Property Investing
The first important rule is to speak to a number of local letting agents in the area where you would like to invest and take their advice. It is tempting to fall in love with a ‘chocolate box’ cottage but you must address some of the golden rules below to ensure you make the right investment.
- Research the local area and whether there is tenant demand where you intend to buy, for instance proximity to a good rail/road network is always a good start.
- Consider the size of the property you wish to purchase and again research the demand for each type of property. Rental yields are generally higher for the smaller properties. If you are looking at apartments you may find your returns are lower, taking into account that you as landlord will be responsible for service charges.
- Check out whether there is local employment available, eg hospitals, schools, local employment zones etc.
- Check there are local amenities, including GPs, dentists, nurseries, schools etc.
- Take the advice of the local letting agents, they know the market.
- Do not allow your personal taste to tempt you to buy the wrong investment vehicle.
- Make sure the potential rent covers your costs, including any void periods.
- You will need to allow for maintenance costs, building insurance, service charges, safety checks, agent fees and any tax on your income.
- Buy-to-let should be viewed as a medium to long term investment where if the property market improves you will see an appreciation on your asset as well as income from the rent.
- We always suggest that landlords take the advice of an accountant who will review each individual situation and advise on the implications of any borrowings/tax etc. On any future sale of the investment property any capital gains will need to be taken into account.
- Obviously there will be significant set up costs including the deposit, legal fees, stamp duty, property refurbishment/improvement.
Landlord Obligations
- Gas & Electrical Safety
- Legionella Risk Assessment
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- Deposit Protection
- Tenancy Agreement & Notices
- Compliance with Letting Legislation
- Right to Rent Checks to comply with Immigration Act
- Furniture Fire Safety
- Pat Testing
- Repairs and Maintenance
Andrew Granger & Co has the expertise to advice you in all aspects of your landlord obligations and offer support to buy-to-let landlords, including a property search service.
We are members of ARLA Propertymark and work within a strict Code of Practice where are team members are trained to ARLA standards and have passed their examinations or are being trained to do so.
Being a landlord can be complicated and time consuming in the current fast changing lettings market. Most landlords do not want the responsibility of managing their property and Andrew Granger & Company are here to help as the local market leaders.
For further information on Buy-To-Let please do not hesitate to contact Jill Griffiths, Lettings Director on 01858 439080 (e-mail:
jill.griffiths@andrewgranger.co.uk) or make an appointment to come in and discuss your proposed investment in detail. Andrew Granger & Co facilitates investor to investor purchases where the tenant is already in place, thereby ensuring income from day one.
Please click
here for our Buy to Let guide for more detailed information.
