Student Landlords - Fail To Prepare, Prepare To Fail!

Chichester is home to just over 5,000 University students, studying a variety of courses ranging from Fine Art to Sports Science, and Primary Teaching to History. In such a vibrant and thriving University city comes a very strong student buy-to-let market. 

Having worked with many student landlords over the years, one of the most important aspects of the lettings process I have learnt is that advertising timings and tight tenancy renewal's processes are absolutely key to securing a successful tenancy. 

Experience tells us that the majority of motivated students looking for accommodation for the next academic year will start their search early to ensure they secure the best houses available. Approximately 80% of students will look to secure their accommodation for next year during the months of January and February.

If you are a landlord with a student property for this next cycle here are a few tips that have served us well in ensuring your property does not get left behind when the window and interest closes (around late March/early April.

1.    Have you or your agent called the existing tenants to determine their intentions for the next academic year? They should be offered the option to renew at a price you have decided with the help of your agent if you currently use one.

2.    Ensure a time frame for decision is agreed. As the marketing window for this period is so sensitive it is always best to lay out the conditions under which the renewal is offered. We recommend a decision by the 1st February with a new agreement signed and completed. During this time the property should be marketed and the tenants made aware, so that interest is generated.

3.    Get that signed agreement back ASAP! A tenant telling you 'yes we would like to renew', is not a legally binding agreement. Every day that you don’t have a signed agreement is another day wasted on marketing. If you don’t have an agreement in place and the tenants decide to change their mind, your property is caught in a bad marketing period and you may struggle to secure new tenants for the following year. Tenants DO change their minds for all sort of reasons. they drop out of their course, they decide they need a change or they fall out with their housemates. It all happens and more regularly than you'd imagine. A signed agreement ensures they are committed.

4.    If your tenant is leaving, do not delay the marketing and most importantly of all, instruct a reputable letting agent (unless of course you are already using one!). All new first year tenants will be guided by college mentors. This includes advice on accommodation and the "do's and don’ts" when renting a property. A decent agent offers them the security they are looking for and gives your property the greatest shop window to achieve maximum return - The World Wide Web of course! 

If you are a student landlord, or considering entering the student BTL market, please give me a call on 01243 887887. We always give our advice freely and are happy to assist with any questions or queries you may have.

Market Intelligence Report Autumn/Winter 2015

Our new Market Intelligence Reports are hot off the press and proving extremely popular with our landlords and property investors!

The latest edition, compiled by Dataloft, an independent property research company, has found that accommodation rented to families with one dependent child has almost doubled in the last decade. 

This intelligence is telling us is that professional families, who would have once harbored intentions to purchase their own property, are now seeing rental accommodation as a long-term alternative to buying. This could be for a variety of reasons - rising house prices, struggle to obtain finance/raise deposits, flexibility to migrate and re-locate with work/business etc. 

This change in demographic, coupled with a 21% increase in tenant activity since the beginning of January 2015, imply that that the buy-to-let market remains a savvy, sound and growing investment strategy.

To receive your free copy of the Report please email me at matt.berry@martinco.com

Buy-to-let Deal of the Day - Neat and Well Presented Apartment offering 5.3% Gross Yield

As we have previously discussed, it is extremely important to obtain full details of all service and maintenance charges when considering purchasing a leasehold investment. These costs can often run into well over a thousand pounds per annum, taking a serious chunk out of a landlord's yield. 

Whilst browsing Rightmove this morning I noticed a two double bedroom apartment with an annual maintenance charge of a very modest £600 (plus a peppercorn ground rent of £10 p.a.).

On the market with Bryne Runciman Estate Agency for a guide price of £180,000, the flat is offered in good condition, with a fully tiled modern bathroom with shower, and two double bedrooms. Elizabeth Road is situated approximately one mile to the east of Chichester City Centre, and a similar distance from St Richards hospital. 

Our agency manages several apartments within this particular development, with rents achieving between £775 and £795pcm. These properties tend to attract either young working couples or professional sharers, due to their close proximity to the city centre and A27. 

A purchase price at the £180K guide, coupled with a £795pcm rent, would return a 5.3% gross yield. If we also take into account the service charges of circa £50 per month, a potential investor would still see a healthy 5% return. 

Nine Ways To Maximise Your Buy-To-Let Profits

You may recall my commentary regarding landlord tax changes in last months blog. This article prompted several calls from our clients, concerned that these changes in the buy-to-let sector will wipe out their profits.

So, how can you claim against the tax? Most of the basics still apply – buying and furnishing properties are capital expenditure and therefore not claimable – but there are elements of your portfolio that are claimable.

Mortgage Interest

You are currently allowed to offset your mortgage interest against your tax bill at your personal tax rate.

Unfortunately, this is set to change – controversially. Landlords won’t be able to deduct their mortgage from their rental income once the changes are implemented. Instead, you will be taxed on the rent you have received, not the profit you make. Therefore, you can be taxed on profit that isn’t there – you can be taxed more than 100% of your profit.

Mortgage fees

Broker and arrangement fees are tax deductible and claimed for the year that the mortgage was arranged.

Letting agent fees

Based on a national average rent of £749 and an average agent’s fee of 10-15% of the monthly income, you can claim back all of these. This could equate to £1,350 a year.

Securing a tenant

Landlords who find tenants without the help of an agent can claim back the cost of advertising for tenants, purchasing tenancy agreement, credit checking and other costs. You can expect these to cost roughly £300 each time a new tenant moves into your property.

Building and contents insurance

Cover for low-risk buy-to-let properties costs around £200 a year. This is claimable.

Maintenance and repairs

Although getting the property fit for purpose is capital expenditure, keeping it that way isn’t. Wear and tear is claimable. Maintenance costs include mending windows and doors, white goods, furniture and decorating.

Furniture

Another area subject to change. Your current 10% wear and tear allowance is being replaced by an ‘actual costs’ tax allowance. Therefore, you will only be able to claim back on the furniture you replace in a tax year.

Ground rent and service

If you are a leaseholder you probably pay ground rent to the freeholder. You can also claim back the costs of gardening and electrical costs, cleaning, heating and lighting in common areas, and security and concierge staff. Depending on how many of these you incur a year, it would make sense to claim on them.

Council tax and utility tax

If you are paying the bills that a tenant would normally pay, you can claim back the whole cost. A major benefit is that you can claim these costs even during void periods.

Others

Other direct costs such as phone calls, stationery and traveling expenses to make home visits are claimable.You can also claim back on the fee of an accountant who prepares your tax return.