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1083 articles
Rent arrears continues to be landlords’ bugbear
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Rent arrears continues to be landlords’ bugbear

More than one quarter of landlords have experienced problems with tenants falling behind with their rent. In the past 12 months, 28% of landlords have experienced rent arrears, according to research by the Residential Landlords Association. This can have a major impact on cashflow, particularly when it comes to paying a buy-to-let mortgage and other […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 12, 2017 3 min
It’s our 5th Birthday!
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It’s our 5th Birthday!

Dear Customer, This month marks the 5-year anniversary since we, a small team of software guys at Radweb, officially launched InventoryBase. What an incredible and enduring journey it has been. You might think property reporting software is a bit dull and boring. Well, it depends what you’re comparing it to, but believe me, building InventoryBase […]

S Steve Rad June 8, 2017 3 min
It’s Polling Day! Based on Housing alone, who would get your vote?
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It’s Polling Day! Based on Housing alone, who would get your vote?

With the General Election being a hot topic for most today, we look at what the three main parties have lined up for the Housing sector.   Today’s the day – the General Election. So, what do the three main parties have lined up for the Housing Sector? With Housing being a top priority in […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 8, 2017 7 min
Landlords land themselves in court
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Landlords land themselves in court

Landlords who either choose to ignore the law or are unaware of regulations continue to make headline news. In two recent cases, one has been jailed, while another has been handed a hefty fine. In the first instance, Watford landlord, Lemuel Browne, was handed a six-week prison sentence for illegally evicting his tenant. He admitted […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 6, 2017 3 min
Where is best to invest in rental properties?
Blog

Where is best to invest in rental properties?

It’s already been an interesting year for buy-to-let investors. Tax changes are just coming in which affect this sector, while the new mortgage interest tax relief rules are also having an effect. For some landlords, it could mean accepting the fact that their profit margins will be reduced. For others, it means either being forced […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe June 5, 2017 3 min
Blog

Building a healthy relationship with tenants pays dividends

More than 4.5 million households in the UK now live in rented accommodation, which is almost double the number in 2004. Home ownership is now at its lowest level since 1985 and the rental sector is becoming a very important part in the housing market. This is welcome news for buy-to-let investors, particularly as more […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 25, 2017 3 min
Are drones the way forward in Property Inspections?
Blog

Are drones the way forward in Property Inspections?

After a local council recently started using drones for property inspections, is this the way forward for larger scale inspections? There are many new opportunities arising in many areas with the new Drone regulations in the UK. A council in Essex are due to launch a service using drones to inspect properties. Traditional building inspection […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 24, 2017 2 min
Blog

Technology continues to revolutionise the property world

The world of property continues to be turned upside-down by technology. The days when people had to physically walk into a high street estate agent to look at photos of properties are long gone. Although many people still like the personal touch, the first viewing of a property is now more likely to be conducted […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 23, 2017 3 min
Majority of landlords not seeking to expand portfolios
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Majority of landlords not seeking to expand portfolios

The number of landlords considering expanding their buy-to-let portfolio has fallen to a record low, according to the latest figures from the buy-to-let arm of Lloyds Banking Group, BM Solutions. Only 13% of landlords have plans to expand their portfolio. This is the smallest percentage since the survey started 11 years ago. Tax changes are […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 19, 2017 3 min
Controversial landlord’s levy raises £1.64 billion for Treasury
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Controversial landlord’s levy raises £1.64 billion for Treasury

The landlord levy raised £1.64 billion in the tax year ending March 31, 2017, which is one billion pounds more than the Treasury estimated when the controversial tax was announced in 2015.   Landlords opposed the levy, as they argued it would put people off from investing in buy-to-let properties and could lead to tenants […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 18, 2017 2 min
Proptech companies continue making waves
Blog

Proptech companies continue making waves

Proptech companies continue to change the way people conduct business in the rental markets, while also taking advantage of new ways of investment. Crowdfunding is proving to be a lucrative way for property technology companies to raise the funds they need to either launch or grow their products. Recently SPCE, which says it is the […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 17, 2017 3 min
Taxing time for buy-to-let investors
Blog

Taxing time for buy-to-let investors

Landlords will now be starting to feel the effects of the new tax changes for buy-to-let investors. After analysing the changes and how they affect you, it could be a good time to look at your portfolio and work out the best way to handle your existing properties and any future investments. There are several […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 15, 2017 3 min
Landlords continue to pay the price for anti-social behaviour
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Landlords continue to pay the price for anti-social behaviour

Landlords continue to pay the price for anti-social behaviour. More councils are increasingly considering the introduction of private licensing schemes as an answer to these problems. However, it is the buy-to-let investors who have to pay the price. Telford & Wrekin Council is the latest to look at introducing a licence scheme in certain districts, […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 2, 2017 3 min
Blog

What are the benefits of using a Property Inspection System?

With bespoke Property Inspection Systems now easily available on the market, why should you use one? How will it benefit you? Property inspection systems have made it easier to manage the properties more efficiently and in an improved way. The one application that has been able to provide wholesome support to any kind of properties […]

S Sián Hemming-Metcalfe May 2, 2017 3 min
Does a picture say a thousand words?
Blog

Does a picture say a thousand words?

  Over dinner with friends recently we got on to the subject of property inventories (I must stress I wasn’t talking about work on a night out!). One of my friends had recently rented a property and had signed an inventory that consisted solely of pictures. Too my horror he had said that he thought […]

S Sarah Marshall April 29, 2017 3 min
Changing ways: Landlords diversify in time of uncertainty
Blog

Changing ways: Landlords diversify in time of uncertainty

With the changes to stamp duty and tax allowances on buy-to-let properties, many landlords are looking to diversify their portfolios. Some are putting their money into commercial property to avoid having to pay higher levels of tax, according to bridging finance lender, Roma Finance. Mixed-use property is not included in some of the tax increases […]

S Sarah Marshall April 28, 2017 3 min
Risky Business: The important reasons why risk assessments are important for property viewings
Blog

Risky Business: The important reasons why risk assessments are important for property viewings

Property firms are being urged to make sure their health and safety checks are in place after a property firm was fined £20,000 after a potential buyer fell down a 30-foot well during a viewing. Lucy Driver was looking at the house in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, last year when she walked off a garden path and […]

S Sarah Marshall April 27, 2017 3 min
Do landlords need more protection from rogue tenants?
Blog

Do landlords need more protection from rogue tenants?

New legislation and licensing is being brought in to crackdown on bad landlords, although it is the professionals who have to pay the price, However, could more be done to protect buy-to-let investors against rogue tenants? In the news recently was a couple who decided to rent out their house in South Shields when they […]

S Sarah Marshall April 26, 2017 3 min
What are the tenant’s responsibilities in a buy-to-let property?
Blog

What are the tenant’s responsibilities in a buy-to-let property?

The issue of ‘wear and tear’ and damage to a property is a thorny one, which forms the basis of many disputes between landlords and tenants. Whilst landlords will factor in finances for replacing worn out items, which have only been subjected to normal use rather than heavy-duty wear and tear, damage is another matter. […]

S Sarah Marshall April 25, 2017 3 min
Landlords hit out at ‘Stealth Tax” under new local authority plans
Blog

Landlords hit out at ‘Stealth Tax” under new local authority plans

Controversial selective licensing plans are still being seen by local authorities as the way forward in improving poorly-managed private rental properties. The latest to jump on the licensing bandwagon is Telford & Wrekin Council, which is proposing to introduce five-year selective licences, costing just over £600, in Hadley, Leegomery, Malinslee, Hollinswood, Brookside, Sutton Hill and […]

S Sarah Marshall April 24, 2017 3 min
Confidence is returning to the Buy-to-Let market
Blog

Confidence is returning to the Buy-to-Let market

The buy-to-let market has had a turbulent 12 months, with many changes, including tax measures which came into force this April. Landlords have also seen the proposal to ban letting agent fees, with a view to stopping tenants being hit with extra upfront payments along with their deposit and rents. Tenants’ fees will be outlawed […]

S Sarah Marshall April 24, 2017 3 min
Blog

Proptech shaking up the rental market

Proptech continues to revolutionise the private rental market, with the news that Ribbit Capital, a Silicon Valley fintech investor, is funding Goodlord to the tune of £7.2 million. Global Founders Capital and LocalGlobe have also topped up their existing investments in the proptech start-up. The cash will be used to improve Goodlord’s technology and push […]

S Sarah Marshall April 3, 2017 3 min
Blog

Taking the stress out of renting property

An online lettings firm is aiming to use property technology to take the stress out of renting, by allowing landlords to find tenants and renters to find properties. OpenRent, which was founded in 2012, has raised £4.4 million in funding from Global Founders Capital, the VC arm of Rocket Internet, on top of a £1 […]

S Sarah Marshall March 31, 2017 3 min
Blog

Landlords think smart to save energy

With energy prices on the rise, tenants are expected to be looking even more closely at the Energy Performance Certificates for rented properties, when they are moving home. The EPC can show them how energy efficient and environmentally friendly the property is, as well as providing a breakdown of the overall use of lighting, heating […]

S Sarah Marshall March 29, 2017 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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