Buy to Let
New Year looking tough for private rented sector
While 2009 was a difficult year for the entire property market, 2010 looks likely to present an even greater challenge for the private rented sector (PRS), according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
No Christmas slowdown for lettings market
Landlords and letting agents are experiencing high levels of activity in the run up to Christmas, with 65% of consumers currently looking for new lettings accommodation still hoping to move in before the end of the year, according to a poll conducted by lettingsearch.co.uk.
Local Housing Allowance: “Less talk and more action,” says NLA
The National Landlords Association (NLA), the leading representative body for private-residential landlords in the UK, has continued its call for the Government to make immediate major changes to Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
Rents set to start rising
Surveyors expect to see rent rises in the New Year as the number of rental properties coming onto the market fell for the first time since January 2008, says the latest RICS Lettings Survey.
A new era for buy-to-let investment?
The UK is entering a new phase for buy to let investment, according to property investment specialist, Assetz. Many of those investors who entered the buy to let market during the boom years hoping to achieve short-term capital growth have now left the market as a result of the credit crisis, paving the way for a new type of property investor taking a long-term view.
Private rental sector needs Government help
The rental sector is increasingly seen as key to future housing strategy as production of new homes is out of line with consumer demand.
Landlords feel the benefit of British Gas
British Gas have joined forces with the National Landlords Association (NLA), the UK's leading representative body for private-residential landlords, as part of the NLA's Recognised Supplier Scheme.
Buy-to-let remortgaging activity hits two year low
The proportion of landlords remortgaging their investment properties has fallen to its lowest level for over two years, research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed.
Days of rental bargains numbered as price recovery continues
Tenants who have managed to negotiate rental discounts or taken the opportunity to trade up over the last eighteen months should prepare for the return of a landlord’s market, says FindaProperty.com.
With your kids at Uni, are you better off becoming a landlord?
If your son or daughter has started university this year in Exeter, then you’re probably already experiencing a significant drain on your finances – especially when paying for student digs is concerned! In many cases it’s now cheaper to buy a new home than rent one, which is why Taylor Wimpey is urging parents to escape the university rental trap by investing in bricks and mortar at its Chancel Park development in Pinhoe.
Deposit protection price war underway
The starting gun has been fired on a deposit protection price war, according to mydeposits.co.uk. Today's announcement by The Dispute Service (TDS) of the ‘likely severity of the subscription increases', may cause concern for letting agents, but mydeposits.co.uk will offer more competitive deals for letting agents without compromising on quality.
Tax rule changes on holiday properties could stifle trade
Government plans to change tax rules on holiday properties could leave eight in ten small businesses in the holiday sector at risk of closure, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.
Landlords urged to log it or lose it
"Inventories are not an optional extra" is the clear message from the National Landlords Association (NLA), the UK's leading representative body for private-residential landlords, as it launches its latest service to landlords.
Buy-to-let sees signs of recovery
The buy-to-let sector has been one of the biggest casualties of the last two years, with 93% of all deals disappearing in that time.
A boom for buy-to-let?
The recession could be over for the buy-to-let market, as mortgage lending to the sector picks up once again and landlords look to take advantage of more affordable property prices and high tenant demand, says Lettingsearch.co.uk, the UK’s largest lettings-only portal.