Reasons to Remortgage your Home

8 days ago

If you are looking at remortgaging your property but you are unsure whether it’s the right decision, we have listed five reasons why it might be for you.

How Will The Proposed EPC Changes Impact Landlords?

22 Aug 2022

If you’re a landlord & you’re unaware of the proposed upcoming legislative changes, see how this new bill could impact the UK rental market.

Things You Need To Know When Getting A Buy-To-Let Mortgage

4 Mar 2022

Purchasing a property and then letting it out to tenants is a great way to earn additional income and the more properties you own, the more you can earn.

Tips on Buying a Property with a Tenant in Occupation

There are a few reasons why you might be buying a property with a tenant still in occupation (a sitting tenant).

Electrical Safety Regulations - An April Deadline for Landlords!

From the 1st of April, Landlords are now obliged to have an electrician undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

The Number of Mortgages Available is Now at a 12 Year High!

Moneyfacts, the independent mortgage market monitor of all things ‘mortgage’ has reported that overall mortgage availability rose in January 2021, to 3,215 products!

10 Reasons to Invest in UK Property

There are still many reasons why the UK property market could be considered one of the best investment opportunities in the world. Here are ten reasons why.

Top 10 Tips for Successfully Letting Your Property

Here we list 10 things you should consider doing to enhance your return on capital.

Lease Extension Fees - Don't Get Caught Out

Flats, in particular, are usually owned leasehold because in very simple terms, to own the freehold of a property is basically to own the land below and the air above and, in the case of a flat, clearly this isn’t possible.

How to Speed Up Your Buy to Let Mortgage Application

The process of obtaining a buy to let loan usually takes between 4 - 6 weeks, although, as with all purchases, there are a variety of steps to the process which will delay or even stall the process.

Negotiating Tips When Buying a Property

What can you do to improve your negotiating position? Here are a few simple tips that too many people ignore.

New Electrical Safety Standards Guidelines for Landlords.

The regulations apply to new tenancies commencing on or after 1 July 2020 and inspections relating to properties subject to existing tenancies must be undertaken before 1. April 2021.

Stamp Duty Holiday

The chancellor has announced a temporary holiday on stamp duty up to £500,000 as part of a number of measures to help stimulate the economy. We have listed below the key facts following this announcement.

What documents do I need to support my mortgage application & when?

Applying for a mortgage can seem an intimidating and complicated process. Thankfully this is something we do every single day, so we can do much of it for you. Simple.

Where can I get an Energy Performance Certificate?

You must have an Energy Performance Certificate before you start marketing your property. Buildings that don’t need an EPC include...

The Latest Interest Rate Cut and How it Affects You.

Generally referred to as ‘the base rate’, when it falls it is usually (but not always) an indication that lending rates generally will also fall.

Mortgage Required Launch Video Appointments

If you can’t come to us we can quickly set up a video or phone appointment.

COVID-19 - Mortgage Payment Holiday for Landlords

Whether you are an owner-occupier or a private landlord, the most important thing is not to panic or put your head in the sand.

The best books for Buy to Let Landlords & Property Investors

Here we look at just a few of the great books out there that might interest the buy-to-let landlord or property investor.

10 Ways to Minimise the Risk When Investing in Property.

To minimise the risk when investing in property there are a variety of measures you should take and precautions you can make. Here are just a few...

Do I Have to Change My Mortgage to Rent Out My Home?

Almost all, if not all, lenders will either prohibit you from letting your home to a third party or they’ll set restrictions and have formal requirements around notification, etc.

Can I Let My Property Without a Buy to Let Mortgage?

The simple answer is no. At least, you can, but it’s a very bad idea.

New Legislation for HMO Landlords

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have recently introduced new guidelines for HMO landlords.

Stamp Duty Refunds for 10,000 People with Second Home Error.

More recently, the UK government introduced a relatively complex scale of tax bands aimed in large part at discouraging the purchase of second homes and property used for buy-to-let investment.

Stamp Duty Changes for Buy to Let Landlords

The UK Government have been keen to discourage the small private buy to let investor. From April 2016, anyone purchasing an additional buy to let property must pay at least an extra 3 per cent in stamp duty land tax.

New Requirements for Portfolio Landlords on Buy to Let Properties

As part of a portfolio of measures aimed at cooling demand from the buy-to-let market, the UK’s Government have recently introduced several fiscal measures aimed at achieving a reduction in those interested in entering the private buy-to-let market.

Landlords - See How the Latest Changes Will Affect You

27 Oct 2017

The Buy to Let landscape is changing. The government fully intends to collect more tax from landlords and the option to buy and rent out property may no longer be open to just anyone who can raise a deposit.

Landlords – Are You up to Speed with the Changes?

29 Aug 2017

There have been so many changes in the Buy to Let sector, that I thought it was time for a general round up.

Energy Performance Certificate rating is changing for landlords

The 1st April 2018 will see any properties rented out in the private rented sector requiring a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If you don’t have this rating, you are unlikely to be able to legally rent out your property after this date.

5 Tips for Buy to Let Investors looking to Reduce their Capital Gains Tax liability.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT), as the name suggests, is charged upon the increase in value of an asset held by an individual. It is payable only when the gain is realised (i.e. a property sold or, in many cases, transferred) by that individual.

What are the New PRA Rules for Buy To Let Mortgages

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is a part of the Bank of England and is responsible for the regulation and supervision of banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms. 

How to Choose A Buy to Let Property.

Once you have made the decision to invest in a residential Buy to Let property, it’s worth sticking to a few basic rules. This is likely to make the whole process simpler and easier to manage further down the line.

Gas Safety Responsibility for Landlords

As Landlord you inherit several responsibilities around the need to secure your tenant’s safety. One of these includes the requirement for an annual Gas Safety Certificate.

5 Top Tips for Buy to Let Investors

With banks offering tiny returns on cash savings and ISAs and the fairly recent stock market volatility still fresh in people’s minds, investing in property is still considered by many to be the best way to invest their money.

Why are landlords setting up a limited company to purchase buy to lets?

18 Oct 2016

The solution for some seems to be to set up a limited company within which to purchase the buy to lets.

How much Deposit do you need for a Buy to Let Mortgage?

Borrowing money for a ‘buy to let’ investment is different to borrowing for your own home. The interest rate is usually higher in comparison and the deposit required is usually between 20% and 40% of the property’s value.

Legal requirements for Landlords fitting carbon monoxide detectors

From the 1st October 2015 regulations require smoke alarms to be installed in rented residential accommodation and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a solid fuel appliance.

What is the Right to Rent Scheme?

If you are looking to rent out your property in Maidenhead after 1. February 2016 the UK will require Landlords to undertake ‘Right to Rent’ checks on all tenants.

Buy to Let Stamp Duty Changes

27 Nov 2015

Anyone buying a 2nd property will see an additional 3% on their stamp duty rate from April 2016. This means that tax bill on a buy-to-let property costing £250,000 will jump from £2,500 to £8,800. 

New Buy to Let Mortgages

3 Nov 2015

Interest rates are so low that mortgage lenders can’t really cut them any more in order to win business. Instead of fighting it out in a rate war, providers are looking for new markets or niche areas for lending.

Why do people Buy to Let?

Buying property as an investment has proved to be a successful and lucrative investment decision for some and here we will address some of the benefits and pitfalls those new to the market should consider.

2015 Summer Budget

8 Jul 2015

The Chancellor has largely left mortgages alone in recent budgets, but last week he came out fighting.

Why buy a Property at Auction?

By far the most dramatic and exciting way to buy a property is by auction.

What is a Buy to Let Mortgage?

A Buy to Let mortgage is a loan which, as the name suggests, is lent to the buyer of a residential property for the purposes of investment rather than personal occupation. Both loans are used to buy houses or flats but the Buy to Let mortgage is different in some subtle but important ways.

Let to Buy tends to be seen as a Plan B

3 Sep 2013

Let to Buy tends to be seen as a Plan B – a product for reluctant landlords who have entered Buy to Let accidentally, and usually because they could not sell their previous residential property prior to buying another. Let to Buy, the conventional wisdom goes, is what you do with the house you could not sell.

 
 

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Friyay Rate Reviews

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Every Friday our experts search the market for the latest rates from every lender saving our clients some serious £'s!

Looking to Extend?

2 Feb 2024

Are you looking to extend your property? There are many benefits to adding an extension to your existing home, here are a few. 

Put simply, Equity Release is where you can release equity (money) tied up in your home for any purpose you like. In this short article, we share some reasons why you may want to consider Equity Release.

The team at Mortgage Required may not be able to lower the prices in your local supermarket, but we have come up with a list of tips to help you lower your food shopping bill.

Every year Big Energy Saving Week takes place to raise awareness about energy efficiency, reducing energy bills, and combating fuel poverty. Below are some ways you can get involved and hopefully make a saving!

In this blog we look at what happened in the housing market in relation to house prices last year, and look ahead at the forecast for 2024.