Buy to let Mortgage Volume Data Probably Nonsense – But Being used to Drive Policy

A few weeks ago, the government announced it was weighing up giving the Bank of England more powers to intervene in buy to let lending to cap loans. Buy to let Mortgage Volume Data Probably Nonsense – But Being used to Drive Policy This is because they are concerned that large numbers of landlords could sell out at the same […]

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The Private Rented Sector and the Organisations that Supply It

Last week I attended two big housing related events and an online blog debate. The first up was “Housing 2012”, the big annual Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) conference, which was being held for the first time in Manchester. I attended as a new CIH member visiting the exhibition. Later in the week I was back in London, where I […]

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Accreditation Private Landlords and the Social Letting Agency Model

Key Point: Most private landlords don’t set high value on things like membership of accreditation schemes and property inspections offered by some councils as part of Local Letting Agency schemes designed to attract landlords. They won’t pay much for these features either – especially where a good private let alternative exists. Local authorities must be realistic about what landlords want […]

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What Type of Tenant Is Best for Landlords

People often ask me “What sort of tenants should I pick?” My answer is “Well, that depends upon what type of property you have and what the local market demand (and supply) is like.” Of course, if you are any good at this business you’ll know to check where the tenant demand is likely to come from before you buy. […]

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How Not to Market to Private Landlords and the Private Rented Sector

Landlord readers of this column will know that LettingFocus’s stance these days is now very much built around consulting with organisations who sell products and services to the private rented sector. Basically we tell them how to do it better! Our two biggest client groups are banks / financial institutions who sell mortgage loans to landlords (commonly known as “buy […]

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Letter to Grant Shapps on Housing Benefit Plus Making Accommodation Available in the Private Rented Sector with Private Landlords

NEXT SEMINAR AND NETWORKING EVENT for Landlords and Property Investors (which now take place just once a year): Next Property Investment Seminar and Networking Event In September 2010 we sent the following letter to all London Authorities Heads of Housing, to Housing Minister Grant Shapps and to Sir Steve Bullock who is Exec Chair of Housing at the Mayors Office. […]

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