Lettings

If you’re new to renting, here’s some advice that will help get your tenancy off to a good start and avoid future disputes. Searching for a property to rent can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time tenant. But by avoiding the rookie mistakes listed below, you can build the foundations of a long and happy tenancy. Not using a legit letting agency Thousands of Brits lose money to...

Around 5.6 million keys of all types are lost every single year.* Here's some advice for landlords on minimising the headaches caused when tenants lose their keys or lock themselves out.   Beware self-locking locks   Locks which automatically lock when the door is closed (or the wind blows it shut) are a common reason for getting locked out. When you're changing locks, it may be a good idea...

Gas safety should be a number one priority for all landlords. Gas Safety Week 2025, which runs from 8 to 14 September, is a good time to make sure your properties are 100% gas safe.   What is Gas Safety Week?   Gas Safety Week is a publicity campaign run by industry body Gas Safe Register.   One of its aims is to encourage everyone – landlords, tenants and homeowners alike – to...

Some landlords will have to change the way they file their tax returns from April next year. Read on to find out if you will be affected.   Here’s a friendly reminder that changes in the way HMRC expects the self-employed, including landlords, to manage their tax returns are coming.   The initiative, called Making Tax Digital (MTD), is about digitising the tax...

There are now 1.3 million electric vehicles on UK roads, with numbers rising 38% over the last year alone.* Here’s what landlords need to know about the demand for electric vehicle charging.   Do you need to fit an EV charger in your property?   There is currently no legal requirement for rental properties to offer EV charging.   However, all new build homes with private parking...

Even good landlords with good tenants sometimes receive complaints. Here are some top tips for handling any complaints you might receive quickly and easily.   What do tenants complain about most?   According to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA)*, most complaints aren’t actually about major disasters. They’re about small everyday issues. (Things that are pretty...

A new survey pours cold water on the claim that landlords are abandoning the private rental sector in droves. The press loves a dramatic headline, don’t they? Back in December, one national newspaper ran this thundering warning: ‘The devastating landlord exodus about to hit Britain.’ Other mainstream and specialist property news outlets followed suit, claiming that the private rental sector...

How often do you test your smoke alarm? If you're like most Brits, the answer is probably not regularly enough. House fires can be devastating, destroying property and in some cases even causing loss of life. However, many people fail to follow even the most basic precautions to prevent serious blazes. Take smoke alarms. They're a critical fire safety tool, but, according to a new study, the...

Less than half (46%) of tenants have contents insurance, according to a new report*. Which begs the question: Is your rental property properly insured? Here’s what landlords need to know.   Who’s responsible for insurance in a buy-to-let?   In a buy-to-let, the responsibility for insurance is split between the landlord and the tenant.   Insurance is based on the principle of...

Owning a buy-to-let can be a challenge, especially in the current market. If you're looking for a letting agent to help you let or manage your property successfully, here's how to find the very best one.   Firstly, do they work in your area? Are they the local experts?   It may seem obvious, but there's no point in using a letting agent who doesn't specialise in the area where your...