Landlords not responsible for paying council tax!

Landlords are not responsible for paying council tax on a property when a tenant moves out before the end of a tenancy agreement, according to an Appeal Court ruling passed earlier this year. However, landlords all over the UK could still be paying for council tax on their properties that have been vacated by tenants…

Beat the December Slowdown!

Even though it’s the time of year where the market slows down for Christmas, there’s still time to find tenants! At this time of year, it’s key that your pricing and advert are spot on. If you’re already advertising, check that you’re competitively priced. At this time of year, tenants need a reason to move pre-Christmas,…

Immigration Act 2016 – Latest Update

The Government have announced that from 1st December 2016 “rogue landlords who are intent on flouting the law” could face both a fine and up to five years imprisonment. In some cases, landlords could also be subject to further sanctions under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Currently landlords who do not undertake Right to Rent…

London’s Top Rental Hotspots

According to the Rightmove’s Rental Trends Tracker, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the five most in-demand areas in the capital are also some of the cheapest. Erith, in the south-east borough of Bexley, is top of the list with an average asking rent for a two bed of £1,045 pcm. Located in Zone 6, you can be…

Landlords Mortgage Tax Relief Explained

HMRC has now filled in the gaps on how mortgage finance relief will apply to buy to let landlords from April 2017. The new rules change the way property rental profits are calculated by taking away tax relief on mortgage and other interest payments. Instead, a flat rate tax relief of 20% for mortgage and…

Landlord Tax-Saving Loophole Exposed!

The landlord loophole: Buy-to-let investors are selling their properties to THEMSELVES to get round tax rules Buy-to-let tax relief is being phased out from 2017, raising landlords’ costs, but the changes only apply if you hold property in your own name so landlords are using limited companies to buy property from themselves.  Despite hefty upfront costs,…

Can an Online Letting Agent Manage my Property?

Here at The Online letting Agents, we offer a complete property management service. Our full property management service includes the following: Advertising on all the major UK property websites Comprehensive tenant referencing Right to rent checks Bespoke contract Contract eSigning Deposit lodging & dispute management Professional Inventory and check in Updating utilities/council Collecting monthly rent…

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Rental Properties

Overview As from the 1st April 2018 there will be a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The regulations will come into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st…

Rental Market Still Strong Following Brexit

Whether a “leaver” or a “remainer”, many landlords have expressed concerns about the rental market following the Brexit vote. While many have been predicting a slump in the property market, ARLA’s July private rental sector report found that the number of rental properties on letting agents’ books in July was the highest so far this year at…

ONS Reports Increase in Private Rental Prices of 2.4% in Past Year

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported in their latest Index of private housing rental prices (IPHRP) that rents have increase across the UK by 2.4%. According to the ONS, Private rental prices paid by tenants in Great Britain rose by 2.4% in the 12 months to July 2016, unchanged compared with the year…