Long term lets

Common Issues Faced by Property Investors Property investment is an appealing way to grow your capital. However, like any business, this investment comes with its share of challenges. Here are some of the most common problems that portfolio landlords face: Maintenance Issues Properties, like any other equipment, require regular maintenance. For properties, this may entail tasks such as: Routine repairs,...

Autumn and winter can bring several challenges for rental properties. The colder weather and shorter days increase the risk of problems such as condensation, frozen pipes, and pests.     As a landlord, it is important to be aware of these potential problems and to take steps to mitigate them. Here are some tips:   Condensation   Condensation is caused by warm, moist air meeting...

When is a good time to buy an investment property? It is a popular question. When researched at the time of writing, it received 86,600,000 results. Everyone seems interested, from The Times, through lenders and mortgage advisers, to private individuals sharing their concerns via social media. The answers are filled with statistics and shifting numbers of interest rates. We all need to be aware of those,...

Considering a holiday let vs. a long-term buy-to-let?  Since the rise of Airbnb in 2008, anyone with a spare room can, theoretically, make money on letting a property. A wave of interest in holiday lets sweeps over the property industry regularly, and the interest in becoming a landlord as a side-hustle often rises proportionally to the temperatures outside. For some, this has indeed been the...

Update, 20 October 2026: Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 is no longer available, so possession for rent arrears goes through a Section 8 notice on the arrears grounds. Once landlord registration becomes compulsory, a court can’t grant possession to an unregistered landlord except on anti-social behaviour grounds. Read our landlord database guide. Speak to us or a solicitor before serving any notice. As a...

Update, 20 October 2026: The 2025 and 2028 deadlines described below were dropped in 2023. In January 2026, the government confirmed that privately rented homes in England and Wales must meet the equivalent of EPC band C by 1 October 2030, measured against new EPC metrics, with landlords expected to spend up to £10,000 per property. Until then, the minimum remains EPC band E. Read the government response...

Update, 20 October 2026: This article was written in 2022 and some rules have changed. From 6 April 2027, income tax on rental profits rises by 2 percentage points, and Making Tax Digital reaches landlords with income over £30,000. Read our Autumn Budget 2026 guide, and check your own position with your accountant. We often say there is always a good time to buy a property (as long as you are...

Bad omens: when a property is not as good as it looks Fresh paint, fluffy carpets and the smell of freshly baked bread are all good – first impression matters. And you should go with your gut instincts if it tells you that you like the property or not. But whatever feeling you may be having upon entering a house or apartment you are looking to buy, support it with facts. Once you enter the threshold,...

How to choose a good property management agency You have a property you want to let, or perhaps you have a growing kingdom and decided it’s high time for an appropriate steward to look after it and assist you in making the most of it. It begins and ends with a question about you: what do you want? To check if an external company can support your property goals, you need to figure out what they...

DIY or outsource: a guide to a successful property management When we thought about this subject, we discussed the most time-consuming aspects of being a landlord. DIY mostly means a lot of commuting between properties, addressing all the ongoing issues, such as dripping taps, blocked pipes, and cracked walls… indeed, a landlord's life can be less than glamorous. However, if you decide to spend time...