Page 885 – Property118

Capping rents is not the answer to housing crisis

1st November 2012

A Press Release issued today by  suggests that addressing the current housing crisis by capping rents will lead to poorer standards of accommodation and a reduction in the supply of properties. The recent report from the National Housing Federation called “Home Truths”, revealed that years of not building enough homes has led to rising rental […]

Yvonne Hall NLA Property Woman of the Year 2012

Yvonne Hall NLA Property Woman of the Year 2012

1st November 2012

From a shortlist of 36 from six Regional Award categories and five Principal Award categories, Yvonne Hall has been named the overall winner and NLA Property Woman of the Year 2012. Supported by headline sponsor Hamilton Fraser Insurance and my|deposits, the NLA Property Women Awards awards recognise and celebrate the dedicated women of the private-rented […]

Zoopla

Zoopla or Rightmove?

31st October 2012

OK, we know which is the biggest (for now at least), my question is; which do you think is best, Zoopla or Rightmove and why? This all started with a tweet (embedded below) but then I decided to make this an open discussion and several Estate Agents and Letting Agents have since responded as you […]

Green Deal Finance for Landlords – will it be viable?

31st October 2012

Green Deal Finance is likely to become a major discussion topic on forums, especially as it is now being reported by Green Deal Assessors  going through training that it will cost between 7% and 8%. At current interest rates that far more expensive than the cost of borrowing on a buy to let mortgage. Therefore, […]

Advanced Rent – is this the ultimate assurance for landlords?

30th October 2012

Tenant referencing has now evolved to the extent that insurance companies are prepared to underwrite the risks associated with the financing of Advanced Rent payments, allowing landlords to secure payment of up to six months rent up front. The insurance company underwrites the entire cost of the Advanced Rent and collection of monthly rent payments from […]

Charities plea for support to help former squatters

30th October 2012

Criminalising squatting has had severe consequences for the homeless, leaving them with no where to go during winter causes mortality rates to rise. Combating the causes of homelessness has never been so important. The Estate Agency Foundation (EAF) who raise money for leading homeless charities Shelter, St. Mungo’s and Broadway, are asking for 100% participation […]

The GOOD Landlords Campaign

Charter for Good Landlords

30th October 2012

Having spent a lot of time lounging around the swimming pool and on the beach over the last few weeks (wedding and honeymoon in Florida) I couldn’t help thinking about creating a “Charter for Good Landlords”. Perhaps that’s a bit sad but hey, it’s the way my mind works and I can assure you it […]

Green Deal Referees required by Mark and Neil

30th October 2012

Mark and I have worked together since 2003 and have very rarely fundamentally disagreed on a subject, but the Green Deal has split us down the middle with myself being very pro and Mark against. I am writing this whilst sat at home having cavity wall and loft insulation added for free! I am aware […]

Howard Reuben IFA

EU Gender Directive forcing all Life Insurance rates Up

30th October 2012

Guest article by Howard Reuben IFA I am not a salesman, but ……….. buy it whilst it’s cheap! If you are considering your life cover plans at the moment or if you need to arrange life insurance over the next few months or so, please note that the new EU Gender Directive starts on 21st […]

Homelessness suitability order and PRS landlords by Ben Reeve-Lewis

29th October 2012

A bombshell was dropped recently. Admittedly an expected Bombshell, but it took all us people working in the public sector by surprise in the speed of introducing the Homelessness Suitability Order, having hung around in the wings for over a year. Since the advent of the Housing Act 1996 councils have been able to make […]

Consumer Confidence Survey See Saw

29th October 2012

Rightmove’s latest Consumer Confidence Survey of more than 33,000 home-movers finds that the proportion of respondents expecting average asking prices to be higher a year from now has risen to 29%, up by 7 percentage points on a year ago. However 17% of those 2007-2012 buyers who believe their property has declined in value since […]

The GOOD Landlords Campaign

Simon Dowse of Salisbury

29th October 2012

Simon Dowse of Salisbury I have been a landlord for over 3 years and have worked in the housing market since 2004. I am slowly building a portfolio of rental properties with the aim of keeping them for as long as I am blessed to be on this planet! I insist that my agents treat […]

Property Tribes trending topics of the week

29th October 2012

The founders of Property Tribes and Property118 are very much believers in collaboration as opposed to competition. With this in mind both forums have agreed to share with each others readers the trending topics from this week: The Property Tribes landlord and investor forum is always buzzing with the discussions on Landlordism and property investment. […]

Buy to Let Calculator - Landlord Resources

BuytoLet Loan Directory

26th October 2012

The BuytoLet Loan Directory is the fourth feature publishing competitive and innovative product offerings to help clients identify appropriate funding facilities. In this publication we provide a selection showing the most competitive and commonly used rates on offer depending on the Loan to Value or deposit available in respect of BuytoLet Mortgages.

Look after your Tenant

26th October 2012

One of the oft used business phrases is “look after your customers”, but should this be “look after your tenant”. In lettings it is easy to assume that once you have a tenant you should simply leave them alone and your work is done. Imagine that philosophy in a restaurant – you are shown to […]

FSA Mortgage Market Review and the PRS

25th October 2012

The FSA Mortgage Market Review rules will come into effect on 26 April 2014 and I have listed the FSA’s own summary at the bottom of this article for the avoidance of factual doubt. Will these new rules have a direct effect on Buy-to-Let? Technically no, as Buy-to-Let is seen as a commercial loan and […]

RLA welcomes government U-turn on direct payments in Northern Ireland

25th October 2012

RLA welcomes news that the Department for Work and Pensions will allow direct payments of housing benefits to be made to landlords in Northern Ireland. However Ministers at the DWP have objected to the implementation of the same policy across the rest of the UK, arguing that payments to tenants will promote financial responsibility. Following […]

Couples In Property Limbo

25th October 2012

Couples in property limbo are living in Flatshares with no way onto the property ladder. 44% of couples living in flatshares say their living situation is affecting future plans to start families 14% of couples in flatshares say they will never be able to afford to buy property 35% of couples say the biggest challenge […]

The GOOD Landlords Campaign

Peter Block of Homes2rent-uk.co.uk St Albans

25th October 2012

Peter Block of Homes2rent-uk.co.uk St Albans I am a Landlord and over the past 10 years we have built up experience in successfully managing the purchase, letting and upkeep of residential properties. We are set up to assist both tenants and landlords. We take great pride in our houses, they are homes. Our maxim and […]

Enquiry into Private Rented Sector gives opportunity to voice opinion

24th October 2012

An Enquiry into the Private Rented Sector by The Communities and Local Government Committee will give us all an important opportunity to voice our opinions before the 17th of January 2013. The Enquiry is to focus on many important issues often discussed within Property118 by it’s readers: The quality of private rented housing, and steps […]