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Positive News for Landlords in Amongst the Burden of Economic Meltdown in the Property Market Landlords are due a positive outlook in the midst of this economic melt down, so here it is. Let's try looking at the situation from a different perspective and see if these dark clouds might have a silver lining for landlords. Landlords can and will survive the negative economic gloom peddled by the media. Landlords Should be Prepared for Tenants Redundancy One thing that I can do to reduce the financial risks as a landlord is reference my tenants properly to ensure that I get the right tenant in the first place. From now on in particular landlords need to be paying more attention to a prospective tenants job. A couple of years ago a bank employee, mortgage broker or estate agent all might have seemed to a landlord as a pretty good catch. A reasonable income, a fairly secure job in turn allowing the tenant to pay a reasonable rent. Not anymore! Landlord Insurance Checklist - guidance for landlords. Generally landlord insurance policies have two elements to them. The bulk of any expense relates to insuring the structure of the building. Most landlord insurance policies also cover fixtures and fittings, which include such items as: carpets, laminate flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, white goods, light fittings and curtains. This landlord insurance cover is perfectly adequate for most landlords that let out an unfurnished property. It is worth checking that the landlord insurance policy has Do Landlords Need Energy Performance Certificates When Letting Property? Landlords will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Landlords who market an investment property for letting now risk a £200 fine from the Local Trading Standards Officer if they do not have a Energy Performance Certificate in place on the rental property. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ? Landlords Guidance on Gardens and Outside Space on Rental Property Landlords are probably well aware that many areas are suffering from an oversupply of apartments as speculative building has outpaced the demand from tenants. One of the reasons for this potential over supply is the fact that many of the young trendy tenants that these apartments were meant to appeal to are actually inherently more conservative in their tastes than both property developers and property investors first anticipated. Student Letting Analysis for UK Landlords The student letting market is a niche market for landlords but one that can be very rewarding if a landlord gets it right but equally it’s very easy and expensive if landlords get it wrong. Landlords have been letting to students studying away from home for years. Originally the market was relatively small and concentrated in a small number of university towns. However, the explosion in higher education numbers since the 70’s and 80’s and now with the Government's aspiration to have 50% of 18 Landlord Using Tenants to Secure Additional Revenue Outside Rental Payments The main job for a landlord is to manage the costs such as the buy-to-let mortgage costs and maintenance costs as this will in turn maximise a landlord’s net rent. The net rent being the bit left over after a landlord’s costs have been paid each month generally referred to as a landlord’s cash-flow. However, recently and prompted by the credit crunch I’ve been seeing more and more landlords using their relationship with their tenants to make How Landlords Letting to Students should look to Best Protect their Property Investment The buy-to-let market has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years (because first-time-buyers now have to find significant deposits in order to get on the housing ladder). However, over the longer term, letting to students in university towns has often been considered a safe option for landlords. Evidence from the Halifax also suggests that letting in university towns is very profitable as house price rises in these towns has out performed those in other areas. Landlords Looking to Invest in Property Auction Bargains in the Current Falling Property Market Landlords looking to buy investment property at a property auction and buy a property investment bargain in these turbulent times of the ‘credit crunch’ should be aware of some of the procedures involved. Landlords and the City Centre Apartment Investment Disaster Many landlords were lured over the past 5 years by the marketing campaigns of the house builders and property developers into parting with their hard earned cash and investing in new residential apartments within our city centres. But how much of these landlords decision making was based on investment principles and how much related to more primeval urges? My view is that much of the property investment phenomenon was all about ‘sex in the city’. What do I mean by this? Landlords should look at the property investment opportunities of PRC properties What do the initials PRC mean to you as a landlord and property investor? Probably not an awful lot. However, these type of properties which can be found literally around every street corner in the UK are frequently available at up to 50% below the market value of similar properties in the area. PRC properties therefore represent a potential golden investment opportunity for shrewd property investors. PRC Properties The initials PRC actually refer to the fact that these properties were const Gazundering in a Falling Property Market - Article for UK Landlords and Property Investors Landlords have to search hard for the positives in the current property market. House prices are falling; last week Halifax, the UK’s biggest mortgage lender released figures suggesting that the down turn is gathering pace. Halifax said its index of house prices fell by 1.3% last month, a bigger drop than analysts had expected. Landlords Calculating their Buy-to-Let Property Investment Returns What is involved in calculating property investment returns? The process of calculating investment returns can be very complicated indeed. On commercial property investors will go to great lengths to use techniques which discount future cash-flows (DCF) from individual investments to work out the potential returns and in turn their value. Property Developer Incentives for Landlords The property developer incentives In recent weeks, there have been reports of discounts on new homes of 30%-plus - particularly in urban centres supposedly crammed with high-rise apartments. But actually finding bargains on this scale might be difficult. This analysis suggests most builders - at this stage - are simply allowing a bigger margin for haggling over price, and most will look seriously at offers within 5%-10% of the asking price. The Risks of Property Investment for Landlords in Buy to Let Property Britain has become a nation of landlords and wannabe property investors. Many share the belief that property prices can only go up. Are these landlords correct in their investment assumptions or are they misguided optimists clinging to a shared statement of belief? Many landlords have enthusiastically embraced the world of property investment over the last few years attracted by the potential high rewards and life style. But how many landlords have ever stopped and really thought through the p BTL mortgage industry explained to UK residential landlords The low down on the BTL mortgage market for UK residential landlords, explaining the structure of the buy to let mortgage industry. The dust is just starting to settle on the ‘credit crunch’ and landlords & BTL mortgage lenders are beginning to get some kind of clarity of what the buy-to-let mortgage market of the future will look like. Landlords Raising Rents in a Rising UK Rental Property Market Letting agents around London and the south east in particular are seeing up to 25% more activity in their letting business compared with a year ago. Much of this rental demand is coming from young professionals and City workers who are not prepared to gamble and buy property in a weak housing market. The result of this boom in property lettings activity are fast rising rents in certain areas as strong competition amongst potential tenants bids up prices. Landlords Looking to Increase Yields thanks to a Rising Property Rental Market Letting agents around London and the south east in particular are seeing up to 25% more activity in their letting business compared with a year ago. Much of this rental demand is coming from young professionals and City workers who are not prepared to gamble and buy property in a weak housing market. The result of this boom in property lettings activity are fast rising rents in certain areas as strong competition amongst potential tenants bids up prices. Reports show that landlords in these ‘ Buy to Retire - Analysis for UK Property Investors and Landlords For many people a property is more than a place to live. It is the start of a whole new lifestyle and better quality of life. What could be better than all of this being financed out of the rent paid by somebody else? For most landlords a place to retire to is likely to be located on or near to the coast or in one of the ‘honey pot’ locations: the peaks, the lakes, the Cotswolds, the highlands, the Norfolk Broads. I set out to find out how practical it might be for landlords to consider buying and renting out a property with the view that one day they would be able to retire and live in it. Hidden Negative Equity for Landlords - UL Property Investment I read over the weekend about the very sorry affair of a novice female landlord . This newbie landlord's problems began back in 2003 when she was enticed at a ‘property seminar’ by the promise of a ‘fast buck’ to invest in 4 ‘off plan’ buy-to-let properties. Now this poor landlord is facing financial ruin as one by one the buy-to-let mortgage companies have repossessed her buy-to-let investments. Landlords Downloading Free Tenancy Agreements Safely in the UK Free tenancy agreement Many landlords look to minimise their costs. By a landlord saving on their overheads this will help a landlord to maximise their net revenue. One way that a landlord can potentially save money is by obtaining a free assured shorthold tenancy agreement. Ostensibly there should be no difference for a landlord in securing a free tenancy agreement than one that they have to pay for. Property Management Software Evaluated for UK Landlords What is it property management software? Property management software or as it is sometimes known, letting software is software that allows landlords to manage their rental business by enabling them to organise and store the data relating to a landlords letting business. There are a whole range of software companies that produce suites of property management software for landlords, often with various levels of functionality. The 3 Pillars of Buy to Let Property Investment for UK Property Investors The three pillars of successful residential investment I’m often asked by newbie landlords do I have any basic tips about investing in residential property. I respond by highlighting 3 essential aspects to making a landlord’s residential investment a success. Repair and Maintenance Responsibility of Tenants under a Tenancy Agreement Responsibility within a tenancy agreement One of the major issues relating to the renting and letting of property is that of maintenance and repair regarding the tenancy agreement. Who's responsible if the roof starts leaking,the central heating system breaks down? Even if the landlord and tenant have a comprehensive tenancy agreement that covers these matters in full, various Acts of Parliament often overrule the tenancy agreement. The law is not contained in any one single statute: it is a mixture of common law (judge-made law) and various statutory provisions designed to deal with diverse matters including tenancy agreements. Landlord Insurance - what cover a UK Landlord needs. Buy to let insurance an explained. Importance of the Correct Landlord Insurance Like any businessman, one of the critical things for any landlord is the proper landlord insurance. Failure to do this on any level could prove to be a very costly mistake. As a landlord you are running a property business. As such your main asset is your buy-to-let investment. It is vital therefore that you safeguard the value of your property investment should disaster ever strike with the correct landlord insurance. Buying BMV Property at Auction - UK Landlords Advice Below Market Value (BMV) Some buy-to-let chatrooms are full of references and of individuals promising to sell BMV. My advice is steer clear of these, particularly if you are a newbie landlord or don’t know the area. People selling on these sites are not doing it out of charity and the likelihood is that they will know the market and their properties value better than you will. This puts you immediately at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiating a good deal. Getting Free Tenancy Agreements - what to watch when downloading free tenancy agreements. Are you looking for a FREE tenancy agreement? It’s fairly easy to find a free tenancy agreement that you can download. Many new landlords that are looking to rent out a property for the first time will look initially for a free tenancy agreement. However, there are several factors which you need to be aware of in sourcing your free tenancy agreement. The Length of a Tenancy Agreement and the Legal Implications for UK Residential Property Landlords How long should I grant an assured shorthold tenancy agreement for? It’s possible to grant an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) for a fixed period, say 6 months. These tenancies are referred to as Fixed Term Tenancy’s. At the end of the term if the tenancy is not renewed, it then becomes a Statutory Periodic AST. The terms of the original tenancy agreement still apply, but the tenancy continues on a period by period basis. For instance, if the agreement required rent to be paid monthly, then a monthly Statutory Periodic Tenancy would result. The other type is called a Contractual Periodic Tenancy where no term for the end of the let is set and the tenancy agreement simply continues until either party decide to bring it to an end. Using a Guarantor - UK Landlords What is a guarantor? A guarantor is simply an individual, often a close relative that undertakes to assume the financial liabilities of the tenant including paying the rent in the event that they stop. Where a guarantor enters into an agreement he or she normally agrees to meet the full obligations under the tenancy agreement on the tenant's behalf. This may include rent arrears, damage to the property, or other liabilities and obligations arising from the tenant's failure to comply with the lease covenants. How Not to Make a Million in a Year - UK Landlords Apparently it’s possible to make a fortune in everything from investing in number plates to trading in rubber futures. Anything with the signature envelope and; they come in all sorts of guises goes straight in the bin. Frankly, anybody that tries to tell me how good an investment turns me off it straight away. Why? I Love Maisonettes and so Should You! - Confessions of a UK Landlord I love maisonettes! This may seem extreme sentiment from a hard bitten landlord and investor and I will explain. But first; a maisonette to the uninitiated is ostensibly a flat, with the unusual feature of having its own front door. This building type seems to have descended from no where during the 1960’s and 70’s to inhabit pockets of our urban landscape. The concept I guess arose out the demand for high density small unit accommodation, suitable for a low-rise environment. The result is that they have little or no garden, but in the main have a garage contained in a separate garage court. Direct Property Investment Alternatives Landlords or investors that wish to increase the size of their property investments without taking on the additional management responsibility of purchasing another property could be offered an alternative under a new investment product to be offered by Invista, the former property management arm of HBOS. Invista is looking at launching the UK’s first residential REIT in the spring. Property as a Pension - UK Property Investment Many property investors have bought into property over the last few years as a way of providing for or supplementing their pension. This is understandable given the turbulence over recent years in the Stock Market to which many pensions are linked and also the demise of the final salary pension where companies were responsible for providing their employees with an income in their retirement. Where to Buy Property in London - UK Property Investment It’s no surprise that the latest statistics show that London house prices are leading the way in terms of rises over the last few years. Latest figures from Hometrack revealed that prices were up by 13.9% over the last year compared with the 6.7% recorded nationally. It is no wonder that the capital has showed such robust growth. With a ‘booming’ financial sector bolstering City jobs and bonuses, the ‘posher’ parts are awash with moneyed house hunters. On top of the surging top end there is increasing demand from the high numbers of immigrants still flowing into the UK. Despite strong demand restrictive planning policies continue to limit the number of new dwellings coming forward. Land Buying Scams - UK Property Investment There is no denying that land like property land has been a fantastic investment over the last 10 years. The simple reason for this is that it is treated as a residual cost by developers when doing their development sums. This means that a developer will work out how much it costs to build a development, together with other associated expenses such as finance and profit. They then calculate the total value of the project. Ten Simple Steps to Letting Property - UK Landlords The process of letting combines a mixture of skills. It can be a real test of a landlord’s abilities. On the one hand it brings into play your marketing and selling skills. Can you correctly target the property to the right audience and if you are carrying out the viewing yourself are you then able to turn on the charm and sell it to your prospective tenants. On the other hand it requires you to be familiar with the frequently complex details of the law of letting. A basic understanding of this is vital if you are to ensure that you avoid the potential legal pitfalls that are out there for the ill informed. INVESTMENT FASHIONS -UK Property Market Just like fashion, economics tends to follow cycles. It occurred to me that maybe economics and more specifically housing economics is mirroring this fashion cycle and that we are at a similar point to where we were in the late 1980’s. Winning Property Investment Strategies - UK Buy to let There has been a lot written about winning property investment strategies. After many years of investing I’m convinced that there are only two strategies that a property investor should employ. FAIR WEAR AN TEAR? - UK Landlords What can be deemed 'fair wear and tear' on a rental property. How can a UK lanlord make an evaluation of a realistic expectation of liability when a tenant leaves their property. How can a figure be calculated?

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