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A Lookback at 2020 – A Bonkers Year for the Property Market

A Lookback at 2020 – A Bonkers Year for the Property Market

In this three-minute read, we look at the key themes that emerged in the UK property market in 2020.

2020 is the year things went nuts in the property sector, with activity in South Devon and the rest of the country screeching to an abrupt halt for several weeks, before blasting back into action as buyers emerged from lockdown with a new set of priorities.

 Here are four talking points from the year.

  1. Race for space

Lockdown 1 served as a turning point for many people who, after spending months cooped up with their nearest and dearest, decided that it was time to get out of town. Demand for homes in places like Central London dropped and interest in country and coastal properties spiked.

Many of those heading for the hills and beaches were families looking to upscale to a home with a bigger garden, more bedrooms, and easy access to the great outdoors.

The super-rich got in on the act too, with rural estates valued at £15m plus getting snapped up.

  1. Working from home/end of the commute

2020 is the year working from home (or WFH if you like acronyms) went mainstream. Covid-19 meant that bosses who suspected staff would bunk off if they weren’t in the office had to embrace WFH. What did they discover?

Many were surprised to find that productivity didn’t nose-dive; in fact, some workers got more done. Meanwhile, employees gleefully ditched the commute and spent more time doing the things they love at home.

As a result, enquiries from people looking for properties with dedicated office space or bedrooms that could serve as a home office increased.

  1. Outdoor space

Even buyers who didn’t want to hotfoot it to the countryside, wanted outdoor space, be it a courtyard, a roof terrace or access to a communal garden.

In May, Rightmove reported searches for homes with gardens increased by 42% – a trend that has stayed strong.

  1. Resilience

When the market shut down in March, many predicted the consequences would be dire. It certainly was challenging for the industry, but the market has proved to be incredibly resilient.

At the start of December, property prices in the UK were growing at their fastest rate since 2016. The average cost of a UK home rose by 6.5% this year (figures: Nationwide).

What’s in store for 2021?

As the Covid-19 vaccine rollout gathers pace, things might return to ‘normal’ in some ways, but it’s unlikely that they will go back to what they once were.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the end of office-working, but a less rigid approach to the way we work seems here to stay.

As a result, many property experts predict demand in prime outer London and regional markets will continue in 2021.

Here at Chamberlains we’re proud to have made it through 2020. We’re a little bit older, wiser, and looking forward to serving the people of South Devon in 2021.

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Good Tenants + Great Letting Agents = Happy Landlords

Good Tenants + Great Letting Agents = Happy Landlords

In this three-minute read, we look at the two biggest decisions landlords make when renting out their property. 

Life is a daily merry-go-round of decision making.

What to eat for breakfast?

Which coat to put on?

Which queue to stand in at the supermarket (socially distanced, of course)?

Some decisions are a lot more impactful than others.

Especially when you are a landlord with a rental property.

The two biggest choices for you as a landlord, which we are about to reveal, can have substantial knock-on effects on your health, wealth, and happiness.

The choice is yours

It’s no exaggeration to say that if a landlord chooses the wrong letting agent and compounds that error by going with a tenant who has not been appropriately vetted, one thing is usually guaranteed – a big headache.

And often one that’s not easily cured by a couple of aspirin.

Poorly vetted tenants cause the most problems and letting agencies that don’t have stringent policies, procedures, and checks in place, leave their landlords wide open for future issues.

At Chamberlains, we’ve always believed the most critical aspect of our role is to ensure the right tenants are placed in suitable properties with the right landlords.

How do we do that?

Well, years of letting experience has taught us what to keep an eye out for.

The first stage of the vetting process is the initial enquiry. Be it a phone call, email or someone popping in to our office, we’re looking for signs to show us whether they might be a perfect or problematic tenant.

That experience we mentioned counts a great deal at this point.

What does a good tenant look like?

Simply someone who pays their rent on time, looks after the property like it’s their own, is courteous to deal with, and causes no problems with the neighbours.

These are all factors which can create the foundations for a successful long-term let (unless of course, the landlord is seeking a short-term tenancy).

The next part of the process is where less adept or inexperienced agencies often fall short.

Referencing responsibly

Good quality referencing is vital for doing the background checks, which can flag up issues before they become problems.

Referencing covers the applicant’s employment, credit scores, and previous rental history.

It’s not an exact science, but when done correctly, it’s usually an excellent indication of the calibre of the person applying to rent your property.

Once a tenant has been selected, the property needs to be professionally and ethically managed.

Keeping a tenant waiting a long time for a boiler repair or regular maintenance could lead to issues in the future, which leads us onto…

It works both ways

We also apply a vetting process to our landlords as well as our tenants.

If you are not willing to repair or maintain your property properly, we are probably not the letting agents for you.

In the same way that we always look to find the best tenants, we also want to work with the most responsible landlords.

If, having read this article, you’ve decided you need a letting agent who takes their responsibilities to you seriously in 2021, give us a call.

We’d love to help you make the correct choices for you, your tenants, and your rental investments.

Thanks for reading.

 

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Budgeting Guide for South Devon Landlords

Budgeting Guide for South Devon Landlords

In this three-minute read, we outline the costs and expenses landlords encounter when letting a property.

To succeed as a landlord, you need to have a realistic idea about the costs you’ll encounter when letting out a property.

Many people think that being a landlord is child’s play; they assume that once the tenant has the keys, the only thing left to do is collect the rent each month.

But the truth is, letting a property comes with an array of grown-up financial and legal responsibilities. If you’re not on top of your obligations, you could lose money or wind up in court (or both).

Here’s a list of all the costs that are part and parcel of being a landlord in South Devon.

Mortgage repayments

Mortgage repayments are the most significant monthly outgoing for most landlords. If you’re looking for certainty about the size of your monthly repayments, opt for a fixed-term rate.

Insurance costs

Landlord insurance is a condition of most buy-to-let mortgages. You can opt for a general policy (this should cover property liability, buildings insurance, contents, and loss of rent) or one that is more far-reaching (but will have higher premiums).

Maintenance and repairs

All properties require general maintenance from time to time. Landlords must ensure the property is safe (that means keeping up to date with things like gas and electricity safety checks) and in good condition. Set aside funds to cover this and any repairs that may crop up (property experts suggest between 5% and 10% of annual rent).

Service charges and other fees

If your property is in an apartment block, you may need to pay a service charge or ground rent. Leasehold property owners may also have to contribute to the cost of work carried out in communal areas.

Covering vacant periods

Even the most optimistic and diligent landlord should be prepared for a property to be empty for a short period between tenancies. It’s also possible that a tenant could fall behind on the rent. Set aside at least six weeks’ rent to cover yourself.

Tax

The rules around what you can and can’t claim as a landlord have tightened in recent years. To ensure you pay what you should, and claim that to which you’re entitled, do your research and keep all relevant receipts and paperwork.

Finding a tenant and credit checks

Some DIY landlords do these things themselves, but most good landlords leave it to the pros and use an experienced letting agent. The DIY route will save you a few quid upfront – but it could cost you much more in the long run (think of the legal bills if it all goes wrong). A good letting agent will have years of experience at sourcing good tenants, checking references, and spotting trouble in advance.

Property management fees

A letting agent will handle the big and little stuff for you: the paperwork, the people management, the legal checks, the inspections, and disputes. As a landlord, you could do this for yourself. It will save you some money but cost you in terms of time and energy.

Here at Chamberlains, we can take the stress out of managing a rental property, so you can sleep easy at night. Get in touch if you have any questions, we’re here to answer your queries.

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Will You Be Enjoying a Big Bubble or a Little Bublé this Christmas?

Will You Be Enjoying a Big Bubble or a Little Bublé this Christmas?

In this two-minute read, we look at what the Christmas announcements mean to households.

This year has been filled with anguish and anxiety for many of us.

But the news that coming out around successful vaccines and the announcement of the temporary relaxation around social distancing rules over Christmas has cheered up many of us.

And in true Christmas miracle fashion, it’s got the four national governments of the UK to take a united approach.

For five days, people have the option to celebrate the festive period with selected families and friends.

Here is some of the Government’s guidance for England around the rules for 23 to December 27 as reported by the BBC.

  • Up to three households will be allowed to stay together and form a “Christmas bubble.”
  • You can form a different Christmas bubble from the people you live with usually – so you can choose to stay with different people for the five days.
  • You can meet people outside your Christmas bubble. But only outside the home and in line with the rules for the tier in which you are staying. Places you can meet those people include parks, beaches, open countryside, public gardens, allotments and playgrounds
  • Children under 18 years-old whose parents do not live together may be part of both parents’ Christmas bubbles.
  • Existing support bubbles count as one household towards the three-household limit.
  • Students are considered to be part of the household to which they have returned.

According to the BBC, the decision will be based on several factors, including case numbers, the reproduction rate – or R number – and the amount of pressure on local NHS services.

For some families, it will be a difficult choice around who to share Christmas with.

There’s always the option to stay within your established bubble (AKA your immediate family).  This way, you won’t fall out with the in-laws, and you’ll be keeping seriously safe.

So, what will you be doing?

Will you be planning a three-family bubble with all the traditional works?

Or are you going for a lower-key approach, with a smaller turkey and Michael Bublé’s Christmas songs providing the backdrop?

Whatever you plan, we hope you have a safe, memorable, and happy time.

From all at Chamberlains.

PS: Here is the link to the Government’s Advice. (England Only)

https://tinyurl.com/y5czwlkc