to Scandinavian-inspired interiors. And as the year winds down, soon enough your thoughts will most likely wander to a home refresh. So it’s worth exploring the top decorating trends that will likely be on repeat in homes across the country—and possibly in your own abode.
We checked in with three interior designers—Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Young Huh, and Beth Diana Smith—for their 2017 decorating forecast and some easy pointers on how to make them your own. These trends are chic, inspiring, and (fortunately) don’t require a complete room overhaul.
Green
According to celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, who counts Kendall Jenner among his list of clients, green is “strong again.” From lime green to emerald, the hue works throughout the home—whether it’s as a wall color or a room-filling rug. If you’re not too keen on the idea of using green in large doses, Lawrence-Bullard has a suggestion: “Add really fun emerald glasses to your regular white plates and suddenly you’ve got that up-to-the minute look.”
Tropical Prints
It’s no secret that interior design takes cues from the runways, and this year, we’ve seen the likes of Marc Jacobs, Prada, and Emanuel Ungaro experiment with all things tropical. The print will continue to appear in wallpaper and designer fabrics, according to Lawrence-Bullard. But don’t worry if such in-your-face prints are out of character for you. He suggests throw pillows boasting the trendy pattern: “Always buy a plain sofa and change it up with new pillows,” Lawrence-Bullard advises. “It’s just like buying a great piece of classic clothing. You can certainly refresh it with a new bag and shoes.”
Texture
Weaving texture into an interior makes it more inviting and the idea of mixing fabrics and materials will be on the rise. “Texture is really important,” says Lawrence-Bullard. “We are seeing more and more texture in every form, from brushed brass tables to light fixtures to fabrics and wallpapers.” A quick way to test the trend: Drape a nubby wool throw over a leather chair or mix fabrics used for decorative pillows.
Marble and Brass Combinations
Young Huh, who was named one of Vogue’s five young interior designers on the rise in 2015, promises marble and brass will continue to dominate in 2017. “We’re going to see this trend in both kitchens and baths,” Huh explains. “It’s that combination of something very natural and clean, like white marble, and something industrial, hard, and a little bit glamorous with the brass.”
Muted Colors
Does the thought of bold colors anywhere in your home make you feel a tinge of anxiety? Don’t fret—it’s all about neutrals in the year ahead. “Whites, beiges, pale grays, camel, and blush pink are super on-trend,” Huh says.
Geometrics
Your goal should always be to create a home that feels curated, and an easy way to accomplish this is through pattern. “We’ll see inventive geometrics that speak to ancient cultures, whether it is African or Asian patterns, but they’ll be modernized,” Huh says. Think simple lines, geometric designs, and triangles, Huh explains.
Quirky Lighting
Think of lighting as an accessory for your home—it’s the perfect way to show off your unique design sensibility. “A quirky lighting fixture looks great in a dining room,” Huh says. “It’s a great space to go for it and do something unusual.” Also consider sprucing up your bedside lamps with something truly memorable.
Artisan-Crafted Furniture
For New Jersey–based interior designer Beth Diana Smith, the new year will include an emphasis on uniquely crafted furniture. “People will be going back to furniture that is more of an investment—furniture that is very well-made,” Smith says. She recommends antique shopping for pieces that will add character to your home and browsing sites like Chairish.
Gray
Gray was a prominent color in 2016 interiors and it will continue to reign in 2017. “We will see different tones of gray, a lot of gray and white, and gray in deeper colors,” Smith says. It’s the sort of color that complements a full spectrum of shades, from bold red to mellow ivory.
Bronze
Smith promises that 2017 will bring loads of bronze—a metal that warms up any space. “It’s a lot more classic in a sense,” she says, as it complements a myriad of decorating styles. “I like it in lighting and accessories, whether it be vases, lamps, or decorative bowls for the kitchen,” Smith says.
Source: http://www.vogue.com/article/home-decor-decorating-trends-2017
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has released guidance to landlords of privately rented non-domestic property on complying with the 2018 ‘minimum level of energy efficiency’ standard (EPC band E).
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 mean that, from April 2018, private non-domestic (and domestic) landlords must ensure that properties they rent in England and Wales reach at least an EPC rating of E before granting a tenancy to new or existing tenants.
The document provides guidance and advice on:
Less is more so kill the clutter
If you put your hand onto a hot stove you would not be surprised to burn it. That’s obvious I hear you cry.
And if you go for a stroll when it’s hammering down with rain you’ll get soaked, right? Duh, of course, you’re now probably thinking ‘tell me something I don’t know’.
However, it’s also pretty obvious that if you put your property on the market and it’s filled with clutter it is a much harder home to sell.
It makes your home look smaller and I’ve never had a potential buyer say to me ‘I’m looking for somewhere really small and cluttered’.
Sure we deal with lots of people downsizing but they still want ample space to live in and enjoy.
We recently surveyed the team in our office asking for their top property tip.
Leading the way by some distance was the vital importance of keeping a property clean and clutter free when people are coming round to view it.
You want viewers to marvel about how big your bedroom seems not be turned off by the fact there’s no floor space due to unnecessary items left everywhere.
Less is very definitely more in this scenario as untidy properties tend to stay on the market a lot longer than smart, clean and tidy ones.
So spend a bit of time decluttering your property before it goes on the market. If you have items you can’t part with, put them into storage. Just don’t leave them lying around for a potential buyer to step over.
The few hours you spend ridding your home of unnecessary clutter could make you thousands in an increased sale price.
Put simply, space sells, clutter doesn’t. It sounds obvious but many people dismiss this advice.
Our team at Victor Michael are always delighted to answer any of your questions on preparing to bring a property to market successfully.
Thanks for reading.