More buy to let mortgages are now being applied for and being approved for lending than anytime since 2007.
Some useful Buy to Let Dos and Don’ts
DO Ask the advice of a local letting agent on local rental market demands.
DO Consider a buy-to-let property as a medium to long term investment.
DO Furnish and decorate to a high standard. Good quality bathrooms and kitchens will attract the best tenants and help minimise void (un-tenanted) periods.
Make sure your sums add up. Ensure that the rent will cover mortgage payments and other costs. Aside from your monthly mortgage payments, there are many ongoing costs associated with being a landlord.
Costs include:
- Letting agent’s fee for finding and vetting tenants, as well as any additional costs for providing a full property management service
- Legal insurance to cover costs in the event of having to evict a tenant
- Building and contents insurance for items provided as part of the rental agreement
- Furnishing and decorating costs for furniture required as part of the rental agreement
- Gas/electrical appliance maintenance costs to ensure they comply with regulations such as health and safety
- Ongoing maintenance costs such as painting, decorating, plumbing etc
- Ground rent or service charges if the property is leasehold
These costs can arise unexpectedly and you must have provisions in place to cover them.
In addition, you need to consider how you will cover mortgage payments should the property lie vacant for a period time.
DON’T Buy anything with intensive maintenance problems (for example, large gardens will add little to the rental value but will cost you a lot in time and money to maintain).
DON’T Allow your own personal taste to influence your decisions. Ensure the property you choose matches the local market needs.
DON’T Use off-the-shelf tenancy agreements and other legal paperwork. Ensure your paperwork suits your circumstances and always seek the advice of a professional.
DON’T Forget to issue the right documents or carry out a proper inventory report before your tenant moves in.
DON’T Use second hand furniture or old soft furnishings as these may not abide by the Furniture and Furnishing Regulations.
Free Sale Advice and Buy to Let Advice
Terry Lucking is the owner and director of Belvoir Cambridge. Terry is proud to have worked in the private rented sector for close to 15 years with thousands of landlords and tenants.
Terry and his team would be pleased to receive calls or emails from landlords considering selling a property with a tenant in situ. They would also be pleased to receive calls from prospective investors.
Belvoir Cambridge are both accredited and regulated letting agencies.
They are members of ARLA, Safe agent, Propertymark and the Property Ombudsman. One of the requirements for membership of ARLA and Safe Agent is to have Client Money Protection and all client monies independently audited and accounted for annually.
For more information or to ask Terry a question call 01733 511099 or send an email to terry.lucking@belvoirlettings.com
