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Rocketing bills and reduced profits – who would be a landlord in 2023?
Rent and rate rises are creating a tough market for both tenants and owners
Renters Reform Bill 2022 Part 2
Changes to Children, Welfare, Pets and Decent Homes
Renters Reform Bill 2022
Changes to Evictions, Fixed Term Tenancies and Rent Increases
Lets and Pets
The new Tenant Fees Act came into force on 1st June 2019 meant many letting agents issued blanket bans on renting with pets.
How do I fit out my house for a lodger?
There is a big difference between letting a whole house or flat and letting a room in your own home
Tenant Fees Act 2019 for England
The new Tenant Fees Act came into force on 1st June 2019 effectively banning agents and landlords from charging a tenant fees other than rent, tenancy deposit and holding deposit.
HMO license expansion
Details of the recent changes to the HMO licensing
Tips for choosing an investment property for student letting
what should you look for when choosing an investment property to rent to students?
Not all Landlords are bad!
Not all landlords or landladies are bad. Unfortunately there are indeed some unscrupulous ones but we are not all like that, it is a minority who give us all a bad name.
Letting a room at home
Do you have a spare room in your home and need extra cash? Have you ever thought of becoming a resident landlord? You may be able to earn £7,500 per year tax-free under the rent a room scheme.
Choosing a property to rent - tips for first time renters
If you are thinking about renting a property, check out our handy checklist to make sure you make an informed decision
Is the Buy-To-Let market dead?
It has been hard-hit by government and some landlords are selling up as profits shrink, so is this the end of buy-to-let? We ask the experts.
Things to think about before you undertake a building or renovation project
Once you have decided what you want to do, you need to find out if you need planning permission or building regulations approval
Changes to EPC regulations
Landlords warned to improve energy efficiency or risk being banned
Buying a property at auction
It can be very exciting buying at home at auction. You can bag yourself a bargain but it requires careful preparation.
Case Study - extending a kitchen
Knocking through to create a kitchen-diner
What insurance do I need for building works?
Anyone who has been through building works knows nothing ever goes to plan. Even with the best intentions; walls can collapse, pipes can be drilled through and a neighbour’s property can be damaged.
Is it better to pack your own things when you're moving for insurance reasons?
Do you get stuck in with the bubble wrap and pack-it-yourself or will you trust the job to a professional house removal packer?
How much does it really cost to move home
Get a handle on your moving costs here
Most people know they need to save for a deposit to get a mortgage for their first home. But prospective property owners might not realise there are a raft of other fees, charges and taxes they also need to pay – running into thousands of pounds. Prices vary around the country from £20,000 to £30,000 in London but if you are in the north then your costs may only be between £5,000 and £10,000.
Homebuying secrets: How to get ahead
Insider tips from an estate agent
You've got the deposit, the right people behind you, and you're feeling ready enough to take the plunge and snap up your ideal home. In a highly competitive property market, we wish that buying a house was that easy, but it's not. Whether you're stuck in a chain or buying for the first time, we asked Daniel Bourne, Senior Branch Manager at Douglas Allen, Barkingside, to share his secrets on how to give yourself the edge over other buyers.
How to save for a deposit on a home
6 top tips for first-time buyers
The thought of buying a house may make even the savviest of savers go weak at the knees. While saving for a first home for many can be a long and gruelling process, it’s best to start early and save as much as you can possibly stretch to. It’s no secret that the bigger deposit, the lower lending risk you will be and most importantly, a sure-fire candidate for getting a mortgage.
Leasehold or Freehold: the difference
Helping you buy homes smarter
We kid you not, buying a house will introduce you to a whole wave of new terminology that may leave you scratching you head at the best of times – and particularly when it comes to… two words, leasehold and freehold. To help you become a house move pro and to get the most out of buying your home, we’ve summarised the differences in a simple illustration.
Noise and your home: what can you do?
Increase your quality of living
When buying or renting property, people are rightly starting to think harder about noise issues that may affect them once they get to their new home. After all the house-hunting, stress and, at times, breathtaking expense, how must it feel to hear the first bark of the neighbour's dog in the back garden, or to be kept awake until the early hours on the first Friday night by a continuous stream of pedestrians on their way to a nightclub - or worse still, by the distant but persistent sound of the music from the nightclub itself?
Buying or selling a property: who’s involved
It's time to get acquainted
Loosen up your purse strings! Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which we highly doubt as you’re here on our site) you have probably been told by now that buying and selling your home is an expensive pursuit, and one that should be handled with care and attention. If you’re a person who is particularly price conscious, it’s important to remember that cheap doesn’t always mean best, and if due diligence isn’t done right, it can cost you even more money in the long-run.
How to prepare for a stress-free moving day
Just keep calm and carry on
Let’s face it, no one enjoys moving day. Packing up your entire life into boxes can seem daunting but it really doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together some handy tips to make your moving day a relative breeze…
Survey or mortgage valuation
Why do you need a survey?
The differences between a survey and a mortgage valuation are pretty hefty. A survey can help you make a fully informed decision about whether to go ahead with the purchase as well as a reasonable price to pay. Having one will also put a spotlight on any damages and repairs that need doing to your potential home.