Offering a lifeline to landlords
Residential landlords are in need of advice and guidance more than ever before.
With demand for rental properties higher than ever, landlords are not always getting the correct advice to ensure they understand the myriad of regulations involved in renting out a property.
Despite the fact that the new government has recently scrapped plans for a landlords’ register, a huge amount of regulations still govern the private rental sector and it is vital that landlords realise what is involved in renting out a property.
Many landlords are so keen to capitalise on today’s buoyant market that they are neglecting to look into the legal requirements which govern letting a property and this could have disastrous consequences.
More than 50 Acts of Parliament and over 70 sets of regulations govern the private-rented sector and this makes it impossible for landlords to cover all bases. This is why it so crucial that they seek professional advice from a reputable lettings agency which can safeguard them against possible litigation.
One of our recent surveys revealed that over 86 per cent of our clients would recommend our services to landlords.
In today’s market it is more important than ever that landlords safeguard their assets and ensure that they remain compliant with the law.
Labels: landlords, letting agencies, letting regulations;private rental sector
Buy-to-let – still a good investment
Now is the best time in years in which to purchase a buy-to-let property.
With increasing numbers of people choosing to rent rather than buy and the level of demand pushing rents higher, a buy-to-let property is a fantastic long-term investment.
With the shortage of rental properties and increased demand, a buy-to-let property is a great investment.
Many potential landlords were put off buying properties to rent because of fears around a predicted huge increase in capital gains tax.
These have been unfounded and although capital gains tax has increased from 18 to 28 per cent it has not been enough to put people off and with rental yields higher than ever, many new landlords are already reaping the benefits of a buoyant rental market.
Buy-to-let property has proven lucrative for thousands of investors over the years and now is a good time to invest.
Labels: buy-to-let, landlords, letting agencies, letting agent
Sell now and avoid extra VAT
The Government has announced that VAT will rise from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent from January 4th 2011, and the increase will have a significant impact on sellers.
If people put their property on the market now they will have every chance of avoiding the VAT increase in January which will substantially affect their selling costs.
Once a sale has been agreed it takes on average 13 weeks for it to be finalised, so our advice is if they delay they will be paying significantly more.
The VAT increase will not only impact estate agency fees and conveyancing costs, but will also mean that surveys and land registry and search fees could be more expensive.
Both sellers and buyers should also bear in mind that from January next year the rise in VAT will mean that moving costs are likely to increase, so everything from hiring a removal van to redecorating or furnishing a new property will be more expensive.
The property market is extremely buoyant at the moment so it really is an excellent time to sell and we are finding that properties are moving very quickly.
Our advice is if you delay there could well be more to pay.
Labels: estate agency VAT; estate agency, estate agent, haart
