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	<title>Landlord Insurance &#187; News</title>
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	<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk</link>
	<description>by LandlordBuddy.co.uk</description>
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		<title>8 Reasons Why You Might Consider Buying Whole Life Insurance For Children</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/8-reasons-why-you-might-consider-buying-whole-life-insurance-for-children/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/8-reasons-why-you-might-consider-buying-whole-life-insurance-for-children/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insurance Protection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance Policies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maturity]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[ ...  a chronic disease or other serious disability.
<br />
<br /><B>Reason #7: Grandparents and legal guardians can <b>buy</b> child life <b>insurance</b> policies.</B>
<br />
<br />These people may help new parents who struggle with serious financial obligations during the  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is more than one way to financially insure your children. <I>Whole life insurance for children</I> is one of them. Here are 8 reasons why you might consider buying whole life insurance for children.</p>
<p><B>Reason #1: Your child gets assured future insurance.</B></p>
<p>Child life insurance assures that your children will have life insurance cover for the rest of their lives. Events such as an accident or an illness could make life assurance too expensive or possibly unavailable in maturity. If the life insurance premium payments are kept up to date, the child life insurance policy cannot be annulled even if health issues do occur later in life.</p>
<p><B>Reason #2: Your children get insurance protection for their whole life.</B></p>
<p>Buying child life assurance for your children or grandchildren may give them insurance cover for their whole life. The children can also change the policy to any level premium whole life insurance policy before the child life insurance policy finishes. They may do so without having to establish that they are in excellent health.</p>
<p><B>Reason #3: Child life insurance can be term life or whole life insurance.</B></p>
<p>You can use a term life insurance policy to create resources for your children until they reach maturity. You will pay a larger premium over a shorter period of time for a term life insurance policy. These policies can remain active for up to 15 years.</p>
<p>A whole life insurance policy includes a substantial savings component. You can pay the premium over a longer period of time. The cash value assists you and your child in saving for future costs. You may utilize a whole life insurance policy to cover occurrences such as an illness or a college education.</p>
<p><B>Reason #4: Parents usually buy these policies for the benefit of their children.</B></p>
<p>Child life insurance policies are aimed particularly at the requirements of children and their caregivers. Child life insurance may be promoted to adult life insurance without further medical assessments.</p>
<p><B>Reason #5: The insurance money may be helpful if a child actually dies.</B></p>
<p>The likelihood of a child dying is smaller when compared to the risk of an adult dying. However, the insurance money may be used for a funeral service or possible counseling sessions should a child pass away.</p>
<p><B>Reason #6: Child life insurance initiates without delay.</B></p>
<p>Child life insurance policies only require a simple health examination. You may obtain child life insurance at a minimal cost while your child is still young and healthy. Life insurance may become very expensive to get a hold of should your child develop a chronic disease or other serious disability.</p>
<p><B>Reason #7: Grandparents and legal guardians can buy child life insurance policies.</B></p>
<p>These people may help new parents who struggle with serious financial obligations during the first few years of their child’s life. Financially established grandparents and legal guardians can then buy life assurance for their grandchildren.</p>
<p><B>Reason #8: Child life insurance for babies is also available.</B></p>
<p>The most life assurance companies will let you purchase a policy for a child who is between 15 days and 15 years old.</p>
<p><I>That was 8 reasons why you might consider buying whole life insurance for children.</I></p>
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		<title>Real Estate Investment    A Guide On Buy To Let</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/real-estate-investment-a-guide-on-buy-to-let/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/real-estate-investment-a-guide-on-buy-to-let/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:13:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buy To Let Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Landlords Association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sums]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/real-estate-investment-a-guide-on-buy-to-let/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  also highly recommended however it is not usually obligatory. 1. Stay clear of areas that are already saturated with <b>buy</b>-to-<b>let</b> properties - supply can often outweigh demand, which could make finding tenants a difficult task.3. When decorating, it  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The process of purchasing an investment property is very different to that of buying a home for example, for you and your family to live in. There are many other considerations that must be taken into account before making this big step. Thorough research of the market is essential. Even if you decide to borrow a substantial segment of the purchase price of the house, it will usually cost you a considerable amount to set yourself up as a landlord. It is always a good idea to approach a number of letting agents in the proposed area you wish to buy, in order to gain an insight into rental demand &#8211; this is also a good way of finding out how much rental income you can expect. Many lenders will expect rental income to cover at least 130 percent of your monthly mortgage repayments &#8211; so make sure that you calculate your sums correctly. Once you have made your calculations and found a suitable area you wish to buy in, you can start shopping around for mortgages. There are many different buy-to-let mortgage deals that can be arranged &#8211; You can choose between fixed, discounted and variable rates.As with other types of mortgages, it will be a condition of the lender that you have in place a buildings insurance policy at the very least. Contents cover is also highly recommended however it is not usually obligatory. 1. Stay clear of areas that are already saturated with buy-to-let properties &#8211; supply can often outweigh demand, which could make finding tenants a difficult task.3. When decorating, it is a good idea to invest that little bit extra. Ask yourself, could you see yourself living there? If not then you may wish to review your decor.<P>4. Join a landlords association. For about 100.00 a year you will have access to help and assistance on matters such as tax issues and legislation.</p>
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		<title>Buy To Let Mortgage &#8211; Part 1</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-mortgage-part-1/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-mortgage-part-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:43:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment Mortgage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgage Lenders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retirement Plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-mortgage-part-1/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  live there. He must also be ready to screen tenants to turn his by to <b>let</b> investment into a prosperous one.
<br />
<br />The <b>buy</b> to <b>let</b> mortgage can be a good opportunity for someone who is looking to build a portfolio of property to rent out and have a ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Where a person has specific plans of leasing out or renting a property after they have acquired it is known as a buy to let mortgage. With this type of mortgage, sometimes called an investment mortgage, the idea is to get the amount of the monthly mortgage plus some extra money by renting out the property, thereby making a profit. The higher rental cost also help with the management and maintenance cost of a property. The person who lives in the house (known as the tenant) has a residence that is maintained and kept up by a landlord.</p>
<p>For retirement plans and long term investments, the buy to let mortgage has become more popular these days and many brokers specialize in this kind of mortgage/investment venture. With the buy to let mortgage opportunities on the market today one must be aware of all of the details that may apply to this type of mortgage situation. The interest rates, the broker fees and property taxes are all things that must be considered before entering into this type of mortgage.</p>
<p>Some mortgage lenders in the UK will assess the gross earning potential of the land in question. A surveyor is sometimes used to gauge the profit margin of the property in some instances.</p>
<p>It is an understatement to say that the popularity of the buy to let mortgage deals has grown. They have become one of the most popular mortgages in the UK today. Some of the reasons for this increase include: a growing demand for rental accommodations, easier buy to let opportunities that would make life easy for the property owner and lower interest rates than many investments, though buy to let mortgages have higher rates than other mortgages.</p>
<p>Since the person involved in the buy to let mortgage will be the landlord, he must be ready for all of the things that go along with the title. He must make sure that his insurance is up to par (fire, liability) He must be ready to maintain the house and the property even though he doesn’t live there. He must also be ready to screen tenants to turn his by to let investment into a prosperous one.</p>
<p>The buy to let mortgage can be a good opportunity for someone who is looking to build a portfolio of property to rent out and have a steady income through real estate.</p>
<p>There are many good Mortgage Advisers out there who will be able to help you find really great deal on your mortgage. You will need to utilize there knowledge and experience to make sure you get the best deal possible taking into consideration your personal circumstances. Companies like www.themortgagetrain.co.uk have a team of highly qualified professional advisers who will be able to look at the whole of the market and to guide you through all areas of your personal financial needs. You can speak to someone today, just call 0845 686 3838 It pays to speak to a professional.</p>
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		<title>10 Tips For Buy-To-Let Investment Success</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/10-tips-for-buy-to-let-investment-success/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/10-tips-for-buy-to-let-investment-success/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:57:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ground Rent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment Success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgage Payment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/10-tips-for-buy-to-let-investment-success/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  property, which includes permanent fixtures and fittings. You will need to check your policy as most buildings <b>insurance</b> policies exclude <b>buy</b>-to-<b>lets</b>.
<br />
<br />#8 Sort Out Your Tax Position
<br />
<br />You have to pay income tax on any rental income  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Buy-To-Let market place is booming. More and more people are investing in a second property as a long term investment plan. As attractive as the proposition sounds, there are a number of potential pitfalls that need to be taken into consideration. Use the steps below to ensure that your Buy-To-Let investment is a success.</p>
<p>#1 Choose The Right Property</p>
<p>The location is extremely important. Make sure that speak to a number of local letting agents to determine the supply and demand in the area. Look at such things as whether there are local employers or a university. You can get the details of letting agents near you by contacting The Association of Residential Letting Agents.</p>
<p>#2 Choose The Right Mortgage</p>
<p>You will need to check with your lender to how much you eligible to borrow. Most lenders will allow you to borrow 85 percent of the properties value. Also most lenders will take into account the expected rental income when they are deciding how much they will lend. Make sure that your rental income covers 125 percent of your monthly mortgage payment.</p>
<p>#3 Work Out Costs And Income</p>
<p>Work out how much your monthly mortgage repayment will be and whether the expected rental income will exceed this. Checking out the rental prices of similar properties advertised in newspapers in your area will give an indication of whether this is possible. Also look at whether you could afford your mortgage if interest rates shop up and the property is unoccupied for 3 months.</p>
<p>#4 Consider Hidden Costs</p>
<p>You will have to pay solicitors fees, estate agents fees, building insurance, mortgage arrangement fees, stamp duty and possibly service charges and ground rent.</p>
<p>#5 Budget For Ongoing Costs</p>
<p>You are responsible for ensuring that the property meets health and safety standards. Local authorities require that you comply with fire regulations, which could mean you have to put in fire doors and smoke alarms.</p>
<p>#6 Choose A Professional Letting Agent</p>
<p>You might want to consider using a professional letting agent. They will find tenants, collect deposits and the rent and arrange the inventory and tenancy agreements. But expect to be charged anything from between 10 to 18 percent of the gross rental income that you get.</p>
<p>#7 Ensure You Have The Right Insurance</p>
<p>As you are the owner it is your responsibility to insure the structure of the property, which includes permanent fixtures and fittings. You will need to check your policy as most buildings insurance policies exclude buy-to-lets.</p>
<p>#8 Sort Out Your Tax Position</p>
<p>You have to pay income tax on any rental income you receive, but you can deduct some expenses and you will probably be liable for Capital Gains Tax when you sell. You would be well advised to speak to your accountant before you proceed.</p>
<p>#9 Get A Fully Flexible Mortgage</p>
<p>These types of mortgages are well suited to the buy-to-let market. This is because you can fluctuate your payments in line with rental income.</p>
<p>#10 View Buy-To-Let As A Long Term Investment</p>
<p>Do not expect to make a quick profit on rental income and equity gain in the property. You look at the longer terms for profits. Generally about five to ten years.</p>
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		<title>Finding Holiday Buy To Let Mortgages</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/finding-holiday-buy-to-let-mortgages/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/finding-holiday-buy-to-let-mortgages/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:50:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buy To Let Mortgages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Possibilities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/finding-holiday-buy-to-let-mortgages/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  is much more to it than that and by far the best way to get the best advice and deal when it comes to holiday <b>buy</b> to <b>let</b> mortgages is to go with a specialist broker. A specialist will know what you need and where to look in order to get the best  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When it comes to holiday buy to let mortgages you should have done your homework well before you get to this stage. You should have looked into all the possibilities including the good and bad of owning a holiday home for letting. You should have taken into consideration the property prices and how much rent you would be likely to get from the property and, of course, the insurance that will be needed to cover your venture.</p>
<p>Only then can you actually go on to make an offer on a property. If your offer is accepted then now is the time to consider holiday buy to let mortgages. This is not the same as your home mortgage, there is much more to it than that and by far the best way to get the best advice and deal when it comes to holiday buy to let mortgages is to go with a specialist broker. A specialist will know what you need and where to look in order to get the best deal available for you.</p>
<p>Your property will of course have to meet the requirements to be seen as a holiday let and you should make sure that you can expect to meet these rules. For instance your property should be available for rent for a period of no less than 140 days out of the year and you must be able to successfully let it for at least 70 days within a given time. </p>
<p>This of course doesn’t mean renting the property at discount to friends and family but full paying renters, along with this the lender is going to want to make sure that your property will  be able to bring in around 130% or more of your mortgage repayments. Another factor that has to be taken into account is the fact that some lenders will base the mortgage just on the predicted income from the holiday let while others will base it on you other income and you will have to meet this requirement too. When it comes to the deposit that you will be required to put down, then this will vary with some lenders asking up to 30% due to the risks that are involved, again this is where an expert broker can really make a difference in securing you the best deal possible.</p>
<p>However if you can get your holiday let up and running successfully then you will be able to take full advantage of the many tax breaks that a holiday let offers.</p>
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		<title>Affordable Life Insurance</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/affordable-life-insurance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/affordable-life-insurance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:34:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Independents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Insurance Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nutshell]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/affordable-life-insurance/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ... -<b>insurance</b>-info.html</a>) because they thought they were covered and they were not.
<br />
<br />When shopping around for <b>landlord</b> <b>insurance</b> you should also consider the deductibles carefully. May companies offer reduced premiums in exchange for higher  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In a nutshell, the most affordable life insurance is the stand-alone type. This means that you are not purchasing the insurance as part of any home insurance plan or medical insurance plan and that you are not purchasing it from one of the big insurance providers. You are simply buying what you need and nothing else and that is what makes it affordable life insurance.</p>
<p>Even though buying life insurance just on its own is cheap it is probably worth your while to purchase it with medical health insurance. This is because if you buy both in a package deal you get both at a cheaper price then you would if you bought them each as stand alone insurance packages.  Bundling up wherever you can is always a good idea if what you are ultimately after is affordable life insurance (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDXClmpxe0" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDXClmpxe0" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDXClmpxe0&amp;referer=');">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDXClmpxe0</a>).</p>
<p>Before approaching an insurance company, try to look at its ratings online to see if it is cheap compared to what the competition is offering. There are actually prices that will tell you what the yardstick is for affordable life insurance.  </p>
<p>There are several companies online that rate affordable life insurance. An example is Best’s Rating Service.  Some of them are rated out of ten but often these companies grade the insurance company in terms of its affordability. The grades are like the ones you got for writing essays in school with A plus being the highest kudos that you can get.</p>
<p>You can also use brokers or insurance agents to try and get you the most affordable life insurance quotes. Some of these brokers are independents and can give you quotes from various companies and others work for only one company such as State Farm or Allstate. Be sure to go for several quotes and compare the cost against what you get.  Make sure that you demand proof of coverage when you get life insurance through a broker. </p>
<p>Sometimes these affordable life insurance brokering outfits are corrupt and delay sending in your policy. Sometimes this can also lead you to believe that you are covered when you aren’t.  It is a terrible shock to a family that has lost someone to also lose their life insurance (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.equote.com/info/life-insurance-info.html" title="http://www.equote.com/info/life-insurance-info.html" target="_blank" onclick="pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.equote.com/info/life-insurance-info.html?referer=');">http://www.equote.com/info/life-insurance-info.html</a>) because they thought they were covered and they were not.</p>
<p>When shopping around for <span class='bm_keywordlink'><a href="http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk" target="_blank">landlord insurance</a></span> you should also consider the deductibles carefully. May companies offer reduced premiums in exchange for higher deductibles.  Try to go for the high deductible so you can save money in the long run. This approach will also usually get you a better insurer and a better policy.  The most affordable one that you can manage is highly recommended as usually this means that there is less chance of things screwing up.</p>
<p>Some financial experts would say that the most affordable insurance is the plan that is not going to break your personal life.  Think about what it is that you have to do to prove your family from having to borrow money at a high interest rate in order to pay for a funeral before you purchase the insurance.</p>
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		<title>Buy to Let: 10 Tips for Success</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-10-tips-for-success/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-10-tips-for-success/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:34:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Centre Areas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lenders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Success]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/buy-to-let-10-tips-for-success/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  of use â€“ for instance, to multi-occupancy accommodation â€“ make sure planning permission is available before committing yourself to a <b>buy</b>-to-<b>let</b> mortgage.<br />4.	Donâ€™t just go for the first lender you find for your <b>buy</b>-to-<b>let</b> mortgage â€“ for  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finding a buy-to-let mortgage is a lot easier than it used to be, as more lenders are entering the market.  But the actual process of becoming a landlord/landlady isn’t quite so straightforward.  Here are some tips to smooth the path.</p>
<p>1.	Look carefully into the rental potential of the area before committing yourself to a buy-to-let mortgage.  City centre areas often attract the highest rents.  However, in some city centres, there may have been so much new build for the buy-to-let market that supply exceeds demand.<br />2.	Remember too that if you buy in an area where property prices are booming, your profit on re-sale may be reduced.  It’s a gamble – if you buy in a currently down-market area, it may be the next property hotspot, or the property may prove virtually unsaleable.  Find out all you can about property trends.<br />3.	If letting the property will involve a change of use – for instance, to multi-occupancy accommodation – make sure planning permission is available before committing yourself to a buy-to-let mortgage.<br />4.	Don’t just go for the first lender you find for your buy-to-let mortgage – for instance, your existing lender.  Without shopping around you can’t be sure you are getting the best deal.  Shopping around can be time-consuming – finding an independent buy to let broker can simplify the process.<br />5.	Make sure your application for a buy-to-let mortgage includes all the relevant details.  Many applications come unstuck at the last minute because of undisclosed information.  For example, if the developer is offering a discount and you base your application on the full price without mentioning the discount, you could be in trouble.<br />6.	Regularly review your finance facilities.  The buy-to-let mortgage deal you get may have been the best at the time, but your lender may “forget” to let you know about a new and better product they bring in three months later.<br />7.	Consider looking for a property within easy travelling distance of where you live.  Having to make regular trips of several hours to deal with problems, repairs, complaints etc. may quickly erode your enjoyment of your new venture!  If it is at a distance, think about using a lettings agency.  This will reduce your profits, but will enable you to relax and forget about day-to-day problems.<br />8.	Remember that the purchase of the property is not your only expense.  You will need buildings insurance and there will almost certainly be repairs, refurbishments and alterations that need doing.  And don’t forget that your buy-to-let mortgage will need paying whether you have a tenant or not.  You may need to think about a mortgage protection policy – consult a broker to find the right type.<br />9.	Once you have your buy to let mortgage and your property in place, it’s tempting to grab the first tenant that comes along – the last thing you want is “down-time”.  But this could be a costly mistake.  Get references from an employer, and a previous landlord if applicable, and ask for a credit check.  Insist on an up-front payment of a deposit (equivalent to at least a month’s rent) plus at least the first month’s rent in advance.  Draw up a legally binding contract and go through all the fixtures and fittings together before the tenant moves in, so there is no argument about what condition they were in.  If the tenant is unhappy about any of this, find another tenant. <br />10.	Put utilities – gas, electricity etc. – in the tenant’s name.  If they fail to pay their bills, you are less likely to be cut off, and the utility company can chase them and not you for the payment.</p>
<p>Getting a buy-to-let mortgage can be the start of an exciting and profitable adventure, or of a horrible nightmare.  Following these tips can help you make sure it’s the former.</p>
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		<title>Mortgages – Buy To Let A Wise Bet</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/mortgages-%e2%80%93-buy-to-let-a-wise-bet/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/mortgages-%e2%80%93-buy-to-let-a-wise-bet/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:10:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>George</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lenders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Private Investors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety Regulations]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/mortgages-%e2%80%93-buy-to-let-a-wise-bet/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ ...  of the property.
<br />
<br />Unlike the mortgage which you raise when you <b>buy</b> your home, which is based upon your earnings, a <b>buy</b>-to-<b>let</b> mortgage is normally based on the income which can be generated from the letting of the property. There are many  ... ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Buy-to-let is often seen by private investors as an interesting alternative way to make their money grow. Certainly it offers the chance of double benefits for the owner. There is the income from letting the property and the hopeful increase in the value of the property.</p>
<p>Unlike the mortgage which you raise when you buy your home, which is based upon your earnings, a buy-to-let mortgage is normally based on the income which can be generated from the letting of the property. There are many specialists in buy-to-let mortgages and a good broker will be aware of the prerequisites and terms which apply to them and will guide you to the right lender for your own circumstances.</p>
<p>The right property in the correct location is all-important. If your main aim is for growth in the value of the property then obviously you need to look at where you think the next “value-spurt” is going to be. Something like the Commonwealth games in London will pull up an area with all the developments and if you can get in early on this type of area there should be strong potential for property value growth. If income is your main aim, then University towns and cities are good hunting-grounds and you’re assured of a regular, although changing, stream of tenants, over the years. </p>
<p>Lenders like to see where their repayments are coming from and should be happy if you could produce some projected figures showing a gross income of around 135% of the property’s mortgage costs. This should cover the costs if things don’t go quite as smoothly as planned. </p>
<p>Costs over and above the mortgage repayments will include the upkeep of the property, any renovation work, furnishings if these are included in the contract and the cost of testing (for safety regulations) appliances and maintaining them. If the property is leasehold there could be ground rent and then there are possible service charges. Add to this any letting agent’s fees, typically 10% of the monthly rent and another 5% if you go for a management service. Don’t forget buildings insurance.</p>
<p>As far as a letting agent is concerned, they will earn their fees by searching for and vetting suitable tenants and collecting the rental. This could be valuable if you’re not renting in your own area, but is something many small landlords manage for themselves. Remember to allow for the time when there is no income from the property, between lettings, for example. At one time students use to pay rental on a per term basis, but nowadays it’s become more usual to pay for an annual occupancy.</p>
<p>Whilst everything goes well for the vast majority of private landlords, things can go wrong and it’s possible to find the whole project is more time consuming than you first thought. House prices have doubled in the past ten years or so, who knows how long this will continue?</p>
<p>In the event of bumps in the market, a landlord would still have the income from letting to cushion the blow and the property would still be there as a long term investment.</p>
<p>For all the advice and information that you need, the best approach is to find an on-line mortgage broker. They have access to all the latest mortgages from a range of lenders. As soon as they have your information they’ll scour the market for the best possible deal, on the most favourable terms.</p>
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		<title>Worries that rent arrears will increase with job losses</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/worries-that-rent-arrears-will-increase-with-job-losses/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/worries-that-rent-arrears-will-increase-with-job-losses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:05:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ruth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/?p=80</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has been predicted that more and more tenants will now default on their rent following the news that unemployment has reached a 12-year high as 2.26 million are now unemployed.
The Office for National Statistics released these figures on Monday, showing that the number unemployed has grown by over 200,000 in just three months. The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-41 alignleft" src="http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/landlord-insurance-savings-150x150.jpg" alt="landlord insurance savings" width="150" height="150" />It has been predicted that more and more tenants will now default on their rent following the news that unemployment has reached a 12-year high as 2.26 million are now unemployed.</p>
<p>The Office for National Statistics released these figures on Monday, showing that the number unemployed has grown by over 200,000 in just three months. The Managing Director or HomeLet responded by stating that we should expect a proportional rise of the number of landlords not seeing rent for their tenants.</p>
<p>The figures from the Office for National Statistics also showed that the number of people currently in work has seen its biggest slump in one quarter since records began in 1971.</p>
<p>One of the worst areas to be hit is youth unemployment for those aged 18-24. This has increased by 74,000 to those out of work now at 695,000.</p>
<p>HomeLet provides tenant referencing services in the UK, and the majority of its 30,000 applicants each month are aged in this 18-24 bracket.</p>
<p>The figures for youth unemployment are at the worst they’ve been for 15 years, and this is expected to get worse over the next few month as a whole new batch of school leavers will be attempting to find work.</p>
<p>It is expected that this figure could impact the private rented sector in areas that rely heavily on young people finding jobs and taking rented accommodation as opposed to staying in their family home.</p>
<p>This rising unemployment in young people could delay the recovery. Even those who manage to find jobs are facing an uncertain time ahead.</p>
<p>In the case of landlords, many rely on monthly rent to pay the mortgage – so missed payments could be a huge problem. HomeLet director urges landlords to take out <span class='bm_keywordlink'><a href="http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk" target="_blank">landlord insurance</a></span> to protect themselves in these circumstances.</p>
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		<title>Ex-tenant becomes squatter at £300,000 house</title>
		<link>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/ex-tenant-becomes-squatter-at-300000-house/</link>
		<comments>http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/news/ex-tenant-becomes-squatter-at-300000-house/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:55:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ruth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/?p=76</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A former tenant is accused of becoming a squatter in a Midland home. The owner, an elderly woman, is looking to sell the home in order to pay for health bills.
Rent has not been paid on the home since Christmas, but the tenant refuses to leave despite legal action.
83-year-old owner Phyllis Howarth’s home care is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-49 alignleft" src="http://www.landlordbuddy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/landlord-insurance-alternatives-150x150.jpg" alt="landlord insurance alternatives" width="150" height="150" />A former tenant is accused of becoming a squatter in a Midland home. The owner, an elderly woman, is looking to sell the home in order to pay for health bills.</p>
<p>Rent has not been paid on the home since Christmas, but the tenant refuses to leave despite legal action.</p>
<p>83-year-old owner Phyllis Howarth’s home care is costing £3,000 a month, causing the need to sell the property. Her son states that the landlord is refusing to move even though his agreement ended in March. Further civil action now has to be sought as a way to evict this tenant.</p>
<p>According to Phyllis’ son, Mr Miller, the tenant has refused to answer the door and the phone, and has been squatting in the home since his agreement ended. The house cannot be sold while the ex-tenant is still living there.</p>
<p>Mr Miller claims to have taken out a loan in order to cover costs for his mother’s home care.</p>
<p>Miller also claims he was nearly arrested when he tried to enter the home to get his mother’s possessions, when the occupant called the police.</p>
<p>Despite being served two notices, the tenant refuses to leave. He has also altered aspects of the home without permission whilst living in the property free of charge. Phyllis continues to pay council tax on the property.</p>
<p>Mr Miller claimed that the tenant, Mr Bakewell, is receiving incapacity benefit.</p>
<p>The squatter owes 28 weeks’ worth of rent, refusing to leave even after a second notice which ordered him to leave during May.</p>
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