Our service may not be for everyone but for the right people, it’s ideal.

We give you all the facts on what to look out for, so you can make an informed decision on what best suits your needs.

The mortgage

Buy-to-let mortgages are slightly different to residential mortgages, as you do not intend to live there yourself.

Instead of basing the mortgage on your salary, the lender will look at the potential rental income of the property as your primary income source. Many will then also take your personal income into account. The deposit required for a buy-to-let mortgage is also slightly higher, as between 25% and 30% is required as a down payment. For some of the lower interest rate deals the deposit could need to be 40% or more.

Location, location, location

Certain areas and property types attract a higher demand, so check what is in high demand from tenants in your area to figure out where you should invest.

Our letting and management teams have extensive local knowledge and will be able to advise you on popular locations for renters and the most popular property types in the area.

Crunch the numbers

Once you have a property in mind, you will need to get it professionally valued to get an idea of how much you will be able to charge in rent. You should do this before you buy.

Andrews offer a full market appraisal service to help you establish how much rent you will feasibly be able to charge.

Maximise your property’s perceived value

Ensuring that your property is well-maintained and decorated to a high standard can make a marked difference to how much someone is prepared to pay for it.

A well-maintained property can also help attract tenants who will look after it and maintain it well. Again, refer to your target audience to see what requirements they have and how you can make your property the perfect fit.

Tenant type

Not only do you need to be thinking about the location of your buy-to-let, but the décor of the property will also be important when attracting tenants.

Allowing tenants to be able to make their own mark on a property, be it decorating or the removal of furniture, can make it feel like their own.

Making a rental property feel more like home will mean tenants are more likely to stay for longer, which is great news for you as a landlord.

Check the rules and regulations

As a landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure that you are treating your tenants fairly under the law. For example, as of April 2018 a rented property is required to have a minimum of an E energy rating on its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Our lettings teams have extensive letting knowledge and will be able to advise you on your responsibilities as a landlord.

Find your nearest branch