February Newsletter - Lettings market, savings, and eco-friendly homes

Welcome to the February edition of the Bill Tandy newsletter! This month we take a look into the lettings market with potential landlords still keen to invest, and share the electrical safety regulations to come into effect for landlords later this year. We also investigate how the property sector can have a positive impact on reducing climate change, and share some savvy saving advice!

Elsewhere, you'll find a selection of events happening in the local area through out February for some great family fun! We hope you enjoy this months edition.

Potential Landlords are still keen to Invest

Given changes to stamp duty, tighter regulations and the introduction of the Tenant’s Fee Ban last year, it’s easy to assume that there’s little appetite in the market or encouragement for landlords to invest in Buy-to-Let properties. However, a recent large-scale survey has suggested that such a sentiment is far from reality.

Perrys Chartered Accounts asked 1,000 people and discovered that close to 75% of those questioned backed the idea of investing in Buy-to-Let properties, with that number rising to 83% when looking at millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996).

Why not invest?
So, what’s stopping them? The survey noted that increased tax and stamp duty rates are understandably off-putting, with Brexit unsurprisingly playing its part in making buyers think twice when deciding to invest.

What can be done to encourage investment?
Investors will likely all note that a decrease in stamp duty would be preferable, and a similar sentiment is shared in Perrys’ survey alongside a wider selection of tailored mortgage products. Interestingly, over one fifth of those questioned were keen to explore alternatives to long-term property investment with longer tenancies, such as short-term lets.

Preparing for the future
When it came to detailing reasons for wishing to invest in such properties, a willingness to fund a pension alongside replacing their current stream of income and building an inheritance were all noted as key factors for potential investors.

"It’s interesting that the younger generation still sees [buy-to-let] as a way to plan financially for the future,” noted Donna McCreadie, a Buy-to-Let tax specialist at Perrys. “However, there are many things to consider before jumping in, including stamp duty charges, how income tax might be affected and what the return on the investment is likely to be.

"Investing in a property is a long-term plan rather than a quick fix to financial freedom so it’s important to gather as much information as possible and speak to a professional tax specialist and mortgage advisor before making a commitment," she says.

Eco Friendly Homes Playing an Important Role

Climate change has received immense attention recently with urgent calls to reduce the contributing factors to carbon emissions, rising sea levels, and rising temperatures. The UK has committed to reduce its CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050; and this commitment cascades to all markets, including property. This commitment is a great achievement for the UK, with it being the first first-world country to pass law to such a commitment.

Sadly, the amount of greenhouse gasses produced from heating properties has increased since 2014. Heating our homes accounts to a staggering one seventh of overall UK emissions. Our increased use of fuel can be resultant from heat escaping from properties through walls, windows and ceilings during winter. Luckily, the Government have called an end to the rise in fuel consumption and are devising a plan to battle the emissions producing more energy efficient homes. They are behind an initiative called Future Homes Standard, which is planned to be in full operation by 2025.

Having more energy efficient homes is a great ambition for all. It will lead to lower carbon emissions, reduced energy bills, and upgraded housing. In 2025, all new build homes will have to abide by the initiative to have clean technology to heat homes instead of the current fossil fuel burned for gas boilers. The construction sector and developers are at the heart of this revolution with their designs crucial to meeting this goal.

The Housing Minister, Esther McVey, said that “industry has told us some homes built using modern methods can have 80% fewer defects and heating bills up to 70% lower. Homes built using modern methods can be of higher quality, greener and built to last. I want to see a housing green revolution.” 2020 is set for an environmental transformation, with the property market a strong contributor to this.

Eco Friendly Homes Playing an Important Role

Electrical Safety Regulations to come into place for Landlords

The first new landlord legislation of 2020 has been proposed, and relates to electrical safety checks. If you are a landlord of a property, then the proposed new regulations could affect you from 1st July this year.

Subject to parliamentary approval, from summer this year landlords will have to ensure electrical installations inspections and testing are carried out for all new tenancies, and for existing tenancies the regulations will be applicable from April next year.

In a bid to improve the safety of tenants across the United Kingdom, the Electrical Safety Standards will mean that electrics in properties should be safer and more uniform, with landlords required to produce copies of inspection reports to tenants, and the housing authority if requested.

David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive, commented on the regulations; “We are supportive of this concept and believe it will create a level playing field for all agents and landlords as well as ensuring improved safety standards for tenants. Mandating inspecting and testing of every fixed electrical installation should have a limited impact on good professional landlords and agents in the market, many of whom already voluntarily undertake these inspections. We did raise concerns about the number of engineers available to undertake these reports by the April 2021 deadline but have received assurances from MHCLG this morning about capacity in the supply chain.”

If you are concerned about how the new regulations may affect your properties, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to advise you.

Victorian Lichfield History Event

Wednesday 26th February

Join local historian Jono Oates for a talk at Grade II* Listed Sandfields Pumping Station on what the Victorians did for us.

Click here to read Victorian Lichfield History Event.

Royale Casino Charity Dinner

Friday 28th February

Lichfield Soroptimists would love you to join them at their Black Tie Charity Casino Event on behalf of the Pathway Project.

Click here to read Royale Casino Charity Dinner.

Hints and Tips for Saving for a House Deposit

For most of us, the most expensive thing that we ever purchase will be a property, and the prospect of saving for that all-important deposit can be rather daunting. However, the key to saving for that lump sum is simply good financial preparation and making a few changes to your outgoings which should reap big rewards. Take a look through our handy hints and tips and you’ll be in that new home in no time.

Speak to an expert
If you have made the decision that you are ready to buy a property, then an excellent first point-of-call would be to speak to an expert, be that a financial planner, mortgage advisor or a savings expert in your bank. It is important to get a detailed overview of your personal finances and speaking to an industry expert will provide you with tailored advice which suits your lifestyle, as well as being given some proven strategies to help you to save. Whether you’re a saver or a spender, it is important to get in to the right mindset to save and starting the process by speaking to an expert is a sensible first step.

Make a move
With the cost of renting often leaving many with little money to save for a deposit, making a temporary move can be a key factor in achieving a sufficient deposit. More and more people are moving back in with their parents for a period of 6 to 12 months; often paying no rent and economising through saving on laundry and food costs. If living with your parents is a truly unbearable prospect, then finding a lodger to live with you will also aid you in that all-important quest for a deposit.

Know your options
Did you know that you could buy a property with just a 5% deposit? Knowing what schemes and grants are out there will most certainly help you to achieve a house deposit. The Help-to-Buy shared equity scheme allows you to purchase a home with as little as 5% deposit and the government or developer (this is available for new homes only) lends you the rest of the deposit. Shared ownership schemes involve purchasing part of a property and then renting the rest, and although you would still need a deposit to get a mortgage for the part of the property you are buying, the deposit would be considerably lower; for example, to get a 90% mortgage on a 50% share of a £150,00 property, you would need only £7,500 for the deposit.

Make your savings work harder
Naturally, any changes you make will have one similar goal – to help you in saving more money more quickly and making these savings work for you should be a top priority. Open an ISA and use your yearly cash allowance so you don’t pay unnecessary tax. If you don’t already have one, open a savings account and save what you can, even if you think the amounts you are saving are inconsequential, they will soon amount to a worthwhile value. Shop around and see which bank offers the best interest rate on your savings, don’t just take one out with your current banking provider as finding a good interest rate could go a big way to helping you reach your goal faster.

Saving for a deposit can seem like a tall order, so making some sound financial decisions will be the key in to being approved for a mortgage and taking a step on to the property market. Get yourself into the right mindset where you are aware of why you are making some financial changes, remember that they are all short-term, and you’ll see those savings growing faster than you could have ever hoped.

Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra

Saturday 29th February

Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra present a range of challenging big band music, from classic swing to contemporary jazz.

Click here to read Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra.