nla spotlight magazine janfeb 2016 issue27_6176

In this issue:

SPOTLIGHTA GUIDE FOR LANDLORDS Jan/Feb 16issue 27

NLA MembershipMake sleep a priority NLA Property Services

Heating Systems.Start with the basics

YOUR INVESTMENT. THEIR HOME.

Spotlight January/February 20162

Being too emotionally involved with an investment property can be expensive if you lose sight of its base purpose of being an asset to you.

Start with the basics

However, it is equally costly to overlook your tenant’s emotional investment in the place they call home. Filling a house with the cheapest thing you can find rather than something fit-for-purpose will make you the nemesis of any renter, but nurturing your tenant’s attachment to the property can offer a range of economic and workload benefits and make you the hero of the hour.

Whilst the demand for rental homes is currently buoyant, acquiring the calibre of tenant you desire can be tricky. One of the key tools in raising the presentation standards of your property is the provision of appealing domestic appliances within. As little as 50 years ago many items such as washing machines, fridges and microwaves that we now view as essential home possessions were classed as luxury items. Many of us can still remember Grandma keeping the milk on the back step!

Despite mass production and competition bringing down the cost of such appliances for the general population, there is still a perception of white goods being “big ticket” items amongst many and it can be a stressful experience for those setting up a first home. By supplying these items, you immediately add value to the rental proposition in both economic terms and stress management and this effect is multiplied by the benefits of brand recognition. By purchasing a recognised & trusted brand, prospective tenants can immediately see the financial value therein as well as the lifestyle benefits to themselves that the additional features of a quality machine provide.

So how do you, as a landlord, add these home comforts without greatly diminishing your asset’s return? As mentioned before, costs have dropped due to an increasingly competitive market, however the true

cost of switching to a cheaper brand is not always realised & second-hand products can lead to reliability issues.

As an alternative to used machines, graded products offer a great way for landlords to acquire trusted brands at lower-than-internet prices for their same model equivalent without compromising brand preference. However, you may be asking ‘what is a “Graded” product?’.

Every manufacturer faces the challenge of dealing with items in production that for one reason or another have faced an issue, whether that be a cosmetic mark or a mechanical fault. Similarly, if a new model has been developed, the last generation of that machine will be superseded leaving an excess of stock.

NLA Recognised Suppliers Indesit & Hotpoint have a dedicated rework channel for such items to ensure they can be returned to a presentable, working condition and offered for sale at a reduced cost through their official brand outlets based in Gateshead, Peterborough and Yate. Furthermore, such items are sold with the same manufacturer’s warranty as any other item found on the high street and NLA members receive a standard 10% discount on major appliances. Refrigerators and freezers will be more susceptible to frontal blemishes than any other type of product as it is not cost effective to replace the doors on an item being reworked. Often these marks mean that a larger capacity unit can be acquired for the cost of a smaller, “clean” one and because these units usually end up covered in fridge magnets and children’s artwork this is generally less of a concern for the end user. Brand recognition provides the building blocks of a trusting relationship between you and your renter; an unspoken understanding that says “If you look after my

3Spotlight January/February 2016

house, I will make it your home”. But why should this be unspoken? Be proud to be a considerate landlord and extol the benefi ts of the appliance investment you have made.

Choosing a washing machine with a high energy effi ciency rating will reduce the running costs of the household. If all of the appliances are aligned in this manner you are virtually putting money back into the pockets of your tenants, which certainly helps pay the rent!

As technology advances, cost savings are the tip of the iceberg. Features such as delay timers, customisable programming and intelligent cooking design provide lifestyle benefi ts and more free time for the user; something worth more than gold to them.

Similarly, new problems can sometimes be solved with old solutions. Many student landlords fi nd themselves with issues of damp caused by the overloading of radiators with dripping laundry where there is no room in the property for a washing line or tumble dryer. Stand alone spinners, capable of being stored in an under-stair cupboard, remove vast amounts of water and reduces the likelihood of a damp-related concern. Having the foresight to assess the needs and habits of your prospective

tenant demographic and supplying the appropriate appliances will pay long term dividends in care from the recipients. For example, when given notice by a tenant of their intent to leave, why not offer them the chance to purchase the appliances they are used to using? The proceeds of this can then be put towards the replenishment cost of a replacement with a whole new warranty to cover maintenance issues & the renter leaves singing your praises to the next potential occupant. If this purchase option is given at the start of the tenancy, they are also more likely to take care of the machines whilst they are living there.

Meeting the expectations of the tenant is always a balancing act between their desire for quality and the practicality of supply but it’s easy to strike such a balance with the right product bought at the right time. If you plan to avoid seasonal variance in pricing (tumble dryers cost less in the summer, cooling appliances are cheaper in the winter) then you can amplify the bang you get for your buck.

So challenge your appliance salesperson to fi nd the right package of goods for your tenant’s homestead and start reaping the rewards of being the superhero landlord that saves the day (cape not included).

NLA Safer Homes Course*

This one-day course is designed to help landlords and property managers meet their legal obligations of providing a safer home to tenants.

Overview:

• Practical guidance and legal advice• Real life examples• Group discussions and networking opportunities

Ensuring the letting of safe homes

www.landlords.org.uk/saferhomes 020 7840 8920

* Not available in Scotland

For details on NLA Membership benefi ts visit: www.landlords.org.uk/membership

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/factorygradedcall: 01454 338479 or email: [email protected]

24%discount for

NLA Full Members


Make sleep a priorityEnsure your tenants get their forty winks in a bedroom that is both luxurious and comfortable. Enhance the room with quality furniture and interior décor to create an overall homely feeling.

Comfort is one of the highest priorities for many tenants and there is no greater way to ensure this than through the use of quality bedroom furniture, fittings and décor. In fact, research tells us that we spend on average twenty-five years of our lives asleep. So ensuring tenants have a comfortable and appealing space in which to get a good night’s rest is key.

Having a beautiful bedroom also makes for an extraordinary first impression, guaranteed to wow potential tenants into signing on the dotted line. It ensures trust and a sense of security; this should be a place where they feel safe, satisfied and completely at ease.

Get the basics right

When investing in bedroom furniture and décor it’s important to opt for quality so that it feels like a real home to those who reside there. You want to select furniture that your tenants themselves might have chosen if they had owned their own home.

Start with the most obvious comfort – the bed. Not only does a firm, properly padded mattress ensure a restful sleep but it is also great for supporting one’s posture whilst relaxing.

However, with such a large range of beds on the market it can be difficult to choose the right fit. Therefore, it is crucial to know the technical details of a bed i.e. what steel has been used for the frame as well as details about the foam and coils and how these materials contribute to the overall sleeping experience.

Consider the needs of your tenants

When selecting a bed keep in mind the needs of current or future tenants. Try to consider their lifestyle. Is this an apartment exclusively for a young couple? Is this a house for a family of four? Their needs will most likely determine the kind of bed required. Everything from size, to practicalities such as storage space below the mattress should be considered.

Also take into account any allergies tenants may have (or may develop over time). Therefore, it is recommended to opt for a mattress made from antimicrobial material; robust enough to prevent damage, dust mites and even mould.

In fact, a really good mattress should last around ten years. Unfortunately, as soon as you compromise on quality you’ll have to keep replacing the mattress every five years or so which can be a burden, both to you and your lessee.

Clever use of small spaces

Also consider the size of the bedroom when selecting a bed. For instance, Ottoman storage beds are ideal for small bedrooms. Not

only are they particularly trendy right now, but they are both functional and aesthetic since you can store bedding and linen below.

Ottoman storage beds are available in single or double sizes and have reinforced fabric handles which allow you to lift the opening of the base to access the storage space. These storage beds are particularly sturdy with hydraulic gas struts on either side which lift to reveal the inner space. This means that your tenants also have the choice of providing their own mattress and can merely place this above the base, should they wish to.

Princess and the pea

A more luxurious alternative to an Ottoman storage bed base is a Zip and Link bed. Zip and Link beds have all the luxury without compromising practicality. These are both mattress and base combined and storage space is usually in the form of a drawer in the front of the base or on the sides. Zip and Link beds are usually higher than loft-style beds which have a much lower height, perfect for apartments with low ceilings.

According to online retailer, Divan Beds Centre (http://www.divancentre.co.uk), Zip and Link beds are available as either two single beds to be combined or as a double form. They have 1500


pocket springs and body-moulding memory foam to support every part of your body for a sturdy yet comfortable sleep.

Comfort in an extra layer

No modern-day bed is complete without a memory foam mattress topper for even more comfort and support. Mattress toppers give people a sense of weightlessness whilst lying on a bed and well-designed toppers mould to the contours of one’s body. Mattress toppers do not only provide an extra layer of comfort but they also help extend the life of the mattress below making them a particularly useful purchase for the lessor.

It’s in the details

A good quality bed is just one simple way to make a bedroom more luxurious. Adding an eye-catching headboard to the bed can complete the look. Today’s headboards are colourful talking points, making the bed the centrepiece of the room.

Also consider various accessories such as pillows, throws, bedding, carpets, mirrors and lamps to uplift the look and feel of the bedroom for tenants. Find objects that are aesthetic but also timely and durable enough to last.

If you’re purchasing for spec without fl air for the details you might consider hiring a freelance interior decorator. This will help ensure consistency of design and will also create a warmer and sincerer space.

Investing in a good bed, quality bedroom furniture and proper interior décor makes your tenant feel appreciated and adds value to their overall experience of your property. The bedroom, like every other room of the house should be something to be proud of. It is a quality investment and one that can be done in no time at all and merely by beginning with the basics.

Divan Beds Centre - www.divancentre.co.uk - is offering a 10% discount to readers who use the discount code “divanoffer” on the NLA website. Discounts may be higher for bulk purchase of over fi ve units. Delivery with Divan Beds Centre takes between 7 and 10 working days.

For more information on our service visit: www.divancentre.co.ukcall: 0161 920 6998 or email: [email protected]

NLA Property Insurance

Find the right policy for you with NLA Property Insurance

Benefi ts:

• Online quote in minutes• Highly competitive premiums• No minimum security condition• Covers alternative

accommodation or loss of rent

Don’t be let down by your insurance!

15%discount for

NLA Full Members

www.landlords.org.uk/propertyinsurance 0344 980 0299

NLA Property Insurance is a trading name of HFIS plc. HFIS plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).



Getting a new boiler and maintaining the heating systemOne of the most important aspects of a property is the heating system; this is possibly the second biggest outlay that any landlord will face. Therefore having a new boiler and maintaining the heating system is paramount to keeping your tenants happy.

If your property has a heating system that isn’t in tip top condition NLA Property Services can help.

NLA Property Services offers 3 simple options to get a new A-rated boiler installed at you property:

Option 1 – FREE Boiler*

If you have tenants that are in receipt of qualifying benefi ts such as Child Tax/Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit or Job Seeker’s allowance then you could qualify for a FREE replacement boiler at that property.

Get in touch with us today to fi nd out if you have tenants that qualify.

Option 2 – Buy a Boiler Pack

We offer landlords the ability to buy a boiler ready to install complete with ADEY products such as a MagnaClean Filter and chemicals to properly fl ush and protect the system. You can then use any Gas Safe registered Heating Engineer to install the boiler for you

Prices for this option start from just £850 +VAT for a Vaillant boiler with a 10 Year Parts and Labour Manufacturer’s Warranty on the Boiler as standard.


Option 3 – NLA Property Services will deal with installation from start to fi nish

The fi nal option is to have a FREE no obligation boiler quotation survey carried out by one of our expert energy assessors. We will give you a guaranteed boiler replacement quote at the end of the survey and should you choose to progress we will take care of the installation too.

Prices for this option start from £1999 inc VAT. Should a Vaillant boiler be installed then a 10 Year Parts and Labour Manufacturer’s Warranty will come as standard.

We also have fi nance available at 0% APR.†

Already have a new energy effi cient boiler?

You may not know that NLA Property Services also provide a competitive boiler servicing facility so why not give us a call for a quote today.

* Contribution may be required towards cost of install.

† A deposit of 10% of the total install cost is required

before selecting the time period of the fi nance. £2000

install cost with a 10% deposit equalling £200 would

result in £1800 to be fi nanced. Payment over 120

months for remaining £1800 would equate to £15 per

month to be repaid at 0% APR.

NLA Property Services

Improve the energy effi ciency of your property

Benefi ts:

• FREE Energy Assessment

• Telephone Helpline

• Easy to use, one stop solution

We also offer services such as

Energy Performance Certifi cates (EPC) Electrical Safety Certifi cates, Legionella Risk Assessments and many more.

www.landlords.org.uk/propertyservices 0800 779 7700

Discountedrates for NLA Full

Members


NLA Membership:Helping you throughyour landlord journeyBenefi t from on-going support, access to a wide range of products and services, networking opportunities and exclusive discounts and privileges. Full Membership starts from as little as £89 per year.

For details on NLA Membership:Visit: www.landlords.org.uk/membershipCall: 020 7840 8937Email: [email protected]

Information, advice and training to help you

buy and insure your property.

Taking your fi rst steps

Advice and assistance on ending a tenancy and

gaining repossession of your property.

Property repossession

Find the right tenant, set up best practice tenancy

agreements and get discounts on tenancy

deposits.

Starting and managing your tenancy

Ensure your property meets safety regulations, is energy effi cient and

is marketable.

Preparing and marketing your property

Assistance on letting fi nances, rental income protection and free Tax Investigation

Insurance.

Managing Cash Flow

Guidance and updates to help you prosper in the private rental sector.

Expanding your portfolio

nla spotlight magazine janfeb 2016 issue27_6176

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