Blog Posts
Cost of Living Crisis - What Can Landlords Do?
We've all seen the headlines: inflation at its highest point in almost 30 years; interest rates are rising, and the energy cap has been lifted. Everyone is on tenterhooks and of course, landlords and tenants are going to be affected. Read on for some practical tips on how you can work with your tenant to make things easier for them while still protecting your income, investment and costs.
Letting Agent Diary: Behind the Scenes of a Typical Working Week at Piccolo
If there is one phrase that sums up being a letting agent, it would have to be 'never a dull moment'. Aside from opening the office, making a coffee and checking new messages, no two days are ever the same. Every day bring a fresh challenge and even after over 20 years in the industry, there is always something new to learn.
The Story of the Complete Refurbishment of a Country Home near Salisbury
Many people dream of renting a beautiful country home and the demand for such properties is always high. However, large country homes oozing with character and charm don’t always meet the many requirements of lettings legislation!
Levelling Up Lettings: Should you sell or upgrade your rental property
While everybody agrees that energy-efficient homes are a good thing, the Levelling Up white paper released on February 4th has left landlords in the local Salisbury area and around the country with more questions than answers. The white paper aims to make the Private Rental Sector in England and Wales more eco-friendly but this is yet another expense for landlords.
2021 Rental Review & A Thank You to Landlords & Tenants
2021 turned out to be very different to what we had all hoped for. But to end 2021 on a high note, let's acknowledge the challenges that landlords and tenants have faced and look at what the future might hold.
Letting Trends 2022: A Landlord's Guide to Future Demand for Buy-To-Lets
Keeping up to date with market trends is the cornerstone of any successful business and being a landlord is no exception. Climate consciousness, energy bills and outside space are among the biggest concerns of tenants, while new business models are creating more profitable returns for landlords.
Longer Lettings & How to Attract & Keep Great Tenants for Years!
Renting a property has become a more permanent lifestyle choice these days and tenancies are getting longer and longer. Every landlord and tenant wants exactly the same thing: security and stability. As a landlord, you want an uninterrupted income stream, while tenants want an uninterrupted home life.
The Niche Landlord: Perfecting a Lettings Formula for Repeated Success
Specialise or diversify? That's a big question for many landlords when it comes to expanding their portfolios, and if you look around Google long enough, you'll find arguments for both.
Five Ways to Increase The Value of Your Rental Property
The rental market has grown up. Tenancies are running for longer, and with stays of four or more years increasingly common, tenants have higher expectations around the place they're willing to call home. But which improvements make the most difference?
Rent Arrears - Finding A Balance Between Compassion & Collection
Although rent arrears are a hot topic during the pandemic, it’s far from being a new subject. That said, if the discussion has taught us anything in the last year, it’s that anyone can be affected by economic events: no-one is immune, however high their income.
Deposit Disputes: Why do so Many Landlords Lose?
Why do so many Landlords lose deposit disputes? How do things go wrong? And how can Landlords do things differently to avoid issues over deposit disputes at the end of the tenancy?
Tenants, Are You Struggling To Manage Money or Debt?
Community Money Advice (South Wiltshire) offers free, non-judgemental support for people who are struggling with money or are in debt. Specially trained Advisors provide support, guidance and advice to help clients find the best solutions.
What is Landlord's Rent Guarantee & Legal Cover?
Rent guarantee and legal cover is often available as an optional add on to ‘basic’ landlord insurance. Landlords can never predict a tenant falling on hard times, losing their job or becoming ill and then not being able to pay the rent. This type of cover can protect Landlords against tenants failing to pay the rent for any reason.
Do we really need ‘real’ letting agents in this internet age?
If you believed everything you heard from online letting agents you might think that ‘traditional’ agents are a dying breed. Here are just a few reasons why in our opinion, good ‘traditional’ agents are better than the online equivalent.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
On the 1st July 2020, new regulations governing electrical safety in rental properties came into effect. From this date on, if you are renting out a property in England, any tenancy you create or renew will require an electrical safety inspection and a report on the condition of the property.
WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS! The Office in Wilton has now re-opened and we are very much open for business. All members of the team are set up to work either from home or in the office so you can contact us as normal.
COVID 19 & What Landlords Should Do If Tenants Can't Pay The Rent
Many landlords will be worried about the current COVID19 situation and how they will be impacted if their tenants lose their job and can’t afford to pay the rent.
Is your driveway just crying out for a new car?
It’s not just houses you can rent! Take a look at the pros and cons of leasing your next car.
12 Winter Warnings for Tenants and Landlords
With the coldest winter weather occurring in the early months of the year here are a few tips for Tenants and Landlords to keep you prepared for 2020.
The Tenant Fees Act - A Piccolo Perspective
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into effect on 1st June 2019 and across the country letting agents have had to madly update all their documents to ensure compliance with the new rules.
Six Super Tips to Make Renting Easier
Six quick tips for people looking to rent a property in the Salisbury area.
