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1083 articles
Where are the most energy-efficient properties located in the UK?
Blog

Where are the most energy-efficient properties located in the UK?

Investing in property is an effective method to accumulate wealth. However, before parting with your money, an investment strategy must be developed. Are there any green modifications which must be made to the property? The ways in which residential buildings are constructed, ventilated, insulated and heated all contribute to carbon emissions, which now seriously impacts […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 25, 2019 3 min
Buy to let landlords contribute £16.1bn each year to UK economy
Blog

Buy to let landlords contribute £16.1bn each year to UK economy

Collectively, buy to let landlords contribute an estimated £16.1bn to the UK economy via pre-tax spending, according to research from Kent Reliance, the mortgage lender. This is almost double the original estimate of £8.5bn made a decade ago. The most recent Tracking Landlords Cost and Economic Contributions study, which is part of the Buy to […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 22, 2019 3 min
What do tenants really want from rental property?
Blog

What do tenants really want from rental property?

Whether you want to prepare to let an existing property or add to your current portfolio by purchasing new property, it is essential to know what tenants are searching for when looking for a home. Different tenants have varying needs, but a new report from Zoopla has made an attempt to establish common factors which […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 21, 2019 3 min
Academy

Garden Safety – Who Has The Duty Of Care?

A recent blog post has caught my eye as it relates directly to a template we have just added to the InventoryBase Template Library. The blog by @nearlylegal concerns the unfortunate accident of the tenant; Mrs R, who was mowing her front garden when she stepped backwards onto an inspection cover which gave way. Poor Mrs R’s left leg […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 20, 2019 3 min
Academy

Is your age an automatic barrier to becoming an inventory clerk?

I can be found most evenings with my iPhone or iPad in hand scrolling through and catching up on various posts and working my way through (amongst others) LinkedIn threads and discussions on any number of topics as there is always something to be learnt from the wider business community; doesn’t always need to be […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 20, 2019 5 min
How to earn income during periods of void tenancy
Blog

How to earn income during periods of void tenancy

As the property market continues to remain in a state of change, even the traditional lettings market appears to be slowing slightly, particularly within the higher end of the market. With this in mind, 2019 must become the year that landlords start to become more creative with their property portfolios, to ensure that they are […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 20, 2019 3 min
New research shows property is still wise investment compared to pension
Blog

New research shows property is still wise investment compared to pension

When saving for retirement, many are torn between investing in property or using a pension to raise funds after they finish their working life. While both have different advantages, new data provided by Key, the retirement planning service provider, has suggested that property almost always remains the better option for raising retirement funds. New analysis […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 19, 2019 3 min
The significant issues which are holding back construction of new homes
Blog

The significant issues which are holding back construction of new homes

New research has suggested that the restricted supply of new properties being built, along with an increase in residential property demand, will create a rise in rents and property prices during the next few years. The number of new build properties which have begun to be built has risen over the last year, but it […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 18, 2019 3 min
Make your website stand out by using proptech
Blog

Make your website stand out by using proptech

Estate agents will be all too aware of the three essential functions a website must include: applicant registration, a property search and the ability to submit a valuation request. However, this entry level functionality will fail to win clients. Potential vendors instead must be impressed with how the agency presents property, and be convinced that […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 15, 2019 3 min
Why buy to let will remain a good investment
Blog

Why buy to let will remain a good investment

Benham and Reeves, the London lettings agency, has released figures which indirectly demonstrate why continuing to invest in buy to let property remains a safe and rewarding investment for the longer term. By investigating historic data of first time buyer prices obtained from the Land Registry, which looked at figures from both the UK and […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 14, 2019 3 min
Is this the end of online agencies?
Blog

Is this the end of online agencies?

The property business is not without its drama, and it seems as if the UK has reached its peak of online agencies. This niche sector, once considered the scourge of the high street agent, is now reportedly in retreat. For example, in one day Purplebricks lost two crucial chief executives, along with a decrease of […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 13, 2019 3 min
The cost of renting falls in the private sector
Blog

The cost of renting falls in the private sector

According to a recent official report, the proportion of a private tenant’s income spent on rent has continued to drop in England. Figures obtained by the latest Housing Survey in England, and based on research provided in 2017-18, has shown that private tenants paid approximately 32.9 per cent of their income on rent, on average. […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 12, 2019 3 min
Is traditional property management over?
Blog

Is traditional property management over?

The relationship between agents, tenants and landlords in the next five years will not be the same as it is now, and was previously. This is good news for agents and landlords willing to embrace change. With the number of properties within the PRS (Private Rental Sector) more than doubling during the past fifteen years, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 12, 2019 4 min
Fitness For Human Habitation (FFHH) – Are you service ready?
Academy

Fitness For Human Habitation (FFHH) – Are you service ready?

On the 20th December 2018 the Fitness For Human Habitation Bill received Royal Assent and is therefore now enshrined in law. There was a 3 month lead in period so as of 20th March 2019 this new legislation takes affect. Some background The Bill revives a clause which already exists in the Landlord and Tenant […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 11, 2019 4 min
The best cities for renting property on a single room basis
Blog

The best cities for renting property on a single room basis

Some buy to let landlords choose to let property on a single room basis rather than renting the entirety of a property to just one family or person. Landlords claim to choose this option as it occasionally offers opportunities to receive a higher revenue per month, while tenants also enjoy reduced monthly rents as they […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 10, 2019 3 min
Government considers rent control return
Blog

Government considers rent control return

Earlier this month, the government published a research document within the House of Commons Library, which aims to help MPs consider the reintroduction of rent control. Since the Housing Act 1988 was introduced, rents on the majority of new private rented tenancies after the 15th January 1989 were deregulated in Wales and England. This has […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 8, 2019 3 min
Press

InventoryBase launches Multi-account update for agencies and suppliers

Today InventoryBase released their new Multi-account module for accessing multiple InventoryBase accounts from a single login. InventoryBase works with thousands of property service suppliers including independent inventory providers across the UK . As suppliers typically work with multiple agents, and in turn some agents work with multiple suppliers, InventoryBase now makes it simple to switch […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 7, 2019 2 min
Overseas investors take advantage of weak pound to purchase London property
Blog

Overseas investors take advantage of weak pound to purchase London property

Overseas property investors are snapping up properties in the capital, with over half of all London properties on the market purchased by foreign investors in the latter half of 2018. As sterling weakened, it gave overseas buyers a beneficial exchange rate, new statistics have shown. With the dive in the value of the pound after […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 7, 2019 3 min
Landlord who illegally evicted tenant is given suspended sentence
Blog

Landlord who illegally evicted tenant is given suspended sentence

Landlord who illegally evicted tenant is given suspended sentence. A private rented sector landlord based in Leeds has been given a suspended prison sentence for conducting an illegal eviction, which left their tenant homeless. The case, held at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, heard how the tenant was left homeless after the landlord changed the locks to […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 6, 2019 3 min
Blog

InventoryBase launch new Template Library

InventoryBase are excited to announce the launch of our new Template Library which will allow users to access a variety of ‘common sense’ templates for use in the residential, commercial, hospitality and health & safety sectors of property reporting. With an increased need to abide by evolving legislation and keep costs down, InventoryBase provides a […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 5, 2019 3 min
Best locations in UK for buy-to-let revealed
Blog

Best locations in UK for buy-to-let revealed

Despite the major changes in how buy-to-let investments are taxed, with many landlords being left with higher tax bills, some regions of the UK are still providing attractive returns for investors. Currently, the best location to invest in property in the UK has been proven to be the North West region of England, in research […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 5, 2019 3 min
Tenants fee ban given Royal Assent
Blog

Tenants fee ban given Royal Assent

James Brokenshire MP, the Communities Secretary, has stated that a new law, which will protect tenants against unjust letting fees, will come into force from 1st June 2019. The law placing a cap on tenancy deposits at five weeks’ worth of rent, will apply to all residential tenancies within England and aims to stop the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 4, 2019 4 min
Could Brexit uncertainty be good news for buy-to-let landlords?
Blog

Could Brexit uncertainty be good news for buy-to-let landlords?

Trends show that many residents will delay in buying property during periods of turmoil and uncertainty, which appears to be exactly the current situation in the UK amid growing Brexit confusion. According to HomeLet’s chief executive, Martin Totty, this could result in positive news for buy-to-let landlords, as more people will consider renting rather than […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe March 1, 2019 3 min
Research shows rent increase in 2018 of 2.5 per cent
Blog

Research shows rent increase in 2018 of 2.5 per cent

Research shows rent increase in 2018 of 2.5 per cent. The most recent HomeLet Rental Index has shown that there was a steady growth in rents within the UK last year, with an average growth rate of 2.5 per cent. The average rental price in the UK is now at £932 each calendar month. Despite […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe February 27, 2019 3 min
Compliance & legislation

Compliance and legislation updates

Follow practical updates and explainers on legislation, housing standards and compliance-related inspection workflows.

Renters' Rights Act Damp and mould Awaab's Law HHSRS Building Safety Act Legionella Fire safety Deposit evidence Fair wear and tear
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