All posts by : Letting People

Are you giving the taxman too much of your income from your investment property?

Do you know 51 ways to save property taxes?

Are you using a non-specialist accountant?

This book by Iain Wallis could save you ££££s in property taxes! It has 51 top tips to enable you to potentially keep more of your income from property – be that income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax – and therefore spend your money saved on what you want to spend it on!

Imagine how you could spend your money that could have gone to the taxman – perhaps on an extra holiday or on some nice surprises for your family? …. or perhaps to secure the future for your children or even your grandchildren?

To *claim your FREE book (£24.99 RRP) instruct your local The Letting People branch to let your property.

Please be quick … This is a limited FREE offer only available to landlords who advertise their property to let with their local branch of The Letting People before 30th June 2015.

Call today to book your marketing appraisal:

01926 882555 (Leamington Spa) or leamington@thelettingpeople.co.uk

OR

01908 713000 (Milton Keynes) or miltonkeynes@thelettingpeople.co.uk

*Please note this offer may be withdrawn at any time.

Whether you are starting out on your search for a purchase, or have found the property you wish to purchase, we can offer a service that is right for you. From initial search through to completion we can focus on what is important to you whether this is capital growth, rental income, and/or simply saving your time! More income less fuss with a specialist and personal service. This service is only currently available at our Leamington Spa branch. Find out more here https://thelettingpeople.co.uk/buy-to-let

A garden can be a real selling point for tenants who look forward to a summer weekend eating al fresco, or seeing their children playing outside.  

However, all the seasons can create a great deal of garden maintenance issues that few tenants will have the time or skills to deal with.  

Here are a few ideas to keep the garden, and hopefully your tenant, as low-maintenance as possible!

1. Do away with the grass! It looks lovely when it’s neatly mowed – but lawn-maintenance is a big problem for most tenants who may never have used a mower before! 

The best bet is concrete and paving stones of various types – or stone chippings with a mesh to stop the weeds.

Decking too can look stylish, but be careful as it may become slippery and therefore dangerous when it’s wet.

2. Raise the borders! Very few tenants will have the time to regularly tend to the borders and the edges, and may want to avoid bending down to pull out the weeds, etc.  Raised beds will be more likely to get a bit more care – and can be used for additional seating if built at a comfortable seat height.

3. Throw on the bark-chippings. These will let through the rain and keep the roots of plants watered, but should also keep the weeds down.

4. Choose plants carefully. Many plants will look after themselves and dense planting of easy-care plants will prevent any weeds becoming established.

5. Employ a gardener! Perhaps just a few times a year this will be money very well spent. Use to cut back any trees and hedges, clear up fallen leaves, pull out or treat any stubborn weeds, and to check any trees or plants that might affect garden walls, drains and guttering.

Are you interested in what you have just read? The Letting People employ several local garden contractors who can assist you with all the above jobs, and maybe some other gardening works we haven’t covered here.  Please Contact your local branch for more details.

Image courtesy of FDP 2014

Letting You Let Our Properties? 

Viewings Advisors (Freelance/Self-employed) Job Vacancies

… is this “up your street”?  

• Are you looking for a new and interesting freelance/self-employed opportunity in and around Leamington Spa?
• Are you currently self-employed and would you relish the flexibility of working around your own interests?
• Do you have a real interest in meeting new people and finding out what is most important to them?
• Do you have an interest in and/or experience within the property industry?
• Do you have use of a car, SatNav, mobile phone, and laptop/computer?
• Are you available for up to 5 days per week including most Saturdays?

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to the above, we have very interesting and worthwhile Viewings Advisor positions available, with good rates of pay plus commission.

If this sounds “up your street” please email your current CV with a covering letter stating why you are interested, and full contact details to: caroline@thelettingpeople.co.uk

Previously this vacancy had over 100 hits on The Letting People website in one day!

 … so don't miss out … Closing date for CVs: Thursday 7th August

2014 sees some special anniversaries here at The Letting People.

12 busy years –

Since the Letting People were first founded in March 2002, in a very small office (approx. 60 square feet of useable space) in Leamington Spa!  Weekly newspaper advertising was crucial, the cost of mobile phone calls were extortionate, and hardly any of our customers had access to email… today internet advertising is crucial, mobile phone calls are sensibly priced, and we expect everyone to have daily access to email (or even Smart phone or tablet communications!)

10 happy years –

Since Anthony & Caroline Kempster, the co-founders of The Letting People were married in May 2004, in Warwick Register Office, with the reception in The Restaurant in the Park, Jephson Gardens. Our photographer didn’t have a digital camera – so please excuse the blurry picture!  This year we celebrate our Tin Wedding Anniversary so we are off to visit a tin mine in Cornwall whilst on our second honeymoon!

10 ‘team’ years –

Since Christine Kelly and Michele Thomas came to join us in our second office premises in Leamington Spa in Holly Walk.  We’ve been through another two office moves together, and today are all incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the last decade.

2 growth years –

Since Ziaull Hussain came to join us – first on a year’s undergraduate work placement, and now as a full-time Lettings Co-ordinator who commutes daily, through all weathers, to Leamington from Birmingham.

1 franchise year –

Since Philip Rayner and Michael Lomax joined The Letting People as our first franchise branch in Milton Keynes.  With their combined experience gained in the construction industry, and marketing and design knowledge, their partnership is ideally suited to develop their lettings business in a thriving city.

Photo credit: Darwin Bell via Compfight cc

When selecting a letting agent the savvy landlord goes straight to a specialist.  In the same way that you would go to a dentist if you had toothache or an optician if you needed an eye test, there are times when you really need to find a lettings specialist!

This is The Letting People’s top tips for selecting your letting agent, and for using their letting services effectively. 

1. Visit the agent’s offices. Satisfy yourself that the agent has a good local presence with offices situated in an area where you and your tenants can easily visit. Yes, we all know that the vast majority of tenants search online for a property, but when it comes to making an application and paying over any fees, rent or deposit monies, most tenants want to know they are dealing with a local reputable agent and many will arrange a personal visit to the agent’s offices. Also, you and your tenants may want to visit to discuss your tenancy in more detail and to ensure that before signing the tenancy, at the agent’s offices, all parties fully understand the terms of the tenancy.    
   Top Tip 1 – Check the Agent has local, secure, private and confidential office space.
    
2. Talk to the business owner(s) or director(s). As a valued landlord client, have your property appraised by a senior business decision maker, who has done it all before, so you can benefit from their experience and ensure you get the best rental advice and are able to discuss and negotiate the terms of business specific to your individual circumstances.
   Top Tip 2 – Do your research. Check the agent’s business profile on Linked-in.
    
3. Confirm the agent’s membership of professional bodies. Ensure your agent is a member of one of the professional bodies such as UKALA, NAEA, ARLA, or RICS and ask to see evidence of the agent’s client money protection insurance.  If your agent is not a member of a professional organisation which has a redress scheme, or does not have client money protection, are they trained specialists in lettings?  What would you do and where would you go for compensation if things are not done properly?
   Top Tip 3 – Check for the certificates.
    
4. Do not pay a penny until your property is let. This may sound obvious, but it still needs saying.  However, if you are just starting out on the process, you will need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prior to marketing and your agent should be able to arrange this at your cost.  Otherwise, save your money.  It is your agent’s business to find suitable tenants for your property and to seek your agreement to proceed with taking up the references and to the signing of the tenancy agreement – before charging you for the service. 
   Top Tip 4 – Read the Agency Agreement carefully and watch out for ‘upfront’ fees.
    
5. Check your Agent is advertising on all the major property portals. Be aware of your agent’s ability to obtain a tenant quickly.  Advertising on the main property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla will be at an additional cost to the agent and be reflected in their fees. However, you do not want to have long void periods. The main property portals, taken together with the agent’s own website, should enable the agent to find a suitable prospective tenant quickly.
   Top Tip 5 – Choosing an agent simply on low cost may eventually mean you will wait much longer for a suitable tenant and this will cost you considerably in lost rental.
    
6.  Let the Agent do the viewings. Your agent should be available to arrange viewings at a reasonable date and time convenient to the prospective tenant applicant. The agent will be able to identify the prospective tenant’s needs and match your property to their requirements, including any negotiation to secure the deal.  Prospective tenants arrange viewings, usually at short notice, and often during office hours.  Generally they do not hang about or wait patiently. Are you available to leave work at short notice, or able to leave a meeting early?

   Top Tip 6 – Let the specialists do the job of securing the best deal for your letting. If you want to meet the prospective tenants, before giving your agreement to proceed, instruct the agent to arrange a joint meeting with the prospective tenant, the agent, and yourself – all present at the property.

A specialist letting company

Residential lettings is a specialised business and, as a landlord, there are numerous legislative issues for you to be aware of.  Many of these issues will be costly if you have been found to be negligent or operating illegally.  This is where a specialist lettings company will be able to add value to your letting, as typically all the staff will have been trained in lettings and will be able to utilise their skills and expertise to ensure your letting goes as smoothly as possible.

We set up The Letting People to meet landlord demand for a local, independent and specialist letting agent.  Whether you are renting for the first time, or are an experienced property investor, we can give you advice on every aspect – from choosing the most suitable property to finding the perfect tenant.

Contact The Letting People now on 01926 888255 (Leamington Spa) or 01908 713000 (Milton Keynes) for further information

Property Services Administrator, Leamington Spa (Full time)

Salary up to £17,500

This is an interesting and varied opportunity to work within a family-run specialised letting and property management company.  The Letting People, based in Leamington Spa’s town centre, offers unique and innovative property investor services, and this role will be an important part of a friendly team based at the stylishly refurbished offices.

If you are the right candidate for this exciting role, you will:

Need the experience and confidence to personally arrange to visit properties to verify and update property information, including taking photos and advising on property preparation requirements.
Have the ability to liaise with clients and customers to arrange property services including routine maintenance and repairs, inventories, and energy performance certificates.
Be able to co-ordinate the handover, renewal or checkout of tenants from properties including health and safety compliance.
Be used to administration of client accounts including processing receipts and payments

The job opportunity:

The Letting People, in conjunction with The HR Dept is now looking for an organised administrator to effectively co-ordinate, prioritise and arrange the client property services.

Your Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

Previous experience within lettings/property (advantageous)
Have an excellent telephone manner, and written communication skills
Good attention to detail (proven)
Willingness and ability to learn quickly and be able to make an immediate impact to the business
Ability to listen and have a clear understanding of the client’s needs
Minimum Grade C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English
Ability to work occasional Saturdays
Use of own car and a clean driving licence

Please send an email with CV and a covering letter stating why you are interested in this position to anthony@thelettingpeople.co.uk before Friday 15/5/2015

BBC Apprentice star Jo Cameron has launched her successful and exclusive business community, the Achievers Academy for Women (AAW), in Leamington Spa, with Caroline Kempster of The Letting People.

The high energy event saw more than 40 of the area’s top businesswomen gather at Leamington Spa’s Episode Hotel to meet Jo Cameron and to hear inspirational stories from women who have changed themselves and their businesses to create successful enterprises.

As the first of Jo Cameron’s 16 AAW groups across the country to launch the ‘Prime’ model, the hand-picked selection of like-minded business professionals in the Leamington Spa group will meet monthly to share and to build upon their knowledge and experience. The new group, will be led by Leamington entrepreneur Caroline Kempster, founder and marketing director of local letting specialists, The Letting People.

Speaking following the event, Jo said: “The AAW launch in Leamington was a super-charged event which saw several existing members share their personal stories. It was inspirational to hear about the incredible business journeys that they were going through and I know that their time spent at AAW, under Caroline’s leadership, will inspire them even further.”

Caroline, who will be hosting the next monthly meeting on Monday 14th April, said “I firmly believe that we can always continue to make positive changes to our personal and business lives if we have the right encouragement and expertise from the people around us.

“When I first joined AAW three years ago it was fantastic to meet women who were so passionate about their businesses. I have gained so much from the group and I know that Jo’s exclusive community of discerning business women will bring a new and positive dimension to business growth in Leamington.”

The Achievers Academy for Women now boasts 150 members across 16 groups in the UK. For more information please visit www.achieversacademyforwomen.com or call 0843 289 2839.

NLA celebrates licensing victory in Milton Keynes

The National Landlords Association (NLA) is celebrating a licensing victory and is delighted to announce that Milton Keynes City Council has abandoned plans to introduce a proposed city-wide Selective Licensing scheme.

The NLA have been leading the fight against licensing through its local landlord members, meeting with local authorities and action groups as well as launching a social media campaign. Milton Keynes Council concluded last week that the introduction of a city-wide licensing scheme would not solve the issues of poor housing standards, anti-social behaviour and low housing demand in the area.  

In a further piece of good news for landlords, the council also cut the license fee on all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) by over half, from £800 to £300.

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer at the NLA said:

“This is fantastic news for landlords in Milton Keynes and we thank all those involved in reaching this conclusion.

“Selective licensing is a powerful tool at the disposal of local authorities, but it should only be used when appropriate. The clear message from Milton Keynes is that they intend to take a more proactive stance and focus on the existing powers they have available to combat poor standards in the area, an approach the NLA has long argued is more effective.

“It’s important that the NLA represents the views of its members who saw this as the wrong move.  Nevertheless, we’re committed to working with Milton Keynes City Council to improve property standards in the area, to promote best practice and to encourage co-operation between the council, landlords and their tenants."

The Letting People was delighted to receive an invitation to join a delegation of construction-related firms to raise current issues at The Houses of Parliament.

Caroline Kempster, co-owner and Marketing Director joined delegates from across the county, with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, as they visited Westminster.  They raised key issues with Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, the Prime Ministers' small business ambassador for the Midlands; Stratford MP Nadhm Zahawi, a member of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills select committee; and Sajid Javid, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Caroline was also delighted to have the opportunity to sit in the House of Lords and hear the 2nd reading of the Immigration Bill where she heard the live debate.  This was of particular interest as Lord Best spoke of the  "daunting" and "adverse" effects this Bill could have on the private rented sector. He highlighted some of the logistics of the Bill and particularly the effects in regard to the onerous immigration checks that landlords, and their agents, might have to carry out on their tenants and their families, if the Bill became law.  Lord Best recommended that a pilot scheme would be the best way forward to test the possible effects of the Bill.