News from our blog

Renting out your home, could be one of the most lucrative financial decisions you will make, however it is a big step to take.You’ll become a landlord and that means taking on the responsibility that comes with the role.  At Carrick Johnson, we can make the whole process a lot easier and talk you through the main things you’ll need to consider before renting out your property … click image to read more

If you have a mortgage on your property you may need permission from your lender to rent it out.

If you’re planning to rent out your property for a certain period of time before moving back in, your lender may agree to let you do this through your current mortgage deal.

This is known as ‘consent to let’ and will usually allow you to rent out your property for up to 12 months.

However, if your plan to rent out your home is more permanent, your lender will require you to move on to a buy-to-let mortgage – either with them, or with a new lender.

There are a host of scenarios that could mean renting out your property, rather than selling it, is a better step for you to take.. click image to read more..

As the Autumn and winter approaches and fuel bills are set to rise, it becomes even more important  to efficiently heat your home and ensure prevention of damp, mould, cold draughts or other issues.

There are many effective ways of keeping your rental property warm this winter whilst keeping costs down. Click image to read our tips and guidance on keeping your property warm..

Renting a property can be a minefield, from finding the right place at the right price to organising insurance etc. With all this to think about before signing the contract, you’ll might want to get on top the rules while renting.

The most important thing to remember is that once you sign the tenancy agreement and move in, you’re still bound by it.

Your Letting agent will help you understand the small print in your contract. CLICK IMAGE to read five things to remember before becoming a tenant..

To ensure that your rental property is in good condition, you, or your Letting agent, should inspect its overall condition, both the interior and exterior, at regular intervals throughout the tenancy.

Here are the top reasons why regular property inspections are necessary:

1. To ensure compliance with the lease or tenancy agreement
2. To address repairs and maintenance issues
3. To ensure that no illegal activities are taking place
4. To preserve the value of your property
5. To build a good relationship between landlord and tenants
Clear communication and a good rapport are key and will absolutely benefit your business. If tenants see that you are attentive to their needs and safety, they are more likely to renew the tenancy agreement at the end of the fixed term, which will consequently result in a long-term and reliable relationship. To read more click image above.

What is a good inventory? This is a document that observes a property’s condition in its entirety. A good property inventory, or ‘schedule of condition’, will span some 20+ pages, contain a wide selection of photos, and brief descriptions. There will usually be a...

There’s good news for landlords who anticipate holding on to their property investments at least until 2031 – capital values are set to soar, if one forecast proves to be correct.

Comparethemarket says the average price of a home in the UK will hit £323,718 by 2031 and in London there will be an above-average rise of 33 per cent to £619,568.
Click image to read their latest prediction..

Letting agents have welcomed the government’s decision not to extend the restrictions on evictions introduced 18 months ago at the beginning of the first national lockdown in England.
Ministers have confirmed that notice periods for both Section 21 and Section 8 notices will revert to two months from the current six months for most types of eviction from October 1st onwards.
Agent and landlords trade bodies, as well as many experts, have argued that keeping the extended notice periods for evictions would have put thousands of landlords under extreme financial pressure, particularly those seeking to evict tenants for extreme rent arrears or who wished to sell or move back into properties. Click image to read full article.

2021 came with it, a huge amount of opportunity for new landlords
But it also delivered a whole raft of new legislation they must comply with. So, if you’re thinking of investing in property for the first time this year, what can you expect?

The Renters Reform Bill: What it will mean for landlords
The Renters Reform Bill has actually been on the agenda for some time, first coming to the attention of landlords during the Queen’s Speech in December 2019.
With the disruption caused by the Pandemic, things have slowed down, but it’s likely the Bill will be heard this year, however, with two major changes likely to impact UK landlords.

The end of section 21

The introduction of lifetime deposits

Electrical safety – Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)

Changes to Right to Rent

What is private landlord?

How a letting agent could help by making sure you’re on top of those 160 pieces of Lettings legislation – click image to read more..