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Published: 15 November 2023

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EXPERT OPTIONS IF YOU'RE A LANDLORD FACING HIGHER MORTGAGE COSTS

If you’re a landlord with a fixed-rate mortgage nearing the end of its initial term, you’ll only be too aware of the coming increase in your monthly repayments.

Back in October 2021 and 2018, two and five-year buy-to-let fixed rates averaged around 3%, but they're now switching to today's rates of more than 6% - a substantial jump!

This rate hike has caused many landlords to sell up, and you might be thinking of doing the same. However, before pulling the plug on your investment, there are some options to explore, including:

• Renovating and reletting

• Increasing the rent

• Using falling house prices to expand

• Creative debt reduction

• The consequences of selling up

So, if part of your reason for being a landlord is future financial security for you or your family, you'll find plenty in this week's blog to help you make the best decision for you.

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Published: 23 October 2023

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OUR GUIDE TO A SWIFT, SMOOTH AND LEGAL SWITCH BETWEEN TENANTS

House shares are a great way of maximising your rental income, and they cover every kind of tenant, from university students to high-earning professionals.

Inevitably, a housemate will leave at some point as their life evolves. And whether it's moving in with a partner, relocating for work, or buying a home of their own, you'll need to find a replacement.

The changeover doesn't have to be a hassle, but to protect yourself as a landlord and keep the tenancy watertight, there are some dos and don’ts to bear in mind, including:

• Receiving and accepting notice

• The law around replacing one sharer with another

• Finding a replacement housemate

• Updating the tenancy agreement

• The changeover between the outgoing and incoming tenants

So whether you’re a landlord in Liverpool or you've got rental homes in other parts of the UK, you’ll find all you need in this week's blog for a smooth, swift and legal switch between sharers.

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Published: 09 October 2023

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THE ESSENTIAL CHECKS YOU NEED TO MAKE, AND WHEN TO SAY NO

For some landlords, the very mention of guarantors can ring alarm bells. But they're written into more tenancy agreements than you might think, and needing one isn’t necessarily a sign of problems ahead.

Even well-paid professionals with a glowing landlord’s recommendation can fall short in the referencing process, so it's wise to have an understanding of what it means to have a tenant with a guarantor.

So, in this week's blog, we’re taking a look at:

• The profile of a guarantor
• A guarantor’s responsibilities
• Why a tenant might need a guarantor
• Referencing a guarantor
• Claiming from a guarantor

Once we’re done, and whenever you encounter a tenant who needs a guarantor - either upfront or after you've taken up references - you'll have everything you need to make a confident decision.

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Published: 11 September 2023

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TURN A VACANT SPELL INTO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR YOUR BUY-TO-LET

An empty rental property doesn’t have to be a downer. In fact, having some time between tenancies gives you the chance to optimise your investment's rental yield, sales value, and future popularity.

That said, vacant homes do have some extra risks and management that you don't need to think about when your property has a tenant.

This means that an empty buy-to-let comes with both opportunity and organisation, plus a varied menu of things to consider, including:

• Spicing up the specification
• Rooting out repairs
• Presenting a fresh face
• Blitzing the admin
• Protecting your property

 So whether you're making improvements to turn a greater profit, or just keeping things in check until the next tenancy begins, this week's blog is jam-packed with expert tips and tricks.

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