Some landlords, actually many, have an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to their rental property’s upkeep. But by proactively refurbishing and modernising your rental properties, you can realise a host of benefits that will attract premium tenants and add long-term value to your investment. Here are seven ways why, and how, astute property upgrades benefit forward-thinking landlords. Attract premium tenants: By upgrading your rental, you ensure it meets high standards, making it more likely to be rented quickly, thus minimising those dreaded void periods. Create better landlo ..read more

 If you’re a landlord looking to save time and money (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), a good letting agent can be a game-changer. They’ll manage your rental property day to day (so you’re free to focus on your other responsibilities), regularly check in with your tenants (to ensure there are no issues) and remind you of your legal obligations. A top letting agent can also look ahead and, drawing on their industry experience, advise you on your long-term investment strategy. But, as with all business relationships, communication is key. When there is clarity and mutual understanding, thing ..read more

  Understanding the nuances of property sales is essential for both homeowners and investors in the dynamic Southampton property market. A few weeks ago, I stated that of the Southampton properties that have sold subject to contract (stc) in the three months of Dec, Jan & Feb, it took an average of 62 days to sell. Now time has moved on, looking at the Jan, Feb and March Southampton house sales, this has slightly improved, so now … The average Southampton home in Q1 2024 was on the market for an average of 56 days before agreeing on a sale. This change, though minimal, is notewor ..read more

  If you’re looking for a new family home in Southampton, viewings will play a key role in your quest to find ‘The One’. While marketing photos and virtual tours serve an important purpose, nothing rivals seeing the décor, layout and location with your own eyes. Viewings also give buyers the chance to discuss the property with the agent and learn more about its history and the seller’s situation. With all this in mind, where does that leave parents? Should they take their offspring to viewings or make other arrangements for their children? There’s no right or wrong answer: it depends ..read more

  Did you know that HMRC plans to introduce new rules on how landlords file their tax returns? Here’s an update on what these changes involve and a timeline for when they’ll come into force. Making Tax Digital (MTD) is an initiative designed to streamline the tax system by fully digitising it. As MTD has been mooted for quite some time and its implementation delayed twice already, you may have already heard about it. But if you’re hazy on the details or have buried your head in the sand about it because tax talk bores you silly, here’s a reminder. MTD will require landlords and the ..read more

  In the articles on the Southampton property market, we like to provide an insight into the real story of what is happening in our Southampton (and national) property market and address the misconceptions that some of the ‘doom monger’ media have been spreading. Despite almost daily reports of a housing market crash since September 2022, the data shows that the British (and Southampton) property market is doing OK. So, let’s dive into the stats and start with the life blood of the housing market – new properties coming on to the market. Nationally, 444,668 UK properties came onto the mar ..read more

Are you planning to sell your home this year? Or just curious about what your property may be worth in the current market? Good news – this article will give you five easy-to-follow tips highlighting how effectively staging your home can boost its appeal to potential buyers. Styling your home can also potentially speed up the sale and even increase the value of offers you receive. Let’s dive into the tips. Declutter and depersonalise Start by decluttering each room to make your home appear more spacious and inviting. Remove personal items such as family photos, memorabilia and anything else ..read more

  Owning a rental property isn’t just about what happens while tenants are in place; effectively managing periods when your property is unoccupied is equally important. Every landlord faces void periods as a natural part of property letting, making it essential to prepare financially and strategically to manage its impact. Void periods mean not only the loss of rental income but also the burden of continuing to pay the mortgage, utilities (including standing charges) and council tax without money coming in from tenants. It was once common for local councils to offer a grace period for cou ..read more

 You can always tell when someone is really interested in buying your home by the number of questions they ask. There are the usual suspects like: Where are the best schools? What are the neighbours like? Is it easy to park? And how much is council tax? But it also pays to prepare for some unexpected questions. In our experience, those less-asked questions highlight how interested a potential buyer is. It’s the opposite of a ‘tyre kickers’ approach. Below are four questions to mull over. Delving into the depths Buyers may dig deeper than the surface, asking about the land’s history or e ..read more

What’s the most common reason for landlords finding themselves in hot water and needing to make an insurance claim? The answer, according to one insurance company* at least, is ‘escape of water’. This term covers everything from burst pipes and defective washing machines to leaky loos and dripping taps. In a recent report, the firm revealed that 35.5% of all claims paid to landlords were related to water damage. And while most claims totalled a few thousand pounds**, some were for much, much more. (Spare a thought for the landlord who had to claim £145,000 after a slow leak in the bathroom rot ..read more