Latest News Articles

Maximising your property's kerb appeal

02/11/23

As a seller, maximising your property’s kerb appeal to make the very best first impression is essential. As a buyer, great kerb appeal is a good cl...

The Renters (Reform) Bill | Top 20 Q&A for landlords

30/09/23

The Renters (Reform) Bill has probably filled your head with questions. With our top 20 Q&A we aim to provide you will all the answers you need to ...

The power of storytelling in property listings

01/09/23

Crafting a compelling narrative for your property listings using storytelling techniques can engage prospective buyers or renters, evoke emotions, ...

Landlords, here’s how to tackle tenant turnover

04/08/23

Sellers: Here's how to redecorate your home on a budget!

31/07/23

How much will sellers make in today's market?

01/03/23

How to keep your home property free from damp and mould

01/02/23

Predictions for 2023 - what do landlords need to look out...

01/01/23

Keeping your rental home safe this winter – the top tips

01/12/22

Green homes achieve a higher premium – why this is good n...

01/11/22

Energy rebate - how can your tenants claim it?

01/10/22

Rents on the rise - why it remains a good time to be a la...

01/09/22

Staging your home this summer - how sellers can add real ...

01/08/22

Capital boost - why strong appreciation is good news for ...

01/07/22

Right to Rent changes - what do landlords need to know?

01/06/22

Sellers how to make your home sales-ready for summer

29/04/22

Property listings changes – what was revealed?

01/04/22

Levelling Up White Paper – what was revealed about the go...

01/03/22

First half of 2022 – what will the sales market look like?

01/02/22

Compliance checklist – what do new landlords need to know?

31/12/21

Before you become a landlord, there’s a lot to get your head around in terms of compliance, regulation and legislation. Here, using our years o...

Sellers – why it’s a good idea to list before Christmas

03/12/21

We discuss why sellers should consider listing before Christmas to take advantage of the now annual surge in property browsing on the portals from ...

Landlord sentiment up - why new survey suggests it's a go...

15/11/21

We look at recent research suggesting landlord optimism is on the up despite the recent challenges faced.

Autumn Budget – what did we find out about property?

01/11/21

The Chancellor’s latest major fiscal address to the House of Commons didn’t mention property as much as expected, but there were still a number of ...

Notice periods return to pre-Covid levels from October 1 ...

01/10/21

The government has confirmed that notice periods for evictions in England will return to pre-pandemic levels, but warns that they could be lengthen...

Rental Reform - what is the latest and when might it be i...

03/09/21

We take a look at the context to rental reform, what is set to be introduced and what it could mean for landlords moving forward.

The conveyancing process – what does it involve for sellers?

21/07/21

VACANCY Sales Negotiator

09/07/21

VACANCY Sales Negotiator

Section 21 changes proposed

15/04/19

Section 21 changes proposed

More change ahead . . .

04/03/19

Client Money Protection Certificate

01/12/18

Client Money Protection Certificate

Budget update on Capital Gains Tax

11/11/18

During last week’s Budget speech, the Chancellor made reference to changes in PRR (Private Residence Relief) set to take effect in April 2020. W...

Capital Gains & Marriage Breakdowns

27/10/18

Here Andrew Stant, Partner at accountancy firm Johnson Murkett & Hurst of Ashby de la Zouch, talks to us about the effect on capital gains tax if a...

A Day in the Life of a Letting Agent

23/09/18

Name: Fiona Doody Job Title: Accounts Manager Started at Howland Jones: May 2012

Are your CO alarms safe?

20/08/18

We’ve all seen the scandalous stories of dangerous products on TV programmes like Watchdog and Fake Britain. It comes as no surprise then, to hear ...

Cavity & Loft Insulation

15/07/18

Your home could be losing 60% of its heat through the roof and walls. Most properties built after 1920 have a cavity between the outer and inner...

New Sales rules ahead

30/06/18

The Government is planning on making buying and selling homes an easier process and part of the changes they are considering implementing may inclu...

Another ARLA pass!

04/10/17

Rebecca Macdonald passes her level 3 ARLA qualification.

Rocket Ron's Handy Tip

22/09/17

Rocket Ron’s handy tip for September is all about preparing your property for Winter! As we approach the colder months there are a number of meas...

Helpful Advice for New Landlords

20/09/17

Whether you are looking to invest in your first rental property, looking to let a property that you have inherited or looking to rent out your curr...

Should I use an Independent Financial Adviser?

19/09/17

Guy Collier is an Independent Financial Adviser at PJ Collier Financial Services Ltd in Coalville.

Capital Gains Tax explained

18/09/17

Andrew Stant, Senior Partner at Johnson Murkett & Hurst of Ashby de la Zouch provides advice on all aspects of property tax and here, explains the ...

Q. & A. - As a landlord, how can I prepare for the forthc...

15/09/17

As most of our readers will be aware, it is a legal requirement for all rental properties to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in p...

A day in the life of a letting agent

15/09/17

Name: Janette Allcote Job Title: Repairs & Maintenance Co-ordinator Started at Howland Jones: August 2015

No options for Landlords over HS2

08/09/17

Most people local to the Measham area will be very aware of the announcement in July this year about the final route for the HS2, the high-speed ra...

Howland Jones Landlord Wins Free Insurance!

10/08/17

We are delighted to announce that our landlord, Mr Oakes is the proud winner of a year’s free insurance policy with Endsleigh.

Tenant Fee Ban update

25/07/17

During the 2016 Autumn Statement, the government announced it would consult on introducing a ban on letting agent fees paid by tenants. The governm...

Fire Safety Regulations

25/07/17

Recent tragic events in the news have brought fire safety regulations in rental properties to the forefront of everyone’s mind and we have been app...

VAT on Rented Properties

21/07/17

A question often asked is whether there are any VAT implications for rented residential properties.

How will the Housing White Paper affect you?

19/07/17

In February this year the Housing White Paper was published, heralding changes of both a welcomed and controversial nature, affecting the UK privat...

A day in the life of a letting agent

18/07/17

Name: Tara Dempsey Job Title: Compliance Officer Started at Howland Jones: 10 August 2015

Rocket Ron's Handy Tip

18/07/17

Rocket Ron’s handy tip for this month is to regularly check the area under your sink for signs of a leak or deterioration. Whilst out and about h...

Q. & A. - My tenants have fallen out and one of them want...

13/07/17

Unfortunately, this question is not uncommon. From time to time we are approached by tenants asking if one of them can be removed from their tenanc...

Council Tax - Who Pays?

11/07/17

Many of us remember the days when the landlord of an unfurnished rental property would automatically be awarded up to three months grace on Council...

Summer Pests

11/06/17

We regularly receive calls from tenants relating to issues with ants, wasp and bees. The mid tenancy control of this kind of pest is the tenant’s r...

Rocket Ron's Handy Tip

22/05/17

It is the perfect time for a 'spring clean' and Ron recommends using the opportunity to ensure that sheds and outbuildings are kept tidy and clear ...

Can I get my property back?

17/05/17

There are many reasons why you may want your tenants to move out and hand back the keys. Providing your tenants are under an Assured Shorthold Tena...

A day in the life of a letting agent

17/05/17

Name: Lisa Valentine Job Title:Lettings Administrator Started at Howland Jones: April 2015

Making Tax Digital, from Andrew Stant, Johnson Murkett & ...

15/05/17

"Do you remember the newspaper headlines “The end of the Annual Tax Return?”" says Andrew Stant, Partner at accountancy firm Johnson Murkett & Hurst.

Noisy Neighbours?

22/04/17

Imagine the scene - you’ve just moved into your dream home. The removal people have gone, the fridge is cold and the sun has set. Time for a glass ...

Howland Jones Sales

10/04/17

As you may know, we have been your local Letting Agent since 2001, ARLA registered since 2013, specialising in the rental side of the property indu...

Tax Update for Landlords

21/03/17

"Landlords are about to be affected by the first phase of the restriction in tax relief for mortgage interest to be introduced in April 2017 which ...

Minimise Void Periods, Maximise Profitability

21/03/17

Problems with Rabbits?

19/03/17

Whilst undeniably very cute, rabbits can cause considerable damage in the garden. They like to feed on a very wide range of ornamental plants, frui...

What is a Stopcock & what does it do?

08/03/17

Not sure what a stopcock is? You're not alone. Many people starting out in their first property are not aware of what a stopcock is or what it does...

Letting Agents can save Landlords money!

03/03/17

A survey was completed by 500 landlords by insurance firm Endsleigh and the results suggest there are widespread misconceptions among landlords abo...

How to become a landlord

14/02/17

Are you thinking of becoming a landlord? It is no secret that the demand for rental property in the UK is on the rise.

Q. & A. - Is "Professionally Clean" really necessary?

02/02/17

Q. My tenants have left my property dirty and the carpets are in a dreadful state. Can I get it cleaned and pay for this from the tenant's deposit?

Ban on Agent fees to Tenants

20/01/17

Many of you will already be aware of the Government’s announcement last October about their intention to abolish the fees charged to tenants throug...

Post Brexit – the rent arrears risk

20/01/17

One of the biggest and most stressful issues landlords face these days can be rent arrears, particularly if the landlord is relying on the rental i...

Ensuring you serve a valid section 21 notice on your tenant

19/01/17

At Howland Jones, we work closely with Liam O'Shea, Director & Solicitor in Astle Paterson Solicitors’ Dispute Resolution & Litigation department. ...

The Mysterious Case of the Purple Toilet Seat

16/01/17

In the world of residential lettings it is standard practice for a tenant to provide a security deposit at the start of their tenancy. If at the en...

New EPC Rules

12/01/17

We’re all familiar with EPCs, but there are changes in legislation coming which mean that landlords will need to make improvements to any property ...

Do you want to be a landlord in 2017?

21/12/16

2016 saw a number of Government and economy led changes which affect the ultimate financial position for existing and would-be landlords.