Posts with tag: tips for landlords

The Secrets to a Long-Lasting Tenancy

Published On: February 1, 2017 at 11:12 am

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The Secret to Securing a Long-Lasting Tenancy

James Davis – Portfolio landlord & property expert

The Secrets to a Long-Lasting Tenancy

The Secrets to a Long-Lasting Tenancy

After being a landlord for 22 years and becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of quality tenant find services for landlords, James started Upad. Upad has mastered the intricacies of online to provide landlords a service they can rely on. The skill is not always how fast you can find a tenant, but getting the right tenant for a lasting tenancy. In this article, James reveals how.

Viewings are the most important part of marketing a property. Do not leave these opportunities to chance. On average, it takes between four and six viewings to secure a letting and 90% of tenants would prefer to meet the landlord before making a decision.

You must be there to sell your property, but, more importantly, you must be there to find the right tenant.

By all means, go in with the key benefits of your property at the forefront of your mind. However, don’t show off your property without taking the time to interrogate your potential tenants. A property may be your biggest asset and you are completely within your rights to ask viewers as many questions as you like.

Engage your landlord instinct

Gut feel is a wonderful thing if understood correctly. Your instinctive impression of someone is often made up of some important factors, such as, do they look presentable and are they likeable? Tenants may read this as being judgmental, but if someone looks well-kept and is naturally easy to get along with, it’s a good indicator of how they may be as a tenant.

More importantly, with rent arrears on the rise, you need to communicate so that both parties have complete clarity over what is to be agreed.

A great way to begin is to present the property in the condition that you wish the tenant to leave it in. That should be made clear to the tenant from the outset. Also, I advise carrying a copy of the tenancy agreement, highlighting key parts in person to ensure that they’ve understood what is required of them. Covering the logistics of the deposit and the tenancy start date will prevent any stutters in the process. You can also walk through some practical examples of wear and tear to help improve their understanding of that inevitable grey area.

The written word is king

Having a clear opinion of those viewing your property will help your chances of a problem-free tenancy. That said, there is nothing more critical than the written word. A tenant sign-up can be complex and littered with pitfalls, so be detailed and use support services to help cover all grounds.

For more useful tips from the UK’s largest online letting agent, please visit: https://www.upad.co.uk/hub

Public events to assist landlords and tenants

Published On: January 26, 2017 at 11:04 am

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Buy-to-let investors have been invited to attend a number of public events over the next few days. These events will see a number of experts offering tips and advice for landlords for them to make the most of their investment.

These events will be hosted by Harrison Murray Lettings and will take place in the firms’ offices in Nottingham, Leicester and Northampton during the next two and a half weeks.

Service

Harrison Murray Lettings will broadcast its experience and service for buy-to-let landlords and tenants alike. The sessions will talk about the benefits the company could offer as part of the Nottingham Building Society, aka The Nottingham.

The firm aims to build on the free lettings advice offered and includes an online tool entitled FixFlow, which assists tenants to communicate with their landlord should any issues arise.

More reasons for investors and tenants to utilise Harrison Murray Lettings include access to The Nottingham’s wide ride of services. These include full residential state agency services, conveyancing, home insurance and financial and estate planning.

Public events to assist landlords and tenants

Public events to assist landlords and tenants

Improvements

Stephen Reade, head of letting, said: ‘FixFlow is a fantastic way of making sure both landlord and tenant are happy and it is just one of a number of things we have done to improve our offering.’[1]

‘As well as front-facing developments like utilising FixFlow we have upgraded internal systems and databases to keep ahead of the constantly changing lettings market and all of this whilst making sure we have remained-and will remain-extremely customer service focused,’ he continued.[1]

Mr Reade went on to say: ‘Keeping client needs front and centre is imperative as we are helping landlords maintain their assets and tenants to live safely and comfortably, particularly in a climate where many individuals and families are finding it hard to get on the property ladder and are forced to rent.’[1]

‘Where we are different is that by being part of a large, established building society like The Nottingham we can bring in that extra bit of trust factor as well as an ‘all-under-one-roof’ offering when it comes to property and financial services and advice. Our forthcoming events are designed to showcase all of those positives and to have a bit of fun along the way. We hope as many people as possible can attend.’[1]

The full list of the events is:

  • Friday 27 January: HM Lettings, 15-17 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1JA
  • Friday 3 February:The Nottingham, 5/13 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2BX
  • Friday 10 February: HM Lettings, 3 George Row, Northampton, NN1 1DF

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/1/new-public-events-to-help-landlords-maintain-their-assets

 

Letting Your Property in Winter – 4 Useful Tips

Published On: December 13, 2016 at 9:28 am

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Finding new tenants for your rental property during the winter months can prove to be a lot harder as compared to all other times of the year. Generally, people tend to avoid moving house in winter, as it poses its own set of problems. However, there are still people moving home during the cold months, for one reason or another, and if you channel your efforts in the right direction, you will be able to find new tenants for your rental. Here are a few tips on how to go about letting your property in winter.

  1. Diversify your marketing

There are different routes tenants take for finding a rental property. About 80% of people search predominantly online. However, if you want to reach as many potential house movers as possible, you should use all other marketing channels you have available too. Don’t neglect the remaining 20% of people – one of them might be your next tenant.

Apart from placing ads online, use the local to let boards to reach people searching for a rental in your particular locality.

Using local classifieds are another marketing strategy you should make the most of. These are preferred by people who want to avoid using letting agents and paying their often high fees.

Letting Your Property in Winter - 4 Useful Tips

Letting Your Property in Winter – 4 Useful Tips

Diversifying your marketing strategy will let you capture a wider audience and, especially in winter, the more people know you are letting your property, the better your chances for closing the deal.

  1. Offer incentives to potential tenants

It’s a great idea, especially in the slow winter months, to offer your potential tenants some kind of an incentive for applying for your rental property. Here’s what you can offer them:

No application fees

Letting agents can sometimes charge as much as £300 for applying for a rental. Many house movers try to avoid that fee by searching for properties to let from private landlords. Advertising that you are not charging any application fees can bring a surprising amount of applicants your way.

Half a rent, or no rent at all, for the first month

This is a really lucrative offer, especially around the holiday season, when tenants usually have limited funds. Sacrificing half or one month’s rent can help you find a tenant a lot faster, and offering this incentive will certainly pay off.

Flexible terms on furniture

If your tenant needs a certain furniture piece, like a wardrobe or bed, it pays off to arrange that piece of furniture for them rather than losing a tenant and a month’s rent. Similarly, if you are letting a furnished property and the tenant wants to bring in their own piece of furniture, like a bed for instance, you should remove the bed from your rental home to make room for it. Being flexible on furniture can help you find a tenant a lot faster, and it is a thought worth considering in the winter, when there are far fewer people who are willing to go through house removals.

  1. Come up with fresh advertising

Usually, a property newly put up on the market is let within the first two weeks. However, winter months can be slower and if your rental has been on the letting market for more than two weeks, you should consider freshening up your advertising. Re-write the property’s description, take fresh photos, point out the good sides of your rental, etc. Re-launch your ad and the audience will view it as a new rental property on the market.

  1. Adjust the price

Last but not least, if you are finding it hard to find tenants for your property in winter, you should reconsider the rental price. Check out what your competitors are offering, re-evaluate your property, decide on a realistic letting price and bring that down by 5%. This discount will draw in more potential tenants, as they will know they are saving in the long-term. It can turn out a lot costlier to lose one month’s rent rather than offer a 5% discount monthly – it adds up to just 60% of a month’s rent over 12 months.

If your property is vacant at the end of autumn or your current tenants are about to move out before winter starts, you should plan well in advance and start advertising your rental at least a month before it becomes vacant. As people are more reluctant to go through house relocation in the winter months, you should do your best to make your property more appealing to potential movers. These four tips would be a great way to start.

How to Ensure Your Rental Property Gets Let

Published On: July 31, 2016 at 8:15 am

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If your property is on the rental market or is soon to be put up for let, you must take steps to ensure that it is let soon and you find a reliable tenant.

Prepare your property now so that prospective tenants will see it at its best. Staging the property will help it let faster and can guarantee that you secure a good rent price.

So what can you do to ensure your property gets let soon?

Declutter 

It is vital that you leave your rental property fairly empty to allow tenants to move their own belongings in and make the place feel like home. Aside from essential furniture, clear the space of personal or quirky items.

Fix it up 

If you’ve recently had a tenant in your property, you’ll need to look out for any signs of wear and tear that could put a future tenant off. Fill any old picture-frame holes in the walls, secure any loose tiles and replace well-worn carpets. These aren’t huge jobs, but they could turn a potential tenant off.

Clean it

How to Ensure Your Rental Property Gets Let

How to Ensure Your Rental Property Gets Let

If your tenants didn’t clean the property well at check-out or it’s been empty for a while, remember to make it sparkly clean before viewings. Remember to remove limescale, scrub tile grout and clean windows inside and out to help the property look as good as possible.

Don’t forget that the property needs to smell good too – a bad smell is the single biggest turn off for those looking to move house. Make sure that the drains are clear, the bins washed out and the kitchen is aired.

If a smoker tenant has recently been in the property, place bowls of vinegar around the place. Leave these for three days, then remove and open the windows. The vinegar smell will disappear quickly, and take the cigarette smell with it.

Go neutral 

Traditionally, neutral tones are the recommended colours for rental property décor. A neutral property will appeal to the widest range of tenants, giving you a greater chance of getting it let out quickly.

If you’re looking to update your property, go for a modern grey hue, which is bang on trend. If grey isn’t your thing, white or beige are always safe options. A new lick of paint will also brighten the property up and make it appear larger.

Sort the garden

While your rental property may not have a garden, don’t forget to sort out any outside space it does have. Most tenants will be interested in having a balcony, yard or garden, so smarten these areas up. Cut back any overgrown bushes, weed the garden, and clean any furniture outside. If you are letting a house, clear the front garden and put some pots outside to boost kerb appeal.

Focus on the kitchen

Kitchens are incredibly important to most tenant types. More often than not, a kitchen is worth more per square foot than any other room, so it can make all the difference.

However, unless the kitchen is a real state, it doesn’t always make financial sense to completely replace it. Simply resurface worktops and replace any out-of-date appliances, and you can really modernise the space without spending a fortune.

Boost your rental income

Depending on the area your property is in and the type of tenants you’re targeting, it could be a wise investment to add in another bedroom and boost your rental income. Converting a loft or garage into another bedroom could appeal to families or students looking for larger properties. If you have more to offer, you will earn more in rental income each month.

Follow these steps to ensure that your property gets snapped up quickly!

New Year Resolutions for Landlords

Published On: January 8, 2015 at 3:31 pm

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Private landlords experienced many changes in 2014. The private rental sector was given more responsibility within the Immigration Act 2014, and there are still many people finding it difficult to get a mortgage. High deposits are still required, and the uncertainty of house prices is keeping the property industry into the spotlight.

As 2015 gets going, it is important for landlords to remain on top of changing legislation, and ensure good property conditions for tenants as the winter months continue. Landlords should be ensuring good practice this New Year, and these tips could work well as resolutions.

  1. Keep up to date

Always make sure you know when certain checks, tests, and renewals are due. Remember gas safety, PAT testing, and insurance. If these dates are missed, prosecution is a possibility. Ready Rentals offer a logging system on their website, where landlords can keep track of upcoming responsibilities.

  1. Insurance policy

    Private landlords experienced many changes in 2014.

    Private landlords experienced many changes in 2014.

If your insurance is not quite up for renewal, review your current policy and make sure that you are fully covered. If you are looking to renew, check that it covers as much as possible, from malicious damage to void periods. Check each policy thoroughly and read the small print.

  1. Property inspections

Checking your rental property can be vital to making sure it is in a good state of repair, and not getting any shocks later on. Checking meter readings, updating the inventory, and assessing wear and tear can keep things up to date. Look out for condensation, and ensure the tenants are aware of maintaining this problem. Make sure that the smoke alarms and CO2 detectors work.

  1. Keeping warm

Ensure that your rental property has suitable systems that will keep the house, and therefore tenants, warm in the wintertime. Keep the boiler serviced regularly, and have pipes and radiators checked. Emergency cover should be in place, in case anything were to happen to the property. Loft insulation should be within current standards, and any extra measures to reduce draughts could be beneficial.

  1. Legal changes

Keep tenancy documentation up to date, and keep in mind any new changes to the sector. Always stay on top of legal responsibilities and new legislation. Changes in legislation are common in the private rental sector, and it is crucial to practice within the law.

  1. Good photographs

Taking new and high quality photos will always benefit you when looking for tenants. The property’s features and appeal should be highlighted. The property should always look tidy and professional; this can include some simple cleaning, or maybe redecorating.

If using a letting agent, you should ensure they are using good photos of the home, and marketing on as many platforms as possible.

  1. Eco-friendly landlords

By April 2018, new regulation will be in place that means properties with energy ratings of F or G cannot be rented out. Making improvements to meet the minimum E rating could mean budgeting and planning now. Keeping in mind any changes to be made the property should be factored into the future.

At a sooner date, from 1st April 2016, private tenants can demand energy efficiency improvements for their rental properties. These cannot be unreasonably refused. So plan ahead, and keep the costs of these improvements in mind.

5 Key Elements Every Landlord Should Know About

Published On: June 11, 2012 at 4:29 pm

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A surge in the buy-to-let market has seen a number of inexperienced landlords enter the industry for the first time. All landlords, regardless of experience, should make sure that they have five key elements in place to protect both themselves and their tenants.

Gas Safety Certificates

All gas equipment and fittings in a property should be checked by a registered gas engineer every 12 months. Two copies of the Gas Safety certificate will be provided after the inspection, one of which should be given to the tenant.

Energy Performance Certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate must be obtained for every rental property that a landlord intends to let. Again, a copy of this certificate must be given to the tenant.

5 Key Elements Every Landlord Should Know About

5 Key Elements Every Landlord Should Know About

 

Written tenancy agreement

Despite not being a necessary requirement, having a written tenancy agreement protects both parties if any disputes occur at a later date. Written agreements should include features such as how much rent has been agreed, the length of the tenancy and other essential terms by which the tenants must abide.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

By law, landlords must protect tenants’ deposits in a Government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Deposits must be protected within 30 days of the commencement of a tenancy agreement and tenants must be given notice of where and how their cash has been saved. This is known as the Prescribed Information. Failure to provide this information can see landlords facing hefty fines.

Mortgage/insurance company consent

Landlords without a specified buy-to-let mortgage must inform their mortgage provider immediately if they plan to let their property. In addition, building insurers must also be contacted, or landlords face voiding the property.