Lettings

Buy-to-let investors can tighten their belts and improve their bottom line in many ways. Landlords searching for inspiration need look no further than Apple founder Steve Jobs, who famously said, “Details matter.” That’s because the key to success as a landlord is keeping a firm eye on all the details. That means making the big decisions—such as setting rent—right, but also paying...

A rise in the number of landlords taking out buy-to-let mortgages shows that the market fundamentals in the lettings sector remain strong. As Chief Commercial Officer of buy-to-let lender Fleet Mortgages, Steve Cox is a numbers man. And after crunching the data released so far this year, he’s given his verdict on the outlook for the buy-to-let (BTL) sector, and it’s pretty positive. In an...

Most tenancies run smoothly. But when a tenancy goes wrong, it can go very wrong. Conducting a regular property check is one way to head off problems. Why should you inspect your rental? An inspection of your rental is an opportunity to check its condition. You can see how your tenant is looking after your property and identify any maintenance that might be needed. You can also ensure no one is...

New rules on dealing with mould and damp in private rental properties are on the horizon. Here's what landlords need to know. The UK is a (generally) cold and wet country with the oldest housing stock in Europe. So, it's no surprise that problems such as damp and mould can arise in residential properties. This was brought into sharp focus earlier this month when the English Housing Survey...

Landlords need to know about an important government rule change that quietly came into force late last year. Landlords have been warned to keep a close eye out for any new regulations introduced by their local council. The advice comes after new rules making it easier for local councils to introduce selective licensing schemes quietly came into force in December. Due to the timing of the changes...

How can you encourage tenants to settle long-term in your rental? A report compiled by consumer psychologists claims to have the answers. A report on the psychology of buying and renting includes some helpful advice for landlords. The Bricks to Belonging report* was compiled by the psychological and behavioural science firm IB. It examines what drives renters to become first-time buyers or to...

Getting the rent right is a must for all landlords. Here we'll look at how to assess if the time is right to raise the rent on your investment property. So let's deal with the question: Should you raise your rent in 2025? We believe all landlords should review the rent they charge every year. And, if appropriate, increase it. (But there is a 'but' – see later.) Here's why. Your landlord...

Letting yields are the lifeblood of successful property investing. Here we’ll look at why it’s so important to understand yields. What is meant by letting yield? Yield is a simple way of calculating the financial return you can make on a buy-to-let. Knowing what yield a property offers can help you decide if it’s a good investment (or not). It allows you to compare different properties...

With household heating costs still a key concern, here are some tips for landlords on managing tenant energy bills. Let’s start this article with some timeless wisdom: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Taking inflation into account, those pennies have become pounds. As we move into 2025, energy expenses and efficiency remain pressing concerns for landlords and tenants alike. While...

It’s easy to understand why joint tenancies are so popular with renters in the UK. Sharing a tenancy with a friend, partner or family member means you can split the bills and divide up the chores. And it’s nice (most of the time, at least) to come home to a familiar, friendly face. However, joint tenancies rely on mutual trust and good communication to be successful. This requires tenants to...