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Published: 26 September 2022

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The Top 10 Legal Tips For Landlords

Whether you already have a property you’re looking to rent out or you’re thinking of investing in a buy-to-let, it’s vital that you know your legal responsibilities and requirements as a landlord, both to protect yourself and your tenants.

Here are our 10 top legal tips for landlords.

1. Take Out Landlord Insurance

It’s vital that you take out specialist landlord insurance, as your standard buildings and contents insurance won’t cover you and may be invalidated if you’re renting your property out.

The right landlord insurance policy will cover you for damage to the property, loss of rent and legal expenses, so it’s worth having.

2. Draw up a Tenancy Agreement

This document will set out the terms of the tenancy between you and the tenant and will help to protect both parties in the event of a dispute.

Ensure that a new agreement is drawn up with each new tenant, as tweaking an old agreement could mean you miss important legal changes that have occurred in the meantime.

3. Arrange Regular Inspections – But Don’t Just Drop in!

It’s important to check your property every so often to ensure it’s being looked after. However, you should be aware that it’s illegal to just enter the property without the tenant’s permission.

It’s advised to give them a minimum of 24 hours’ written notice. This should be stipulated in your tenancy agreement.

4. Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Landlords have a legal responsibility to serve tenants with an EPC, which must have a minimum rating of E.

You can provide this along with the tenancy agreement and have the tenant sign to confirm receipt.

5. Obtain a Gas Safety Certificate

If your property has gas appliances, then you’re required to have them checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

They’ll be able to provide you with a certificate that will need to be renewed annually. A copy of this should be given to your tenants along with their tenancy agreement.

6. Carry Out Electrical Safety Checks

You’ll need to have the electrical system checked every 5 years by a qualified electrician. It’s also a good idea to have any appliances in the property PAT tested, but this isn’t legally required.

Smoke alarms will also need to be fitted on each floor and these need to be tested on the first day of the tenancy.

It’s also strongly advised to have carbon monoxide detectors fitted and tested too.

7. Check if You Need a License

Some local authorities will require you to have a license before you can rent out a property, so you’ll need to check before proceeding.

This often applies to HMOs and student accommodation, so get in touch with your local council to find out if it applies to you.

8. Protect Your Tenants’ Deposit

If you’ve taken a deposit from your tenants then this will need to be protected in a Government authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme.

There are three to choose from:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• MyDeposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

You’ll need to protect the deposit within 30 days of receiving it and provide your tenants with a deposit protection certificate and prescribed information such as the amount of the deposit, address of the property and details of the tenancy deposit scheme where it’s held.

You will also need to provide your tenants with a copy of the Government’s How to Rent guide.

If you fail to take these steps, you won’t be able to evict your tenant and you could be fined up to three times the value of the deposit. It’s also unlikely that you will be able to make any deductions from your tenants deposit at the end of their tenancy if you need to claim any money back for damages to the property.

9. Carry Out Tenant Checks

You need to know who you’re renting your property out to, and by law you need to make sure that your prospective tenants have the right to rent property.

It’s also a good idea to carry out a referencing check. This will confirm important details, such as employment status and whether or not the tenants have had issues paying rent previously.

10. Keep the Property Maintained

While your tenants have a duty to keep the property in good condition, it is your responsibility to ensure that it’s well maintained, and any issues are fixed promptly.

It’s helpful to have a good relationship with your tenants, and if they contact you about a problem then you should make every effort to ensure it’s rectified as soon as possible.

Warren Powell-Richards are your local property management experts for the area. Landlords – call us or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.

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Published: 26 September 2022

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Selling Your House? Make These Home Improvements First

When people sell their homes with us at Warren Powell-Richards, they often ask whether there are any common improvements they should make before they welcome viewers. Our advice is that if you are looking to sell your home, then it is definitely important to prep it beforehand. Small improvements can go a long way and, depending on the market, you might profit from renovating different spaces in your home. Knowing which rooms and which areas of your home to focus on first is going to help you stretch your budget and get the most value added to your home.

Fixes to make before you sell your home

These fixes should be done before you put your home on the market. Unlike the options in the next section, they should be considered non-negotiable, as these improvements will make your home more attractive, are cost-effective, and perfect for attracting buyers.

Declutter your home

Having a few personal items around can help make a home feel like a home, rather than a show home, but leaving all of your clutter out so that viewers cannot open cupboards and storage without it falling on top of them is not a good idea. No matter whether it is visible or stored clutter, it all needs to go. Be very critical when moving it, because this is the perfect opportunity to start packing. Get rid of what you don’t want or need by donating, selling, or recycling it.

Deep clean and refresh your home

Bring in a professional cleaning company to deep clean your home. It’ll be a huge selling point. A deep clean will involve steam cleaning carpets, professionally cleaning the oven and making everything sparkle from fabrics to solid surfaces.

Improve the kerb appeal

Go outside and make a note of any flaws with your exterior. Unless there are structural issues you will need to deal with, chances are the brick might be grimy, paint may be peeling off or need a wipe down, and so on. Hire professionals or rent the necessary equipment to deep clean and refresh your exterior walls and remember to spruce up your front and rear gardens too.

Fix structural, plumbing and electrical issues

Hiring a surveyor yourself to assess the structural integrity of your property is not required, but if you want to sell your home for the best price it could be a good move as it will let you know what, if anything, you need to have fixed before any issues get flagged by potential buyers.

Improvements to make before you sell your home

These types of improvements are best done whilst you are living in the property and at the point where you intend to spend a few years living in it yourself. It is the best way to absorb the costs and to see the value of your home increase over time. These options can also be a good choice if the housing market is buoyant, and you expect to fetch a higher value from the renovation than that of the cost of the renovation itself.

Add or upgrade your central heating system to improve efficiency

A central heating system and a house that is designed to be efficient in its heating is a very worthwhile investment and should be done first thing when you buy your property. It will help you save a lot of money over the years and keep your whole home warm and comfortable. When the time comes to sell your house, this will be a further boost to the value and make it very appealing to potential buyers.

Convert the loft space to add a bedroom

Adding a bedroom is one of the smartest ways to increase your home’s value, as it can put it in a higher price bracket. A loft conversion can cost almost twice as much as adding a lower floor extension, but if you have substantial space in your attic (24 metres), you could be looking at adding £38,328 to £101,125 in value. Costs of a loft conversion generally range between £35,000 to £45,000 so this means you can expect a 21% increase in the value of your home, or a 24% increase if you are in London.

Renovate the kitchen

The kitchen is the absolute best renovation you can do in your home, but you do need to be careful that the renovation is in line with the value of your property. You can install the most beautiful, expensive, and luxurious kitchen but make sure it will boost your property’s value to the same amount as you put into the renovation to ensure a healthy return.

Renovate the bathrooms

Bathrooms are another renovation project that can boost property value. More than that, however, modern, renovated bathrooms can make it far easier and faster to sell your property as many potential buyers will be looking for a modern, clean and sleek design.

For expert advice when selling your property please contact the friendly team at Warren Powell-Richards. We will be delighted to assist you with the sale of your home.

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Published: 26 September 2022

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6 Budget Planning Tips for First Time Buyers

Working to get your foot on the property ladder is no easy task, but with a market that has seen a slow down, now could be the perfect time to buy your first home. There’s a lot to consider, like which area to choose and what type of property to buy, but above all else, your budget should be your top consideration. The last thing you want to do is to purchase something beyond your means and end up in a financial crisis. 

If you’ve seriously started considering buying your first property, you should also be considering how you can afford it, so here are the best six budget planning tips for first-time buyers from Warren Powell-Richards. 

1. Stop renting

Paying rent every month is almost equal to paying monthly mortgage fees except you’re not gaining anything! It can be especially difficult to save a deposit for your new home if you’re paying so much each month in rent. If you are willing to give up your own space for roughly six to 12 months whilst you save your money, you are then likely to have enough for a deposit and be a homeowner much sooner than if you were trying to save money and pay rent. Moving back home with family may sound like a last resort, but you will be able to save a lot more. 

If moving in with family is not an option and you must rent, there are ways to work around this so you can still pocket some money for a deposit. You can always find a cheaper place to live, but bear in mind that this may mean a smaller property. You could also consider opting for a house share rather than renting a property of your own to help lower the cost of your rent, giving you extra money to put away for a deposit. 

2. Put your savings to work

Why have money just sitting in an account when you could be earning money on that savings? If you have a decent interest rate, you can reach your savings goal faster, but picking the right account is dependent on how you’re saving. If you have money to put aside each month and want to set up regular payments, a regular savings account might be your best bet. If you need more flexibility with the amount you put away, for example, if you save in lump sums whenever you can rather than on a fixed schedule, an instant access savings account might be the better option for you. 

3. Research areas and locations

As a first time buyer, deciding where to buy your first home is just as important as saving for your deposit. If you haven’t picked the area you want to purchase your new home in yet, do some research to find out what you can afford and if the area fits your lifestyle and needs. You can speak to our expert team here at Warren Powell-Richards to help guide your choice, but ultimately you will need to determine which areas are good for your budget before anything else. Be sure to check out what the prices are for the type of property you want to buy, as well as council taxes and any other costs that need to be factored in such as travel or parking fees for example. Once you have an idea of what the cost of your property will be, both when purchasing and when actually living there, you can start to properly budget to save for a specific goal.

4. Budget for your monthly mortgage payments

Getting a mortgage means you will be required to pay a monthly amount to your lender to cover the amount you have borrowed, so it’s vital you speak to a lender or financial adviser to ensure affordability. Here at Warren Powell-Richards we will be delighted to assist or recommend a financial services professional – simply ask us for details.

5. Budget for other home-buying costs

There are more costs to consider once you’ve bought your home, so you should make sure your budgeting plan includes enough to take care of these after you’ve completed on your first property. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you’re strapped for cash and are barely making your mortgage payments. These other costs can include:

• Solicitor fees
• Survey costs
• Mortgage arrangement costs
• Estate agent fees
• Buildings and contents insurance
• Furniture and decorating requirements
• Necessary renovations or maintenance 

6. Take advantage of the Help to Buy scheme

The government offers a Help to Buy equity loan scheme to first time buyers in England on properties that are new builds worth up to £600,000. It’s great for first time buyers who only have a 5% deposit saved up because it gives you an equity loan that can be used towards purchasing a house on a repayment basis, rather than on an interest only basis. The repayment plan is interest-free for five years, giving you time to save more money. You can apply if you’re over the age of 18, and the equity loan you receive depends on where you live, so do check with your lender for more information.

We hope you find these six first time buyer budgeting tips helpful. For further no-obligation expert advice please contact the team at Warren Powell-Richards and we will be delighted to assist you.

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Published: 22 August 2022

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Should I Get Carpet or Laminate Flooring in the Bedroom? Pros and Cons

Styling your bedroom is a highly personal process. Designed in the right way, your bedroom can become a haven to relax in at the end of a stressful day. And the flooring you opt for can make a huge difference in the overall vibe and aesthetic of your bedroom.

Choosing between carpet or laminate flooring is a big decision. Both types have their pros and cons. But which one is better? And does one or the other add more value to your property?

In this article, we’ll help you settle the debate between carpet vs laminate flooring in the bedroom by sharing our list of pros and cons.

Pros of Laminate Flooring in the Bedroom

For many homeowners, laminate flooring in the bedroom can be a great choice.

With laminate flooring, it’s:

• Easy to clean – which can be particularly beneficial in family homes
• Expensive-looking, without the expense – laminate can look as modern and sophisticated as hardwood flooring, without the high price tag
• A great DIY project – you can get help from a fitter to install laminate flooring, but it’s often a project many homeowners choose to do themselves

Cons of Laminate Flooring in the Bedroom

Having laminate flooring in the bedroom has its downsides.

For some, laminate flooring can feel:

• Colder – especially in the mornings!
• Less cosy – bedrooms are all about comfort and laminate won’t be as soft on the feet as carpet, which can make a bedroom feel less cosy
• Harder – if you, a family member or child falls on laminate flooring, it’ll be harder and could cause more injury than carpet

Pros of Carpet in the Bedroom

Many homeowners choose to have carpet in the bedroom, namely because it can feel:

• Cosier – especially on your feet when you wake up in the morning
• Softer – if the bedroom is for a child, older relative or someone prone to falls, carpet provides cushioning to land on
• Warmer – carpet retains heat much better than laminate flooring, keeping your bedroom warmer for longer

Cons of Carpet in the Bedroom

Despite its benefits, having carpet in the bedroom can have its pitfalls.

With carpet, you may find that it:

• Gets dirty – even with regular hoovering, bacteria hides in carpet and regular deep cleaning is needed
• Collects dust easily – dust mites gather in carpet, particularly in hidden areas underneath the bed, which can aggravate allergies for some people
• Can be expensive – even though carpet can be affordable, many styles (particularly in-demand colours) can be expensive, especially when paired with the cost of dense underlay and hiring a fitter

Summary

Ultimately, deciding between carpet vs laminate flooring in the bedroom is a personal choice. While some homeowners will prefer the modern style and convenience of laminate, others will find carpet the cosier option.

If you’re deciding between laminate vs carpet in the bedroom in preparation for a sale, Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts and we’d love to chat. Our friendly team of agents are happy to arrange a valuation of your home and help you stage it for a sale in the future.

Give us a call today or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about our services.