March 2023 is the date set to see the end of Help to Buy. What is more, anyone looking to use this scheme must secure a property by the end of October – when Halloween is upon us. This is a scary thought, so what next for the new build sector and will it be […]
Category: Blogs
11
Aug
The benefits of overpaying on your mortgage
If you are considering overpaying on your mortgage, you will be looking to reduce how much interest you pay and bring forward the day you are mortgage-free. But before going ahead with this apparent no-brainer, it’s important to be sure that it’s the best use of the funds available for you. You will also want […]
03
Aug
Mortgage borrowers could save by switching from lender standard variable rates
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued information suggesting that as many as 370,000 borrowers could save money by switching their mortgage. This figure is down from 800,000 in 2016. It seems that few, if any, will be immune from the rising cost of living and it makes sense to consider options and establish if […]
Upcoming EPC changes and renovations for older housing stock
With the proposed deadline to meet the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements for rental properties only a couple of years away, many landlords throughout the UK are currently in the process of assessing their property portfolios and weighing up the cost of renovations to ensure they can satisfy the forthcoming changes. The regulations, which […]
13
Jun
Debunking the myth you can’t get a mortgage with poor credit
Understanding the world of mortgages can be difficult at the best of times. If you have bad credit, it’s important to remember that contrary to what you might have heard already, you can still apply for a mortgage. Let’s take a look and debunk some of the myths you might have heard. Myth #1. Mortgage […]
Considering adding an HMO to your property portfolio?
Have you considered adding a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to your property portfolio? Nowadays, many landlords looking for ways to maximise yields and minimise risks are turning to HMO properties. Here are five reasons why: The main attraction of HMOs is that rental yields can be up to 20% higher than for a typical […]
05
May
Broker advice crucial as affordability crisis worsens
The recent announcement by the Bank of England that the base rate was to rise for the fourth time in five months did not really come as much of a surprise. With the rate of inflation at a 30-year high and expected to have reached 7.25% in April, the move by the bank to contain […]
04
May
Moving into buy-to-let: How do I become a landlord?
Taking your first step on the buy-to-let mortgage ladder is as exciting as it is daunting. Paul Brett, MD of Landbay for Intermediaries has the answers to the top questions on every would-be landlord’s lips. Buying property to rent out can be a lucrative business if you own lots of properties or it could be […]
Time to prepare for EPC changes
Regulations requiring all rental properties to have an EPC rating of C or above for new tenancies come into force in 2025, before extending to include all tenancies by 2028. This has significant financial ramifications for buy-to-let landlords, who are now required to carry out renovations to ensure their properties meet the legal requirements by […]
13
Apr
Buy to let ‘Tax Guide: UK tax relief on finance costs’
Kent Reliance for Intermediaries has worked with EY on the tax aspects of this guide which has been created to aid broker knowledge. The full implications of the restriction to the deductibility of finance costs for individual landlords (introduced and phased in as of 6 April 2017) are now being felt by landlords. The full […]