Real Estate Information Center

A recent study by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has been looking into the increasing trend for home owners to rent out rather than sell their properties. Fueled on by the dramatically decreased house prices and the difficulty that many potential buyers are having in acquiring mortgages many would be sellers of property are instead looking to rent out their properties instead. A lot of these new landlords are inexperienced and as such there is more need than ever for tenants to take great care when entering into a contract with a landlord or letting agent to be certain that they will not find themselves in an undesirable position after a few months.

By far the most important area to check is that the property itself meets all of the necessary regulations. Many of these new landlords have found themselves in a position where they are renting the property purely because they were unable to sell. As such the tenant needs to ensure that the landlord still took the time to ensure that the property meets all of the necessary regulations. One of the best ways for a client to do this is to find a reputable letting agency to deal with. Taking this route the tenant can be certain that the agency will have thoroughly checked out the property removing some of the pressure from themselves.

Continue reading ‘Tips For Renting Property in the Current Economic Climate’ »

Many Landlords think that letting out there 2nd property or investment properties is an easy job however, as most come to realize there are many complications.

The main problems that tend to occur are block management disputes, deposit disputes and disputes over who is responsible for repairs etc.

At AA Property Services, Clifton, Bristol we try to advise landlords with impartial and helpful advice.

The most straight forward, invaluable advice that we will offer is simple and many would think obvious that is for all Landlords to not cut corners and do everything above board. Due to the age that we know live in there are many rules and regulations that have been put into place to protect both Landlord and Tenant.

For Landlords when they buy an investment property it is vital to make sure that you have a reliable management company in place. After this the next step is to make sure all the fixtures and fittings are in good condition.

Continue reading ‘Landlord Tips – How to Successfully Rent Out Your Property’ »

A rental agreement is a contract between the renter and the tenant. The renter has to draw up the rental agreement to notify you as the tenant what the rules and guidelines are with you renting the property. The agreement is a binding contract between both parties. Once you start looking to rent a property you go over and look at the property in question. If anything is wrong with it you must notify the renter immediately to have him/her fix it or note it so you will not be charged with it in long run. If there is any damage to the property take note of it and take pictures of the damage and collect it and have the renter sign a document and put it in the agreement that it was like that before you moved onto the premises.

What you should look for in a rental agreement is important. There should be the terms of stay like how long you will be renting the property, who is responsible to receive the payment of rent, where the payment is to go, and if there are any damages done before if they are going to pay for them to be fixed or are they asking you to pay for it and they’ll reimburse you afterwards. Also it should state if you are responsible for the property taxes.

Continue reading ‘Things That You Should Know About A Rental Agreement’ »

Landlords have to raise the rents on their rental properties sometimes, as their costs (mortgage rates, insurance premiums, property taxes, etc.) go up, and as market rents rise. It can be a tricky and unpleasant conversation to have with your tenants, so here are a few ideas to help make the conversation smoother and more successful.

Tip 1: Timing is Everything

Don’t raise the rent in winter or fall! It’s drastically harder to fill rental properties in the winter, so wait until spring when you’ll be able to find a new tenant to sign a rental agreement much faster.

Tip 2: Advance Notice: More is More!

First of all, most states require you to give tenants written notice 30-90 days in advance of raising rent, which is something you need to research in your state. Additionally, however, having the conversation sooner rather than later gives you a chance to find a new tenant BEFORE the old tenant moves, creating a smooth transition with no costly vacancies.

Continue reading ‘Landlord Tips – How to Raise the Rent on Your Rental Agreement’ »

Now is a great time to reduce your monthly rent payments and invest in your future with free government home grants. No, we are not talking about trying relentlessly to get on the seven year waiting list for section eight rental assistance, or packing up and moving into an urban low income housing development project. We mean acquiring free government money to purchase your own home, in the location of your choice, and coming out ahead by reducing your monthly housing costs by potentially hundreds of dollars.

If that sounds appealing to you, then consider the fact that in addition to the tremendous yearly saving that even one or two hundred dollars per month in reduced housing costs may achieve, you are also investing what you do pay for housing into your finances, your future, and quite possibly the future of your children, rather than into your landlords pocket. Using government home grants to finance the down payment of your home saves you tens of thousands of dollars from the very start, and then continues to pay off month after month in cash savings, property value, and home equity.

Continue reading ‘Lower Rent With Government Home Grants’ »

Leasing a million dollar home is a big decision. You must take into consideration the fact that your monthly payment compared to a traditional mortgage might possibly be higher going this route, however, if you cannot afford the down payment that accompanies a million dollar home, or you have no interest in staying there for the rest of your life, leasing a million dollar home may be a better choice for you. Commonly referred to as lease with option to buy, or lease to purchase, you can fulfill your dream of living in a mansion, without having to put down a sizable down payment that’s required when purchasing these types of homes.

When leasing a million dollar home, either with the option to buy, or for a short period of time (like 1-2 years), a renter must sign a lease agreement in order to reside in the home. Usually the renter/future buyer pays a sum in cash, usually non-refundable of 2, for permission to reside in the home without actually having his name on the deed. For situations such as lease to own, the renter in that particular case would sign an agreement to buy the house at a later date, for a price that was previously agreed upon. Unfortunately in some of these situations, portions of the rent paid by the leaser may or may not go towards the actual price to purchase of the home. It’s important to understand these facts before committing to leasing a million dollar home.

Continue reading ‘What to Consider When Leasing a Million Dollar Home’ »

As those of you who already own rentable properties will be aware as from a few months back (1st October 2008) (Bonny Scotland 1st December 2008) landlords are now required to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for their properties inclusive of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

This being a requirement of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 with the result that both landlords and tenants will have more information about how energy efficient the property that they are either letting (landlord) or renting (tenant) is.

So what exactly constitutes an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Well each EPC is required to have three parts:

- The Energy Efficiency Rating which relates to the running costs of the property.

- The Environmental Impact Rating that relates to the carbon dioxide emissions from the property

Continue reading ‘Energy Performance Certificates and HMOs’ »

Summertime is usually the busiest time to search for an apartment home. Young adults, college graduates, and new employees make up a large group of people you are moving or starting a new job and need an apartment, house, or condo to call their new home. Many would be renters stress out that they will not be able to secure the best housing for themselves. Worry not, as we have put together a campaign that will make this process as easy as possible.

Understand The Price Of Housing

Generally the closer you are to a downtown area, the more expensive your rental costs will be. If you have lived in the suburbs or rented a room from a friend, most likely your costs were low. However, when you rent a one bedroom apartment you will bear the costs all by yourself. You will be responsible for electricity, cable, and Internet. If your budget is tight, try living in areas that are a bit further from the inner city. Research the areas on the Internet in the city into which you are moving. You may discover some fresh areas that may be amenable to your situation.

Continue reading ‘Get a Great Apartment Deal’ »

A large number of investors buy property with the intention of making a profit from rental income. On paper this looks easy, buy being a landlord can sometimes be harder than you thought considering all the rules and regulation in the industry. The following points are key to becoming a successful landlord:

1. The Internet is Your Friend
As a landlord you will have to be very informed on rules and regulations concerning landlord as well as the tenant. The Internet is a great place to research these issues, as there are special forums and sites for landlords. Also, the Internet is a great place to advertise you property should you be looking for new tenants.

2. Join a Landlord Association
These associations are a great place to pick up tips and advice on land lording. You are sure to gain a lot of knowledge that will empower you to for fill your duties as a landlord.

Continue reading ‘10 Tips on Being a Thriving Landlord’ »

Thailand is a favorite destination of farangs (foreigners) in Southeast Asia. The blend of picturesque scenery, exquisite beaches, beautiful people, and delectable food comprise the irresistible pull that gravitate many farangs to the Kingdom.

An intended short visit almost always turns into months and months become years. Since farangs are not allowed to own immovable property (e.g. land) in Thailand, the most likely scenario is a long term lease of a house, condominium unit, or apartment.

Many farangs have had a few crash and burn experience when it comes to leasing immovable properties in the Kingdom. Who would not want to be spared of these undesirable experiences? Thus, it behooves you to acquaint yourself with a few leasing essentials to avoid unwanted brushes with your lessor and the law.

Continue reading ‘What You Need to Know Before Leasing Property in Thailand’ »