A landlords’ advice article published recently said property investors need to think more like the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The billionaire businessman is renowned for his long-term thinking. He thinks decades ahead, and let’s face it, he’s not doing too bad, is he? The article said landlords should retain good tenants at a reasonable rate rather than aim to get the highest rents in the...
2021
In this two-minute read, we look at how to get ready for the changes that lie ahead as restrictions continue to ease. With the end to our arduous Covid hibernation in sight, it’s time to prepare for life in the “new normal”. While the prospect of restrictions easing is exciting – we can’t wait to eat at Barrington’s or TOB burgers in Rayleigh and drink at The Bellhouse in...
In this two-minute read, we show you how to keep calm and in control when letting your property. The idea that investing in rental property is easy passive income is a myth. Letting and managing rental property can be stressful, especially for inexperienced or accidental landlords. This month sees the championing of Stress Awareness Month; an annual event which recognises the dangers of modern-day...
In this three-minute read, we look at some simple and affordable projects to help sell your home faster and probably for a higher price, too. It was DIY Day on 3 April and if you’re planning to sell your home, here are six easy things you can do yourself to help sell it quickly. They are simple, straightforward, and inexpensive ways to improve your home’s look and value. Happy DIY Day! Make...
In this two-minute read, we look at new rules on electrical safety reports that come into force next month. It’s no joke: landlords who fail to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for their rental property by 1 April could face a fine of up to £30,000. The government made EICRs mandatory for new tenancies last June, but from 1 April, all tenancies will need an EICR. If...
In this two-minute read, we look at how letting agents handle the fiddly, time-consuming elements of renting out a property (part two of a two-part series). In part two of our series on property management, we look at how letting agents save landlords time – that precious commodity that is always in short supply. A survey of 500 landlords found that using a letting agent saves a landlord on...
In this two-minute read, we look at ways to prepare your home for a successful spring sale (part one of a two-part article). If you’re planning to put your home on the market in the next few months, now is the time to spring into action (see what we did there?). Traditionally, the property market booms in springtime, with many buyers and sellers opting to wait out the winter and make their...
In this two-minute read, we look at the homes of some of our favourite fictional characters. Tomorrow is World Book Day, so here’s a list of six famous fictional homes (because even plucky heroes and dastardly villains need to keep a roof over their heads). Number 4 Privet Drive. From the outside, this suburban home in Little Whinging, Surrey, is your classic “well presented...
We list the five simple things we’re looking forward to when lockdown lifts in this two-minute read. With the end to lockdown now in sight, it’s impossible not to think excitedly ahead to spring and summer. We know we won’t be able to do everything all at once – but we can live with that. There are so many simple things that we’ve missed over the past few months that will make...
In this three-minute read, we look at how Rayleigh, Leigh and Hockley landlords can protect themselves from getting caught up in the most common cause of end-of-tenancy disputes. When a tenancy comes to an end, one issue more than any other causes disagreements. And it’s not holes in walls or missing rent payments that take the number one spot. According to recent data* cleaning is the...