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Property investment tips, insights, interviews, strategies, area research and industry news.

Text says Section 40 Notice in front of a cloud textured background.

The Section 40 Notice: A Detailed Guide

Jun 22, 2023
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In the complex landscape of UK property law, the Section 40 Notice stands as a critical tool for landlords and tenants navigating business premises leases. This legal instrument, rooted in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, serves as a formal request for information.

The logo for the government of the United Kingdom.

The Landlord and Tenant Covenants Act 1995: A Guide

Jun 22, 2023
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The Landlord and Tenant Covenants Act 1995 is a critical piece of legislation that governs the relationship between landlords and tenants in the United Kingdom. This Act, enacted to rectify perceived injustices in the landlord and tenant law, has influenced the obligations of both parties.

Text says, 'Section 3 Notice'.

The Section 3 Notice: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants

Jun 20, 2023
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The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, specifically Section 3 Notice, is a critical component of UK property law that every landlord and tenant should understand. This notice, which is required when property ownership changes, ensures transparency and fairness in the landlord-tenant relationship.

Text says Section 48 Notice.

A Comprehensive Guide to the Section 48 Notice

Jun 20, 2023
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Navigating the complexities of landlord-tenant laws can be a daunting task for both parties involved. One such critical aspect is the Section 48 Notice, a legal requirement under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. This notice plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of tenants.

An icon representing a register. Image looks a little like a spreadsheet.

A National Landlord Register – What We Know So Far

Jun 19, 2023
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The setting up of a national landlord register is a subject which is in the property news at the moment. In this article, we will look at what we know so far about the creation of a national landlord register. One thing seems for certain though, a register for landlords in England is coming.

The logo for the government of the United Kingdom.

The Decent Homes Standard: What Landlords and Investors Need to Know

Jun 5, 2023
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The Decent Homes Standard is a legal standard which regulates housing provided by the social housing sector. However, it is currently being proposed that this standard will be applied to the private rented sector or PRS at some point in the near future.

Close up of asbestos.

Asbestos Cement: A Guide for Homeowners

May 25, 2023
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Asbestos cement, a once-popular building material, lurks in many homes across the UK, a silent reminder of a time when its durability and resistance were prized above all else. Yet today, we know that the asbestos in this cement can pose serious health risks if disturbed.

The Saltire, Scottish Flag, rendered as a 3D ball on a dark grey background.

Stamp Duty In Scotland: Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Calculator

May 23, 2023
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Scotland used to have the same Stamp Duty system as the rest of the UK but it brought in its own system as of April 2015. Although the basic concept of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax is the same as Stamp Duty – it is a tax on buying property – both the way it works and the rates of tax are different.

Model houses and arrows representing a rising market.

Prices Will Continue to Rise: Why Investing in Property Still Makes Sense

May 22, 2023
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Investing in property has made very good sense in recent years. It has been relatively easy and the value of your property investment has increased year after year after year. Just recently, property investment hasn’t looked like such an easy option. However, the numbers still add up.

Lawrence Moorings - housing development next to River Stort Canal in Sawbridgeworth, Essex - near Harlow.

The Best Areas of Harlow to Invest in Buy-to-Let

May 18, 2023
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Harlow is within the London commuter belt but has great value property for a fraction of London prices. Harlow is also an up-and-coming town, with its sights firmly set on becoming a small city in the future. In this article, we look at the property market in this promising southeastern town.

A clock on the high street in Guildford.

The Best Areas of Guildford to Invest in Buy-to-Let

May 18, 2023
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Guildford is not a cheap property investment location. But good reasons to look at property investment in Guildford are that it is an employment hotspot with lots of well-paid jobs which benefits the housing market. It’s also a popular London commuter location.

A seagull perched on a lamp post on front of Eastbourne pier, East Sussex.

The Best Areas of Eastbourne to Invest in Buy-to-Let

May 18, 2023
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Once overlooked as not very interesting property markets seaside towns like Eastbourne have come into their own post-pandemic – as people look for more space and a good quality of life. Eastbourne has a truly scenic location on the south coast and still has very good value property prices.

The Manchester Bee.

The Top 10 Cheapest Areas of Manchester to Buy a House or Flat

May 16, 2023
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Discover the top 10 most affordable areas to buy a house or flat in Manchester, UK. Our comprehensive guide, based on data from property.xyz, Rightmove and Zoopla, breaks down average prices, location details, and local amenities to help both new and seasoned investors make informed decisions.

A shopping street in St Helens.

The Best Areas of St Helens to Invest in Buy-to-Let

May 15, 2023
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St Helens is often overlooked as a property investment location. But St Helens has a strategic location at the heart of north-west England and offers some really good value investment property. Here we look at the housing market in this town in Merseyside.

A circular icon depicting a calculator.

Stamp Duty in Wales: A Land Transaction Tax Calculator

May 5, 2023
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Cymru or Wales used to have the same Stamp Duty system as the rest of the UK but it brought in its own system as from April 2018. Find out every thing you need to know about the Welsh Land Transaction Tax and calculate your costs with our free tool.

Detail of the Bullring shopping mall in Birmingham, England.

The Top 10 Cheapest Areas of Birmingham to Buy a House or Flat

May 2, 2023
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Birmingham is a good value area of the UK for property buyers with property prices overall are well under the UK national average. There’s a huge variation in across the city. The average property price is £240,000 but in the cheaper areas of the city, it can be as low as £165,000.

A close up shot of a hipped roof.

The Hipped Roof: A Timeless Architectural Marvel

May 2, 2023
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The hipped roof has long been a fixture in the United Kingdom’s architectural landscape, gracing the skyline with its elegant slopes and practical design. From humble cottages to grand manor houses, hipped roofs have proven worth as a versatile and durable roofing solution.

A for sale sign in the foreground and a block of flats in the background.

What To Do If Your Property Just Won’t Sell

Apr 10, 2023
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The recent hot property market has meant that most houses have sold easily, often within days of being put on the market. Now that the market is cooler, however, it is likely to become more difficult to sell your house. So, for this kind of market, here is what you need to know.

An aerial view of Rochester in the Medway Towns.

The Best Areas of the Medway Towns to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Mar 24, 2023
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The Medway towns are one of the cheapest parts of the south east in which to invest in property, yet are within just 40 minutes or so from central London. Here’s a property investor’s guide to the Medway towns in Kent in the South East of England.

The Maidstone Gyratory Bridge in Maidstone, Kent.

The Best Areas of Maidstone to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Mar 22, 2023
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Maidstone sits at the heart of Kent’s Garden of England countryside, so there’s no doubt that it is a green and pleasant part of the country. But how do the numbers stack up as a property investment location? Here’s what you need to know about buy-to-let in Maidstone, Kent.

Wisley Gardens in Woking.

The Best Areas of Woking to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Mar 22, 2023
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Originally a quiet rural town Woking grew fast in Victorian times when the railway made it a favourite London commuter location. Woking continues to be a very popular London commuter location today and this helps to boost demand for property to buy and rent in the town.

Late evening view of the iconic Navigation Bridge that spans Grand Union Canal in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

The Best Areas of Hemel Hempstead to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Mar 2, 2023
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If you want pretty Hemel Hempstead probably isn’t for you. A decade ago Hemel Hempstead was voted to be the ugliest town in Britain. But if you want great transport links, great local amenities and very attractive property prices then Hemel Hempstead is definitely a town you should look at.

The Digswell Viaduct near Welwyn Garden City.

The Best Areas of Welwyn Garden City to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Mar 2, 2023
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Welwyn Garden City was originally established as a garden city in the 1920s. It was planned by Sir Ebenezer Howard. Ebenezer Howard was a town planner who wanted to create the perfect town – one which combined the benefits of both urban and rural life.

White text on a maroon background. Text says, 'Link Detached'.

What is a Link-Detached House?

Feb 21, 2023
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You’ll probably have a good idea about what a detached house or a semi-detached house is but do you know about link-detached? Here’s what a link detached house is and what you need to know about buying, owning and selling this type of house.

An empty lounge with a fireplace and staircase in the corner.

What Exactly Does Vacant Possession Mean?

Feb 21, 2023
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On the surface of it, it is a simple concept: that a house ‘sold with vacant possession’ is a house that is empty and ready for the next owner to move in, unhindered. The key thing, however, is that the new owner should be able to enjoy undisturbed enjoyment of the property.

Tenements in Glasgow, Scotland.

What is a Tenement?

Feb 12, 2023
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In a tenement, each floor is occupied by two or sometimes more separate properties. They are self-contained with their own entrance and is occupied by one person or a single family. However a distinguishing factor of a tenement is that all the properties share common stairways and an entrance.

A shopping street in Stevenage town centre.

The Best Areas of Stevenage to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Feb 10, 2023
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Being a relatively new town, Stevenage isn’t known for its history or beautiful architecture. But it is known for being one of the most convenient places in the country. Stevenage offers pretty much every amenity anybody could ever need, plus great transport links to the rest of the country.

The city of Colchester in Essex, East of England.

The Best Areas of Colchester to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Feb 10, 2023
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Colchester is one of the UK’s newest cities. City status can help to raise the profile of a newly created city and could help to boost the economy and the property market too. With that in mind here’s what investors need to know about buy-to-let property investment in Colchester.

The area around the old town hall in Crawley, West Sussex.

The Best Areas of Crawley to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Feb 9, 2023
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Crawley is one of those rare places in the south east – a town that is an attractive place to live but which has reasonable property prices. Add to that a buoyant jobs market and great access around the area (and around the world) and you can see why Crawley is an attractive place to invest in buy-to let.

An icon representing community and text that says, 'Community Land Trusts'.

What is a Community Land Trust?

Feb 6, 2023
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Community land trusts are usually set up by people and organisations who live and work in (or have an interest in) a defined local area such as a village, town or suburb. They are membership organisations that are owned by their members and run democratically.

Logo for the National Assembly for Wales.

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Feb 1, 2023
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Although it was passed as a law over six years ago The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came into force in December 2022. The Act makes major changes to the law on letting property in Wales. Prior to the Act tenancy law in Wales was similar to that in England but this is no longer the case.

The logo for Rent Smart Wales.

Rent Smart Wales – Landlord and Agent Licensing

Jan 31, 2023
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Rent Smart Wales is a centralised landlord registration and licensing scheme for all of Wales. It is run is partnership by the 22 local authorities in Wales. Landlords and agents in Wales need to be registered with and licensed by, Rent Smart Wales. Registration and licensing are compulsory.

A glass link between two structures.

What is a Glass Link?

Jan 31, 2023
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Glass buildings are sometimes considered where there is a requirement to link a listed building with a new or non-listed building. Glass links may be used to satisfy planning requirements which restrict what can be done to listed buildings. However that’s just one use-case.

Close up of some peppercorns. A representation of peppercorn rent.

What is Peppercorn Rent?

Jan 30, 2023
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One type of rent that is sometimes found in property is a peppercorn rent, which is a notional amount to secure a contract. Here is what peppercorn rent is, how much peppercorn rent actually is, and why more people are likely to be paying peppercorn rent in the future.

A shopping street in Bolton town centre in Greater Manchester.

The Best Areas of Greater Manchester to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Jan 27, 2023
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Greater Manchester is the largest region outside London, with the largest economy and the largest jobs market. It’s still very affordable for property investors, however. Average property prices across Greater Manchester are well under half of those in London.

An icon representing valuation.

What is a Residual Method of Valuation?

Jan 26, 2023
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Land and property can be valued on the basis of its market value, ie. its value as a piece of land or property which may be based on the value of comparable property. However, the residual method of valuation works by assessing a value based on its developed value less the cost of developing it.

Icon showing a road.

What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?

Jan 24, 2023
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A compulsory purchase order is a legal order which can be used to acquire land and property from its owner whether they wish to sell it or not. A compulsory purchase order is known as a CPO for short. They can be used for projects such as new roads or new railways.

An abstract image approximating an architect's design or drawing.

What is a General Permitted Development Order?

Jan 21, 2023
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General permitted development is something that property owners who are planning any work on their property need to know about. Here’s what General Permitted Development Orders are and what you need to know about them as a would-be developer.

A virtual square drawn over a field. Image represents land banking.

What Exactly is Land Banking?

Jan 14, 2023
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Land banking – where a property developer buys a plot of land now with the intention of developing it at some future time rather than immediately – is an issue that can have a serious impact on the housing market, driving up prices and preventing new houses from being developed.

The skyline of Leeds city centre.

The Best Areas of Leeds to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Jan 13, 2023
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Leeds is not only part of one of the largest urban areas outside London it also has a larger economy than many European countries. Although Leeds has higher property prices than much of West Yorkshire it still has very good value investment property.

White text on a blue background. Text reads, 'Property Bonds'.

What Are Property Bonds?

Jan 11, 2023
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Whether you are an investor looking to invest in UK property or a property developer on the hunt for the means to finance a project, property bonds could be exactly what you are looking for. But tread carefully and always seek expert advice before moving forward.

Building design in a modern, modular style.

What are Modular Homes?

Jan 11, 2023
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Due to rising house prices and new construction technologies, there is currently a lot of interest in modular homes. Here we will look at what exactly are modular homes and at what the advantages and disadvantages of this type of design, are. 

Old warehouses reflected in the water at Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, UK.

What is a Building Preservation Notice?

Jan 8, 2023
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A Building Preservation Notice is an official notice which can be issued to legally prevent any work being done, or changes being made, to a specific building. Issued under Section 3 of the Planning Act 1990 it is usually used where it is believed that the building is at risk.

A modern residential city centre apartment block.

What is a Community Infrastructure Levy?

Jan 6, 2023
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The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge payable by those planning many kinds of building work. It is technically known as a planning charge, but in practice it is a kind of tax on new development. The money received from the Levy is used to pay for local infrastructure such as roads, transport and new schools.

The logo for the London tube.

Up and Coming Areas of the London Commuter Belt

Dec 15, 2022
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Areas within the London commuter belt can offer a good opportunity for buyers and investors. They benefit from well paid London workers who can often afford to pay stronger rents than locals. So they can offer good buy to let yields.

A line drawing of the skyline of Glasgow featuring its famous landmarks.

The Best Areas of Glasgow to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Oct 31, 2022
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Glasgow is sometimes called Scotland’s second city after the capital, Edinburgh. But in every other way Glasgow is bigger, much bigger – Glasgow has a bigger population, a bigger economy and a bigger property market too. There are lots of reasons to invest.

An old set of house keys.

A Guide to DIY Conveyancing

Oct 21, 2022
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When buying or selling a house it is usual to have a solicitor or conveyancer handle the conveyancing process for you. However it is possible to do your conveyancing yourself. Here we will look at what you need to know about doing DIY conveyancing.

High Wycombe town centre.

The Best Areas of High Wycombe to Invest in Buy-to-Let

Oct 19, 2022
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High Wycombe is a marmite kind of place it seems. It appears in surveys of both good places to live and not-so-good places to live. High Wycombe’s good points are that it benefits from a great location by the Chiltern Hills, has good access to London and low property prices.

Thermal external insulation brick wall and finishing system icon.

Is External Wall Insulation Worth the Investment?

Oct 7, 2022
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External wall insulation is just one of many ways you might consider improving the insulation of your property. In this article we will look at whether external wall insulation is likely to be a good investment or not.

An icon depicting a house with a butterfly roof.

What is a Butterfly Roof? Pros and Cons

Oct 6, 2022
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A butterfly roof is an inverted roof when compared to a more conventional gable roof. With a conventional roof two pitched surfaces rise to meet each other at a central ridge. In this article, we look at the pros and cons.