Renting a property for the first time can seem daunting, but this quick guide will leave you feeling like a seasoned tenant in no time. Rent Rent will be your largest monthly cost, so it is vital to work out how much you can afford before you start your search. A good rule of thumb is to allocate no more than 30–45% of your monthly income. Make sure you pay attention to whether the rental rate being advertised is per week or per month. If it is per week, multiply it by 52 and then divide by 12 to find out the monthly cost. Security Deposit A rental deposit is normally five weeks’ rent. Your la ..read more

Want to know the top six things that can put potential tenants off of your property? They are not as obvious as you might think. Clutter Clutter makes rooms feel smaller. Consider removing large items of furniture as they can make rooms feel smaller and replacing them with smaller ones. Dirt Dirty properties give the impression that you are a neglectful landlord. After all, if you haven’t bothered to have the property cleaned before a viewing what other things have you neglected to tend to? Clingy Landlords Of course you are anxious to know how a viewing is going and want to make sure that ..read more

If you are eager to get your garden ready for Summer but are not really sure where to start just read on for our guide to the most important jobs you can do this month to get your garden ready for your family to enjoy and to appeal to potential tenants. Take Care of Your Lawn A neatly mown lawn is a delight to behold and in a poll to discover Britain’s top 50 favourite scents freshly cut grass came in third. Ensure you don’t cut it so that it is shorter than 1cm in length as if it is shorter than that it may struggle to thrive leaving you with a patchy, unhealthy looking lawn. Weeds Removing ..read more

Spending time cleaning your home can help you to appreciate it. Recognising the results of your own hard work when you see your sparkling windows or appreciate your gleaming hob can help you to emotionally engage with your home. Keeping it clean and tidy can also help you to spot any issues early so that you can report them to your landlord/letting agent before they get bigger. Cleaning has a bad reputation. For a long time, it has been associated with drudgery, labelled a chore with all the connotations that word holds, and seen as something that must be endured. However, I have never met a ..read more

Are you a landlord and are unhappy with your letting agent? Many landlords choose to put up with poor service from their letting agent rather than having to deal with the hassle of switching agents in the middle of a tenancy. Most will wait for their current tenancy to end and will then make a move. Others won’t even do that fearing that all letting agents are the same and that changing will be more hassle than it’s worth. This apathy is what bad letting agents rely upon but it doesn’t need to be that way. Not all letting agents are the same! we believe that a letting agent should be providing ..read more

Being ready for tenant turnover is one of the most important components of maintaining a rental property as a landlord. Landlords must react quickly to prepare the property for the next tenant once a tenant vacates. You can reduce the amount of time your rental property is vacant by following a few simple steps to make the transition from one tenant to the next quick and easy. Here are our top tips. Perform a check-out inspection To get ready for a tenant turnover, start by doing a check-out inspection. Before the next tenant moves in, this inspection will provide you with a clear understand ..read more

Moving home fills us all with excitement and anticipation. Choosing the right neighbourhood, identifying your must-have features for your new home, and compiling a list of potential properties can be a thrilling experience. However, amidst the whirlwind of excitement, it’s crucial to remember that the decisions made during this process impact not only you but also your children. Children can often feel overwhelmed and anxious about such a significant change, which is why involving them from the beginning is important. Throughout our years helping families to find their dream rental homes in Bi ..read more

If you’re getting ready to let your property this year then mastering the art of the perfect viewing is a crucial step towards achieving the rental price that you are dreaming of. First things first, let’s talk about the viewing appointment itself. It’s a make-or-break moment in the letting process, as few tenants will commit to renting a home without seeing it first. Yet, many landlords underestimate the power of a well-planned viewing. Some simply swing open the door and let potential tenants wander freely, while others bombard them with excessive information, overwhelming their senses. Fear ..read more

The days are growing longer and the temperature is beginning to rise. Spring is the perfect time to give your rental property a little bit of TLC. Taking care of essential property maintenance tasks not only enhances the kerb appeal of your rental property but also helps to prevent potential issues that may arise later in the year. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the must-do spring maintenance jobs for your buy-to-let property. Roof The winter months can be tough on your roof, with snow, ice, and strong winds taking a toll. Inspect your roof for any signs of damage, loose tiles, or leaks. F ..read more

Whether you are looking to let your property or are a tenant who wishes to make your home look more inviting to visitors the very first thing you should consider is often the one most people overlook. They are so busy thinking about their interior decor and the tidiness of their homes that they often forget that the very first thing that people see is the front of their property. If your home’s kerb appeal could do with being spruced up but you’re not sure where to start then don’t worry we have a few tips that will help you to take the front of your property from drab to fab in no time. Front ..read more