It took a record-low average of just seven days to fill vacant rental properties in our region in August, new figures show. The North East also experienced an average rent rise of 36% month-on-month, to £897, according to the latest Rental Index from lettings software provider Goodlord. It said the average tenant in the North […]
Landlords are being warned to warned to provide tenants with proof they are keeping their properties’ gas safety records up to date after a landlord’s failure to prove they had done so led to a court ruling against them. Bromley County Court ruled that a Section21 eviction notice served on a tenant was invalid because […]
Tenants in privately rented homes in Yorkshire and the Humber are paying 1.9% more, on average, than 12 months ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. The figure is higher than the national average, a 1.3% rise in the 12 months to July, and shows the market is working well in York at a […]
Investing in a rental property is, of course, never cheap – but inexpensive improvements can increase its appeal to tenants and help maximise your rental return. If you’re handy, you can even make the changes yourself… A new coat of paint is the simplest improvement and can make all the difference to the appearance of […]
If you’re a tenant going away this summer, taking simple precautionary steps can take to keep your home safe while you’re away, and avoid coming back to an unpleasant surprise. Here’s our top tips for avoiding even more of the post-holiday blues: Most break-ins take place when houses are unoccupied. Buy some timers for internal […]
The vast majority of private tenants are happy with the home they rent, according to new official figures by the English Housing Survey. The government-commissioned continuous national survey reveals 84% of private renters are satisfied with their current accommodation and 73% are happy with its repairs and maintenance. Renters also spend slightly less of their […]
The system which ensures rented properties are safe to live in is to be overhauled, in a development welcomed by Letters MD Anya Mathewson. The Housing Health and Safety Rating system (HHSRS) is used by local authorities to assess rental properties against 29 identifiable hazards, ranging from damp to electrical faults. But it hasn’t been […]
Potential landlords looking to invest in the York property market received good news this week when a mortgage tracker reported an “unprecedented” fall in some buy-to-let mortgage rates. It followed government figures saying that the average value of houses in York increased by 5.8% in the last 12 months, making property in the city a […]
Damp and mould isn’t only unsightly, it can affect your health too, so it’s important to treat it as soon as you can. It’s all caused by excess moisture but there are three main types of damp in homes and they are treated differently. First, you need to identify which type you have and it’s […]
Almshouses in York look set to be exempt from selective licensing fees after a government-commissioned review recommended that the fees should not apply to non-profit charities. The law has been a grey area since 2004, when councils were given the power to require landlords to take out a licence in designated areas, to help tackle […]
