Buy To Let

Buy-to-let investors 'must do their homework'

Buy-to-let can still offer a "sound long-term investment" despite interest rate rises, provided that landlords go about it in the right way, one expert has claimed.

Editor of Business Moneyfacts Lee Tillcock said that it was important for potential investors to do their homework, making sure that they factor in the cost of complying with new rentals legislation introduced last year and finding the most suitable finance option for them. <

Keeping properties rented was the key to success in the sector, he said, but this need not be difficult as recent Association of Residential Letting Agents figures showed that tenants were staying in one property for longer - for an average of more than 17 months.

Mr Tillcock also predicted a positive outlook for the sector, with the number of one-person households set to grow by 53 per cent by 2026 and 3.5 million new households needed by 2021 according to Town and Country Planning Association data.

He advised: "Whilst house prices may not continue to offer double-digit growth, the suggestion that prices will fall markedly does not fit the supply and demand model.

"A section of the UK population continues either to struggle to afford to purchase their own property or simply prefer the flexible lifestyle of renting, as a result of which landlords and their properties will remain increasingly sought after."

Survey reveals continued faith in buy-to-let

A new survey has shed light on what has been dubbed the British "love affair" with residential property investment.

Almost a third (32 per cent) of private investors questioned by New Star said that they believed that buy-to-let would provide the best investment returns in 2007.

This was a 33 per cent increase on the same research conducted in 2005, highlighting the growing popularity of buy-to-let.

While 32 per cent of investors said that they did not have a view on what the best-performing asset class would be in 2007, just 15 per cent opted for commercial property, followed by six per cent who chose UK equities and five per cent who chose bonds.

However, while the survey results showed "the British public's continued love affair with buy-to-let residential property", managing director of UK retail sales and marketing at New Star Phil Wagstaff said that it was always best to seek professional advice.

He said: "New Star always recommends that investors seek professional advice to help find appropriate investments for their individual circumstances and the current investment climate."

Buy To Let Places

Rental income has dropped in MALPAS

Pockets do exist in NEWBIGGINBYTHESEA

Letting property can be time consuming. Look out for the right property in PENRITH

Landlords do invest in RHYL

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in SHERBORNE

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in STONEHAVEN

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in TORPOINT

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in WESTBURYONSEVERN

Buy To Let data is not available in ABERYSTWYTH

Buy To Let data is not available in BALLYCASTLE

Buy To Let data is not available in BIRMINGHAM

Buy To Let data is not available in BRYNTEG

Buy To Let flats can be found in CHELMSFORD

Buy To Let Property data is not available in CREWE

Buy To Let Property data is not available in DUNFERMLINE

Buy To Let Property data is not available in FORTAUGUSTUS

Buy To Let Property data is not available in HARTLEPOOL

Buy To Let Property data is not available in IBSTOCK

Expectations are fair in KINGSTONUPONTHAMES

UK landlords have invested in LLANBEDRGOCH

rental income has dropped in MALMESBURY

Pockets do exist in NEWARK

Letting property can be time consuming. Look out for the right property in PENRHYNDEUDRAETH

Landlords do invest in RHOSNEIGR

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in SHEPTONMALLET

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in STONE

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in TONYPANDY

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in WESTBURY

Buy To Let data is not available in AMBLESIDE

Buy To Let data is not available in BARROWUPONHUMBER

Buy To Let data is not available in BOOTLE

Buy To Let data is not available in BURYSTEDMUNDS

Buy To Let Property data is not available in CLACTON-ON-SEA

Buy To Let Property data is not available in DALTONINFURNESS

Buy To Let Property data is not available in EGREMONT

Buy To Let Property data is not available in GLASTONBURY

Buy To Let Property data is not available in HENFIELD

Buying property can be difficult at times, given the competition from other landlords. Do your homework in ISLEOFCOLONSAY

Good idea to investigate property in LANCING

Some young couples prefer to rent than buy in LLANSANTFFRAID

Property investors can find various properties for letting in MEIFOD

Not all property will make a good buy to let in NEWTONSTEWART

Lending will be based on rental income predictions so make the figures stack when buying in PONTEFRACT

Landlords continue to buy in ROYBRIDGE

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in SOUTHALL

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in SUTTON

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in ULCEBY

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in WHITLEYBAY

Buy To Let data is not available in ASHBOURNE

Buy To Let data is not available in BEITH

Buy To Let data is not available in BRENTFORD

Buy To Let can be profitable in CANNOCK

Buy To Let Property data is not available in COLERAINE

Buy To Let Property data is not available in DINGWALL

Buy To Let Property data is not available in EYEMOUTH

Buy To Let Property data is not available in GRAYS

Buy To Let Property data is not available in HOCKLEY

Buying property investment type of accomodation can be time consuming in IVYBRIDGE

Houses and flats can be good investments. Lookout for both in LEICESTER

Sharers often provide good returns in LOSSIEMOUTH

Property investment is a difficult game, research well before buying in MINEHEAD

New Build flats are not always good investments in OAKHAM

Landlords with experience have bought in PRESCOT

It is always an uphill struggle, so make sure you see a lot of property before buying in SALTCOATS

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in SPILSBY

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in TAVISTOCK

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in WALSINGHAM

We have no data but have certainly had enquiries from landlords wanting to buy to let in WINSCOMBE

Buy To Let data is not available in ABBOTSLANGLEY

Buy To Let data is not available in BADMINTON

Buy To Let data is not available in BIDEFORD

Buy To Let data is not available in BROMLEY

Buy at under market, that’s what many landlords say. We do not know if this applies in CATERHAM

Buy To Let Property data is not available in COWDENBEATH

Buy To Let Property data is not available in DUDLEY

New Build Buy To let