Author: Elaine Ford
The latest regional data on rents, yields, supply and demand from Rightmove.co.uk.
Author: Elaine Ford
Whether you’re a first-time investor, professional portfolio operator or private landlord letting your own home, we’re here to help.
We are here to deliver peace of mind for landlords with our fully comprehensive lettings and property management service which will make letting your property easy and enjoyable through careful guidance and customer care.
We offer a comprehensive Marketing Strategy to help you reach the right tenants in the right places and command the best rent. Our superior marketing service – comprising professional photography, video tour and floorplan – ensures your property stands out from the crowd. We reach out to our large tenant database and your property will be listed on all the major property portals, our website and social media platforms.
We offer a choice of Services whether you’re just looking for help finding new tenants or seeking an agency to manage the whole process, we have a service to suit you.
We have are a multi-branch Agency Your property will be marketed across our established and respected branch network, covering Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.
We will keep you updated with all Legal updates so that you can enjoy complete peace of mind when you let with Perry Bishop. Our ARLA qualified agents will keep you updated on all changes to lettings legislation.
Let Perry Bishop give you a FREE property valuation and find out what you could receive as rent, click here to choose from a quick, online instant valuation or arrange for a member of the team to visit your property.
Author: Elaine Ford
Where is your favourite pub or restaurant? The Backlane Tavern in Woodstock
What do you love about the area? I live close to the Cotswolds countryside, and close to oxford so best of both worlds, but prefer the countryside.
What do you think is the best view in the area? Love going for walks in Blenheim Palace, really enjoy the views there.
Where is the best place to relax in the area? Love to walk along the river and stop off at a couple of pubs.
How would you spend the perfect day? Going for a walk in the countryside with my partner and dog Margot and stop off at a countryside pub for lunch or dinner.
Author: Elaine Ford
The UK property management landscape has always evolved rapidly, but the last couple of years have seen change accelerate significantly, and 2024 is set to be no exception. Much like in any other business, it’s imperative for you as a landlord to stay updated on the latest trends, regulations, and market shifts to thrive in 2024.
If you do this right, then the 2024 rental market changes could play in your favour, but for this to be the case, you’ll need to understand the changes that are forecast for 2024. Thankfully, we’ve done the research so that you don’t have to; in this article, we’ll investigate UK landlord guidelines and explore the key insights and considerations that landlords should keep in mind this year.
Understanding current Market Trends
As a landlord in England, you will aleady be aware of the rising costs of rental properties in the Cotswolds and the Vale of the White Horse expected in 2024, but this is far from the only thing to consider. The world has changed significantly in recent years, and if you increase your rental prices without considering changing trends in the rental market, you could potentially limit your revenue. Let’s break down some of the major market trends that you need to be aware of.
Embracing Sustainability
From Government initiatives to public activism, sustainability has been a hot topic that affects everyone over the last few years, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a buzzword. Prospective tenants are increasingly seeking eco-friendly properties equipped with energy-efficient features, for both environmental and financial reasons.
Many prospective clients will be seeking sustainability in their rental property to combat rising energy costs, while also doing their part to save the planet. Ignoring this factor could cost you many clients. For this reason, you should consider applying sustainable upgrades to your property, such as energy-efficient appliances and mindful waste disposal. Not only will this make your property more appealing to tenants, but it will also reduce your long-term operating costs.
Leveraging Technology
In the past, the landlord-tenant relationship tended to be a bureaucratic nightmare, but it no longer has to be this way. The adoption of innovative technology is making all areas of our lives simpler, and this includes administrative procedures, communication, and payments. All three of these areas are staples of being a landlord, and you’d be daft not to adopt the latest technology solutions to make your life easier!
While most landlords are already using online property portals to source prospective tenants, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of technological software and hardware solutions available that have the potential to streamline not only landlord tasks but improve your tenants’ rental experience too.
These include:
- Using modern communication platforms such as WhatsApp
- Leveraging online portals for rent collection and maintenance requests
- Installing smart home technology to increase the appeal of your property
- Using technology-driven security systems to give your tenants peace of mind
Financial Planning and Tax Considerations
In addition to evolving market trends, it’s imperative for you to become familiar with changes in your responsibilities as a landlord in 2024. These include tax considerations, the anticipated Tenant’s Reform Bill, changes to the Office for National Statistics operations, and more. Let’s take a look!
Changes to the Office for National Statistics
The first financial consideration that you’re going to need to take may sound complicated, but it’s actually very positive for you as a landlord. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has always been a valuable resource for British landlords, ensuring they have the data they need to keep up with the latest pricing and rental trends. However, a recent announcement has outlined some significant changes to how the ONS will release such information.
Thankfully, this is good news; the ONS has greatly expanded its provided data points, offering a far more granular level of rental price statistics, instead of the generalised conclusion from past statistics. This will allow you to gain far more valuable insights into the best way to operate your business as a landlord, and best of all, it’s free to access! This is a secret weapon that many landlords are unaware of, so use it to your advantage and stay ahead of the curve!
Renters Reform Bill
Another significant change due to affect landlords in 2024 concerns the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill. This is set to benefit the rights of tenants while, unfortunately, making your life as a landlord somewhat more difficult. But as long as you’re aware of the bill’s implications, it shouldn’t be a problem.
This new bill hasn’t yet been officially confirmed, but it is anticipated to be passed in 2024. Ultimately, the Renters Reform Bill will affect evictions, preventing landlords from evicting tenants unless their contract is over or there is a serious reason to do so. As long as you are aware of this in advance, it’s no big deal – you’ll simply need to plan ahead. Thankfully, it could still benefit you, as your tenants will be comforted by this enhanced accommodation security, a prospect that could foster an excellent landlord-tenant relationship and boost tenant retention.
Overall, the constant changes to the rental market can be intimidating, especially right now when things are changing so fast, but hopefully, this article has shown you that there’s nothing to worry about as long as you stay informed. By focusing on these critical aspects, you can navigate the dynamic rental market in with confidence and achieve long-term success in property management.
However, it’s important you don’t become complacent with this information, as it wouldn’t be surprising if further trends, bills, or even tax changes affect landlords. Keep your eye on resources such as the ONS and conduct regular research, and you’ll be taking steps that many other landlords haven’t even considered, helping your business to thrive!
Our dedicated team bring expertise and local knowledge to ensure seamless and effective management of your rental property. Give them a call today.
Author: Elaine Ford
At Perry Bishop, we are experts in the rental property sector, and we’re bringing you our six best tips to help you make sure your rental income is well-protected.
Always carry out Checks on Tenant affordability
You should ensure that any prospective tenant is able to afford their rental payments. Perry Bishop will be able to carry out these affordability checks on your behalf to ensure the applicant has sufficient income to cover the rent.
Keep the Rental Property in good condition
You’ll want to get as much rental income as you can for your property, and the best way of doing this is by ensuring the property remains in excellent condition so that it appeals to prospective tenants. Threadbare carpets, dated fittings and dirty paintwork are a turn-off for tenants. Remember, too, that the cost of repairs has increased in the current financial climate, so regularly keeping your property in a good state of repair will help you avoid any large repair bills in the long run.
Carry out Rent Reviews regularly
You should review your rents regularly to make sure you’re maximising your investment while avoiding overstretching the affordability of your tenant. In many cases, landlords decide they won’t increase their existing tenants’ rent when they stay in the property for several years. You should weigh up whether you are happy to leave the rent as is in return for reliable tenants and on-time payments, or if you can maximise the yield further. Our experienced rental team can discuss your options with you if you are unsure on the best course of action.
Take out Landlord Insurance
It’s possible to protect your rental income as well as your rental property itself should a problem arise in the future. Rental insurance is a cost-effective way to recoup your losses should the worst happen. Problems like fire, flood and theft as well as property damage caused by your tenants can all be covered by a landlord insurance policy, and you may even be able to get contingency cover that will protect you against tenants’ non-disclosure.
Take some Tax advice
You should always take the time to check that you’re paying the correct tax. Property taxation is a complex subject so seeking out expert advice regarding your tax liability as a landlord is essential if you’re keen to reduce your tax bill by as much as you can.
Legal Awareness
Stay informed about landlord-tenant laws in your jurisdiction. Knowing your rights and responsibilities can help you navigate any legal challenges related to rental income. If a tenant consistently fails to pay rent, be aware of the legal procedures for eviction in your area.
If you’re thinking about renting out your property, our team at Perry Bishop is here to assist you. We can help you find suitable tenants and manage all aspects of your rental. Contact us today to discuss how we can make the rental process seamless and stress-free for you.
Author: Elaine Ford
We wish everyone a wonderful and happy new year and hope that you achieve all that you are looking to make happen – we also hope we may help you move house !
As we start the year with lots of energy and vigour to help more people ‘ move to the next chapter of their lives ‘ we look back on all that we achieved in 2023.
Despite a slightly subdued sales market compared to some previous years we have been very busy – our Estate Agency Teams valued just over 1700 properties and brought over 700 of them to the market, they agreed sales on over 600 properties and along with existing sales they helped circa 800 people to move home, through this they also looked after 3774 new buyers looking to move.
The Lettings Team have helped 2775 possible renters look for a suitable home, conducted 350 market appraisals and brought 250 properties to market – the Land and New Homes Team have also been very busy now selling well over 100 redundant churches and sold many development sites for new housing , the flow of New Homes into our area for 2024 will be improved upon recent years and is looking very positive.
Through the passion of our teams and their dedication to our strapline of ‘property made personal’ we are now up to a total of 2367 five star reviews reflecting the experience of our service levels and client happiness.
We sent an incredible 260,000 emails across our business including property alerts to new buyers and made in excess of 80,000 phone calls to keep clients, buyers, landlords and renters up to date of progress !!
Our website has also worked hard for us and for client ease booked straight into our diaries several hundred appointments and had over 300,000 visitors through 2023.
Our brilliant teams have massively made a difference to the lives of so many providing a positive and successful property experience – we are excited to do this again in 2024 and look forward to helping even more people, making more calls, processing more emails and looking after everyone – we always communicate in the way that best suits the person.
We would love to help with your move this year, give us a call today to arrange your free, no obligation valuation or click here to book a time and date to suit yourself or carry out a quick on-line estimation of your home.
From all of us at Perry Bishop a very happy and healthy 2024.
Author: Elaine Ford
Whether you are thinking about downsizing and releasing equity, moving to a larger home or would just like a change, our experienced team are here to help you start your next chapter.
If you are thinking of a move during 2024, our team are here to help you start your moving journey and can come out to provide you with an accurate and detailed valuation, or if you’re just interested in getting a quick idea of what your property is worth in a matter of seconds, use our online valuation tool. The choice is yours. Simply click here and leave the rest to us.
Learn the secrets of our structured plan and marketing strategy for achieving the best price for your property in the shortest amount of time. Perry Bishop’s 11 Step Plan is implemented on every property we sell and it really does work, download your free copy here.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to start with a gentler approach to marketing until you have identified a suitable property to move to, you can take advantage of our Low Key Marketing Service.
We look forward to helping you with your next move.
We care about property. We care about you
Author: Elaine Ford
Downsizing your home is likely to become more common. Some of the reasons for it are to release equity or pay off a mortgage. Maybe you’ve become an empty nester, or would prefer a bungalow, or you’re looking to lower your running costs.
When should you do it, what do you need to consider and what are the costs? Here’s a “downsizing your home checklist” and some advice to help you.
What does downsizing mean?
Put simply, downsizing is selling up your home and moving to something smaller.
Why do people downsize to a smaller home?
Typically, downsizing is associated with people between the ages of 65 and 69, but this doesn’t have to be the case, personal circumstances as well as the following points can dictate a lot. However, it isn’t limited to the retirement community!
Downsizing can be a good way to save money, on everything from mortgage payments to maintenance. Particularly for those who feel their living space is too large, for example their family home, downsizing can be an attractive option.
Smaller spaces are appealing to those with fewer family members to share with.
When should you downsize?
Property price increases often mean increased equity, so it can be a great time to downsize and cash-in on your home. Figures in April 2018 from Legal & General (L&G) show the number considering downsizing is 39% – nearly two in five homeowners!
A better choice of mortgage quotes has encouraged more last-time buyers to move. In theory, this is great news, as it will free up much-needed housing stock for people lower down the property ladder. But downsizing can be challenging, and like any home buying decision it can often require compromise.
Help downsizing your home: what to consider
You’ll not be surprised to read location is a crucial consideration. It can add value to your home, and determine how happy you’ll be living there
What is your budget? You may not have a full time salary anymore and your savings may have to last a long time!
There’s no denying it – the cost of moving can be high, so ask if you can you afford it?
Take note of the local market, is there demand from buyers? Are properties selling quickly or do they seem to be sticking? Do you think you will get a fair price for your home or might you have to accept a lower offer to move when you want?
Other downsizing home factors to consider
These aren’t the only things to consider in the downsizing process. Here are some more points:
- What storage space will you need? If it’s less than your current home then it’s time to declutter. Always take care to ensure the floor plan is accurate
- Increasingly, downsizers have elderly relatives too – it may be cheaper to have them at home than in care. Or maybe you expect regular visits from family and friends? You’ll need to factor in the extra requirement
- Are you looking for a switch from urban to rural or vice versa?
- Is being part of a community essential or do you want solitude?
- Transport links may be vital, as you get older and might not be able to drive – is the area you’re looking at well served?
- Do you want to stay close to friends and family?
Don’t forget to weigh up these considerations carefully before you prepare to move.
If you need more help, call our experienced team who are on hand to help with any questions or book in your free, no obligation valuation. Click here for contact details.
Article courtesy of Phil Spencer.
Author: Elaine Ford
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The process of selling your home can be daunting, simply because there is so much to consider and plan. It can be especially stressful if you aren’t getting enough viewings on your property, and when you’ve had your home listed for sale for a while, that stress can rise. Read below to discover how to get more viewings. Homes that are well-marketed and presented will get more viewings – Therefore receive offers from interested buyers. The longer your property stays on the market without any offers, the less chance you have of getting any without taking drastic measures such as reducing the price of the property. So, before it reaches that point, there are some steps that both you and our team at Perry Bishop can take to entice people to view and to get your property sold faster. With this in mind, we have created a handy guide to help you attract more property viewings. Improve Your Kerb Appeal – The kerb appeal of your property, i.e., the first impression made when standing on the kerb, plays a big role in garnering interest for potential buyers, not just for those who are passing by in person, but for people browsing your listing online. How your property looks on the outside can either deter or encourage people to continue looking at the listing and help them decide whether or not to come and view in person. You can improve your kerb appeal by taking care of your lawn and front garden. Make sure the grass is cut, weeds are pulled, and flower beds and shrubs are tidy and groomed. Also, make sure to remove any debris like leaves or fallen branches. Fixing any damages can help, too, like repairing roof tiles that have blown away or mending broken gutters. A fresh coat of paint on any woodwork may also be required if the paint is peeling or worn, as it makes the home look refreshed and clean. Use Professional staging and photos – It’s important to keep in mind that potential buyers are looking for a property they can see themselves in and call home. A house empty of furniture doesn’t evoke much in the way of imagining a lifestyle, and similarly, a messy or dishevelled home can give off a bad impression. Clearing away clutter and having a professional stage your furniture can do wonders for your potential buyers trying to imagine a life in their new home. It’s also common for people using online agencies to attempt to take their own photos of their property for the listing, and ending up with dark, dingy, or even blurry images. Without the right equipment or photography know-how, the photos won’t stack up against other listings. Your photos are a crucial part of the marketing of your property, and they need to be eye-catching and attractive. Your home should be accurately captured in these images; otherwise, nobody will be interested in taking the time to come and see it in person. The investment in professional photography to help sell your home is worth it and here at Perry Bishop we use state-of-the-art drone photography and will capture photographs of your property from unique angles, highlighting its location and surrounding landscape, captivating viewers, and drawing their attention to your listing amidst the sea of ordinary photographs. Make your property listing look flawless – The fundamentals of your property listing when it is seen online are so important in attracting viewers. At the most basic level, your listing should look perfect – photos should be sized properly for the website, titles should be typo-free, and descriptions should be filled out in full. Furthermore, the title and description need to be well-written and free of marketing jargon. We understand that interesting and compelling descriptions can make all the difference alongside a strong call to action which will encourage viewers to click to read more or call us to book a viewing. At Perry Bishop, our experienced team work with our clients to ensure we maximise viewings on every property we have the pleasure of marketing. Call us today to arrange a free no obligation valuation or for more information as to how we can ensure your propety stands out from the crowd.
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Author: Elaine Ford
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Are you planning on giving your home a makeover? Maybe it’s time to ditch that tired old rug and sofa you’ve been hanging on to for years and drag your home into a brand new year? For inspiration, here are some of the top interior trends that we absolutely love! Vintage
Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways in which to make their homes stand out, instead of the usual mass-produced, flat-pack furniture that’s functional but not unique. Think antique sideboards and cabinets in dark shades of brown.
And the more unique the story is behind it, the better! Mooch around antique shops to find that perfect quirky piece.
Sustainable
As a society, we’re more aware than ever of the damage that’s being done to our planet, and that’s reflected in the growing trend of buying individual items of furniture, instead of mass-produced products.
This also ties in with the vintage trend. Furniture that was built 50 years ago not only has its own story, but it will also have been built to last. A few scratches add to its character and it won’t fall apart and get discarded so easily.
Multi-functional space
With the huge increase in people working from home, our houses have increasingly become our offices too.
For those who aren’t lucky enough to have a dedicated space for a home office, the demand for multi-functional furniture is increasing.
Consequently, items such as storage ottomans are perfect for using as both a footrest at the end of a long day and also a place to store your laptop and any paperwork out of sight in the evening.
Minimalist
Not only have people been working from home more, they’ve also been spending more time at home in general, with many living rooms serving as an office, gym and bar at times, often on the same day!
As a result of this increased time spent indoors, the desire to declutter and make more use of the space available will be a growing trend.
This also relates to the trend of having multi-functional furniture and space.
Natural Materials
Furniture that’s made from natural materials is also set to be a big hit, with designers constantly coming up with new ways of combining natural materials.
This can be anything from wood and marble to ceramics and metals as designers combine textures and styles.
Earthy Colours
One of the biggest trends set to drop is the use of earthy colours such as mustards, greens, beiges, blues and browns.
Colours that we associate with nature and the outdoors are going to be popular as people continue to reconnect with the outside environment and try to bring it into their homes.
Shades of Pink
Love them or hate them, soft and neutral shades of pink are another top trend when it comes to colours.
It’s light and airy, which gives rooms a more spacious feel, and it goes with most other colours, so finding furniture to complement the colour scheme will be easy.
Ocean Waves and Distant Shores
The increased time we’ve all spent indoors has heightened many people’s longing to get away and take a break, and that’s reflected in the trend for colours that relate to soft sea blues and cloudless skies.
Blue is also a very tranquil and calming colour, so it’s perfect for anyone who’s spending more time indoors and looking to destress.
House Plants
Following on from the trend for earthy colours, indoor plants are also back in fashion.
Not only do plants add colour and life to a room, they also freshen the air and bring the outdoor environment into the home.
And with such a wide variety of plants to choose from, there’s something suitable for any room in the house.
Individuality
It’s not just vintage furniture that’s trending, any items that could be considered unique and individual are currently in fashion.
As we’ve been spending more time in our homes and less time in the office and out socialising, there’s a noticeable shift towards stamping our own imprint on our homes. Rather than go for the tried and trusted functional furniture that we might have previously chosen, there’s an increasing trend towards individual furniture that reflects our own personalities.
Think animal-shaped lamps and tropical theme light shades for example, or bright and bold statement rugs.
Call our experienced team today if you are thinking about your next move.
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