Walsall Property Market

Comment on the Walsall property market

GDPR & Walsall Landlords

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
GDPR and Walsall Landlords
GDPR and Walsall Landlords

Don’t know about you but I had heard so much about the new GDPR laws which came into force towards the end of May 2018 that I thought many of my Blog reading friends wouldn’t wish to hear another word on the matter!!  On the contrary…I’ve received several requests to clear matters up for you guys especially, around your personal responsibility when it came to staying on the right side of the law.

If you are letting a property in Walsall or indeed the UK for that matter, GDPR for landlords certainly affects you in a few key ways.  Before I address these major changes, let’s take a quick look at how we got to this point.

A brief history of UK data protection

In essence, data protection regulation has been enforced in the UK as a way to ensure that businesses and business owners do not abuse or misuse the data of their customers.  The purpose is to ensure it is not just used correctly but also stored safely.  In the UK, the first Data Protection Act was introduced in 1984.

It has been subsequently revised over the years and in 1993, a famous case was brought forward which saw PC Brown being prosecuted for mishandling data.  Though the ruling was eventually overturned, it was a landmark case and UK businesses seemed to start taking data protection more seriously.

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Do Walsall Landlords need Letting Agents?!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Do Walsall Landlords need Letting Agents?!
Do Walsall Landlords need Letting Agents?!

So far 2018 has been hectic or what…??!!  Time seems to be running through my hands like water.  As a landlord and a property manager my daily workload is varied and that’s what I like about my life (afterall, as the saying goes – ‘variety is the spice of life’).  The planned stuff mixed in with the unplanned keeps a working day interesting.  However, if you are prone to anxiety attacks and don’t like uncertainty of a day in the life of a property manager, then perhaps you would be best advised to seek out the assistance of an expert…

So, the short answer to the question posed by a friend of mine (who is also a self-managing Walsall landlord) is that landlords don’t need to use the services of a Walsall letting agent.  Many Walsall landlords decide to be hands-on and undertake the whole lettings process themselves.

I started investing in Walsall buy-to-let property nineteen years ago in 1999 and I was keen to learn and control the whole process myself.  I was wary of entrusting others with what was ultimately my financial future and my thoughts were that no agent could possibly care about my Walsall property as much as me.

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The ‘Hodgepodge’ of Walsall Property Mini Markets

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
The ‘Hodgepodge_ of Walsall Property Mini Markets
The ‘Hodgepodge_ of Walsall Property Mini Markets

A Royal Wedding, Russia, Facebook, Brexit, Trump, House prices up, House prices down … the Press is full of column inches on Brit’s favourite subjects of politics, scandal, weather and not forgetting (and I appreciate the irony of this!) the property market. As an agent belonging to a national group of letting and estate agents, talking to my fellow property professionals from around the UK, the one thing that is immediately apparent is the UK does not have one property market. It is a hodgepodge patchwork (almost like a fly’s eye) of lots of small property markets all performing in different ways.

… And that made me think … is there just one Walsall Property Market or many?

I like to keep an eye on the property market in Walsall on a daily basis because it enables me to give the best advice and opinion on what (or not) to buy in Walsall, be that a buy-to-let property for a Walsall landlord or an owner occupier house for a home owner.  So, I thought, how could I scientifically split the Walsall housing market into segments, so I could see which part of the market was performing the best and/ or the worst.

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Walsall Property Market has a ‘Rentirement’ problem.

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Walsall Property Market has a ‘Rentirement_ problem.
Walsall Property Market has a ‘Rentirement_ problem.

I think I’ve created a new word! Yes, I said ‘rentirement’, not retirement. Let me define it: rentirement , Renters who are currently in their 50’s and 60’s who don’t own their own home but rent their home, privately, from a buy to let landlord.

In Walsall, there are just under 1416 rentirees and this number is growing steadily! How…?! Read on to find out…

The truth is that these Walsall people are prospectively soon to retire with little more than their state pension of £155.95 per week, probably with a small private pension of a couple of hundred pounds a month, meaning the average Walsall rentiree can expect to bring in about £200 per week once they retire at 67.

The ‘Rentirement’ Time Bomb…

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Property in Walsall purchased for £1k!!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Property in Walsall purchased for £1k!!
Property in Walsall purchased for £1k!!

At a recent family gathering my sister and I were talking about various sibling stuff when the conversation shifted to how she ended up at the property she resides at now.  It became very interesting when she brought out a folder with a plethora of information and history left by the previous owners.

Walsall property owners may be interested in knowing the property built in 1947 was purchased for £1,000 with a mortgage of £700!!

The monthly mortgage payments were £4, 4S which I have no idea how much that translates to in today’s money…however…the thought of buying property for £1k and paying a £4-5 mortgage nowadays is one of dreams.

1947 Walsall Co-op Society Mortgage Agreement
1947 Walsall Co-op Society Mortgage Agreement
Mortgage payments schedule for Walsall property 1947
Mortgage payments schedule for Walsall property 1947

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Walsall property left with “Zero” value after discovery of Japanese Knotweed!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , ,
Walsall property left with “Zero” value after discovery of Japanese Knotweed
Walsall property left with “Zero” value after discovery of Japanese Knotweed

I recently discovered that one of our rental properties in Walsall has Japanese Knotweed growing in the garden.  My immediate thought was “ouch this is going to be expensive and potentially very troublesome!”.

I knew from discussions with past colleagues and fellow industry professionals how much damage Japanese Knotweed can cause, especially if it gets under the structure of the property.  If found on a survey, mortgage lenders won’t even consider lending so it could potentially leave your property with zero value!

What is Japanese Knotweed?

I found the following definition from the Royal Horticultural website:-

“Japanese knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) is a weed that spreads rapidly.  In winter the plant dies back to ground level but by early summer the bamboo-like stems emerge from rhizomes deep underground to shoot to over 2.1m (7ft), suppressing all other plant growth.  Eradication requires determination as it is very hard to remove by hand or eradicate with chemicals.  New legislation now covers its control”

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Would you buy your Walsall home off the internet?

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , , ,
Would you buy your Walsall home off the internet?
Would you buy your Walsall home off the internet?

People say buying a house or moving home is stressful.  I totally agree and whilst at my Agency we do our best to make things easy believe me, when I say it’s nothing compared to online shopping!!

My close friends and family know that I dislike self service tills and the impersonal detachment of internet shopping.  I can be honest and admit that I absolutely hate it.  Don’t get me wrong, I think it has its place especially when I enviously see my neighbour’s food shopping being brought by a kindly man driving a Morrison’s van bringing their weekly shop to the door.  Seeing this made me think how great it would be and how much time I would save if I or my wife didn’t have to go food shopping.

The one and only time I tried food shopping online I received all sorts of stuff.  Some I ordered and some I didn’t… other times I tried Birthday gifts which didn’t arrive on time, clothes which looked lovely on the internet model are not what I had hoped for – sack of spuds springs to mind!

A long awaited mother’s day gift for my sister was delivered by courier to my house and because no one was home they very kindly left it in a safe place… the recycling bin which was emptied on the same day!  So, if you don’t mind, I’m sticking to high street shopping in the future.

Thank goodness we don’t buy houses online.  Can you imagine it…?!

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Get out of the Walsall Property Rental Market!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Get out of the Walsall Property Rental Market!
Get out of the Walsall Property Rental Market!

I was recently reading a report by the Home website which suggested that landlords are selling en-masse their buy-to-let investments due to increasing burdens on them in the buy-to-let market.  Their findings suggest the number of new properties that came onto the market nationally (for sale) jumped by 11% across the UK as a result.

Those increasing burdens include new tax rules coming in over the next 3 to 4 years and the announcement that all self-managing landlords (i.e. landlords that don’t use a letting agent to look after their buy-to-let property) will soon need to register with a compulsory redress scheme to resolve tenant arguments and disputes; as Westminster wants to heighten standards in the Private Rented Sector.

Interestingly, a few weeks ago I was chatting with a self-managed landlord from Bloxwich, when I was out who didn’t realise the other recent legislations that have hit the Private Rented sector, including the ‘Right to Rent’ regulations which came in to operation last year.  Landlords have to certify their tenants have the legal right to live in the UK.  This includes checking and taking copies of their tenant’s passport or visa before the tenancy is signed.  Of course, if you use a letting agent to manage your property, they will usually sort this for you (as they will with the redress scheme when that is implemented).

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Smokin’! What’s The Deal With Smoke Alarms?

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,

Back in 2015 The Smoke Alarm Regulations came into being. Now, apparently approx 30% of UK residents have never tested their smoke alarms so, what does all of this mean for landlords and tenants?

Let’s talk about landlords first:

  • Landlords must install a smoke alarm on every floor of their rental property.
  • Landlords must install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (E.g. Coal fire, wood burning stove). Though not a requirement, it is advisable to also install one near a gas appliance.
  • Licensed HMOs are exempt from this regulation as they must comply with separate fire safety regulations.
  • Social housing landlords are exempt.
  • Live-in landlords are exempt.

Whether exempt or not, it would behove all landlords to ensure the safety of their tenants.

  • All alarms should be in working order at the start date of a new tenancy as per the tenancy start date stated in the tenancy agreement. This does not include tenancy renewals.
  • It is advisable to obtain the tenant’s signature for them to confirm that the alarms were tested and working in their presence. This could be included in a document that also confirms they have received all documentation as per the “How To Rent Guide“.
  • Or, it could be included in an inventory and schedule of condition.

There are no requirements for a specific type of alarm or on the location of the alarm installation. It is recommended to follow manufacturer’s instructions and that they are installed on a ceiling in a circulation space i.e. hall or landing. Carbon Monoxide detectors should be placed at head height and approx one to three metres from the solid fuel/ gas appliance. If in doubt on the installation of alarms you can also contact you local fire service for advice.

The failure to comply with these regulations is a fine of up to £5000 if the 28 day remedial notice has not been adhered to.

 

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Are all Walsall Tenant’s Needy?!

Head of Juicing @Ashmore Lettings & Sales Ltd Walsall Property Market , , , , , , , ,
Are all Walsall Tenants Needy
Are all Walsall Tenants Needy?!

Over the weekend I had an email from one of my Blog reading friends.  I thought I would post this below and discuss in this week’s Blog post as it may benefit the rest of my friends who follow the Walsall Property Blog…

Landlord’s Question:

”Dear Salek,

Over the past two years I have had three different tenants in my rental property in the Delves area of Walsall.  At first each of them came across like ideal tenants.  However, not long into each of their tenancies, problems started to arise.  To cut a long story short, between the three tenancies there have been months of non-payment, plenty of damage to the property and harassment (in the sense that I was called over  40 times in the space of 4 weeks  with requests to change light bulbs, locking themselves out of the property etc).

Why am I attracting these tenants?  Is this a common thing with being a Walsall landlord?’’

 

My Response:

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