The ins and outs of rent protection

Moneywise, July 2020

Any landlord who has ever watched TV series Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords or Can’t Pay We’ll Take it Away! is probably aware there is a risk someone will move into their property and not pay the rent.

Should buy-to-let landlords switch to holiday letting?

Lovemoney.com, July 2020

Thousands of landlords have switched from long-term to holiday letting, but will they be better off financially?

Planning permission: when do you need to get consent from your council?

Lovemoney.com, February 2020

We reveal when you’ll need planning permission and how you can avoid (unintentionally) breaking the rules when extending or upgrading your property.

Renovate or relocate: should I move or improve my home?

Lovemoney.com, April 2019

Many homeowners needing more space face a dilemma over whether they’d be better off moving or improving their existing home.

How to protect yourself from being ‘gazumped’

The Sunday Telegraph, April 2019

There are few conversations more upsetting for buyers or sellers than those where an estate agent breaks it to them that the other party has pulled out of a sale.

Help to Buy rated: boost for homebuyers or house builders?

Lovemoney.com, March 2019

The recent bumper profits of housebuilders have reignited debate about who really benefits from Help to Buy. We run the rule over the scheme to work out whether the scheme has been a success or failure.

Mortgage stick or twist? It may pay to remain loyal

The Times, August 2018

With the Bank of England’s base rate rise last week, and potential further rises ahead, it’s clear that anyone nearing the end of their mortgage deal should be looking at their options.

Buy to let further afield – could it work for you?

Moneywise, February 2018

Ever since buy-to-let mortgages were introduced just over 25 years ago, the idea of buying a property to let out has been a popular investment choice for many people looking for a way to supplement their income and grow their wealth.

Time to Seek a Property in Malta?

A Place in The Sun, January 2018

It might not be grabbing headlines or attracting the volumes of buyers that Spain or France does, but the small island of Malta has been quietly prospering in its southern Mediterranean locale south of Sicily.

Why holiday homes are the new buy to let

Moneywise, July 2016

Last year saw some nasty, unexpected surprises for the country’s estimated two million landlords. In July, the government announced plans to curb mortgage interest relief for landlords and to scrap the wear and tear allowance, and then in November it announced a 3% stamp duty surcharge for anyone buying a second property.

Is this the worst place to live? Not any more

The Times, May 2016

When Rough Guides publishing company announced its top ten cities to visit this year, many people were surprised to see Hull at No 8 on a list that featured Vancouver, Amsterdam and Reykjavik.

The Enduring Appeal of Australia

A Place in The Sun, April 2016

Some countries fall in and out of favour with Brits moving abroad, but there’s one that has an enduring appeal: Australia.

Buy-to-let is taxed more in Britain than Germany, France or US

The Telegraph, November 2015

When George Osborne announced that he was cutting the amount of mortgage interest relief landlords could claim, he stated that the aim was to level the playing field between landlords and first-time buyers.