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Published: 14 November 2022

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Landlords: How To Keep Your Tenants Happy

As a landlord, you want stability, and you want to be confident in the knowledge that good tenants are going to stay and the rent will continue coming in.

Here, we look at how landlords can keep their tenants happy – and why it is so important.

Happy tenants = happy landlord

There are many reasons people become landlords. They might have some money to invest perhaps, or they might have inherited a property.

What’s true of every landlord though is that they want stability. They want to know that their investment is safe and that a paying tenant is staying put.

That’s what being a happy landlord is about.

If a tenant wants to move out, it causes hassle for the landlord.

• They have to find a new tenant.
• They have to get updated safety checks carried out.
• Maintenance costs or cleaning costs may come in.
• Time is needed to check on properties.

That’s why being a happy landlord is important, and it’s why keeping a tenant happy is crucial.

What’s a happy tenant?

That’s a good question. A happy tenant is someone who will want to stay in the rented accommodation long-term.

But tenants are all different, and so what makes one happy may not make another happy. As a landlord – all you can do is your utmost to ensure a good relationship between you and your tenant.

Here’s how to keep your tenant happy!

Be responsive

If a tenant has a problem, and they let you know about it, respond. Not just to their message, but to the actual issue itself.

If you say you’ll get round to a problem within a set time, ensure that you do. Solve the problem.

In doing so you’ll also be looking after your investment by sorting issues out before they become big problems.

Be flexible

Things happen.

So if a tenant comes to you and says they have a problem, perhaps with rent payments, be prepared to be flexible. Work out a solution that means payment is perhaps deferred or delayed.

• Create a payment plan.
• Offer a short rental holiday.
• Agree timescales and get everything in writing.

Be respectful

There are rules for landlords when it comes to visiting properties and checking up on things.

But, we say as a general rule, a tenant’s house is their home and you should treat it as such. You should not simply arrive unannounced.

Your tenants want to get on with living their own lives with privacy and don’t want to worry about their landlord checking up on them all the time.

Be truthful

The tenancy agreement should be clear, particularly about rights and responsibilities. This sets things out on the right footing should anything happen during the tenancy.

If a tenant is unsure about the future of the property they live in, they may be nervous. Don’t go idly talking about selling up or increasing the rent, even if you are considering it. Be truthful about things.

Be friendly

We’re not talking about popping in for cups of tea or going out for a beer. But, check in on your tenant sporadically (and by appointment) to make sure all is OK. If you know someone has an issue of some kind, ask if they are all right. If a tenant thinks you are looking out for them, they are more likely to be happy, look after the property, and importantly stay – keeping you happy.

These are just a few pointers for you. We work with a number of landlords in the area and we will be more than happy to share our thoughts with you.

Call us on or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Published: 14 November 2022

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A First Time Buyer’s Guide To Gifted Deposits

What Happens If A Family Member Gives Me Money Towards A Deposit On A Home?

For first-time buyers, saving up for a deposit can be a significant obstacle when it comes to getting on the property ladder. However, that’s where a gifted deposit can come into play. More first-time homebuyers than ever before are turning to their parents for help so the team at Warren Powell-Richards has drawn up this first-time buyer’s guide to gifted deposits so that you can understand how it works.

What Are Gifted Deposits?

First things first – gifted deposits are financial gifts used to cover part or all of your mortgage deposit given by a family member in the form of a lump sum. It is not a loan, therefore, there is no legal requirement for the homebuyer to repay it and the person who is gifting the money must have absolutely no design on becoming the owner of any part of the home being purchased. The gifter holds no stake in the property and gets no mention on the deeds or mortgage application. Put simply, gifted deposits must genuinely be a gift, and there mustn’t be any expectation of any returns being received in exchange.

Can Anyone Gift A Mortgage Deposit?

Although in theory, anybody can gift a mortgage deposit, in practice most are given to grandchildren or children by grandparents or parents. Although a friend or other relation may gift a deposit, most lenders will require more checks to be carried out, and gifters face a more rigorous burden of proof which can slow the home-purchasing process down significantly.

Are There Limits Of Gifted Deposits?

Some lenders may stipulate limits, but in many cases, there isn’t any upper limit on gifted deposits. Nevertheless, a larger sum could be subject to inheritance tax. Everybody is entitled to give away up to £3000 every year. This amount may also be carried over from the last year. Therefore, if both of your parents are still living, as much as £12,000 is able to be given as a gift with no worries about inheritance tax so long as no other financial gift has been given elsewhere in that 2-year period.

What Type of Proof Is Needed For A Gifted Deposit?

The person who is giving the gift will be asked to provide some documents. They may include:

• A gifted deposit letter.
• Proof of identification – a photographic form and two different address ID forms.
• Proof of available funds, for example, bank statements. 

Do I Have To Pay Back A Gifted Deposit?

Just like loans aren’t considered to be gifts, gifted deposits can’t be loans, so a gifted deposit does not have to be paid back.

For more information about deposits, mortgages, and purchasing your first home, get in touch with the Warren Powell-Richards team now or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get the advice you need.

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Published: 26 September 2022

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What is ‘Rent-to-Rent’ and How Does it Work?

Rent to rent is not that widely known, but it could be a way for you to make an income without having to buy a property.

Like many things, rent to rent comes with positives and it comes with negatives – the best thing to do is to weigh up the pros and the cons and come to a decision on whether you are willing to take the risk.

Rent to rent can certainly be another way for you to build a property income portfolio if you don’t have the cash reserves to buy.

You’ll see why we say “build a property income portfolio” in a moment because we’ll explain what rent to rent actually is and why it could be an option for you.

Don’t forget, we are more than happy to help explain things further so give our office a call on 01483478200 and we will run through it with you.

What is “rent to rent”?

As the name implies, rent to rent is where you rent a property from the owner, and you then rent it to a third party.

You rent somewhere to then rent it out further. Sounds simple really, doesn’t it?

The trick of course is to make money by renting it out for more than you yourself are renting it for in the first place.

You can see why some people do it, particularly if they don’t have capital to invest.

Is rent to rent a good option?

Well, in many ways, yes. As we have said, you don’t need the big cash outlay, and you don’t need to arrange a mortgage. You sign the contracts with the owner and then go about getting a tenant who pays you more than the rent you are paying. You look after the property and get the financial reward.

The owner sees the benefit of a regular income without having to do very much, particularly as it is up to you to ensure he or she gets paid.

So it’s all good then?

Well, here’s the thing. There are things to think about. In effect, you take on the responsibilities of the owner. Maintenance costs will be yours, the condition checks and certificates are likely to be your responsibility. Insurance too.

If you were the owner of the property, you’d have all these costs too – but at least you would be the owner.

What happens if rent isn’t paid to you on time? As the person who rents from the owner, you’ll still have to pay the rent to them, whether you get yours or not.

If a tenant leaves for some reason, you are the one who will have to find a new tenant and go through all the processes associated with that.

Will you make money if the property goes up in value? You’re the renter so not the owner – so no, you won’t benefit from the property going up in price, although you might benefit if the area has gone more upmarket, meaning you can charge a higher rent.

Remember though, right at the start of the agreement, you will need to set a fixed rental price with the owner. If you don’t do this, they could put their rent up and you won’t see any benefit at all.

Is it legal?

The big question! You will have probably heard that sub-letting is not always legal. This is true but only if you don’t have the owners permission. Rent to rent is a perfectly legal way to operate. It does take a lot of understanding, and it is fair to say that not everyone thinks it is a bona fide system. But, it’s actually a system that works well in the commercial property sector.

Think of all the car parks and buildings that are managed by an organisation that is not the owner. Think of the social media companies or web-based businesses where you rent a room or get a lift somewhere. They make money from the service, but do not own the property or the car.

What’s the trick to getting it right?

You can earn an income from rent to rent, but everyone has to understand it. You also need to find a property where you can add value to it. Imagine if you rented an unkempt house, perhaps a two up, two down, for a low rent, then made it good, sparklingly clean and updated and then charged a much higher rent from your tenant.

That’s how best to make the best of rent to rent.

This is of course just a short summary with a few of the pros and cons of rent to rent, and we hope it gives you food for thought. If you want to know a little more, we can help you.

Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts for the area. 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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Japanese Knotweed and Your Property. What You Need to Know

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Japanese knotweed can be disastrous for your property and so there are some important things you need to know!

Although not toxic to humans, this aggressive plant can seriously damage your home. Every homeowner should understand how to identify the plant, and how to eradicate it from their property successfully.

This is particularly relevant if you are in the process of selling your home. As the seller, if you have Japanese knotweed, you are obligated to inform your buyer of your knowledge of the plant on your property’s land – a responsibility put in place to help stop the spread of Japanese knotweed.

What is Japanese Knotweed?

Originating from eastern Asia, Japanese knotweed was brought to the UK in the 1840s.

It is a highly invasive plant that thrives wherever there is a water source. Across the UK, it is rife near lakes and along riverbanks. However, it is also unfortunately common in residential gardens.

Japanese knotweed can be extremely difficult to spot, as to the amateur gardener, the plant looks remarkably like many other weeds present in our gardens. One of the unique characteristics of Japanese knotweed is its heart-shaped leaves, which are generally around 10cm in length. The spring shoots of Japanese knotweed are distinctive in their deep red and purple colouring.

What are the Dangers of Japanese Knotweed?

Luckily, Japanese knotweed is entirely harmless to humans. It is not toxic and will not hurt humans or animals if they are in contact with, or even ingest the plant. However, it is incredibly damaging to the environment and can cause devastating destruction to human-made and natural landscapes.

Japanese knotweed is known to have destroyed robust, vital structures such as flood defences and railway lines. So, if found on a residential property, it must be dealt with immediately.

There are no natural predators of Japanese knotweed, so the plant can quickly grow out of control. It develops a massive root system, which spreads underground without us realising. Meaning, it can easily destroy drainage systems and the foundations of buildings.

Is Japanese Knotweed Illegal?

Whilst it is not illegal to simply have the plant on your land, it is your responsibility as a homeowner to ensure the plant, and its dangers, do not spread to your neighbours and around your local area.

How do I Get Rid of Japanese Knotweed?

Homeowners are not under a legal duty to remove the plant from their land. But you could face a hefty fine if you choose to remove, and do not dispose of it safely. This is why it is always preferable to hire a professional to deal with the issue.

There are two common ways to get rid of Japanese knotweed. The first is with a chemical treatment. Although this can be highly effective, it can actually take several years to kill the plant due to its extraordinarily fast-growing and durable nature.

Alternatively, you may decide to dig up, physically remove and bury the plant elsewhere. In which case, you must use an authorised landfill or disposal site.

If not disposed of correctly, the plant will simply begin to regrow and cause even more issues. The vehicle used to transport it must be jet washed afterwards to reduce the plant’s revival chances.

Japanese Knotweed Is Your Responsibility

The first rule as a homeowner is to be honest.

Pretending you were not aware of Japanese knotweed existence on your land can have serious repercussions later down the line. As the seller, you can get into a legal battle should it become an issue for the new owners. As a buyer, the existence of Japanese knotweed can affect your mortgage entitlement.

Can Japanese Knotweed Affect My Home’s Value?

Unfortunately, it can drastically affect the value of your home. If the problem has been left to develop, there could be substantial structural damages, meaning the house could be worth significantly less than you imagined.

Luckily, if caught in the early stages, Japanese Knotweed is not ridiculously expensive to deal with. The professionals know how to eradicate and dispose of the plant, ensuring it does not return to your property.

Japanese Knotweed and Purchasing a New Home

If a home seller is aware of Japanese knotweed on a property, they are under a legal obligation to declare this on the property documentation.

So, as a new buyer, when you are finalising the documents, you will be aware of the plant’s presence. If you are the seller, you must declare the presence of Japanese knotweed. Mortgage lenders will require proof that the knotweed will be eradicated before finalising any mortgage agreement.

This doesn’t necessarily mean they will not offer a mortgage to a home with Japanese knotweed, but that they will want to see a professional eradication plan in place before guaranteeing the property.

If you are thinking of selling in the area, call Warren Powell-Richards or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an appraisal of your home.