Successful Property Letting by Lawrenson, David -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Copyright About the Author Contents Preface to the New Edition

Financing The Green Deal and Energy Performance Certificates Licensing and HMOs Tenancy deposit schemes Letting to tenants on housing benefit Tax changes

1. An Introduction to Property Investment

Why you need this book A brief history of residential property letting ‘‘Landlord’’ or ‘‘Property Investor’’ How property differs from other types of investment When to buy? Good and bad times in the property market Meet the people who want your money Is it for you? What kind of person makes a successful landlord? How much should I put in property?

2. Easy as ABC: The Simple Economics of Property Letting

Income and capital growth How to calculate the true income from your property How to calculate capital growth

3. How to Find the Right Property

4. Ready to Buy: Finance and the Legal Stuff

How to arrange your finance How to make the conveyancing process work for you

5. Refurbishing and Preparing Your Property

6. How to Get the Tenancy Agreement Correct

7. How to Find a Good Tenant

Letting to friends . . . and why you shouldn’t! Getting your existing tenants to find new tenants Letting to a social housing organisation Using a letting agent How to find a good letting agent If you’re looking for a tenant yourself How to screen potential tenants and take references Final steps and what happens on move-in day

8. How to Manage the Tenancy

How to manage the tenants How to manage housing benefit/local housing allowance tenants How to manage a letting agent How to manage maintenance How to manage a problem neighbour How to end your tenancy Tenancy deposit schemes How to manage utilities and council tax How to manage paperwork How to keep up-to-date

9. Difficult Tenants and How to Deal with Them

The sorts of things that can go wrong . . . and how to deal with them How to evict a tenant How to serve a notice Possession proceedings How to make a claim for money owed Evicting squatters and Rent Act tenants Whatever you do, don’t harass! What to do if a tenant dies How to solve housing benefit/local housing allowance problems

10. When it’s Time to Sell

What’s the best time of year to sell? How to sell successfully through an estate agent Selling at auction Selling it yourself Why it pays to be prepared

11. Tax

Completing the tax return All about income tax All about capital gains tax (CGT) Tax on UK and European Economic Area (EEA) holiday lets Tax on other foreign holiday lets outside the EEA The rent a room scheme All about stamp duty land tax Investing via a property company ‘‘SIPPS’’, syndicates and ‘‘REITS’’

12. Jet to Let: Diversifying Your Property Portfolio

UK and EEA holiday lets Investing in property abroad Things you need to know Where to buy and what to buy abroad All about taxes on foreign property Other opportunities

Appendix 1: A Sample Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Appendix 2: Useful Contacts Index