Your monthly update from Streets Ahead

Your monthly update from Streets Ahead




Croydon is the cheapest place to rent in London!

Tenants in London now pay more than double those elsewhere in the country, research has revealed.

 

A report by insurance provider HomeLet found that the average monthly rent payment in the capital was £2,109 in July, compared with £1,037 elsewhere in the UK.

 

Westminster remained the most expensive district, with a typical home priced at £3,360 per month, more than three times the UK figure.

Across the capital, tenants handed an average of 38 per cent of their gross household income to landlords in July this year, up from 31 per cent six years earlier.

 

Five cheapest London areas

Borough(s)

Average rent in July 2023

Croydon

£1,471

Redbridge and Waltham Forest

£1,590

Barking, Dagenham and Havering

£1,679

Bexley and Greenwich

£1,726

Harrow and Hillingdon

£1,748

Source: HomeLet

 

To read more click here 



10 cheapest places to live in London

With the cost of living crisis biting deep, finding affordable rental options is more important in the capital than ever. We take a look at the ten cheapest places to live in London. See where Croydon comes...

Click here to read 10 cheapest places to live in London.



Top tips for maintaining a good tenant-landlord relationship

 
A strong rapport between a tenant and a landlord can contribute to a better overall tenancy experience for both parties. Let’s take a look at five top tips for maintaining a good tenant-landlord relationship.

Communication is key
Clear and open communication is essential to establishing mutual trust and respect between tenants and landlords. When both parties are able to effectively communicate their expectations, responsibilities, and concerns, misunderstandings can be avoided and conflicts can be resolved in a timely manner. Tenants should feel comfortable reaching out to their landlord with any concerns or questions they may have, while landlords should keep tenants informed of any important updates or issues.

Respect each other’s space and property
Respecting each other's space and privacy is essential for a positive relationship between a landlord and a tenant. Respect works both ways, so landlords should give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the property for inspections or repairs, and tenants should respect the landlord's property and follow any rules outlined in the tenancy agreement. By respecting each other's space and privacy, both parties can create a sense of trust and mutual respect.

Be prompt and clear with rent payments
Late rent payments or irregular payment schedules can lead to a stressful tenancy and a poor tenant-landlord relationship. Tenants should understand the terms of their lease agreement, including the due date for rent, acceptable payment methods, and any late fees or penalties. Landlords, on the other hand, should provide clear and detailed rent payment instructions to avoid confusion. This way, both parties can show their responsibility and commitment to the terms of the tenancy agreement.

Address issues early on
It is crucial for both tenants and landlords to address any issues early on to prevent small problems from escalating into larger conflicts. Tenants should notify their landlord as soon as they encounter any maintenance issues or concerns with the property. Landlords, in turn, should respond promptly and take action to resolve the issue in a timely manner. By addressing issues early on, both parties can work together to find suitable solutions that meet the needs of both parties.

Comply with the tenancy agreement
Both tenants and landlords must follow their responsibilities that are outlined in the tenancy agreement. Failure to comply with the agreement can result in disputes, legal issues, and ultimately, a breakdown in the relationship between the two parties. By making sure they do not break the rules of the tenancy agreement, both parties can contribute to a successful and harmonious tenancy period.

Contact us today for more information about our lettings services



The landlord’s guide to gas safety responsibilities


 

Landlords have a duty of care, which means they are responsible for running a safe and compliant home. One of the most important measures is completing up-to-date safety checks on any gas appliances within the property, as these can pose a risk if left unchecked.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the key responsibilities expected of landlords to protect themselves and their tenants against gas hazards.

What are my responsibilities for gas safety?
As a landlord, it’s important to be aware of and tend to all of your responsibilities when it comes to gas safety.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations outline what landlords need to do to keep their rental properties safe:
  • Any gas equipment you supply must be safely installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • You must also have a registered engineer complete an annual gas safety check on all appliances and flues.
  • Your tenants must receive a gas safety check record before they move into the property, or within 28 days of the check.
The legislation also outlines three legal responsibilities:
  • Completing gas safety checks
  • Maintaining a Landlord Gas Safety Record
  • Maintenance of all gas pipework, appliances, chimneys, and flues
What is a Landlord’s Gas Safety record?
Gas Safety Records are a legal document that the gas engineer must provide upon completion of any work. A Landlord’s Gas Safety Record is similar and is required for any rented property in the UK. One of the key differences is that the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record must be provided to the tenants as well as a copy kept by you or your letting agent as proof that safety checks are being conducted regularly.

The law states that a copy of this record must be issued to current tenants within 28 days of safety checks and at the start of a tenancy for new tenants.

What happens if my property fails its gas safety check?
If the engineer finds any defects while testing your property, they will indicate this on the certificate by ticking the “Not safe to use” checkbox for the faulty appliance.

There are several different codes to indicate that appliances are unsafe for use:
  • Immediately Dangerous (ID) – This is an appliance that poses an immediate danger to life.
  • At Risk (AR) - If an appliance or installation has at least one fault that could pose a danger to life, it will be labelled as AR.
  • Not to Current Standards (NCS) – This refers to an appliance or installation that does not meet current standards but is technically safe.
If any immediate dangers are flagged up, your engineer will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and advise you on any remedial work that needs to be done to resolve the issues.

How to check your property’s appliances ?
With every new gas appliance, make sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines to find out how often a service is recommended. If you cannot find any guidelines on this, it’s best to complete an annual service. Additionally, a Gas Safety engineer will be able to advise you on whether an appliance needs more check-ups than what is typically recommended.

Gas safety tips for landlords
Providing your tenants with information on how to keep themselves safe is key. Make sure they know exactly where and how to turn the gas on and off and what procedure to follow in case of a gas emergency. You can outline this in your tenancy agreement or arrange a visit to go through this with them in person.

It’s also vital that you ensure that you only instruct Gas Safe registered and qualified engineers to conduct checks on the property. This is a legal requirement for landlords and is an integral step in ensuring that the home is safe to live in.

A typical gas safety check will not cover installation pipework, so make sure to ask your engineer to take a look at it when they conduct a gas safety check.

Can letting agents take ownership of gas responsibilities?
If you instruct a letting agent, they can take on all legal and safety obligations related to your property, ensuring that it remains compliant and that you and your tenants are safe. Having an expert on your side can also save you a great deal of time from the moment your property is first marketed until the deposit is returned, allowing you a hassle-free experience.
 
 
Need help managing your buy-to-let property? Contact our dedicated team today



Ten reasons why now is a great time to move

 
Home buyers and sellers are coming back to the UK property market in droves, breaking records along the way. Some home movers are early birds; others have given up waiting, while many are seduced by a beautiful array of inspiring properties and reasonable pricing.

You have more daylight to enjoy viewings
Spring and summer are perfect for getting out in the garden, even if it’s not your own. Longer, lighter evenings give you more time to book and enjoy house viewings. According to Rightmove, January saw a record-breaking 23% increase in valuation requests compared to last year.*

Spring-summer surge
This time of year, often sees an increase in home-moving activity. Winter is over and the yearning for change is in the air. There are not many things that can change your life, like moving to a property you love. Many home movers choose spring, hoping to be in on time to enjoy summer.

0% stamp duty
Stamp duty is due to increase in April 2025. But right now, it’s at 0% for homes up to the value of £250,000 and for first-time buyers up to the value of £425,000, and just 5% between £425,001 and £625,000 on the amount over £425,000.** This reduces the cost of your move.

Sellers are back
Agreed sales were up by 16% in the first six weeks of the year compared with the same time in 2023.* And with the number of homes arriving on the market increasing as ‘For Sale’ signs appear in the locations you love; you know you are closer than ever to finding the property you really want.

Buyers are back
With buyer demand increasing by 11%*** in January compared with last year, buyers have been returning to the market for some time. Momentum is building steadily. Buyers are often sellers too, so they bring more choice to the market. All of this, combined with lowering interest rates, increases confidence in the market.

Best of both worlds with reasonable pricing
Make a good offer and you will be home in no time. This year is great for moving compared with previous years. You will get a good price for your current home with house prices inching up but, you will also get good value for money when buying due to the slowdown in house price inflation last year.

Good news for first-time buyers
With low deposit mortgages, the First Homes scheme offering discounts on new-build homes, affordable starter homes, and helpful savings schemes giving good interest to help you gather a deposit, it’s best to ignore the average house price in the UK mentioned in the news. Many homes are priced below this figure so you can get a footing on the ladder.

Positives for second steppers
If you are moving from a starter home, you will enjoy more demand than any other sector. This means you are in a good place to take a step up. With increasingly competitive interest rates and over 5,000**** mortgage products to choose from, from porting to buying something with the potential to improve, you have a lot of options.

Buy a home higher up the ladder
Homes at the higher end of the ladder are still enjoying lots of room for negotiation. If you are a cash buyer, even better. So, if you have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and want an extraordinary home, this is your time. As soon as you move into your home, it will start increasing in value as the market warms.

Moving is not stressful with the right agent
Moving does not have to be stressful. As experienced agents combine their local market knowledge with access to a vast database of buyers and sellers, you can’t miss. This makes it easier to find an alternative if a sale falls through. Achieving a good price and finding the home you want is important and good agents make it happen effortlessly.
 
Make your move magical and stress-free by contacting us today



Rightmove*
GOV.UK**
Zoopla***
Moneyfacts****



Buying a new build vs. an old build home

 
When purchasing the perfect property for you to call home in the UK, there is such a wide variety available in the housing market to choose from. In the UK, the government is attempting to reach a goal of 300,000 new homes built per year to keep up with the high demand and increase in population. * Some people prefer the character of an old building, while others crave a new blank canvas.

When buying your perfect property, new builds and old builds will both be available, so we are here to compare the two and decide which home suits you.

What’s the difference between a new build and an old build?
YWhen purchasing a home, you must compare the different types of properties. Whether you would prefer a one-bed apartment in a city or a four-bed house in the country, you need to decide which home best suits your lifestyle. This is the same when it comes to choosing a new-build or an old-build property. A newly built property has never been lived in before and is sometimes designed particularly to what you desire. An old building is a property with lots of character, history, nd several previous owners. So, there are extreme differences between an old-build and a new-build home. Do you want a move-in-ready home or a potential property adventure?

What are the positives of purchasing a new build property?
When buying a new home, it is most likely that you will buy the property before it has even been built. This allows you to add certain personalisation’s to the home, like the room layout, light and power placements. It is most likely to be a more energy-efficient home, as newly built homes must meet certain requirements. This means the home's EPC rating will be excellent when you want to sell or rent out your property. Another benefit of a new build is that it never has a chain of properties attached to it, decreasing the chances of your move falling through. It is known that when buying a new home, you have more access to better mortgages and shared ownership options. This increases your chances of owning a property earlier than the average first-time buyer.

What are the negatives of buying a new build property?
A new build isn’t always the best choice for every home buyer, and they can be made more accessible for first-time buyers. New builds aren’t always built on the timeline you planned, creating delays in your moving timeline. New builds aren’t for everyone, but they create the perfect, comfortable step on your property ladder. When buying a new build, you are the first owner, however you may less have less scope to carry out home improvements. There is normally no community built yet, and there is no previous seller to tell you how amazing it is to live at that location.

What are the positives of buying an old build property?
When purchasing an older period home, there are many benefits that come with the purchase. The homes normally have larger square footage, with bigger rooms creating more space. They are well structured, built with thicker walls, and surrounded by more land. Older properties hold valuable character and history, which cannot compete with a new build. You can easily add value to these properties by renovating and redecorating, creating a modern twist. Old build properties will only increase in value over the years unless they are poorly looked after.

What are the negatives of buying an old build property?
When buying an old building, you normally get tangled within a long chain of properties. This is because for people to afford to buy their next home, they must ensure their past property is sold, creating this chain of properties. Old builds normally need constant maintenance and renovation when purchased, but these are spotted quite easily in an old build and normally bought as an exciting project. These homes will have lower EPC ratings as they weren’t built with high energy efficiency, but they can always be improved in the future.

What’s the difference in price between an old build and a new build?
When purchasing between an old build and a new build, there is not much of a price difference. The price is slightly higher for a new build, only because it has never been lived in before. An old build costs less, but you will most likely need to redecorate and renovate parts of the property.
 
Are you searching for a new home? Contact us today to check out our range of dream homes.

 

BBC*