Move On Rentals of Bournemouth & Poole

TOP 10 EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

2011-04-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

The Employer of the year Award will be decided by the public. So, if there was any time I needed people to take action, then this is it. Please click on here, and support us, we really do need your vote. I am even on You Tube (really!!) you can watch my one minute interview if you wish. And this is what one of our landlords submitted about us.

'Sharon Canning at Move On provide an outstanding and faultless service. The staff are a happy united team clearly supported, encouraged and appreciated by Sharon. This positive combination has resulted in the company providing a friendly, professional, informative and seamless service to their clients. The contentment of staff underlines Sharon's positive management style'

The team at Move On are really excited about this award and we only have until April 7th to get everybody to vote.

IDENTITY FRAUD ON THE INCREASE

2011-03-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

You are more likely to suffer from Identity Fraud if you are a tenant or landlord of a rented property. Tenants and Landlords are being warned to make sure they forward their mail when moving.

The UK’s fraud prevention service CIFAS reported an increase of 32 per cent in the number of identity thefts committed during the recession. One of the most common types of fraud is criminals taking over the running of a victim’s bank account. Tenants and landlords are at a greater risk of this type of crime as they are more likely to share communal spaces such as hallways where mail can be easily intercepted, or they move more frequently making it harder keep track of confidential post. According to the findings, credit card statements, tax credit information, and pension details are just some of the important papers left to the mercy of strangers. Over 85% of tenants claim to have received post for former residents.

Below are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
• Register your title to the property at the Land Registry with a current
address for service.
• Register a restriction on your property title if you feel at risk.
• Ensure all financial information and other personal documentation is
addressed to your current home rather your rental property.
• Following a void period ensure utility bills are put into tenants' names and
remove all post at the rental property which is addressed to you.
• Remove all personal documentation and belongings from the property prior to
showing prospective tenants around.
• Check bank statements and credit card bills regularly, and investigate and
report unusual entries.
• Use a shredder to destroy personal documentation which you no longer require.
• Arrange for your post to be redirected from the rental property.
• Store personal documents, passwords and usernames in a secure place.
• Obtain a credit rating every six months and be alert to false credit
applications made in your name.
• Register with a mailing preference service so your name is removed from
direct mailing lists.

If you suspect your mail is being stolen, contact the Royal Mail customer enquiry Line and check whether a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge. You can also apply for an identity fraud protection policy to insure you against the consequences of identity fraud and resolve your credit status.

Back to Move On click here

We have hit the TOP 10 for Employer of the Year Award

2011-03-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Yippee..... Having reached the TOP 20 I have just found out I am now in the TOP 10. We will all go to Public vote on the 1st April so watch this space for the link where you can vote for us. I am so excited. I am of course a winner by reaching the TOP 10 and I am truly thrilled. x

March 2011 nominated for Best Employer Award

2011-03-19T04:06:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated by my staff for 'Employer of the Year' through Dorset Women in Business Awards being sponsored by The Coast Radio through Langtry Manor. I was suprised and honoured to have received notification of this.
I have always seen myself as part of the team and to have got through to the top 20 is a tribute to them too.
Please click on this link to see my one minute video interview.
The next stage will be the judges choosing 10 and then those 10 will go to the public vote.
To have got this far is great and an amazing achievement. I would love to get through to the top 10. So my fingers and toes are crossed. Watch this space!!

Gaining acces to a property with 24 hours notice

2011-02-22T06:28:00.000-08:00

This is a question I was recently asked.

Help, I need to carry out a Gas safety Certificate on my rented property, but the tenant keeps saying it is inconvenient. As a Landlord it is my duty to ensure a current certificate is always in place. Can I go in with my keys with the Gas Engineer as long as I give the minimum 24 hours notice?

My answer...

This is a very common question I get asked, whether it be for the Gas Safety Certificate as in your situation or general repairs or viewings.

Most tenancies have written in to permit access after 24 hours notice, however this is for emergencies only (and that means something serious, such as a fire). A tenancy gives exclusive possession of a property to the tenant and they have the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ during their tenancy, a term or concept which is implied in all Tenancy Agreements. It does not mean that tenants have to be quiet or enjoy themselves it means the Landlord should leave tenants to live in the property in peace.

The tenants’ right to keep everyone out of his property will override and access can only be gained by invitation or acceptance from the tenant. This can be particularly frustrating to a landlord when they are looking to gain access for viewings in the final month or as in your case trying to access the property to conduct a legal requirement by you the landlord.

You can apply to the courts for an injunction to gain access The general rules are if after three attempts on trying to gain access you have still not been able to gain entry and you can prove this (copies of letters) and you have contacted health and safety and reported the matter you will not be prosecuted as failure to have a Gas Safety Certificate in place can lead to a £5000 fine. This is probably not what you want to hear, however the law is strict on this. Under no circumstances try to access the property with your own keys without agreement from the tenant.

SQUATTERS

2011-01-21T06:19:00.000-08:00

You may have read recently the story where a young man from Latvia gained entry into a 10 million pound empty property through an open bathroom window and began squatting. He then sent word to his friends in Latvia to come over and join him because according to him ‘Britain is one of the few countries where it is easy to do’. He also told a reporter ‘The law states…if there is any empty building which is not being used, you can put it to use in any way you see fit and what a shame to not get the most of this place’.

The 10 million pound property in London reportedly boasted 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool in the upmarket area of Highgate, where neighbours are millionaire bankers and celebrities.

Squatting is an ancient practice, yet the last 12 years in Britain has seen a spectacular rise in the number of people who have taken over empty properties. British law states occupation of empty properties is a civil, not a criminal, matter in England and Wales, unless entry is forced. Police can act only if the squatters commit offences such as theft or criminal damage.

It is therefore vital to act quickly of you discover trespassers or squatters in your property. You should be able to remove them quite legally within a two week period, providing you go about the process correctly. Remember to never use force or threats as this could result in getting yourself a criminal record.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOUSE?

2011-01-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

Each year, we hear how tragic events happen where people end up dying in rented properties due to carbon monoxide or an electrical fault. Although these numbers are relatively low, one person dying a year is still one person too many, especially when the cause could have been avoided.

Last year we heard how a 33 year old mother who had just moved into a rented property was electrocuted by the bathroom taps with 175 volts, she died instantly. Her five year old child found her and raised the alarm.

The law states your rented property must be electrically safe, however unlike the Gas Safety Certificate which is legally required every year, the electrical certificate is not.
This makes it extremely difficult as an Agent to enforce.

That said, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 clearly states it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure the property and all electrical equipment provided is safe. The only way to do this is to have a NIC EIC Certificate (and renewed every 5 years) and a PAT test (portable appliance test) on equipment, normally when a new tenant takes up occupation.

The seriousness of an injury or death as a result of an electrical fault which is then found to be due to the ignorance or neglect of the landlord, will be deemed as a criminal offence and as such the Landlord will receive not only a large fine but a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

So, my 2011 tip to all Landlords is to get the certificate to ensure your property is safe.

HOUSING SHORTAGE WILL INCREASE RENTS

2011-01-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

The third quarter in 2010 saw new homes being built at its lowest in 5 years, the second lowest of the past 19 quarters and the lowest since 1923. The country has an estimated one million housing shortage and the New Housing Pipeline shows there was a steady fall in planning permission being granted.

Although property prices are predicted to fall again in 2011, London and the South are expected to remain resilient. This coupled with the housing shortage does make buying Buy To Let (BTL) properties still a positive return, current yields are still bringing in a more favourable return than savings accounts. New BTL mortgages are starting to slowly come back, Coventry recently released a 3 year deal at 4.99%.

Good news for Landlords will mean because of the housing shortage we will see a rise in rental prices, however due to the economic climate a rent guarantee insurance of some kind will be advisable. 2009 saw a 50% increase in rent arrears nationally and although this decreased slighlty in 2010, there is a concern we will see this coming back again in 2011. This makes it more vital to use a good reputable agent who can limit this with good referencing techniques.

More Changes coming regarding Housing Benefit

2010-12-14T05:19:00.001-08:00

It is pretty common knowledge that the Government recently announced they were going to be reducing Housing Benefit/LHA (local housing allowance) considerably and you wouldn’t be alone in thinking that if you are a landlord who has tenants on LHA then this would effect more people in London than here in sunny Dorset!! However, what isn’t being widely spoken about is the single person.

The Single Room Rate (SRR) is being risen from the age of 25 to 35. Currently if you are under the age of 25 you are only entitled to a room rate (a bedsit or room in a shared house). However in April 2011 this will change for all new claimants. If you are under the age of 35 you will only qualify for SSR.

For those who are currently in a one bed flat between 25 and 35 the government have extended the change to January 2012. This could spell trouble for Landlords who fall into this category. Their tenants in effect will have no choice other than to move to a bedsit or shared house or risk falling behind in their rent.

Single tenants under the age of 35 will not like moving from a self contained one bedroom environment to a smaller property like a bedsit or into a shared environment in a house/flat.

The bad news for Landlords will be those whose tenants fall into rent arrears, they will have no choice other than to evict them because the current rules state the council will not re-house anyone unless they are evicted. To move out prior would be deemed as making themselves ‘voluntarily homeless’, oh and YOU the Landlord has to bear the brunt of the court costs.

So, if you are a landlord who currently rents one bedroom properties to single people under the age of 35 either be prepared to not renew their tenancy next time round and try to rent to a couple or insist on a guarantor (at least you will have some re-course if arrears develops)

The good news is of course for Landlords who have HMO’s (houses of multiple occupancy) as these will be in popular demand. The new trend going into 2011 will be Landlords either expanding their portfolio’s with HMO’s or brand new landlords investing in large houses to turn into HMO’s.

we hit the front page on Dorset Business

2010-12-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

Please click on the following link to see the front page headlines for Move On Rentals in the Lettings Industry.

click here

The Wonderful world of Lettings

2010-12-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

September saw record numbers of lets, which was good news for Landlords. October has been very good. Rent arrears have started to fall across the UK which is a good sign in the right direction as this rose by 55% nationally.

A recent ARLA research showed an increase of rental properties coming onto the market because they can’t be sold, this is a sign of ‘Reluctant Landlords’ coming back to the market.

The cap on Housing Benefit on higher rents (which will affect London mainly) will see tenants looking for cheaper rents and looking to move into the outer regions.

However a wise word to Landlords whose properties are currently vacant.

If you have a property due to come up for rent or is currently empty, you could be in danger of this remaining empty into the New Year. This time of year is known for slowing down as we enter December and into the Christmas period. You may need to look at reducing your rental price slightly to attract those looking around. This time of year tenants can bag a bargain. Two months loss of rent due to a property being empty will take along time to recoup. Where as renting at a lower price not only continues to bring in an income, but is also healthy for the property to be lived in over the next cold and wet months.

Please also remember that if your property is empty for more than 30 days, you should be notifying your Insurance Company. Heating should be left on low to maintain an even temperature.

If you do have an empty property or would like a free friendly chat regarding your current situation, please telephone Move On Rentals 01202 711169.

Advice on Preparing your Property

2010-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

It is important for landlords to prepare their property for tenants. The first is to think of what type of person are you looking to attract. Trying to attract Professional people and achieve maximum rent is not going to work if your property is not looking its best!

In Bournemouth And Poole the majority of properties are unfurnished where as in London they are predominantly furnished. I am often asked if it makes a difference with what you can achieve rent wise – and it doesn’t make any difference. If anything, furnishing a property will restrict your enquiries dramatically. If you can be flexible with furniture then you are reaching the whole market. Students are obviously the exception as they do expect a furnished environment.

Décor is best being kept to whites and neutral colours. Skimmed walls are easy to maintain than wallpaper. It is a good idea to implement into your budget a repaint throughout your property every 3-5 years in order to keep your property looking fresh. Most people expect modern kitchens and bathrooms these days. If these rooms are more than 10 years of age it might be worth thinking of updating these. The Majority of kitchens now include a cooker, washing machine and a fridge/freezer. At the end of the day it is an investment and the return will come back by attracting good tenants, good rents as well as the saleable value at the end.

The better the handover with the tenant the better the handover will be back. It is really hard to insist on a carpet clean at the end of a Tenancy when at the commencement it was clearly not cleaned. Here are a couple of tips;
Clean carpets throughout
Clean windows inside and out
Make sure oven and hob are clean
Garden is in good order (no weeds or long grass)

Move On Rentals now have a monthly newsletter updating landlords on the latest legislations. If you would like to receive this, then please email sharon@moveonrentals.

Latest Lettings Legislation no-one is talking about...

2010-09-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

Gordon Brown’s outgoing amendment in the Housing Sector which practically came out from nowhere was rushed through just before parliament dissolved – despite petitions quickly signed and sent to Downing Street!

What is it I hear you cry, well on and after 6 April 2010, changes implemented by The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes)(Amendment) (England) Order 2010 will mean that in certain circumstances, a landlord wishing to let out a property nay need planning permission before doing so.

There are now three classifications of a dwellinghouse which fall under Class C3 (a), (b) and (c) and a totally new Class C4. The main effect of the new use classes will be that in order for a property to be defined as a ‘dwellinghouse’ it must be occupied by people who form a ‘single household’ as defined in the Housing Act 2004. A single household means the occupants must be related, such as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, cousins – you get the picture? A couple co-habitating will also form a single household under C3 (a). These are okay it is where between 3 and 6 unrelated people live in a property and share one or more basic amenities (bathroom, kitchen or toilet) the property will classed under a new Use Class 4. Presently that could be 3+ nurses sharing, 3+ friends sharing (students or professional) and this is where it is going to bite as initial enquiries in costs have been over £200.
Also, if granted a C4 use and then you choose to subsequently let to a family and then subsequently after the family you revert back to sharers again you will have to apply for planning consent as you can go from C4 to C3 use but cannot go from C3 to C4 without change of use.
It does not however apply to any existing HMO(house of multiple occupancy) in occupation.
If you are concerned or have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Move On Sponsoring Shane Board single

2010-09-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Move On Rentals have joined Bournemouthtown.co.uk to support Shane Board's latest single due out for release.
Shane is a local lad who went to St Edward's School in Poole and was in the same year as Sharon Moore's twin daughters.
‘Your day will come’ is being manufactured and distributed by Sony and due for release on World Diabetes Day in the UK, on 14th November. Brit award winning producer Simon Ellis known as musical director for the Spice Girls and Britney Spears on her Circus tour has written the song to commemorate the day. The CD will be available to download from all major download sites and standard shopping outlets. The music video of ‘Constantly You’ which features one of Sharons daughters best friend was filmed in a house in Sandbanks, which Michael Howard of Brittainia property services kindly offered for use during the shoot.

Launching of our Buy2Let as an additional add-on

2010-03-30T03:49:00.000-07:00

Building on their success, Move On Rentals are excited to announce the launch of becoming the leading areas specialists in ‘Buy2Let’ properties. Sharon Canning (nee Moore) commented ‘it is a natural add-on for our business, where we can help our existing landlords and new to increase or reduce their existing portfolio. We have definitely seen an upturn in brand new landlords entering the buy to let market this year with a higher yield coming back on their investment compared to say sitting in a bank. We already have a great customer service with helping new landlords choose the right property before buying and the timing is perfect. What better way would you want to start or increase your portfolio with a tenant is situ earning you money from day one!’ If you want further details then please contact Sharon and her team at Move On Rentals on 01202 711169.

Changes to Non Assured Shorthold Tenancies

2010-03-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

At present an Assured Shorthold Tenancy covers rents up to £25,000 per annum (up to £2083 per month), but as of the 1st October 2010 any Tenancy with an annual rent between £25,000 and £100,000 in existence will automatically become as Assured Shorthold Tenancy overnight.
This change will parachute all of the rights and responsibilities of the Housing Act 1988 onto tenancies – as well as having to protect deposits for the first time. Failure to have them protected on the 1st October could be in breach of the law and the courts are being forewarned.
The changes are receiving mixed reviews, some are saying that changes in the law is one thing but to change the terms of agreed contracts is another, whilst tenants whose rents have been in the higher bracket are welcoming the mandatory protection of their deposits.
Failure to protect a deposit means a landlord must pay back three times the deposit held to the tenant and the landlord will not be able to issue a valid Section 21 Notice, which in the event a tenant is taken to court, the proceedings would be dismissed.
Of course anything could change, the present Government have been known for U-turns and if a different party is elected in May then anything could happen!

Landlord Seminar in Bournemouth

2010-03-10T08:28:00.001-08:00

Successful Landlord Seminar held at the Orchid Hotel in Bournemouth. Guest speakers offering expert advice on Buy to Let Mortgages, Tenancy law, End of year Property tax returns, letting legislations and more. A very informative evening and Move on received fabulous feedback.

Tenancy Deposits 3 years

2010-03-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

Although I understand that due to rogue landlords and yes rogue letting agents, the government in their infinite wisdom approved three deposit schemes and made it law in April 2007 that all deposits must be protected under one of these schemes if your tenant is in an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. What I do not understand is why the adjudicators keep changing their minds!