Landlord Tips Category

Selling an investment property is not as straightforward as selling a residential property. Unless the property is empty, you have a tenant to consider. Although you ‘own’ the property, the tenant has rights. This means you can’t call your friendly local estate agent and stick the property on the market without giving the tenant a second thought. Chances are, they’ll be a bit upset when a For Sale sign appears in the front garden with no word from you! 

The buy to let sector is still attractive to many people. Literally anyone can be a landlord. As long as you have enough money to buy a second property, you can let it to tenants and charge them rent for the privilege of living there. 

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) can cause misery. From loud music late at night to neighbours and other people living in the property, it can feel as if the people affected are living a nightmare that never ends. 

Voids cost landlords money. It’s less of a problem in HMOs, as you’ll still have rental income from the remaining rooms. Since the aim of buy to let investment is to maximise your rental income, it makes sense to take steps to avoid property voids where possible. 

HMOs are one of the most profitable sectors of the buy to let market – landlords can earn three times as much from letting out rooms in a shared house compared to letting a property to a single family. Rental arrears are also less of a problem, as even if one tenant defaults, you still have income from the others. In addition, voids are also less impactful.