5-yearly electrical checks coming

admin    Uncategorized     agents

The Housing and Planning Bill, following amendments proposed by Electrical Safety First, will take the first steps towards mandatory electrical safety checks. This follows similar legislation in Scotland and that proposed for Wales. Full details have yet to emerge after the publication of the Act, but it is likely that five-yearly safety checks, by a […]

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: 5-yearly electrical checks coming

Home Security: Advice For Landlords During Summer Burglary Season

admin    Uncategorized     agents

The main summer holidays are coming up and millions of Brits are leaving home for a well-earned break in the sun aboard or closer to home in the countryside. But alongside the promise of good weather and carefree days lies the potential threat of burglaries which reach their peak in August.

Whilst UK crime rates fell by an unexpected 7 percent to an estimated 6.9 million incidents in 2015, burglaries were still recorded in 1 out of 60 homes at the end of last year.

Landlords have a legal responsibility to provide premises that are safe and secure at all times. To ensure security is of the highest level during peak burglary season, this should be at the top of your to-do list.

With 80% of burglaries committed when properties are empty, Select Garage Doors, who specialise in reliable home security accessories, are urging both landlords and tenants to be vigilant by protecting the place they consider home throughout this vulnerable period.
Sue Gibson, Director at Select Garage Doors said: “We always suggest that particular attention is placed on securing areas such as the garage, which often gets overlooked when looking to safeguard your property.”

“We take the safety and wellbeing of our customers very seriously and understand the importance of style and security which is the reason we offer a range of accessories for your garage door that will minimise the chance of a break-in.”

Select Garage Doors have compiled a quick checklist to ensure rental properties are protected during the summer months when tenants are booking summer holidays:

• Don’t advertise the fact that your property is going to be unoccupied for long periods of time by leaving curtains closed all day and night

• Move all valuables out of sight of windows

• If a tenant, it may be advisable to let your landlord know the dates you plan on going away, and provide a contact number

• Don’t neglect your garage, garden or shed when securing your property as these are often filled with some of the most valuable items

• If a landlord, suggest to your tenants that they should check all burglar alarms and security timers before leaving

• Speak to a reliable neighbour or your landlord to arrange regular checks of your property whilst away

Sue added: “No one likes to contemplate the possibility that their property could be broken into and often ransacked during a burglary – but it’s an important issue that both landlords and tenants should address when looking to best protect their property.”

“There are a wide variety of home security accessories which cover the protection of garage doors and windows in the event of a burglary and we can point clients in the right direction if they need specific advice.”

This article was provided by Select Garage Doors who specialise in the manufacture of bespoke garage doors and accessories. If you’re looking to safeguard your property with robust, reliable security essentials, get in touch with their expert team on 01942 311 110 for the best advice.

Article Courtesy of: Select Garage Doors

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Home Security: Advice For Landlords During Summer Burglary Season

Management Matters

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Make the most of your property investment with a helping hand from a lettings specialist, say the experts at Belvoir

Whether you have a single property or a rapidly expanding portfolio the experience and expertise of an industry-trained specialist can be invaluable.

A good letting agent will perform the key practical tasks needed for a successful tenancy, plus offer on-going support and advice in order to ensure the property is protected, your profit is maximised and risk-taking is minimised. Here’s how…

Tenant tasks

“On a practical level an agent can deal with all the fundamental tasks for organising, running and ending a tenancy on behalf of a landlord,” says co-owner of Belvoir Liverpool West Derby and Belvoir Liverpool Central Adam Rastall.

“If wished, an agent can take full control, sourcing the right tenant for your property, performing credit checks, gathering references, organising deposits, compiling inventories and arranging accompanied viewings.

“They will also be able to serve eviction notices, organise end-of-tenancy move outs and re-market your property to ensure a new tenant is placed in the property at speed.

“Of course, included services will vary from agent to agent so always check what they’re offering before committing, plus be mindful that some tasks may carry an extra charge if you’re opting for a ‘tenant find only’ service.”

Property protection

In addition to performing key tasks, a good agent can also help protect your property in order to maximise profit and minimise risk.

“During the tenancy both the protection of the property and the safety of the tenant is vital,” says Adam. “Because an experienced lettings specialist deals with numerous properties on a daily basis, they will be well-rehearsed in identifying potential problems and implementing the necessary troubleshooting needed.

“They will also be able to advise on safety essentials, such as an annual Gas Safety check. An agent will be able to organise these for you, commissioning the contractor and arranging access with the tenant to ensure they are carried out in a timely manner.

“An adequate insurance policy is also crucial. Policies differ greatly and what can initially seem like a cheap option can sometimes cost you dear in the event of a claim. As trained specialists we know what kind of things can go wrong when letting a property and therefore what should be included in a policy as a result. We can advise on the right level of cover for you.”

In the event of an emergency, an agent’s help can prove invaluable too.

“In a serious emergency situation we can advise the tenant on the steps needed, plus arrange emergency contractors to visit the property at speed,” says Adam.

Maintain and sustain

An agent can also help protect a landlord’s asset by undertaking regular inspections of the property to identify major maintenance issues or minor problems that may escalate.

“Crucial maintenance, when left, can become very costly and time-consuming so an agent will ensure that remedial work is carried out when needed,” says Adam. “They can organise contractors on your behalf and may even be able to secure discounted rates because of their bulk buying power and the volume of work the contractor receives from them.”

These regular inspections and subsequent actions can help protect the tenant too.

Belvoir’s Managing Director Dorian Gonsalves says, “Private landlords are notoriously reluctant to deal with maintenance issues, knowing that they are answerable to virtually no-one, but a good agent can help to protect tenants by ensuring that they are not expected to pay for work that is the responsibility of the landlord, and checking that work has been carried out.”

Legal lowdown

Are you up-to-date with current legislation? Are you familiar with the latest letting laws? An agent can help.

“One of the most crucial services an agent can offer is their extensive expertise regarding the law and the legalities of being a landlord,” says Adam.

“In this fast-paced industry legislation evolves quickly and it’s important that you’re up-to-date.

“At Belvoir, we are trained on the legal side of lettings, plus we are briefed and updated by Central Office when changes occur.

“Understanding the law is important when dealing with many different aspects of a tenancy, including evictions and late rental payments. We know the correct procedures to follow and what a landlord can and can’t do.”

Dorian adds, “A good quality letting agent can provide access to a redress service via one of the three ombudsman schemes to ensure that tenants are not at the mercy of landlords who wish to exploit tenants.

“A good agent will practice fairness, consistency and compliance with the law, helping to ensure that landlords are kept up-to-date with the many changes in legislation surrounding the rental market.”

Help to buy

As well as the myriad of services a good agent can offer to existing landlords, they can also help novice landlords buy their first property or experienced investors grow their portfolio.

“An agent’s work can start long before a tenancy does and, in fact, in some cases before a property has even been purchased,” says Adam.

“We can search the sales market for good potential investment properties, based on their condition, location, price, rental return and likely demand from the local rental market. We can advise on these properties accordingly, plus view them on behalf of the landlord if wished. We can also advise on ‘investor to investor’ sales opportunities too.

“Our sound market knowledge means we can offer unbiased advice on the best potential investment opportunities out there, plus we can recommend local mortgage consultants, accountants and solicitors to help the purchase progress smoothly.

“We are always here to help and advise landlords, so whether you want to save time or simply get a second opinion, a good lettings agent can help you find and secure your next successful investment with ease.”

Expert help – at-a-glance

Services offered will differ from agent to agent but most will be able to help with the following essentials…

• Finding tenants

• Gathering references

• Performing credit checks

• Compiling inventories

• Arranging and accompanying viewings

• Organising deposits

• Creating tenancy agreements

• Advising on specialist insurance

• Contacting contractors

• Rent collection

• Eviction advice and serving the appropriate notices

• Organising on-going maintenance

• Recommending useful services, such as good local mortgage consultants, solicitors and accountants

• Arranging Gas Safety checks

• Commissioning cleaners between tenancies if necessary

• Advising on legalities and the law

• Growing your buy to let portfolio by advising on potential investment opportunities

Article Courtesy of: Belvoir

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Management Matters

Housing and Planning Act – what happens next?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Rogue landlords can be banned from renting homes under new rules brought in by the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill.
New legislation also includes plans for the creation of database of criminal landlords and agents – as well as powers to impose civil penalties of up to £30,000.
View Full Article: Housing and Planning Act – what happens next?

Elfin’s pre-built compact kitchens provides cost effective facilities where space is a premium

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Elfin Kitchens Economy Range of prebuilt compact kitchens is designed to present a solution to food storage and preparation need in applications where both cost and space are a challenge.

Suitable for areas where space is very limited, yet food preparation and storage is essential; such as student accommodation, houses of multiple occupation, bedsits, rented accommodation, and offices to name but a few.   Elfin’s Economy Range delivers an affordable solution combining aesthetics with practicality for excellent space design.

The Economy unit, which is manufactured using highly durable powder coated steel comprises a sink with a mono-bloc mixer tap and waste kit, an A+ rated fridge with internal freezer compartment and is available with a microwave/microwave oven or just an under sink storage cupboard.  For domestic applications the addition of two hotplates makes this the ideal solution for storing and preparing food.

Elfin’s pre-built compact kitchens provides kitchen facilities in individual rooms, or in houses where space is a premium.  Compact really is the key to space planning in HMO’s where every square inch of living space counts.

Drop in. plug in. elfin.

The benefit of a pre-built kitchen is just this, it arrives ready to install and can simply be plugged into the existing services.  For houses with restricted access the units can easily be dismantled and re-built once the kitchen is in place for minimum disruption to tenants. Where an old kitchen is being replaced with a modern compact kitchen there is no need to re-site existing services.  Elfin Kitchens have units that are left and right handed so the landlord can specify which side the sink is required.

Elfin Kitchens are a recognised supplier for the National Landlords Association

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Elfin’s pre-built compact kitchens provides cost effective facilities where space is a premium

Wales Letting Agent Workshop

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The Property Redress Scheme (PRS) is delighted to announce a workshop for Welsh agents on Thursday 7 July in Cardiff. The morning workshop includes insightful presentations giving agents a chance to get advice and guidance on essential industry topics, including the new legislation of Rent Smart Wales, which comes into effect in the autumn. Speakers […]

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Wales Letting Agent Workshop

Rents rise at fastest rate since September

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Buy-to-let continues to show positive returns for UK residential landlords with rents currently showing rises at their highest rates since the autumn of 2015. With the publication of the latest buy-to-let Index from Your Move and Reeds Rains, landlords are re-assured, after the tax shocks in the latest budgets, that their investments are underpinned by […]

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View Full Article: Rents rise at fastest rate since September

Legal update on Right to Rent as Immigration Act passed

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RLA policy director David Smith has produced a new document updating landlords on new Right to Rent legislation following the introduction of the Immigration Act 2016.
On May 12, the Immigration Bill became the Immigration Act 2016.
View Full Article: Legal update on Right to Rent as Immigration Act passed

Labour demands councils be allowed to bring in Rent Controls

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Councils should be given the power to limit “skyrocketing” rent increases, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said, as he set out Labour’s approach on the economy.
View Full Article: Labour demands councils be allowed to bring in Rent Controls

New Act Addresses Abandonment Problem

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Abandonment is when tenants move out of a landlord’s property before the tenancy has ended, without informing their landlord. This is highly inconvenient for landlords as it usually involves rent arrears and leaves the landlord wondering if the tenant is going to return and claim his or her tenancy back – under the Prevention from […]

… LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: New Act Addresses Abandonment Problem