Unoccupied homes may invalidate insurance claims

Increasing tenant demand for landlords

Over the past six months landlords have seen an increase in tenant demand and achievable rents, according to research from the specialist buy-to-let lender, Paragon Mortgages. According to the lender, a quarter of landlords reported an increase in tenant demand and two thirds felt the demand was stable. This comes as refreshing news in the wake of HMO legislation introduced last month. The new licensing effects houses which are deemed to be in multiple occupation, and requires landlords to comply with new safety requirements. A third of landlords feared the changes could be difficult.

Paragon’s survey also showed that annual void periods have fallen; the average period is now 2.8 weeks as opposed to three weeks a year ago. Landlords have been predicting an overall increase in the net value of their properties of 5.6 per cent over the next twelve months.