Lettings

Gazumping is a property term that resurfaces when the right conditions prevail. It’s most commonly associated with the sales market, when a mass of purchasers chase a small pool of available properties. What is rarely discussed, however, is gazumping in the rental sector but it does happen.

Whether your Great Aunt Rose has left you a house in her will or your family home is no longer needed, you may inherit a property at some point in your lifetime. Knowing what to do with it will depend on your own circumstances and if anyone else is involved. Here’s our guide if you find yourself with an unexpected property.

Paying tax on income is part and parcel of operating in the private rental sector and 2022 is a good year to revisit the tax and VAT watchpoints that landlords – especially those interested in developing property to rent out – need to be mindful of. 

With so much focus on energy bills at the moment, it’s easy to forget the other costs attached to running a property. One unavoidable bill, whether you’re an owner occupier or living in a rented property, is council tax.

So what does the Levelling Up white paper mean for landlords? As well as covering aspects pertaining to health, education, transport, crime and skills, the white paper tackles housing and living standards head on.

While it can be concerning to see black patches develop or water running down the walls, many issues are easily fixed. Knowing who is responsible for prevention and treatment in rented properties is the essential place to start, as our guide explains.

Average tenancy lengths are rising. The average stay in a rented property is now 4.3 years. This is up from 4.1 years detailed in the 2017/18 EHS, and up from 3.9 years in the 2016/17 version of the report.

Tenant wellbeing should be at the top of every landlord’s compliance list and there’s a new gas safety regulation to understand and implement this winter. The change has prompted a number of questions from landlords, which our lettings team have answered.

Many landlords will not think of the queue as being populated by over 55s keen to live the rental lifestyle but analysis conducted over the past two years reveals there is a growing number of affluent, able and active mature tenants.

Unless you’ve been living under a stone for the last month, you’ll know green issues are the number one topic of conversation. While world leaders have debated coal mining and deforestation, there are a number of take-aways from recent weeks for landlords and tenants.

Whether it’s a stop gap, a stepping stone or a lifestyle choice, one thing is constant – the need for quality rental accommodation. With many aspects in the ascendency – and a very different landscape in terms of lifestyles and working arrangements – now is a good time to re-evaluate attitudes to renting.

If you’re renting your property, why stop there? We take a look at what other items you can rent as a tenant. Whether it’s haute couture clothes, the latest tech or the must-have interior design trends, renting instead of buying has an added ethical bonus too