The Right Way To Handle Tenant Disputes
Hello readers, One of the keys to being a successful landlord is proper tenant management and, particularly for an HMO, this is something that can make or break a successful property investment. Disputes can range from simple (even seemingly petty) things such as a tenant in the property pinching another tenant’s food to a tenant […]
99.4% of HMO applications are being approved but 72% of Councils are not enforcing license law
As you all know, my lettings company specialises in management of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) so I always have a vested interest in the HMO market. In October last year, one of the most important legislations for HMOs changed; the mandatory HMO licensing rules removed the three storey rule (previously licensing applied to HMOs […]
With 45% of Medway HMO owners living outside of the Medway towns, could smartphones replace cheap letting agents?
There are very few people who have not succumbed to the ease of a smartphone. Those that haven’t – I’m in awe. For me, my phone is instant access to every aspect of my business and – as for many I’m sure – has become a fairly permanent extension of my forearm. But is it […]
A development in Hempstead halts but the news is sunny across Medway
News from a controversial housing development in Hempstead is that work has been halted because of a dispute over the ownership of the land. The proposed development of the land on Gibraltar Farm is for 450 homes to be built on farmland in Ham Lane. Initial the planning permission was rejected by the council but […]
Is the complexity of licensing going to drive landlords out?
I’ve just written an article on some license changes in Bexley which could considerably change the landscape of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) ownership in that area, which led me to thinking about the wider impact of licensing complexities for buy-to-let landlords. Currently Medway Council follow the prescribed licensing set out by the government; that […]
Medway Property News review of the year
I’m spending Christmas and New Year in Cyprus this year. I spent most of my summer holidays as a teenager growing up there and so know the island well. Property prices have taken a hit badly there due to the recession and people who want to sell are really struggling. It’s a buyer’s market, so […]
What does the interest rate rise mean for the rental market?
Incase you missed it, The Bank of England raised the base rate from 0.25% to 0.5% this week. The base rate is the Bank of England’s official borrowing rate, which influences what borrowers pay and savers earn. The base rate has remained fairly static over the last decade, with 0.25% being the lowest on record. […]
What’s a better investment – a small or a large HMO?
In amongst various meetings this week, I had a great chat with a landlord about the optimum size of an HMO property. We started discussing the pros and cons of smaller versus larger, and what would potentially offer the best return on investment. With those of you who are first time landlords in mind, I thought […]
Are you overlooking this type of tenant for your Medway HMO or BTL?
I was contacted the other day by a property investor looking to expand his portfolio, who wanted advice on the “best” type of tenant for HMOs. We talked over the options and I pointed how there are essentially a few demographics that people tend to look to in Medway – students, young professionals and key […]
Budget 2017: how Medway landlords and property investors are impacted
Hello readers. I am sure you’re aware that the chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced the Budget speech for 2017 earlier today. In light of the news, in this blog post we will look into the Budget’s impact to the property and housing markets. Buy-to-let property tax As we already know, new tax laws come into place […]
