Andrew Hill, Author at Harry Albert Property

Are You A HMO Landlord Without Knowing It?

Understanding the HMO laws in the UK can be a minefield, especially as the so-far four-year onslaught against the private rented sector continues and back in October 2018, landlords in Leicester were unsurprised to hear that even more HMO regulation was being thrown their way which resulted in many landlords finding themselves owning HMOs where they previously wouldn't have been. This article recaps those changes and offers a FREE HMO Factsheet to ensure you're doing at least the bare minimum to remain legally compliant but the factsheet is in no way exhaustive and further action should be taken to minimise [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-08-15T20:53:42+01:0015th August, 2019|Houses in Multiple Occupation, General, Landlords, Private Rented Sector|0 Comments

FREE Leicester HMO Factsheet

HMOs are still a buzzword in the private rented sector today and are very lucrative meaning they occupy a part of the market that's increasingly attractive to landlords with figures suggesting the average rental yield for a HMO is 9.7%, much higher than the 5.6% average yield in the single unit market. Operating an HMO can provide excellent rewards but carries with it a lot of risks if things don't go right, including penalties of up to £20'000 for not having the correct license or custodial prison terms for failing to undertake your obligations under Health & Safety. If you [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-08-04T15:58:00+01:004th August, 2019|Downloads|0 Comments

Legal Compliance for Self-Managing Landlords: What YOU Need to Know

Being a self-managing landlord is scary, you're responsible for keeping on top of the 150+ pieces of legislation that apply to private rented housing that, should you fall foul of any of them, could see you on the receiving end of hefty fines and even a prison sentence. This article tells you what you need to know to be a legally compliant landlord in England (though references to local authorities will be with Leicester City Council in mind, each local authorities may have slightly different rules). These tips should enable you to put your best foot forward in the [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-08-01T08:35:16+01:0031st July, 2019|Free Landlord advice, Downloads, General, Landlord Law, Landlords, Private Rented Sector|0 Comments

Leicester Property Report: Edition 1

If you’re looking for your next property investment or home to purchase, then Leicester is likely to be ideal for you. The report below covers most of everything you need to know about the local property market and how it ties in with the overall economy. This report discusses our local economy, including employment and wealth distribution, as well as how Brexit is expected to impact the local market. Further, the report looks at house prices and the average time to sell and let homes, what areas are in demand and a little bit about Harry Albert Lettings & Estates. [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-08-05T17:02:31+01:0012th July, 2019|Downloads|0 Comments

How to Add Value to Your Home on a Budget

When it comes to selling your property, it always pays to take a good look at it from a house buyer point of view before it goes on to the market and looks at the things you can do to increase the appeal without necessarily breaking the bank. We’ve put together a quick guide on how to add value to your home on a budget. Things to do to add value to your home on a budget Take a good look around your house or flat. Are there any defects you've grown accustomed to and no longer immediately notice? What about the chips [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-07-06T13:17:05+01:006th July, 2019|DIY Projects, Property Maintenance|0 Comments

Moving to Leicester

Leicester is a vibrant and multicultural city in the East Midlands. It’s the largest economy in the East Midlands and our population has boomed in recent years. Leicester is considered one of the top places to live and work in the UK and property to rent and buy is always in high demand. Leicester has a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops, markets and entertainment, it's also one of the most multiculturally diverse cities in Europe with religious and spiritual festivals celebrated year round. Leicester has some of the best-connected train, road and public transport links connecting you to London, Birmingham, Cambridge [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-06-06T16:09:21+01:001st July, 2019|Leicester, Moving to Leicester|0 Comments

How to Treat Damp and Mould

Damp and mould can become expensive, it can damage your or your tenants' health and it's extremely important it's treated early. But, how do you get rid of mould? Causes of Damp and Mould Damp and mould are caused by excess moisture. Moisture in buildings can be caused by: Leaking pipes Rising damp Rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames Condensation building up on windows Poor ventilation of bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms where you keep washing machines or tumble driers. In a new build home, damp can occur if the water used when the [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-07-10T10:54:22+01:0030th June, 2019|Repairs|0 Comments

How will BREXIT Impact the Leicester Property Market?

When the UK announced its intention to leave the European Union, it came as a shock to the country as polls suggested the country favoured remaining within the EU. Leicester voters opted to remain with a majority of 51% but, the overall vote was in favour of leaving with a majority of just over 52%. This sent shock-waves through the global economy which, due to the sharp fall in the value of the pound, impacted our local economy here in Leicester too. Two years on, how has BREXIT affected the Leicester property prices? We have seen mortgage lenders devalue properties, [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-07-10T10:24:16+01:0025th June, 2019|House Prices, Leicester|0 Comments

Definitive Guide To Avoiding Rent Arrears and Making Tenants Pay On Time

When rent isn't paid on time, for many landlords, it's time to panic and rightly so, more than half of the landlords operating within the UK suffer rent arrears each year, sometimes way into the tens of thousands of pounds; this is particularly the case where landlords own multiple properties and whilst many tenants believe their landlord can afford to miss out on one month's rent, the reality is, many landlords live hand to mouth and this is likely to become truer as the cost of being a landlord rises but there are ways to reduce costs, maximise return on [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-06-25T03:28:29+01:0025th June, 2019|Rent Arrears, Private Rented Sector|0 Comments

Buy-to-Let Trends to Look Out For in the Second Half of 2019

Without doubt 2019 has so far proved a year of change within the buy to let sector. At a time of Brexit uncertainty, political and economic uncertainty, what can landlords expect from the private rental sector in the second half of 2019? Andrew Turner, chief executive at specialist buy to let broker Commercial Trust Limited, looks at some of the trends set to continue. Setting the scene The first half of 2019 has brought wide-sweeping changes to the private rental market and it will inevitably take time for stakeholders to become accustomed to the new requirements. The Tenant Fees Act [...]

By Andrew Hill|2019-06-25T03:18:11+01:0024th June, 2019|Private Rented Sector, House Prices, Landlords|0 Comments

Leicester Letting Agent and Property Management

About Andrew Hill

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