LANDLORD NEWS AND ADVICE FROM UK'S LARGEST ONLINE LETTING AGENT
The latest from the world of lettings and written for landlords. Top stories, advice, commentary and analysis...
Keep the discussion lively, if you read an article and have some thoughts, please comment. We’re always looking for new landlord tips and stories so if you have something you’d like to share please let me know, simon@upad.co.uk (editor).
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Archive for the ‘Property Management’ Category
Case Study: how to present your property – Greenwich, SE18
What we liked about the property… It’s a luxury new development in an up-and-coming part of London. It has great facilities such as a gym exclusive for residents, and a concierge. It has multiple transport links with easy access to the centre of London (Train/DLR 8 minutes walk). Beautiful Thames views upstream to Canary Wharf and The City. What we liked about the... Read more
Advice for landlords on condensation and mould
Autumn and the onset of colder weather can trigger the first signs of condensation in many properties. The result of condensation can be streaming windows and the unwelcome appearance of black mould. What are the causes and what can be done to prevent damage by condensation? As many people seek to make their properties more energy efficient with improved features such as cavity wall... Read more
Landlords and tenancy deposits – the current legal state of play
Following the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme under Part I of the Housing Act 2004 (‘the 2004 Act’) most landlords are aware that deposits taken from tenants in connection with a shorthold tenancy must now be registered with an authorised scheme such as The Deposit Protection Service (“DPS”), the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (“TDS”) and mydeposits. Conversely, clued-up... Read more
Are your lettings agents letting you down on viewings?
Dan works for Upad helping with writing and marketing. He's currently on the hunt for a new flat to rent: I'm one of those dreadful 'Generation Rent' people you read about in the papers. I simply can't afford to get on the property ladder, not in the South East of England anyway, or seriously compromising where I live. It doesn't bother me too much and I actually enjoy renting most of the... Read more
Ask Upad: How many tenants does it take to change a lightbulb?
Q: For years, I’ve wondered who is responsible for the light bulbs in my rental property: is it me as the landlord or the tenants? My experience differs from tenant to tenant. Sometimes they will automatically change a light bulb when it blows and other times they call me up and expect me to change it for them. Who is right? A: We’ve heard lots of stories about light bulbs, including... Read more
Ask Upad: My tenant bodged a repair. Can I charge them for it?
Q: A tenant I have was experiencing problems with their toilet flush. Rather than get in touch for me to organise a visit and sort it out, they attempted to repair it themselves and bodged it. The result is that the entire ballcock and flush mechanism needs to be replaced. Can I charge the tenant for this damage to the property? A: Technically, you could easily argue that the botched... Read more
The cost of letting out a sub-standard property
A landlord has been ordered to pay £30,000 in prosecution costs because his property was considered dangerous and sub-standard. In additional to the financial penalty he was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for 12 months and made to complete 200 hours of community service. The Coventry landlord Steven Boote failed to comply with an Improvement Notice from Coventry City Council... Read more
Landlords must keep track of costs in tough times
Inflation is high, VAT is up and costs in general are rising significantly. It’s a good time to take stock of what you’re spending as a landlord and make sure that you’re running as lean and agile an operation as possible. Do you really know exactly how much you’re spending every month as a landlord? Reviewing your expenses can mean finding savings or just making sure you’re getting... Read more
Ask Upad: My tenant is keeping chickens.
Q.) I rent a basement flat in a town centre location to a middle aged women. She’s been in residence for three years and whilst a bit eccentric (I call her an aging hippy), she hasn’t been any bother. With the basement flat, there is a small front yard where you might keep bins or the like. My tenant has installed a small run with a coop, that fits the space perfectly and she keeps two... Read more
Green party leader wants more energy efficiency rules for landlords.
Leader of the Green Party and the MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas, has criticized the government's "green deal" and claims that it doesn’t go far enough to tackle poorly insulated privately rented accommodation. Under the terms of the currently proposed law, from 2015 tenants in accommodation rated E or less on their EPC, can request reasonable improvements to improve the energy... Read more
41% of private rental properties are in poor condition
41% of properties are in a "non-decent" condition, according to the English Housing Survey released by the government. 15% of private properties were also shown to have serious damp problems. The private sector may be booming but standards of accommodation remain low. 1.4 million privately renting households are living in properties rated as "non-decent". That's 41% of the 3.4 million households... Read more
How to avoid the void
This is a guest post from Nick Parkin from Pimlico-Flats.co.uk. My manager used to run a fleet of 24 London Cabs - when they aren't on the road the cabbie isn't earning. The first thing in property that I ever did was try to rent out a flat for too much. It stood empty for 3 months before I got a tenant - I've never ever recovered that 3 months’ rent, and I never will. My first property... Read more
Ask Upad: My landlord won’t undertake repairs. Can I do them myself?
Q: I’ve informed my landlord about a leaking pipe that is damaging the property. This was a few weeks ago and he hasn’t made efforts to repair it. Can I get the repairs done myself and deduct the costs from my rent? A: Your landlord does also have a responsibility to you, under the law, to ensure your property is habitable and undertake repairs as necessary. If s/he fails to do so, you can... Read more
Ask Upad: Can I raise the rent on my existing tenants?
Q: I’ve had good tenants in place for nearly two years. I’ve noticed that local rents have risen significantly in the past 18 months and I feel my flat is let at below market value. Can I raise the rent? If you believe what you read in the papers, residential rents are in rude health and likely to rise in 2011 as demand for lettings increases and the housing market continues to... Read more
Can self-builders really solve Britain’s housing problems?
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has called on self-builders to make a housebuilding revolution their New Year's resolution in 2011. People building their own homes already account for 20% of new homes each year. Grant Shapps has said: “Building your own home should not be the preserve of a privileged few - I want to break down the barriers that many aspiring self-builders often come up... Read more
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Recent Comments
- Sophie Trucker: Excellent idea but lets hope that this does in fact happen. So often the Government promises to...
- Steve - Camden CA: Even though it isn’t a rocket science for getting good tenants, these days to ensure that...
- andrew: excellent idea.
- Paul Barrett: If somebody choose not to sell their property but wishes to live elsewhere; there is nothing wrong with...
- Crown Property Investments: I sincerely hope the government do follow through with this. I’d also like to see...
