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Landlords
Would you know if your tenants were subletting?
Would you know if your tenants were subletting? The National Landlords Association has announced that 50% of subletting happens without landlord consent. This is a huge number, and could become an issue if not addressed. Here’s our guide to prevent and spot subletting. The issue Unauthorised subletting can lead to cramped living conditions. Too many people living in one space can be uncomfortable and dangerous, as well as breaking licensing laws and invalidating insurance. A clear statement within your tenancy agreement about your policy on subletting, is great but no assurance that tenants won’t continue to do so without asking permission. Therefore it’s important for tenants to understand the weight of subletting. How to stop subletting Educating Tenants Setting out your expectations from the start is important. Discussing your subletting policy with tenants at the start of their tenancy, rather than relying upon them reading a hand book or tenancy agreement is smart. Outline how to address requests to sublet. Focus on the importance of communication rather than isolating tenants by focussing on potential penalties. Taking headshots of tenants when they move in allows you, or whoever is inspecting, to quickly identify who should be there. This practise also creates a good opportunity to address (and stress) your policy on subletting. Property Inspections Property inspections are always important, and can save you money in the long run. Regular visits to your property help to identify if anyone other than the agreed parties are living there. Although this could become a strenuous task for landlords who manage multiple properties, these findings mean that it’s a necessity. Diaries are the most effective way to keep track of property visits. Using one will ensure you are inspecting each property regularly, and is a good way to keep notes together. Visits are your main opportunity to look for any signs indicating that extra tenants are in your property. Stay well informed on the actions you can take if you do discover subletting. This will hopefully allow you to put a stop to the problem before it becomes worse, saving you time, money and hassle.
Hints & Tips
Top tips for your garden this winter
Top tips for your garden this winter A well-tended garden can set the scene for your whole home and, as Audrey Hepburn said “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” With snow on Scottish hills and the first frost around the corner, now is the time to put your garden to bed for […]
Hints & Tips, Landlords
Landlords, is it worth setting up as a limited company?
Landlords, is it worth setting up as a limited company? Property is one of the most accessible forms of investment, and an area most people feel comfortable in. Although it’s familiar territory there can be a big jump between owning your family home, and running a successful property portfolio as a landlord. Running a limited […]
Hints & Tips
Top tips for keeping your home cosy – without breaking the bank!
Top tips for keeping your home cosy – without breaking the bank! The weather is getting cold and dreich so it’s time to make sure that when you’re at home you’re kept cosy. Here are our top tips for students, and anyone else feeling a little bit chilly. •Exercise Moving keeps you warm, fact. So […]
Maintenance
Winter nights are darker. Top tips for keeping your home safe.
Winter nights are darker. Top tips for keeping your home safe. Out of the dark autumn nights loom ghost, skeletons and thieves. While Halloween’s great fun, and bonfire night is great at this time of year protecting your home from crime is important. Dark nights can provide the ideal cover for thieves, and highlight your […]
Buy To Let
Are Home workers your target rental market?
Are Home workers your target rental market? Did you know that half of all businesses start in the home? The number of sole traders and businesses trading from home is growing, so should this group be a target market for landlords? The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland used their most recent report to put pressure […]
Student Accommodation
6 tips for splitting bills (without losing your mates)
There are simple ways to avoid the drama when sharing household costs. Save the Student reveals top tips to keep the peace without ending up out of pocket. When it comes to owing your mates money, few things have the potential to escalate as quickly as the Who Bought the Last Loo Roll debate. […]
News
The latest news to affect the property market – and what it means
The latest news to affect the property market – and what it means As average monthly rent in the UK hits a record high, and demand outstrips supply in many areas the rental market has been under the microscope. Now in Scotland it’s the subject of change too. On 7th October the Private Housing (Tenancies) […]
News
Summer Budget Tax Bombshell
Summer Budget Tax Bombshell The Chancellor announced tax changes in his emergency summer budget which will have a huge financial impact on many landlords and according to a recent Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) survey, could mean that up to a third of rental businesses are no longer viable in their current form. The changes announced […]
