Page Loading

Our Senior Lettings Negotiator featured in the Manchester Evenig News this week commenting on the rentals in Manchester. Flat hunters in Manchester city centre are getting locked in bidding wars as rentals go through the roof. Occupancy has reached 96 per cent – and demand is now so high that desperate flat-hunters are signing up [...]

Price hikes in London’s residential rental property market appear to have peaked and in some locations, are entering a period of adjustment with rents slightly reduced, it is claimed. It is widely thought in order to keep hold of the best tenants, landlords must realise that the market has stabilised and re-assess their rents accordingly. [...]

More rental properties are coming onto the market in the UK and as a result prices are falling, according to the latest rental index from FindaProperty. The number of available rental properties rose to its highest point since August 2009, triggering a 3.3% decrease in asking prices which fell from an average £890 per month [...]

The UK residential property market is expected to be stable in 2012 with little change in prices overall although the outlook is uncertain, according to the latest prediction report from the Halifax.  Analysts expect the Bank of England’s base rate to remain at 0.5% throughout the year and although there will be weak economic growth, [...]

First time buyer affordability in the UK is at an eight year high but fewer are buying properties, new research from one of the biggest lenders reveals. The average deposit is down 15% but the total number of first time buyers is at its lowest since 1974, according to the Halifax First Time Buyer Review [...]

Opening Hours 24th Dec – Office Closed 25th Dec – Closed 26th Dec – Closed 27th Dec – Closed 28th Dec – Open 10am to 4pm 29th Dec – Open – 10am to 4pm 30th Dec – Open – 10am to 4pm 31st Dec – Closed 1st Jan – Closed 2nd Jan – Closed 3rd [...]

UK flat sharers face paying the highest property rents in Europe, some 5% higher than France, the second most expensive, new research shows. The UK is the least affordable country, with 15% of gross earnings being spent on rent, compared to 12% in Spain and London is the priciest city, with an average monthly rent [...]

Many Landlords will be glad to hear that the Government have released proposals to make squatting illegal in residential properties. At the moment squatting is a civil offence which means that that it is unlawful but not illegal. Once squatters enter a property, they can put up a formal notice in the window or on [...]

The UK residential property market has experienced a year of two halves with prime central London and some of the home. Counties regions seeing an abundance of activity but other parts more subdued. Mostly buyers have been adopting a cautious approach and 2012 is likely to see nervousness continue although it may encourage more investors [...]

Landlords are increasingly positive about the outlook for the buy to let property market in the UK, according to specialist lender CHL Mortgages’ latest landlord Survey. Some 72% of all respondents to the survey said they were positive about the future of buy to let, up from a figure of 67% in summer 2011, and [...]

Flats in the UK have often been regarded as the bread and butter of the letting industry but now it is being suggested that family homes are much in demand in some areas and provide better returns. With a booming lettings market in the UK., the residential sector is once again attracting investors’ cash. This [...]

The excess supply of city centre apartments in some parts of the UK has now been corrected due to substantial growth in tenant demand and a lack of new supply, it is claimed. However the belief that the situation still persists is hampering the financing of much needed new development and compounding a serious shortage [...]

Rents in England and Wales reached a record high of £718 in the month of September according to figures released by the LSL Property Service’s Index.  This average figure surpassed the previous record of £713.  For the first time in the history of the property index, which has been running for 3 years, rents rose [...]

The UK property market is seeing an increase in rent arrears cases and an increasing number of tenants defending eviction cases in courts. According to Landlord Action, a company specialising in tenant eviction, says figures of defended cases have increased from 9% last year to an all time high of 13%, so far this year. [...]

Coventry is the top place to invest in student accommodation in the UK with a 7% rental yield, followed Teeside, Chester and Edinburgh, according to new research. But some of the most popular and prestigious universities, Cambridge, Oxford and St Andrews are the worst from a property investment perspective, the PrimeLocation.com research reveals. In the [...]

In these hard times your agent needs to be working harder than ever to maximize your return. At Key Properties we do. Are you receiving your rent on time? Are you getting the maximum amount of rent in these hard times? Is your agent making sure your tenants are fully checked to minimize the chance [...]

It appears that Lettings Agents busiest period is now even longer than expected. In previous years the annual rush usually took place from June- Sept. However this year it is pushing well into October and showing little sign of any decline. Most Letting Agents worth their salt will see consistent business all year round however [...]

Private property landlords in the UK are at their most optimistic since 2007 as the latest national survey shows the majority believes the industry is positive despite a dismal economic outlook. Some 65% of landlords surveyed rated prospects for their own lettings business over the next three months as very good or good, according to [...]

Property prices in UK cities have increased by £131 a week over the last decade with Westminster named as the most expensive UK city followed by Winchester and St Albans. All ten of the most expensive cities in England are in the south. Edinburgh is the most expensive city outside southern England with an average [...]

A very well done to our member of staff Caroline Ramsden who has just taken part in the 10k Manchester run. Caroline who is our Liverpool Property Manager and based in our prestigious office in Exchange Flags also ran last year and was determined to beat her record this year which she did. She ran it in an incredible 1 hour 9 minutes and has raised over £250 so far.

As part of our continued growth and expansion Key Properties are extremely pleased to announce the opening of our Liverpool Office. The new office is located in the new business district area of Liverpool in the restored landmark building that is Horton House. The Liverpool office is now up and running and the response has [...]

Demand for residential property to rent is likely to remain strong in the coming months, as conditions regarding mortgages continue to make joining the housing ladder difficult. According to Tom Entwistle, director at LandlordZONE.co.uk, “uptake of homes to let will “hold up”,” observing: “There are certainly going to be redundancies and there could be repossessions [...]

The rumours have been swirling around Greater Manchester for a while now and today Adam Crozier, ITV’s chief executive, has confirmed that the broadcasting giant will relocate from its current Castlefield base to Media City on Salford Quays in 2012. ITV staff, including the regional local news team, will take up residence in offices a [...]

The current rental ‘boom’ does not look like slowing down anytime soon with record figures of people looking to rent and apartments at Key Properties often being let within hours of coming on the market. Letting agents from across the UK have reported a significant shortage of available rental properties as tenant demand far exceeds [...]

A common question the lettings team here at Key Properties is often asked by new and potential landlords goes something along the lines of “I currently live in my property and I’m thinking of renting it out, should I notify my mortgage lender?” Although the temptation is to keep quiet and hope your lender doesn’t [...]

As the end of 2010 approaches here at Key Properties we have a perfect view of how rapidly Media City has progressed over the past 12 months.  With the site now served by the metrolink and with the BBC due to move a number of their operations there next year the project is certainly beginning [...]

The Chancellor’s announcement of an introduction of a blanket rent increase to social sector housing will cause further pressure to the private sector, experts have warned. The rent increase, which will be set at 80% of private sector market rents is forecast to drive many tenants from social landlord waiting lists, currently at a high [...]

The Mortgage Repossessions (Protections of Tenants) Act 2010 came into force as of the 1st October.  Designed to protect tenants when lenders intend to repossess a property, the act enable tenants to apply directly to the court for a 2 month suspension of possession but they must prove that they have directly contacted the lender [...]

For all those professionals and students working or studying in Salford the perfect development is soon to be completed and ready to go. Albert Mill was one of the few remaining silk mills in the Manchester area. Originally dating to the early 19th century, the mill is an important part of the textile heritage of [...]

The Northern Quarter is recognized as Manchester’s hippest post code. The rise in popularity means that Key Properties are experiencing a very high demand for apartments in this area.  If you have an apartment in the Northern Quarter and are looking for a new agent or if you are unhappy with your current agent then [...]

Landlords are increasing the rates at which they let out their properties due to the current high levels of demand, it has been suggested. The Director and founder of LettingZone Mark Garner said proprietors are able to charge more than usual because of the lack of new rental dwellings that are available. “There is so [...]

A further 1.1 million households have been created through the private rented sector in the last ten years, making a total of 3.3 million (14.2%) of households in England.  The value of this sector is now worth an estimated £500bn. Statistics from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that first-time buyers need an average of [...]

The lettings market remains buoyant, as increased tenant demand and a shortage of properties pushes rents higher, says the latest Residential Lettings Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The survey shows that 26% more Chartered Surveyors reported a rise in demand for property rather than a fall, which was the second consecutive [...]

Forty seven per cent of possessions by landlords are due to tenants not paying their rent, according to research published by the NLA It follows recent data released by the National Landlords Association (NLA) showing a fifth of private-residential landlords had tenants in rent arrears during Q2 2010. Whilst one-third of landlords had never sought [...]

Whether your a new home hunter looking to make that perfect summer move or a student trying to find your ideal flat before term begins Manchester’s rental market has never been busier. Key Properties turnover is at an all time high with our property portfolio changing dramatically from day to day. However….. fear not, we [...]

Letting agents are more successful at keeping rental properties occupied than individual landlords, according to an analysis of deposits from The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS). Lettings agents ensure that the void period on a property is kept to within two weeks on 63 per cent of properties compared to only 38 per cent for [...]

According to the latest LSL Property Services / Acadametrics House Price Index for July 2010, housing market transactions increase for the second consecutive month, rising by 11% in July from 64,915 in June to an estimated 72,100 in July. Transaction activity has doubled since January. House prices registered their first rise in five months, rising [...]

The Halifax today said the mixed pattern of monthly rises and falls in the year to date was consistent with a slowing market. It expects that house prices will be broadly unchanged across 2010 and said low interest rates and a recovering economy were helping to underpin demand. The average house price is now £167,425, [...]

This development is making great progress and the first 10 units or so will be available for viewings in 8 weeks or so. We already have a waiting list on these properties therefore to register and or arrange a viewing of these fantastic apartments don’t hesitate to give Key Properties a call on 0161 876 [...]

Find a property have sent through some very interesting information regarding the current rental market. Nigel Lewis, the property analyst for findaproperty.com suggests that tenants face more rent rises as stock falls further; “The new budget may lead many to consider delaying their first steps onto the property ladder and, as more people rent, this [...]

Just last month love was in the air. We, the public, spoke and tasked our politicians with finding a solution to precisely who would govern the country for the next five or so years. The Kingmaker held out his hand to the Tories and a new relationship was formed.

Key Properties understand the properties we let are a valuable investment and are therefore constantly striving to provide nothing but a first rate service, always endeavoring to ensure every property is marketed in the best possible way regardless of price and at no extra cost to the landlord.

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. It was recognized that the requirements of the residential lettings market were so detailed and specific that a separate organization was required to promote standards in this important and growing sector of the property market.

The most absurd & pointless part of New Labour’s deluge of legislation attempting to tie landlords in bureaucratic knots was killed yesterday when new Housing Minister announced to Parliament that the new Government had no plans to introduce the Labour Parties regulations on the private rented sector.

Rents are now approaching their 2007 peak, with a rise in April of 0.6%, which is 2.2% higher than April ’09. Annual yields appear to have increased within the private residential sector to nearly 5% from last year.

Key Properties and its entire staff are gearing up for World Cup frenzy which is soon to take Manchester, Salford Quays and all its residents by storm.

Spinning fields outdoor cinema has made a return much to the delight of the Manchester residents. They will be showing films on Thursday evenings and all showings are open to the public.

Its Wednesday and 7 members of Key Properties staff are still nursing sore feet and aching limbs after completing the annual Great Manchester 10k run on Sunday, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process! A record 36,000 entrants participated in the run that started on Portland Street in the city centre…

Additional security fee
This is a one-off fee charged by the lender. It is usually payable, up-front, on mortgages of more than 75% of the house value in order to protect the lender from repayment defaults. It is also known as MIG (Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee), Indemnity Premium or Indemnity Guarantee Premium.

If the Tenancy Agreement makes no provisions for the landlord to make a rent increase after a certain period then you have two options:

1. Renew the contract at the end of the fixed term but at an increased rent.
2. At the end of the fixed term, serve a Section 13(2) Notice of the Housing Act 1988, proposing an increase in rent

A break clause will most commonly allow either the landlord or the tenant to give notice at an agreed interim stage of a tenancy. This is usually requested by the landlord or the tenant if the initial fixed term is for a year or more.
For example, a 12 month tenancy may have a 6-month break clause which means that the tenant or landlord can give notice to terminate at the 6-month stage.