Lettings

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...

Over a third of home insurance flood claims occur between June and August, according to insurer Aviva.* Here’s how landlords can prepare for the risk of flooding.   Many people associate flooding with the colder seasons, but changing weather patterns mean it’s time to think again.   Jason Storah, CEO of UK and Ireland General Insurance at Aviva, explains: “Traditionally, we think of...

Tech experts have warned that fraudsters are using Artificial Intelligence to create fake documents. Here’s what landlords need to know. The news is currently awash with stories about the marvels of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Unfortunately, however, there is a downside to this technological tsunami – one that will concern landlords. Some of the earliest adopters of AI are fraudsters who are...

With a bit of planning, moving out of your rental can be smooth-running and stress-free. Here’s how. The date is set; it’s all agreed. You’ve spoken to your landlord or letting agent and know exactly when you’ll be vacating your current rental and moving to new digs. So what happens next? Well, if you like to fly by the seat of your pants, probably not a lot. You’ll put your feet...

The Bank of England will announce its latest decision on interest rates later this week. But have you ever wondered who decides what your mortgage interest rate will be? Here we'll explain how it all works.   The Bank Rate vs the mortgage rate   The first important thing to know is the difference between the Bank Rate (also known as the base rate) and your mortgage rate. They're two different...