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Em Morley

Letting agent refutes one in four tax quit claim

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 2:57 pm

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Categories: Landlord News

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This week saw a concerning report stating that up to 25% of buy-to-let investors could be driven from the sector, as a result of existing and proposed tax changes.

However, a leading letting agent has moved to quash this prediction from the Residential Landlords Association.

Misleading

Ajay Jagota, head of North East lettings and sales firm KIS, feels the data is misleading and incomplete. He argues that it does not take into account regional variations.

Mr Jagota said: ‘I’m not disputing that these tax changes will affect landlords and that the ultimate losers will in all likelihood be the tenants whose rents go up to cover those costs – but this poll is less accurate than the polls which missed Brexit and the election of Trump.’[1]

‘We work with a similar amount of landlords to the total number who took part in the survey, and not one of them has even hinted to me at any point this entire year that they are thinking of selling up. Other major agents I’ve spoken to have said the same thing. So where are these one in four landlords who are packing in?’[1]

Letting agent refutes one in four quit claim

Letting agent refutes one in four quit claim

‘Self-selecting’

Continuing, Jagota said that the survey reflects, ‘1,000 probably self-selecting landlords,’ who in reality do not show the thoughts of the majority of investors.

‘There’s a wider issue here that some eye-catching headline figures are once again failing to accurately reflect reality on the ground. It happened in the 2015 election, it happened in the EU referendum, it happened in the US presidential election – but it also happens in housing,’ Jagota noted.[1]

Concluding, he said: ‘As a local agent you know the micro details about community you serve which will be missed by – even the Office of National Statistics would miss. You can even see when an individual street is on the up. But you are then told that statistics show how things are entirely different from what you’ve seen with your own eyes.’[1]

[1] https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/11/letting-agent-rips-into-landlord-survey-of-buy-to-let-quitters

 

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 12:19 pm

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Today’s the day that the Night Tube launches on the Northern Line on Fridays and Saturdays. The service will join the Central, Victoria and Jubilee lines, which rolled out their overnight routes over the past few months.

Ahead of the all-night extension, online estate agent eMoov.co.uk has analysed house prices from north to south on one of the capital’s oldest Tube lines. The research looks at the current property demand by each station, the average house price in each area and the growth in values across the Northern Line in the last year.

Property south of the river dominates demand on the Northern Line – six of the ten most in-demand areas are below the Thames, making southwest London a hotspot for Night Tube homebuyers. Being so well connected makes it a particularly great location for commuters.

Morden, the southernmost stop on the line, is the most in-demand area, at 44%. Zone 3’s Colliers Wood, 43%, and Balham, 41% are close behind.

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

The Night Tube Launches on the Northern Line

In contrast, the least in-demand areas on the Northern Line are north of the river. Both Charing Cross and Embankment top the list, at just 3%. As prime central London has taken a hit over the last few months, it’s unsurprising that the capital’s most expensive spots have seen demand drop. Hampstead, between Zones 2 and 3 in north London, also ranks as one of the least in-demand areas on the Northern Line, at 8%. Although this isn’t quite on par with prime central London, this affluent residential area has suffered a drop in demand as a result of high prices, at an average of £1,466,516.

As it crosses two lines through the centre of the city, the Northern Line extends into some of London’s most expensive areas.

Tottenham Court Road boasts the highest average house price, at £2,083,431, followed by Hampstead. The third spot goes to Charing Cross, at £1,416,625.

Yet again, the southernmost tip of the Northern Line tops the list for the most affordable property. Morden’s average price is just £398,422. Colindale has the second most affordable house prices, at £405,576, while Zone 5’s Edgware enjoys an average value of £434,211.

The Night Tube will be particularly beneficial to these three areas, as late night crowds will be more inclined to live further out of the centre, knowing that they can still get home cheaply and easily.

The most impressive growth rates on the Northern Line are scattered across all zones. Burnt Oak has recorded the greatest increase in house prices on the line, at 12%, and was trailed by a three-way tie between Edgware, Kennington and Waterloo, at 10%. Morden again shows impressive growth, at 9%.

But despite strong growth around the capital’s outer zones, it was the prime central London stops that recorded the greatest declines. Goodge Street, Warren Street and Tottenham Court Road all saw prices fall by 1%. This is no doubt a result of these areas being home to some of the highest property values.

Clearly, the Night Tube service on the Northern Line will have the most positive effect on homeowners living in the furthest reaches of north and south London, making property on the outskirts of the capital more appealing, particularly to younger would-be homebuyers.

The Piccadilly Line will launch its Night Tube service on Friday 16th December, and other lines are expected to expand their routes in the New Year.

The Founder and CEO of eMoov, Russell Quirk, comments: “The launch of the Northern Line Night Tube service is no doubt one of the most anticipated, as the line connects both the very north and south peripherals of the city, with the Jubilee and Victoria line services merely brushing the boundary south of the river.

“With the price of property in central London forcing many, especially younger, homeowners and renters out into these peripherals, property close to a 24-hour link that reaches right across the city will be a sought after commodity indeed.”

He continues: “Property demand across the Northern Line reflects this, with the most sought after stations for buyer demand all located in Zone 3 and further afield, with the exception of Clapham North. Although demand should increase the entirety of the Night Tube service, homeowners at each end of the Northern Line should be particularly well placed to see the value of their property increase, in line with this heightened buyer demand.”

Landlords, now might be a great time to buy on the Northern Line…

Internet connection now considered essential for tenants

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 11:19 am

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An interesting new survey has revealed that a reliable and affordable internet connection is one is the most important features that tenants look for when searching for a new property.

For many millennials, a good broadband connection is imperative, whether for work, study and entertainment reasons.

Essential

Research from LivingCom shows that high-speed internet is an essential component of renting a property. 96% said that a lack of internet when moving into a property is cause for massive frustration.

In fact, the survey shows that sub-standard connectivity can have a detrimental impact on rental values. Tenants will be harder to attract and of course, harder to retain. Three-quarters of young professionals questioned said that the are more inclined to rent a pre-installed internet service.

Paul Eaton, commercial manager at LivingCom, commented: ‘77% of young professionals own three or more internet-ready devices, so connectivity is key for the millennial movers and within three in four of this market lacking the funds to buy their own property, the private rental sector should be ensuring high-speed Wi-Fi and internet based services are delivered as an essential amenity, as soon as possible.’[1]

‘With 83% of 25 to 30 year olds having to wait more than a week to be connected in their new homes, it’s clear that high-speed internet connectivity needs to become an essential part of property development and a priority for landlords,’ he continued.[1]

Internet connection now considered essential for tenants

Internet connection now considered essential for tenants

Growing importance

Alternative research from Gocompare.com Broadband has indicated that a number of Britons see a good internet connection as more important than heating!

76% of people asked now view broadband as an essential utility, with 36% saying that they could not live without it. One if five people said that they would not buy or rent a home if there was a poor connection.

23% of 18-24 year olds said that they would go without heating for a week in favour of broadband. 15% said they would go cold for a month!

Ben Wilson of Gocompare Broadband noted: ‘These figures highlight just how important the internet has become in our daily lives, with the majority of people now considering it an essential utility like energy or water.’[1]

‘The internet has quietly become a vital part in many people’s day-to-day lives and as such it’s now more important than ever to make sure you’re with right provider at the right price.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/11/good-internet-connection-now-considered-vital-by-renters

 

Majority of People Want the Lettings Industry to be Regulated

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 10:34 am

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The majority of people want the lettings industry to be regulated, according to a survey for the BBC’s popular Victoria Derbyshire show.

76% of people believe the lettings industry should face tougher regulation, including controls over letting agent fees, lengths of tenancies, deposits and inventory checks.

Majority of People Want the Lettings Industry to be Regulated

Majority of People Want the Lettings Industry to be Regulated

In addition, 74% want rent controls in the private rental sector.

Yesterday’s Victoria Derbyshire programme discussed the lettings industry and the results of its study.

The survey, of 1,002 people, also found that 69% believe rent rises when a tenancy is renewed should be capped, while 63% want the standard minimum lettings term to be increased to 12 months.

The accompanying BBC news story looks at three case studies, including a family with three children who have moved ten times in the last 12 years, and a tenant who was given 28 days’ notice to leave his home of five years, but struggled to find the money needed for a deposit, rent in advance, and letting agent fees for his next rental home.

The Chairman of the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), Alan Ward, told the BBC that although the idea of rent controls may seem “attractive”, they would be a “disaster” in reality.

He adds: “All experience of them shows that they lead to landlords cutting investment or quitting the market, reducing both quality and choice for tenants. The way to moderate rents is to encourage investment and boost supply.

“There are already well over 400 regulations affecting the private rented sector, and the actions of successive governments is raising the cost of renting.”

He continues: “The problem is not about a lack of regulations, but proper enforcement of them, and we support local authorities in their efforts to root out criminal landlords.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government also says: “This Government is committed to creating a bigger, better private rented sector, with up to £10 billion in Government-backed guarantees to build more quality homes for rent.

“We are doing this without the need for excessive state regulation that would push up prices and make it far harder for people to find somewhere to rent.”

The Government’s blacklist of rogue landlords, which will also be controlled by local authorities, will be in operation from autumn 2017: /blacklist-rogue-landlords-operation-autumn-2017/

The Valuation Office Agency released statistics on the private rental sector in England yesterday. It found that the median monthly rent over the past year was £650. London had the highest, at £1,473, while the North East is the lowest, at £480.

Fall in rental market activity recorded in October

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 9:52 am

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Rental market activity slowed during October, according to new data released from Agency Express.

Taking Britain as a whole, the number of new listings rose by 2.6% year-on-year, which was down from the 11.5% rise in new properties coming onto the market at the same period last year.

Ups and downs

The volume of properties actually let last month slipped by 6.3% over the same timeframe, almost on a par with data from the same month in 2015.

Eight of the twelve regions assessed by the Property Activity Index recorded growth in new listings to let, with only four regions seeing growth in properties let.

The top three regions experiencing rises in new properties to let were:

  • East Midlands +20.4%
  • West Midlands +13.4%
  • Central England +12.4%

And in terms of properties actually let, the top three were:

  • South East +12.7%
  • Scotland +11.7%
  • North East +7.9%
Fall in rental market activity recorded in October

Fall in rental market activity recorded in October

Scottish success

Overall, Scotland was the top performing region in October, seeing increases in new listings and properties let. While these increases are a record for the region, Agency Express warns that demand continues to outpace supply.

During the last three months, new listings north of the border fell by 1.7%. The largest declines however were in Yorkshire & Humberside, where new listings slipped by 3.6% and properties let fell by 14.1%.

Stephen Watson, managing director at Agency Express said: ‘As we look back at the historical data recorded by the Property Activity Index, we can see over the last three years October has been a buoyant month for new rentals across the UK lettings market. However, this year the figures paint a different picture, evident by the drop in supply.’[1]

‘Historical trends within the indices also indicate that we should not see a decline in figures until December, but with the current rate of change it will be interesting to see what November and December’s data brings,’ he added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2016/11/rental-supply-slows-in-october

 

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

Published On: November 18, 2016 at 9:39 am

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With the capital’s Winter Wonderland opening its doors today, online estate agent eMoov.co.uk has researched which of the best Christmas markets in the UK offers the most affordable property prices.

The agent analysed 29 of the UK’s merriest Christmas markets, finding that the current average house price across each of them was £316,569 – £98,681 more than the current UK average. eMoov then ranked them on the average house price, to guide Christmas-loving homebuyers to the ten most affordable locations during the festive season.

While many people flock to enjoy London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, not as many will be able to afford a home in the area, which costs an average of £2,052,951.

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

The Best Christmas Markets in the UK for Property Prices

Scotland’s Country Living Glasgow is the cheapest area for property, at an average of £121,430, while Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland closely trails behind, at £128,192.

Both Glasgow and Nottingham are well ahead of the other locations on the list, making them the most appealing for those looking to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in an affordable property.

The Victorian Christmas Market in Wrexham is third on the list, at £150,883, closely followed by Manchester’s German Market, at £153,590.

Birmingham’s German Christmas Market is often ranked one of the UK’s best Christmas markets and is the biggest in Europe outside of Germany and Austria. The area, which places fifth on the list, has an average property price of £165,149.

For those in Leeds, the Christkindelmark is a great event for festive cheer and house prices. The northern city is sixth on the list, at £170,927.

The next stop is Staffordshire’s Winter Wonderland, at £177,531, while the Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market is eighth, at £182,903.

Homebuyers in the Welsh capital can enjoy its average house price of £191,582, while visiting the Cardiff Christmas Market. The final gift under the tree is Chester’s Christmas Market, which has a price tag of £191,666 and prides itself on abundant crafts, stocking fillers and warm beverages.

Although there are many more Christmas markets in the UK, the above ten are some of the best and most affordable for those looking to purchase properties.

The Founder and CEO of eMoov, Russell Quirk, comments: “Christmas begins earlier every year, but the launch of winter wonderlands and Christmas markets across the UK signals the festive season is about to kick off.

“Although not everyone will welcome this news, it could certainly be beneficial for nearby home sellers, with Christmas market property commanding a higher price tag than the rest of the nation.”

He adds: “With the seasonal slowdown fast approaching, what better additional selling tool than one of the UK’s best Christmas markets down the road?

“Ironic that perhaps the best known and most popular on our list is also home to the largest barrier for those aspirational homebuyers that might wish to live there. But there are still many realistic options filled with festive cheer for those looking to buy this Christmas.”

Which of the best Christmas markets will you be visiting this year?