Homes By Sophie

05/10/2015

New rules for Landlord !!
The new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations are now in force. From 1 October landlords must have at least one smoke alarm installed on each floor of their properties. In addition properties must have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance.

There are also new rules for new AST tenancies starting after 1st October, that require your tenant to be given, in addition to a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate and the Energy Performance Certificate, a copy of the "How to rent" leaflet produced by our government. Without these you will not be able to use a Section 21 notice to end your tenancy with your tenant, should you so wish.

02/06/2015

When to worry about rent failure

Failure of tenants to pay rent on time, or at all, is the biggest single headache for property owners. If everything fails and you need to evict your tenants, this can take 5-6 months so in my view it is worth taking a tough line early on. If you have a buy-to-let mortgage, this delay and non-payment is clearly a very serious matter.
All the large estate agents will advise landlords to start proceedings once 2 months’ rent is in arrears, ie. 32 days after the first rent is due. However, our approach is to be all over it immediately. If you don’t chase tenants actively they may assume that you are not worried about payment dates, that there is flexibility in the due date or that you don’t actually need the money.
So here’s the Homes by Sophie process:
• The day rent is due – call the tenant and check they are making the transfer and call daily thereafter. You will be able to get a feel for what is going on – has the tenant just forgotten, have they lost their job, has the tenant’s bank failed to process the standing order?
• 7 days after rent is due – Start to create an audit trail at this stage in case the situation gets legal. There is no need to involve a solicitor yet, simply write to say that the situation is unacceptable, regardless of any excuses the tenant may have provided. Do use email but also send the letter by recorded mail and keep your proof of postage
• 14 days after rent is due – write a similar letter with stronger language
• 21 days after rent is due – write a similar letter and warn the tenant that you will be instructing your solicitor if payment is not received immediately
• 28 days after rent is due – unfortunately, if you’ve got to this stage and still not received your rent, you must now call in your solicitor.
Even the most stringent tenant references are no guarantee that rent will be paid, so it is definitely worth taking a business-like attitude to ensuring your income is protected.

07/04/2015

http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/g1887/tiny-house/?slide=4
So you think you are short on storage space - here are some inspiring ideas.

Check out these impressive tiny houses that maximize both function and style.

07/04/2015

Chiswick RNLI rush to the aid of the Oxford University Women's Boat Club (Picture: Chiswick RNLI)
http://bit.ly/1MEqEt0

30/03/2015

Have you ever wondered about the difference between leasehold and freehold? If so, check out this handy guide from Which? http://bit.ly/1CCRgEb

What is a leasehold property and how is it different to a freehold? Expert guide to buying a leasehold flat plus how long the lease should be when you buy.

30/03/2015

New Legislation all Landlords need to be aware off.

Landlords must fix working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in every home they rent out from October 10, 2015, under new rules announced by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis.

Failing to comply with the regulations will mean sanctions and fines of up to £5,000.

This will bring private rented properties in line with existing building regulations that already require newly-built homes to have hard-wired smoke alarms installed.

27/03/2015

Could colour be putting off your potential purchasers? LLB thought so and has repainted his features walls – and everything else - bright white. http://dailym.ai/1BIalzL

Flamboyant interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has had to redecorate after his garishly-painted Cotswolds farmhouse failed to find a buyer in more than a year.

24/03/2015

Increasing your BuyToLet Mortgage could release funds for a larger deposit on a second property. Here’s the Guardian’s take on the ins and outs of how it could work: http://bit.ly/1C4oRVZ

We are looking to change the mortgage on my girlfriend’s flat to a buy-to-let and then purchase our own home

21/03/2015

And so.. our first competition is: The 100th person to LIKE this page will win a bottle of wine - red or white your choice! Good luck! (Don't forget to share!)

21/03/2015

Welcome to the new Homes By Sophie page. We'll be posting lots of useful info here soon, including competitions, so like us now and stay in touch.