Buy To Let Guide

Armed with suitable advice from an ARLA letting agent, Buy-to-Let investors can start on a property search; or a letting agent may do this for them, instruct their own sales department or work regularly with the best estate agents in their area.

Once a property has been found, the letting agent will confirm whether or not it has letting potential, the range of the likely rent that can be achieved in current local market conditions and advise on the need - or otherwise -for re-decoration and new fixtures and fittings to attract good tenants and to reduce the risk of lengthy void (empty) periods.  

Buying a property to let is not the same as buying your own home. Mortgage lenders will want to know that an ARLA member agent has been advising on the selection of properties suitable for letting.  

The experienced agent will know the local market, whether there is a demand for say, two-bedroomed flats, or four bedroomed houses, or for properties close to schools or transport links or secluded properties with gardens. Also the agent will know the standard of decoration, furnishing, fixtures and fittings required.  

Then there is the selection of well-covenanted tenants who will pay their rent on time and leave the property on time and in a proper state; and there is the management of the tenancy.  

Knowing that the management of any inherent risk is in the hands of a professional agent enhances the creditworthiness of Buy-Let propositions put to mortgage lenders.  

Buying a property to let is not the same as buying your own home. Mortgage lenders will want to know that an ARLA member agent has been advising on the selection of properties suitable for letting.   

The experienced agent will know the local market, whether there is a demand for say, two-bedroomed flats, or four bedroomed houses, or for properties close to schools or transport links or secluded properties with gardens. Also the agent will know the standard of decoration, furnishing, fixtures and fittings required.

Then there is the selection of well-covenanted tenants who will pay their rent on time and leave the property on time and in a proper state; and there is the management of the tenancy.

Knowing that the management of any inherent risk is in the hands of a professional agent enhances the creditworthiness of Buy-Let propositions put to mortgage lenders.

Many 'buy to let' landlords tend to dispose of their properties when the house begins to look a bit 'tired' and needs additional investment for refurbishment and repairs. These shabby and un loved ex-'buy to let' properties are then often sold to the current tenant or through normal estate agents to the general public. 

These properties make ideal investments for genuine home owners wishing to enjoy the local area who then invest the money & care required to return the property back to a decent home. Part of the home improvement works often involve extending the property with a house extension for the larger family kitchen & dining or an additional bedroom for example.