As a landlord in 2023, it’s fair to say there are a lot of challenges on the horizon. From changes to rental rules, tax upheaval, mortgage mayhem… it’s all going on.  But the first thing to remember is your tenants and their experience of your property. It’s all too easy

The Renters’ Reform Bill is set to be published and presented in Parliament in the coming week, according to Housing Secretary Michael Gove.  Gove stated in an interview with Sky News that the new legislation will alter the dynamics between landlords and tenant. This will provide tenants with enhanced protection

Love them or hate them, the Royal Family know how to party. And while we might not be invited to the official celebrations, we do have a weekend dedicated to the Coronation and a day off to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.  So, how will you celebrate? In this quick read,

What’s cute, has a bushy tail and could cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to a rental property? Unfortunately, as sweet as they may seem, squirrels and their nests can be a nightmare for landlords and tenants. Once those little grey beasts make themselves at home in a property,

Whether you’ve got a huge garden or a modest balcony, making the most of your outside space matters. Especially as the weather warms up and you can spend more time enjoying the fresh air. So, what are the big garden trends of 2023?  In this quick read, we look at

Don’t let your beloved family pet stop you from achieving top selling price for your property. Follow these tips to ensure buyers don’t get sniffy about making an offer on your home. Given that 62% of British households have a pet*, you might assume buyers wouldn’t bat an eyelid at

You can’t open a newspaper (or app) without seeing something about the UK rental market. Whether it’s the increase in demand for property, changes to rent rules or landlords selling up – rentals are getting a lot of attention.  And one matter that is causing a lot of controversy is

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui literally means ‘wind’ and ‘water’. So, is it a valuable guide for harmonious living or a load of hot air? Even if you don’t know exactly what feng shui is all about, you’ve probably heard LA celebrities and interior designers extolling the virtues of it.

If a kitchen is the heart of a home, then the bathroom is the brains. It’s where you get a few minutes of privacy every day (unless you’ve got toddlers who like to come in with you). It’s where you do some of your deepest thinking, and it’s an area

Success as a landlord doesn’t just centre around what you do when your property is tenanted. How you manage your rental when it’s empty is also crucial. All landlords have to contend with void periods – they’re an inevitable part of having a buy-to-let. So, it’s wise to budget for

Just the thought of moving home can make you break out into a cold sweat. It’s a life experience that many people think of as one of the most stressful things you can do. So how can you minimise those feelings of panic?  April is Stress Awareness Month, and if

It’s widely recognised that moving house is one of the most stressful (and annoying) life events you can experience. If you’re nearing the end of a tenancy agreement, there are a few things you can do to ensure your check-out inspection goes well and (upon moving out) you get your

If you’re looking for ways to keep your children entertained this Easter, here are some fun activities that won’t break the bank. These child-friendly suggestions won’t blow your budget but will stave off that familiar phrase, “I’m bored!”. Organise a treasure hunt  Take the traditional Easter egg search to the

Being a landlord is one of those jobs where there’s no middle ground. It’s either low stress with great tenants and affordable mortgage rates, or it’s the total opposite: high stress, broken appliances, tenancy challenges and ever-increasing costs.  When a property is vacant, there’s worry about how long it will

So, you’re selling up and don’t know whether to instruct a traditional estate agent or a DIY fixed-fee agency. Let’s look at the pros and cons of both options. If moving is on your mind, the first thing you need to do is find the right estate agent. But before

Older tenants are a growing force in the private rental sector, so is it time for savvy landlords to proactively target this demographic? It’s one of the most striking trends in the housing sector over the past decade. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of tenants aged between 45 and

Some days, it’s like your home is a minefield of accidents just waiting to happen. You trip up the stairs with a pile of washing in your arms, you break your favourite mug, and to top it all off, you burn the toast. Not fun.  While everyone wants a home

It’s every seller’s worst nightmare. You’re on the cusp of finalising the sale of your property when your buyer gets cold feet and runs for the hills. Just like that, your plans go out the window. If you’re part of a chain, the whole deal could collapse, meaning you need

If you’re looking forward to doing something special for Mother’s Day on Sunday, we wish you all the best – but this article isn’t for you. It’s not that we don’t want you to have a great day (we do) or that we take issue with Mother’s Day itself (we

Spring officially starts next week, and with it comes a host of joys: longer days, trees in bud and flowers in bloom. And if you’re selling a property, there’s something else to celebrate – a spike in buyers looking to make their next move. Traditionally, spring is the busiest season

As a tenant living in a rental property, you need to be aware of your rights. Fortunately, due to recent reforms in legislation, you’re now more protected than ever when it comes to matters of eviction and deposits. But what if your landlord tells you they’re planning to sell the

Over the last 12 months, it’s been reported that many landlords have decided enough is enough and are exiting the buy-to-let game in their droves. And whilst these headlines may or may not be accurate, one thing is for sure, selling a buy-to-let property is very different to selling a

International Women’s Day is an event marked around the world – in the news, all over social media and in most schools. And so it should be. Accelerating equality, raising awareness around discrimination, and helping women feel safe and celebrated is something we should all be doing more of. This

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That’s the view some landlords take on the question of renovating a buy-to-let. They do the absolute minimum in terms of maintenance and repairs and only manage to meet their legal obligations by the skin of their teeth. The décor is shabby and

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so does it really matter what it looks like? Well, according to interior design trendsetters, it definitely does. So, what’s the latest in kitchen fashions? Whether you’re considering a complete kitchen renovation or just want to add some of the latest designs

When hunting for a professional to sell your home, you’ll probably compile a list of property-related questions to fire off at prospective estate agents. What’s the property worth? What changes need to be made before it’s listed? And what’s the best way to market it? All wise questions worth asking,

Tenants’ needs and wants are always changing. A decade ago, broadband was a luxury, now it’s a necessity. Since the pandemic, properties with outside space are more popular than ever. So how can you make your rental property as attractive to tenants as possible? Recent research by property bods at

As 26 February is Fairy Tale Day (yes, it’s a real thing), let’s look at the most common property fairy tale and how falling for it can cost you time and money. We love a good fairy tale as much as the next person. Whether it’s a frog that morphs

As the old saying goes, first impressions matter. And when it comes to showing off your property, the way it looks will go a long way to impress potential buyers. If your property is on the market, you’ll be familiar with the feeling of panic when your agent calls to

Fed up with self-managing your buy-to-let and want a top-notch professional to do it for you instead? Here’s how to find the best letting agent in your neighbourhood. So, you’ve decided to get a letting agent to manage your rental. You can’t wait to hand the burden of regulatory red

You’ve no doubt heard of food banks, but do you know what a baby bank is? Read on to learn how baby banks work and if you could start your own. For many expectant parents, the prospect of welcoming a new life into the world fills them with delight –

Research shows that moving house and getting divorced are two of the most stressful things you can do. So, if you’re selling up in the wake of a painful split, you really are in the thick of it. Read on for some helpful advice on navigating the process. Selling a

Whether your rental property is a blank space you just sleep in, or it’s a new family property, it’s important to make it feel like home. So, how can you fall in love with your rental without breaching tenancy rules? You could be a long-term renter or maybe a flat-sharer,

If 2023 was the year you were going to buy a new home, it’s fair to say that the gloomy news headlines might have you rethinking things a bit. Is it the right time to buy? Should you rent instead? Should you move in with your nearest and dearest and

How do portfolio landlords deal with the multitude of tasks and mountains of red tape that come with managing several properties? Read on to find out. Owning a portfolio of rental properties can be a great way to earn income and build up a tidy nest egg for the future.

Helping your child understand basic maths concepts doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore. Follow these four tips to discover how it can be child’s play.  Maths is like Marmite: some people love it, while others loathe it. But there’s no escaping the fact that it’s a crucial

One minute, the housing market is at an all-time high, the next, newspapers are warning it will plunge faster than a block of concrete in a swimming pool. Finance bods and property experts love to talk up a crisis, but what’s the reality for those wanting to sell? Well, it’s

In a cost of living crisis, it’s not a bad idea to think of ways to make (or save) extra cash. Some people take on part-time jobs or start up a side hustle, others might start selling unwanted items from around the home. But here’s another idea, what about using

If you’re thinking of freshening up the interior of your home this year, here’s a list of what’s trending on the design front.   Are you planning a mega makeover in 2023? Or perhaps you just want to make some modest changes to breathe new life into your home? Whether

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to make a fast buck, often leaving landlords out of pocket or caught up in messy legal disputes. Read on to learn about the most common scams targeting landlords and how to protect your rental property. Falsifying documents The wonders of technology mean it’s

Joint tenancies can be a great way for friends and couples to share costs and a steady source of income for landlords – but they’re not without their challenges. Friends can fall out, couples can split up, and rows about who used all the loo roll or spilt red wine

Accept an offer from a fast-talker or a faffer, and your hopes for a speedy property deal could be scuppered. Here’s how to choose the right buyer. When it comes to property transactions, we often focus on the long list of questions buyers want answers to. What’s the local area

If you’re a seasoned landlord, chances are you’ve experienced at least one out-of-hours call from a panicked tenant about a leaky toilet or boiler breakdown. Why is it these things never seem to happen at a reasonable hour? Repairs and maintenance of your rental portfolio can be costly and stressful,

Whether you’ve got a pooch who wears fancy jumpers, a big blonde Labrador or a tiny handbag-sized companion, this month is all about them. If you didn’t know before, now you do: January is National Walk Your Dog Month. All you doggy people are probably a bit baffled, as being

If you’re planning to sell your property, the first question that you’ll inevitably ask is how much it’s worth. Your home may be invaluable to you and your loved ones, but it’s also got a market value. But how is a property valued? Is there a magic formula? How does

The newspapers are full of predictions of a national property crash. The broadcast media are pumping out doom, gloom and not much else about the housing market prospects in 2023. And let’s not even get started with the internet ‘experts’ on social media and the local ‘pub professors’ who are