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Many landlords have no idea whether their rental property requires a license, which is why many get caught out.
There are different rules around the UK for landlord licences, and local authorities aren't always as communicative or loud about policy changes as they are around issuing fines!
Given the many thousands of pounds in potential penalties—and the motivation of councils to grab every opportunity for cash in times of funding cuts—it's essential to understand how licensing works.
With that in mind, our guide to landlord licences has straightforward answers to questions like:
- Why do property licences matter?
- What are the different types of licence?
- How do licensing rules differ across the UK?
- What does landlord licensing cost?
- How do landlords apply for a licence?
It's a meaty subject, but we've broken it down into bite-sized morsels for easy digestion. So, let’s explore which rules apply to you, and whether you need to take any steps to stay on the right side of the law.
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A budget-conscious mindset is sensible for any business, and self-managing your rental homes can feel like a straightforward way to boost your bottom line. But do you have the full picture?
Like you, we watch our outgoings, but we know that the many thousands we spend each year on photos, property portals and industry software make us far more effective (and our lives easier).
It's a rare thing for a landlord to leave us to self-manage. In fact, it's usually the other way around, when DIY landlords either run into trouble or become overwhelmed with changing legislation.
Nonetheless, if you’re weighing up whether to be a self-managing landlord, you've come to exactly the right place to find some clarity. We'll be covering:
- The myth of ‘let and forget’.
- Three good reasons to manage your own rental homes.
- Probable perils and pitfalls.
- Tips for successful self-management.
- What difference do agents actually make?
Given that cost-cutting always has implications beyond initial savings, let's explore what it means to be a self-managing landlord so you can decide whether it's right for you.
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More landlords than ever set up a limited company in 2024, with more than 46,000 new registrations between January and September of companies created to hold rental homes.
If nothing else, the numbers show just how popular buy-to-let remains as a reliable strategy for building long-term wealth and financial freedom.
Still, the landscape for landlords has shifted a lot over recent years, and extensive rental reforms require an updated approach to manage your investments effectively and profitably.
If lower taxation, better personal asset protection, a multi-property portfolio and easier inheritance planning sound good to you, using a limited company to own your rental homes could be a smart move.
So, in this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of establishing and running a limited company for your buy-to-let business, including:
- The benefits of limited company ownership
- Setting up a limited company
- Buying properties through a limited company
- Buy-to-let mortgages for limited companies
- Managing a limited company’s finance
Before taking the plunge, it’s essential to know if a limited company structure aligns with your personal goals, so let’s take a look at whether it’s right for you.
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No inventory, no claim. That's about the long and the short of it if you end up in dispute with your tenant and want to make a deduction from their security deposit.
Much more than just a list of items, an inventory is your only legal safeguard in claiming for damages. The law favours evidence, and an inventory is the winning proof.
Nonetheless, we meet too many landlords with either no inventory at all (or one that's far too vague), so we've created an essential guide to getting them right, including:
- Why inventories are so important.
- A watertight inventory blueprint.
- Using photos and videos for the ultimate proof.
- Reviewing inventories with mid-tenancy check-ups.
- Happy tenancy endings.
There's plenty to unpack, so let's explore what makes inventories so essential, and how to prepare one that's sufficiently strong to cover all bases and protect your investment.
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Using an agent to manage your rental property should leave you full of confidence and free of stress, with reliable long-term tenants, full legal compliance, and efficient maintenance and repairs.
Unfortunately, that's not every landlord's experience, and not all agents live up to their hype. A poor one can cause a string of headaches but knowing whether or when to switch isn't always clear.
With that in mind, we’ve put together these five clear signs (all with specific examples) that it might be time to move on from your managing agent:
- Poor communication.
- High tenant turnover and vacancy rates
- Disorganised maintenance and repairs.
- Lack of legal compliance.
- Unclear or unexpected fees.
There really is no need to accept anything less than excellence from your managing agent, whatever the size of your property or portfolio. Let's explore whether it's time for a change.
Why sell or let with us?
Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Homelets to sell or let your property:
- Dedicated Local Experts
- 24/7 Contact
- No Commission
- No Sale No Fee
- Accompanied Viewings
- No Let No Fee
Submit a valuation opposite or call us on 0151 280 4047.
