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How do you tell if a General Election is on the cards? You monitor the news for announcements that may please the masses. Property has long been an area the Government tinkers with and ministers are already repositioning their offering to win votes in England and Wales.

After a long period of stability, mortgage rates have hardly been out of the news headlines. In September, everyone held their breath as the Bank of England – responsible for UK-wide monetary policy – made its latest announcement.

As the rental market continues to thrive across the country, it’s crucial to explore why and inspect the most effective strategies to maximise the returns for your own investment projects.

With the average rent for a home in the UK reaching £950 per month, an increase of 4.9% in the last 12 months to March 2023 (Office for National Statistics), it’s evident that the rental market presents an attractive opportunity for investors. By understanding the advantages of long-term tenancies, you can make informed decisions that will ensure lasting benefits for your investment ventures.

In this article, we will delve into the benefits of renting to long-term tenants, highlighting why this approach is preferred by landlords, even though it’s not the most common lettings approach dictated by the market, and how it can significantly improve your rental property portfolio.

We’re barely into autumn and already the interior design experts are predicting which trends will be big news in 2024. Livingetc – the glossy magazine and style bible – has already published its colour predictions for next year and there are some interesting shades in the spotlight.

As estate agents with many years of experience under our belts, we have continued to help buyers and sellers whatever the market conditions. People will always need to move home but why people move very much depends on the market and wider financial implications.

There’s no doubt that the property market is cooling after the unsustainable pandemic levels. While the interest rate and inflation have served to moderate buyers’ plans, property values are naturally returning to more sensible levels. Equilibrium is being provided by falling mortgage rates.

Move or improve? It’s a conundrum many homeowners face when the property market changes. For those thinking of staying put with an idea to extend, convert or perhaps replace their kitchen, it’s worth pricing up any improvements before you commit.

In August 2023, the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency (NTSELA) team updated its guidance to consumers and property professionals regarding how a property’s status is described during the marketing process.

After questioning more than 2,300 UK-based homeowners, residents and tradespeople, the Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report 2023 found this year’s most popular home improvement job will be painting and decorating. And why not? It is relatively quick and easy to change the aesthetic inside our homes with a tin of Dulux and some new accessories.

Subletting is a recurring subject in the world of rental property. For those who are not familiar with the term,subletting is when the original tenant named on the legal agreement moves out and rents the entire property to someone else. Alternatively, the original tenant stays in the property and rents out a room or multiple rooms. Unless the landlord has agreed to subletting, the act will be a breach of the tenancy agreement and constitutes grounds for eviction.

July is a month when people are away on annual leave or are juggling school holidays, and home moving activity usually reflects this. In the last four weeks, however, Rightmove found buyer demand remains strong. In fact, it’s currently 3% higher than the same time in 2019.

Getting ready to sell your home usually involves clearing out, tidying away and sorting out. Surprisingly, the ancient art of feng shui closely mirrors the above and its principles can help you prepare your property for sale. We explore exactly what feng shui is and single out the best bits of advice for home sellers.