Planning to invest in the buy-to-let sector? Here are ten pieces of expert advice to help you plan ahead and get the most out of your investment
Becoming a buy-to-let landlord can be a very profitable use of your capital. That is not to suggest that it is easy to do, especially if you’re taking on the management of the property portfolio yourself.
As such, having the right knowledge and putting the right plan in place is important. Private and Commercial Bank, Arbuthnot Latham has offered some advice to help landlords save time, stress, and ultimately money, in the months and years ahead.
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Mind your own business
Whether you are doing it for the first time or are a portfolio landlord, it is important you keep on top of your record keeping.
Good record keeping not only helps you keep track of income and outgoings, but it is also important for staying on top of administrative tasks, like when insurance renewals are due. It can also be a lifesaver if you are unfortunate enough to face a tenant dispute.
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Plan for periods with no rent
It is fair to say you will experience periods when your property is vacant; generally, this is after one tenancy has ended and you are advertising the property for new tenants.
If you manage it well, you may have a new tenant lined up to move in soon after the previous tenant leaves, but you cannot assume this will happen. On average, a house will be vacant for up to four weeks a year.
You need to allow for this either by holding a contingency sum in your bank account or by retaining the surplus rent, after mortgage and other costs, in the account to cover you when no rent is coming in.
As a minimum, it is worth holding the equivalent of three month’s rent to help you through these periods.
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Allow for unforeseen costs
You need to think about the costs associated with a rental property. Not just the mortgage, but insurance, maintenance and the costs involved with keeping up to date with legislation, such as current energy efficiency requirements and gas safety certification.
Have your contingency fund available to cover this, and as with vacant periods, think about keeping it topped up by retaining surplus rent in your bank account.
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Handle the tenant deposit correctly
If you do not deal with the tenant deposit correctly you open yourself up to being fined. Legislation is quite strict around this area, so it is important you are familiar with procedures and the paperwork you need to provide to your tenant.
Make sure you have thoroughly checked the property before handing it over to your new tenant. Draw up a detailed inventory (take photographs) of the property and any contents included in the rental agreement. Provide a copy to your tenant before they move in.
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Carry out regular inspections of the property
By undertaking a regular inspection, you have the opportunity to check the property to ensure it is being looked after, but this can also give you the opportunity to catch up with your tenant.
Not only does this allow them to draw any issues to your attention, so you can deal with them before they become a major problem, but also gives you the chance to check on them, find out about their work situation and any plans for the future.
You may come away with a view that they are planning to stay longer term or may be struggling financially.
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Allow for buy-to-let tax changes
You should be aware of tax changes brought in over the last few years and how this may impact your income or ability to raise the level of mortgage you are seeking.
Taking advice from a specialist tax accountant before you commit to buying a property is crucial. Not only will this help you understand your allowances and liabilities but may also help you decide how you buy the property (in personal names or a limited company vehicle) and any potential implications on your other income.
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Calculate rental yields
Rental yield is a percentage figure calculated by taking the annual rental income and dividing this by the amount you have invested in a property.
It is worth doing your homework to get an idea of the level of yield you can expect to achieve on the property type and area you are looking to invest in.
For instance, two smaller properties (e.g. two or three-bed terraced houses) may provide a better yield than if you invest the same amount in one larger four + bed house.
This will also drive the amount of borrowing that you can have on the property as this is assessed on the income the asset produces rather than a loan-to-value (LTV) request.
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Choose the right location
Location, location, location – it’s a fact that you need to think about the location when purchasing a property to rent.
Get to know the area and its reputation. Think about your future tenant and if the property is right for renting in that area.
If you choose an area with a poor reputation or poor transport links, you may struggle to achieve the rent you are aiming for.
Another consideration: Is the property type right for the location? For instance, an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) in an area with little need for this type of property is less likely to provide you with a good return on your investment than if it were near a university.
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Meet the tenants or vet them properly
You have invested a large sum of money in your property and are about to entrust it to a stranger. If you are using an agent, do your research. Are they reputable? Yes, you want to make sure your relationship with them is good, but do they treat tenants properly as well? If the tenants are happy, they’re likely to take better care of your property.
Similarly, it is good practice to make sure potential tenants are vetted properly, ideally you should meet them yourself before you commit to the tenancy.
It is worth finding out a little about them and their reasons for the move. Also, if you can begin to build a relationship with them it will help for the future.
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Select the right insurance cover
Insurers look at a buy-to-let property differently to owner-occupied homes. You will need specialist landlord cover, as standard household insurance is unlikely to cover your rental property.
Insurance cover not only considers the building (and contents if you are letting a furnished property) but other risks such as periods when it will be vacant or if serious damage is caused by your tenant. Having the right cover in place now, could save you from substantial cost in the future.
