Property Investment Advice

The decisions you take when choosing and purchasing your properties, and in balancing your portfolio as it grows, play a huge role in your success as a Buy to Let investor.

As specialists in helping Landlords select Buy to Let investments, Brookings offers one to one guidance from Advisers who have both expert knowledge, and are fully aware of your specific investment goals.

Paving the way for successful investment

Being successful as a Buy to Let investor requires a mix of careful planning, smart approach and good practices as a Landlord.

• Finding a highly lettable property

It’s vital to purchase property that will be easy to let, no matter what the condition of the market. Voids (periods in which a property remains unlet and so generates zero income) devour profit and can quickly wipe out margin from rental income.

• Choosing good tenants

Making sure that you let to low risk tenants improves the likelihood that you will receive consistent and trouble free payment of rent. When introducing tenants to our Buy to Let Landlords, we put forward only those who have been fully referenced, and carry out Right to Rent checks before a tenancy commences.

• Meeting your obligations

It’s just as important to ensure your investment performance is not impaired, and you are not distracted from your business at any time, by legal action from angry tenants. This means compliance with your legal obligations, and operating accountably and professionally, are prerequisites for success. As an example, Brookings ensures that tenants renting properties from our Landlords always receive the Prescribed Information relating to the holding of their deposit promptly.

• Managing Licenses

Our Landlords also benefit from our guidance and assistance with Selective and HMO licensing.

If you purchase Buy to Let property in a local authority area with a Selective Licensing Scheme (SLS) in place, you are obliged to hold a license. The authority is empowered to take action against you if you fall short in managing your property, or do not hold the license.

HMO Licensing is required if your investment is a ‘Large HMO’, ie the property is let to 5 or more tenants who form more than one household and share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.

• Maintaining your property

Property deteriorates with time. When a property is let out, you are not on hand to spot problems as they arise, and tenants are not always quick to alert Landlords to either damage or run of the mill problems with the condition of the property. The answer is to ensure regular inspections are carried out; something we take care of whilst providing regular inspection reports for our landlords.

• Regular rent reviews

Maximising the rent you receive from your properties is an important part of successful Buy to Let investment. Where a tenant remains for a considerable period of time, it’s important that you review rent regularly and modify this in line with fair, current market values. Again, Brookings look after this process for you, taking care to achieve the best possible rent without unsettling good tenants.