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It's not just about taking note of any lampshades or curtains you've provided, it's about ensuring you've got a record of the condition of the property, for the benefit of both parties.
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The Build to Rent sector looks set to improve the UK's current housing crisis.
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However new laws are being brought in to protect landlords.
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How much will your property be worth in under 15 years time?
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The end of a tenancy means a lot of work for all parties involved. This list of Dos and Don'ts should help to simplify the process.
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High street estate agents are the preferred option for buying, selling and renting.
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It's a niche market which could speed up the rental process and see you earning more money.
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Interior design doesn't have to be a long winded, expensive process! It can be as easy and simple as bringing some plants into your home.
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A Brexit could mean big changes for the property investment market, for good or bad.
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What would your must have luxury feature be? Hopefully it's a little more extravagant than the top feature on this list...
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Renting can seem like a stressful process to the uninitiated, but with our handy step by step guide you'll be an expert in no time.
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From the 6th April 2007, it became law for tenants' deposits to be protected. This was in response to rogue landlords keeping tenants’ deposits unlawfully and spending the money as they pleased. Before this law there was very little a tenant could do to reclaim their money aside from taking the landlord to the small claims court.
Now in its 9th year, Tenant Deposit Protection is not a new thing and has gone through a few changes over the years. The latest change was with the Deregulation Act 2015 which cleared up many misconceptions within the law; yet many Landlords are still tripping up on some of the basic requirements for compliance and putting themselves at great risk.
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Swansea letting agency, McCartan Lettings has won Gold and Silver awards in two different categories in the National Property Division Industry Expert Awards.
Hannah McCartan, the agency’s Managing Director, won the overall Gold award for best blog which focused on the new landlord licensing legislation launched last year.
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Storm damage, burst pipes and damage from break-ins were the top reasons that buy to let property investors make insurance claims, new research has suggested.
The most common claim was for storm damage, which cost an average of £1,500 to repair, followed by damage to ceilings, walls and carpets caused by burst pipe with an average £4,500 repair bill.
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This month we welcome Abigail Staniforth to the McCartan Lettings team as our newest Lettings Assistant. Formally working with Your Move in Southampton, Abigail brings with her experience in working in the lettings industry in a corporate setting and is looking forward to working on a more personal level with all of our clients.
Other changes at McCartan Lettings ...
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Landlord training courses in Swansea with Rent Smart Wales are filling up fast and are now fully booked until July.
McCartan Lettings are urging all landlords who have a property they let in Wales that the manage, or have an interest in the management of the property to secure their training slot as soon as possible.
From 23rd November 2016 it will be a legal requirement for all landlords to be registered with Rent Smart Wales and if they manage a property then a licence will also be required. In order to obtain a licence a landlord must undertake the day training course and pass a test at the end.
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With less than a week to go before the start of the new financial year, Landlords need to start planning to deal with the many tax changes coming into effect next week and that will directly affect them.
The first of the changes to the wear & tear allowance will affect every landlord with a furnished rental property.
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We are almost 6 months into the 12 month grace period where Landlords with property in Wales are required to be registered and if they manage their own property, require a licence. Part of the application process for a licence is to undertake training. In this article we have listed the approved training providers by Rent Smart Wales and some of the up and coming training dates for the Swansea area.
Online training should be available within the next few months for those Landlords who live away or unable to travel, as soon as we have confirmation this is live we will be letting you all know.
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If you own a property in Wales which you rent out, even to a family member or friend and do not use the services of a managing agent, this law will apply to you.
You will need to obtain a licence if you are a landlord with properties to let within the private rented sector and you carry out any of the following activities:
•Sourcing tenants; and arranging and conducting viewings
•Tenant referencing including credit checks and interviews
•Preparing a tenancy agreement and property inventories
•Collecting rent
•Acting as the first point of contact for tenants under the tenancy agreement
•Making arrangements to carry our maintenance or repairs
•Carrying out property checks to check on conditions
•Serving notice to end a tenancy.
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Landlords and property investors are faced with more uncertainty in the industry this week with the Government’s announcement that they are planning on reducing buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage approvals by 20%.
The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority says that this should reduce buy-to-let approvals by between 10% and 20% by 2019 in order to reduce the risk of another ‘property bubble’.
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On Sunday, 20th March, Hannah McCartan, Managing Director of Swansea-based McCartan Lettings has completed the challenging Sainsbury’s 2016 Swim Yourself Proud Swimathon – the world’s largest fund raising swim.
She completed her swim in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 39secs which was 10 mins better than her previous personal best and raised in excess of £600 for Sport Relief.
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The specialist team at McCartan Lettings love working with landlords to help them to make the most of their property investments in order to maximise profits. There are a number of measures landlords can take including regular reviews of their property portfolio. We've come up with eight magic tips to help you make more money on your property investments in 2016.
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Landlords are now required by law to be registered or licensed.
Rent Smart Wales, the name for the registration and licensing requirements under Part 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has now been launched.
From 23rd November 2015, Landlords and Agents can now register their properties and apply for licenses through the Rent Smart Wales website. There will then be a window of 12 months for all Landlords and Agents with property let in Wales to comply with the legislation before action will be taken.
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To choose a good letting agent, landlords need to focus on the service they deliver rather than the price that they charge.
To help property landlords ensure that they are getting the best deal from their letting company, Hannah McCartan, Managing Director of Swansea-based McCartan Lettings has come up with the following guidance notes for landlords.
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McCartan Lettings will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary next year and as the icing on the cake their Director Hannah McCartan has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious Women in Business Awards.
The Professional Services category which Hannah has been shortlisted for recognises women who hold an occupation in the tertiary sector of the economy, requiring specialist training or those who hold a professional licence. They will have made a positive mark in their organisation and be well respected by clients.
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The Housing Act (Wales) 2014 is almost upon us and many Landlords are still unaware of what this new legislation will mean to how they manage their properties.
It is intended that the legislation will result in:
- improved standards of letting and management practice in the private rented sector
- more information on landlords available for tenant verification and for local authorities to assist with strategic intervention and dissemination of information
- raised awareness by landlords and agents of their respective rights and responsibilities
- in turn, raised awareness by tenants of their respective rights and responsibilities.
We are still eagerly awaiting the update for when Landlords and Agents can register on the new Rent Smart Wales website and as soon as we have this news we will be in touch with you all, but in the meantime for those who would like a re-cap please carry on reading.
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Property Industry Eye reports mortgage approvals by high street banks are up 11% on a yearly basis in July in the rush to beat the interest rate rise.
Ben Adams from CBK Wales gives us his view on the mortgage market and some interesting insights.
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A petition to ‘Reverse the planned tax relief restriction on individual landlords’ has reached the required 10,000 signatures to require a Government response. The petition follows the Summer Budget announcements which will see many buy to let landlords affected by reduced Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) to the basic rate of 20%. If you haven’t signed the petition please consider doing so now.
The Residential Landlords Association has also been asked by the Treasury for alternative Tax Solutions, so if you have any ideas yourself, please follow the link to submit your thoughts.
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An opportunity has arisen to acquire a Marina apartment below market value.
We have a Landlord who is looking to sell and has asked us to let our other landlords and investors know.
This is a one bedroom first floor apartment in the Marina and comes fully furnished.
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On a lighter note, The Telegraph reported last month that Lego was a 'better investment than gold or shares'
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Rent Smart Wales was launched this month by Housing Minister Lesley Griffiths ahead of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 coming into effect this October.
The website is informative and easy to use and ready for Landlords to register their email addresses for updates but as yet it is not fully operational to register Landlords details and properties.
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We have had quite a few Landlords and contractors ask us recently what our plan is for when it becomes mandatory for all letting property to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in October.
The proposed legislation is only applicable for properties being rented in England only, so although we highly recommend getting them installed in all properties (even your own home!), it won't be a legal requirement to do it here in Wales.
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The emergancy budget this month saw Chancellor Osborne squeeze the Private Rented Sector even more, with changes to the way income from rents is taxed.
Whilst some are breathing a sigh of relief that at least there is still SOME tax relief on rental income rather than it being completely abolished, I think the majority of Landlords will still be with heavy heart this at the loss of tax relief on the interest element of their BTL mortgages, and the less publicised, 10% tax relief on wear and tear for furnished properties as of next year.
Overall, it's not good news on the cash flow front.
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July has been another busy month here at McCartan Letting with seven properties letting in the last 4 weeks, all on the first viewing!
So what did all these properties have in common to let so fast? .... We stuck by our 5 top tips for presenting your property for let!
We would love to hear from you if you are or know of someone who is struggling to find their ideal tenant. In the meantime, we have shared our top tips with you ...
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Looking to move in the next few weeks? Check out this lovely 4 bedroom family home close to the M4
https://www.mccartanlettings.co.uk/brochure/P1532
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We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback about our monthly newsletter.
Would like us to publish more about a particular topic? Just let us know and we will look to feature it in future publications.
Email your feedback to: [email protected]
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Many people have come to me in the past few months asking where the best place to buy in Swansea is ... and my answer always starts with - Why are You looking to invest in property?!
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This month we helped a Landlord secure a let in the first week of marketing by ensuring the property was looking its best for the marketing brochure and viewings.
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In the run up to the election, immigration and Right to Rent checks were at the top of the Governments agenda and although only briefly mentioned in the Queens speech last month they are becoming the more controversial pieces of legislation being put forward. So what is the Government actually wanting Landlords to be responsible for?
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Looking to move this summer? Fancy something a bit different?!
Check out this converted chapel in Clydach !
https://www.mccartanlettings.co.uk/brochure/P1626
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It has been an eventful month so far for the PRS, so what’s new in the pipeline…
In the run up to the election, immigration and Right to Rent checks were at the top of the Governments agenda and although only briefly mentioned in the Queens speech this week is set to be one of the more controversial pieces of legislation. So what is the Government actually wanting Landlords to do?
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Housing (Wales) Act 2014 – Mandatory Licensing of Landlords in Wales
At the beginning of the month, I attended the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) Welsh conference in Cardiff where I met with the Managing Director of ARLA David Cox, President of ARLA, Valarie Bannister and Anne Rowlands from the Welsh Assembly (who is heading up the registration and licensing of Welsh Landlords), to discuss the impact of this new legislation and how it will affect Landlords and Agents in Wales.
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Did you know …
The Private Rented Sector is an unregulated industry - It is not a requirement for any Letting Agency to have any insurance to protect your money, to have any professional indemnity insurance or be trained or qualified before they start trading?
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In the next few newsletters we will be focusing on the changes coming into effect for Landlords with properties in Wales, so please keep an eye out and save our newsletters to forward to your friends and family with property investments. This month we are focusing on the licensing of Landlords and Agents in Wales.
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Last year we had a very exciting time with 2 new permanent members of staff joining the team and we thought it would be nice for you to be able to put some faces to the names!
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This month Hannah and Georgia attended the national ESTAS awards in London hosted by Phil Spencer, from Location Location Location, as a shortlisted agent for Wales.
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Your feedback is greatly appreciated, so please do email me with any feedback regarding this newsletter and anything you would like to see or have more information on for future publications.
[email protected]
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Fears of SPAM, passing on your email address to others or not being able to opt-out are always a concern when considering subscribing to an email newsletter. Find out what we do to ensure subscribing with us is safe
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Find out how our advanced "Smart Newsletter" system enables you to choose what information you receive from us
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Following the failure to secure funding for the Tidal Lagoon, a brand new, larger and more ambitious project has been proposed for Swansea.
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In most cases, tenants leave properties in the same condition they found them, but when this isn't the case, what can you claim for and what is apportionment?
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Newly renovated, redecorated, and recarpeted, and in a fantastic, highly sought-after location!
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Rents are down 1.02% this month. Take a look at how the market is performing.
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It will be the biggest change to the way we rent, let and manage tenancies for over a generation, and will completely rewrites residential tenancies in Wales.
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Landlords thrown into disarray as the Govt announce plans to axe Section 21. Landlords shouldn’t panic though, as it may not be a totally disastrous plan.
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Maintaining your rental property is an essential part of being both a landlord and a tenant, and now is a good time to start planning for Spring maintenance.
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As another deal is snapped up as we come to publish the newsletter, I've got 5 tips for you on making sure you get to BTL properties first!
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A sponsored swim, charity quiz night, and a call for raffle and auction prizes - can you help us to raise money for Dunvant Park Playground.
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Rents in Swansea are up 0.63% this month. Take a look at how the market is performing.
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Whilst there’s no doubt that there are turbulent times ahead, Swansea landlords should be feeling pretty confident based on the latest rent reports.
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Sometimes the best of tenancy applications don’t go to plan - even for highly desirable properties in sought-after areas like Dunvant.
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My 4 questions to help Swansea landlords evaluate how their property portfolio performed in the last tax year & make it more profitable for the next.
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Landlords could be in for a rude awakening next week as research conducted by BDRC Continental found 15 % don’t fully understand the implications of the new tax changes.
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With an impressive 9%+ yield and the promise of instant equity, this 3 bedroom house for sale in Manselton could be a great investment.
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Check out our latest stats on the Swansea rental market!
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A date has been set for the next debate on the bill that will re-write Welsh housing legislation and outlaw the charging of tenant fees in Wales.
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How just a little bit of positive property management goes a long way to securing a long term tenant (quickly!) and achieving an 11% increase in rent.
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Maintaining your rental property is an essential part of being both a landlord and a tenant. It's time to start planning for spring cleaning.
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There are the key things you need to ask/check before signing up with a new letting agent.
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In an excellent location, and combining traditional period features with modern furniture, fixtures and fittings, my property of the month is a must see!
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Good news this month as rents appear to be on the rise! Take a look at February's rental stats with us.
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Bucking national trends again, Swansea are reported to have the highest growth in rents in 2018. Take a look at the year as a whole with our 2018 tracker summary.
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It's an area we haven't discussed much over the years, but we think it could definitely be a contender for "hotspot" status.
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The most expensive streets in Wales in 2018 have been announced, with two streets in Swansea making an appearance in the top 10!
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Landlords and tenants are still having to wait for security deposit disputes to be settled as the DPS haven't resolved their backlog.
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Since we're shining the spotlight on Sandfields this month, my BTL is a house in the area up for auction. I also share tips on how to buy property at auction.
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Take a look at the rental prices and stock as we head into the new year.
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With all the excitement and anticipation of the New Year ahead, we’re encouraging landlords to look to and plan for 2019 with their rental properties in mind.
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There are undoubtedly challenges ahead for the buy-to-let market. The developments taking place in Swansea, however, continue to contribute to its position as a strong area for property investment.
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I am swimming the length of the English Channel from Calais to Dover – a whopping 22 miles, in 12 weeks! – to raise funds for the construction and installation of a fence for Dunvant Park Playground.
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This month, we're joined by a new member of staff - just as we have changed over to a brand new property management system!
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Take a look at what's available this month!
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Details of when our office will be open, when landlords can expect rental payments, and how tenants can report maintenance.
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Homelessness charity Shelter are pointing the figure at landlords and letting agents, but it isn't necessarily them who are discriminating - it's mortgage lenders.
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It’s now been 2 years since it became a legal obligation. Prosecutions are rolling in, and the Welsh Govt have conducted an evaluation study on the scheme.
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22 miles, 12 weeks - MD Hannah will be swimming the length of the English Channel to raise funds for a fence for Dunvant Park Playground. Check out and support her incredible challenge here!
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Details of when our office will be open, when landlords can expect rental payments, and how tenants can report maintenance.
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In an excellent and ever-popular location, our BTL deal of the month just needs a little TLC to become a fantastic rental property.
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We're seeing an increase in supply this month, and a decrease in average rents. Take a look at what we're doing to help our properties let!
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Nearly one fifth of tenants wait over 3 months to get their deposits back, according to a report by Nationwide. They suggest landlords and agents are to blame, but is there more to it?
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Despite what the news would have you believe, deposit deductions aren't inevitable. Here are 7 tips (and some extra notes!) on how to avoid them
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Now we’ve recovered from that unexpected scorcher of a Summer, it’s time to consider preparing your rental property for Autumn and Winter - whether you're a landlord or a tenant.
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In a popular rental area, close to good local schools, and within easy reach of Swansea City Centre, Fforestfach, and the M4, this buy-to-let deal is not to be missed!
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A contemporary, newly constructed 3 bedroom semi-detached house in the St Modwen's Development in Killay. It'd be ideal for a professional couple or small family!
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Taking a look at the latest rental stats for Swansea.
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Following news of the rapid return to city centre living, Lambert Smith Hampton report that uptake in commercial letting in Swansea is on the rise. Will this add to the demand for city living?
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Despite the Government’s crushing blow not to back the ground-breaking Tidal Lagoon, rumblings have started that it may not be completely off the table just yet.
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Last week was Gas Safety Week 2018, and we are raising awareness of what makes a valid Landlords' Gas Safety Certificate, and how to tell if a contractor is qualified to conduct one for you.
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My Rental Property of the Month is a modern, 2 double bedroom ground-floor apartment within walking distance of Uplands - one of the top 20 "hippest" places to live in the UK.
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My Buy-to-Let Deal of the Month is a 2 bedroom terraced house in situated in the perfect place to corner the professional tenant market - and it needs minimal work to make it ready to let!
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Taking a look at the rental and sales stats for Swansea.
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This 0.25% increase puts interest rates at their highest level since March 2009 - but what does that mean for Landlords, and is now the best time to remortgage?
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Transform your rental into a home that you love by investing in a couple of key items - and you'll be able to take them with you should you move house again!
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Construction has now started on Swansea’s largest city re-development since WW2. Restoration work has begun on Mumbles Pier that will make it a “world class” attraction.
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We find that properties in this location tend to attract very long-term, professional tenants who have family in the area and are looking to find a place to settle down.
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Newly constructed, immaculately-presented, and located for easy access to the M4 and Morriston Hospital, my Property of the Month is definitely a must-see!
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Asking rents in Swansea are marginally higher on 2 and 3 bedroom properties this month, and stock levels are lower - a great example of the forces of supply and demand!
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A savvy investor looking to buy to let in Swansea who can find the right property in the right location at the right price will be buying at less than 2007 prices, and benefiting from 2018 increased rental incomes.
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Disputes between landlords and tenants often arise as a result of differing interpretations of what is ‘fair wear and tear’, and knowing what is a reasonable deduction to propose is crucial in obtaining a swift resolution.
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Taking a look at the average asking rents and number of properties available in Swansea this July.
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With a light refurbishment, my BTL deal of the month, located in Sketty, could achieve 6.2% yield!
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With the Kingsway Regeneration in full swing, it comes as no great surprise that the BBC is reporting a rapid return to city centre living.
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Last month, I met with a Chartered Accountant to discuss a new property tax relief that is going under the radar of landlords.
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Buying a buy-to-let investment at auction can be very profitable, but there are a few things you need to consider before taking action.
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Taking a look at the average asking rents and number of properties available for Swansea this June.
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The £12 million investment in the Kingsway has been welcomed by business leaders and traders in the city, and this news marks the first tangible step in the regeneration promised by the Swansea Bay City Deal.
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It's made a list of the top 20 "hippest" places to live in the UK due to its independent, creative spirit, but what allure does Uplands hold, and to whom? Is it a good place for BTL?
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OnTheMarket.com is the newest portal to join the list of places we advertise. We are confident that our landlords are getting maximum exposure for their properties online.
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After reviewing my investment property portfolio, I have realised that my investment needs of changed, and I am thus selling my apartment in the heart of Swansea City Centre!
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Check out the latest Rental Prices for Swansea in our monthly 'Swansea in Stats' blog here!
2 bedroom properties have seen a modest 3.52% rise this month, while properties for sale in SA2 have seen a rise in asking prices too.
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Buy to Let in Swansea has been my specialism for over 15 years now, and it’s my aim to use my knowledge to help Swansea landlords and investors find property that matches their long term financial goals.
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Landlords could be in for a rude awakening next month when they come to file their 2017/18 taxes, as research has found 15% don’t fully understand the implications of the new tax changes.
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Regulations coming into effect on 1st April 2018 mean landlords will not be able to let out a property with Energy Performance Certificate ratings of F or G.
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I've got 2 properties for you this month, both in the same area and both with potential to be great buy-to-let investments! Take a look?
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We're looking at how the figures stack up this month not only against last month, but also this time last year.
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Fully renovated and redecorated, newly carpeted, and with a brand new, sleek and ultra modern bathroom, this rental property is a must see!
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We are warning all tenants about online fraudsters who are targeting would-be-tenants on private landlord pages on sites such as Facebook, Gumtree, and Airbnb.
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Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, has said “The EU funding is a key part of the story that will enable us to get on and transform the Kingsway and the City Centre."
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Pets in properties have always been an issue in the Lettings industry. Labour have proposed a measure giving tenants a “default right” to pets.
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Rents are up, stock is down - this month's starts are a great example of supply and demand at work!
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As we eagerly await news on the Tidal Lagoon and work starting on the City Project, the housing market in Swansea hasn’t had a buzz like this since WW2!
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From this month, a loophole that allowed landlords who had incorporated their portfolios to avoid Capital Gains Tax has been closed.
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9 out of 10 buyers could be paying more tax now whilst they wait for the new Welsh-only Stamp Duty replacement to come in.
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A new Government consultation could mean landlords will not be exempt from making improvements if they are unable to source funding.
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This month's BTL deal is low maintenance, ready to go on the market to let, and in a great location - but watch out for service charges!
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December saw marginal growth again for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom properties, while rents dip on larger properties as they struggle to let over the festive period.
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We all know that planning ahead is the key to success – and to avoiding any costly surprises. Here's some things to consider.
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Keeping you up to date on when to expect payments, and how to report maintenance over the festive break.
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It's hard to believe it's December already; despite its ups and downs, 2017 seems to have flown by!
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Interest rates rose for the first time in a decade this month. Though this widely-anticipated move shouldn’t have too much of an impact on the general economy, it may affect your mortgage payments.
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Almost two years in, it has been reported that the first non-compliant letting agent has been successfully prosecuted, but we are still no clearer on just how many landlords are operating in Wales.
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Newly-released guidance from the Government outlines that landlords are not expected to pay for renovations to increase the energy efficiency of their properties out of their own pocket.
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Keeping you up-to-date on when our office will be open, when you can expect rent payments, and how you can report maintenance over the festive period.
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A low maintenance property, conveniently located to attract professional tenants, and offering a yield of at least 7.28% - and we can vouch for its lettings history!
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Supply would appear to be outstripping demand this month as the number of available properties increases and average asking rents decrease. House prices are on the rise.
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Many landlords will have been affected by recent tax changes, and more are likely to be affected in the future, so this is a legitimate question – but is incorporation really the best solution for everyone?
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Whether you have come into an inheritance, released equity by re-mortgaging your home, or are starting out as a career Buy-to-Let Landlord, buying the right property for your investment needs is paramount.
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Contemporary yet warm, offering oodles of space as well as stunning views across Swansea and the Bay, and with a garage and off-road parking - it's my property of the month!
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In the run-up to Autumn, rents have started to cool. If you have a property currently available to rent, we have some advise you act now to avoid potentially length void periods in the near future.
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It may not seem the most obvious of extra services for a letting agent to provide, but this month, McCartan Lettings became an official Ella’s Kitchen EllaCycle recycling point.
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Landlords, now is the opportune time to check up on your tenants and your properties to make sure they are ready for winter before the cold snap really kicks in.
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Parents are rejoicing as schools finally reopen after the long summer holidays, but research reveals how much extra families are willing to pay for a property to secure a place for their child.
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Following in-depth analysis of performance data and the results of over 30,000 mystery shops, the top estate and letting agency branches in the UK have been announced – and McCartan Lettings is among them!
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Last week, McCartan Lettings were proud to support Gas Safety Week 2017. Are you aware of your responsibilities regarding gas, and how you can stay safe?
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Failure to comply with a regulation brought in in January 2015 could mean you are joint and severally liable for your tenant's water bill.
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This month, we head east towards the new Swansea University Campus on Fabian Way. Modern, recently built, and offering a good yield - why not take a look?
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The holidays are over, so I thought we'd take a look at how the statistics for Swansea fared over the Summer.
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Your feedback will shape the way the Private Rented Sector is run in Wales for years to come - but you only have until 27th September to participate.
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We are urging those landlords who are yet to register or obtain a licence to make that a priority in the forthcoming weeks as the first prosecutions are made under the Rent Smart Wales laws.
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This month, I have found a 3 bedroom semi-detached in Dunvant, going to auction with a guide price of £75,000 - £85,000. Buying at auction has its benefits, but its pitfalls too, so make sure you are prepared!
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All of our landlords and tenants have been invited to use the recently launched PropertyFile - but what is it about and how does it benefit you?
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It’s good news again for landlords and property investors in Swansea as Rightmove reports a 10.5% annual rise in Swansea rents. Take a look at what else they had to say for our region and what it might mean for Swansea Landlords.
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Swansea has made the final shortlist, and is up against four other UK cities for the title. The next stage in the competition is tough, says Council Leader Rob Stewart, "but the benefits of winning belong to us all".
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The average house price here in Wales has reached an all time high, but the divide between homeowners and tenant is deepening as tenants say farewell to pay growth and expend on higher rents - and that might not be good news for landlords, either.
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My BTL Deal of the Month for July was so popular, it looks like someone already snapped it up! Read more about why it caught my eye and what made it so appealing.
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Following on from my article regarding Swansea being named in the top 3 highest growth areas between Q2 2016 and 2017, here are the rental statistics from Zoopla for this month.
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A modernised ground floor apartment in a popular and convenient location, within walking distance of the University and Singleton Hospital, and only a short car ride from Swansea City Centre. Take a peek!
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Approval of the much anticipated bid for Swansea City Centre’s £500m regeneration was announced earlier this month, but what does it mean for Swansea Landlords?
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It's safe to say that the Conservatives' decision to hold a snap election well and truly backfired - the results of which are a hung parliament, embarrassing coalition with DUP and the 15th Housing Minister in 17 years.
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Hannah’s nomination came not only from her success as the Managing Director of an already multi award-winning letting agency, but also the opportunities she has created to grow her own buy-to-let property portfolio and be mortgage-free on her own home within 5 years.
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The results of the survey were invaluable in helping us to better understand the hopes and concerns of landlords in Swansea, and in making sure we are developing our service in line with what our landlords need from us going forward.
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Two bedroom flats have seen the biggest increase in asking rents this month by 5.9% up to £826pcm, but with an increase of 20% in stock of two bedroom flats in Swansea we will likely see rents for these properties fall slightly as supply outstrips demand.
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With less than 12 months to go now before the regulations change, I am encouraging affected landlords to start planning now to ensure they aren't caught out.
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There has been much excitement here in Killay around the latest St Modwen development as the first batch of properties start to go up.
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I am conducting research into how the changes the Government is making to housing and tax legislation is affecting Landlords in Swansea, and I would love to hear from you.
The survey is closing on Wednesday 31st May, but there is still time to participate.
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Prompted by the results of a recent survey, I've been thinking this month about the locations and types of property that attract long term tenants. Take a look at what I found.
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It's been a busy month in lettings, and rents in Swansea would appear to be on the rise again following April's reported decline. Three bedroom properties have seen the greatest increase, and would appear to be the most popular with tenants at the moment as they are being snapped up!
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With an oversupply of rental property, and tenant demand waning, the first quarter of 2017 has seen the first signs of the rental market slowing. What does this mean for landlords in Swansea?
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I recently mentioned in a blog about the importance of reviewing your mortgages. The results of my own buy-to-let mortgage review were actually pretty surprising.
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Always a popular choice for tenants, I have focused my search for buy-to-let deals this month on SA2, and specifically Sketty.
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A spacious, newly-redecorated apartment in a highly desirable location in Swansea - take a look at my Property of the Month!
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Swansea's property statistics for April show a slow in rents, reflecting what is happening across the UK. Making sure your property is being presented to the best standard it can be will be key in securing tenants quickly this month.
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Swansea's property statistics for April show a slow in rents, reflecting what is happening across the UK. Making sure your property is being presented to the best standard it can be will be key in securing tenants quickly this month.
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Good news for the planned £500m revamp.
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Just 25 years old and with £1,500 in her pocket, Hannah McCartan set up her own lettings agency, McCartan Lettings.
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With families overtaking young couples as the most common household type to rent, now might be the time to consider reviewing and expanding your portfolio.
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Worryingly with only just over 2 months to go, only 10% of Welsh landlords have signed up with Rent Smart Wales, and it takes 8 weeks to get a licence ...
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Last month, we discussed the potential of the Swansea Bay regeneration deal should it come off - and now it has! Take a look at what the regeneration will look like.
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At the beginning of the month, the Sunday Times named the Gower as one of the best places to live in the UK, and singled out Bishopston specifically as an ideal location - and it’s not hard to understand why.
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The April tax date is looming, and if you haven't already started thinking about tax, now is definitely the time to do so.
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A look at what's available in Swansea that could be of interest to investors.
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Take a look at the latest statistics for the housing market in Swansea, and the most expensive house sold in Wales so far this year!
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In the past few weeks, we have seen plenty in the news about Swansea’s proposed regeneration. If agreed in principle on 1st March (2017), this will be great news for landlords and investors in Swansea.
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A good property investment is one which completes on its objective, and getting the right property takes time and effort. Hopefully these ten tips will help you on your journey.
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What is noticeable online at the moment is a glut of property for sale in previously high rental areas, such as Plasmarl in the SA6 region.
However the question has to be asked: why are there are so many on the market at the moment?
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Becoming available to let next week - check out February's property of the month!
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This month, we will be starting to publish the average rental amounts and number of properties available in Swansea to give you an idea of how the market is looking at the moment.
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In the latest McCartan blog post, I talk about a report put together by Rightmove that suggests that 2016 was not entirely a year of doom and gloom for Swansea landlords.
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Is Chancellor George Osborne's prediction of a fall in house prices post Brexit coming true in Swansea?
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After an 'annus horribilis', many landlords have decided the future landscape of buy to let is not for them anymore, but there will be many opportunities coming our way, too.
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Back in June last year (whilst heavily pregnant), I was approached by one of our landlords to help look for a second investment property. Seven months on, the property we chose has been let within 24 hours of being on the market!
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With a fresh year ahead, I've taken the time to look at what’s available on the market for sale in Swansea that could be of interest to investors.
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It might not be the first thing you want to do over the Christmas break, but reviewing your mortgages, insurance, and planning for upcoming tax changes could save you money in 2017.
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We are delighted to report that our property of the month has been let on the first viewing!
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Our office will be closing on Friday 23rd December. Please report maintenance as usual.
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Enforcement officers will start working with local authorities from the deadline, initially targeting those landlords and letting agents who have yet to start the process.
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After an article last month highlighting agents acting illegally, the Property Ombudsman announces a plan to target Swansea.
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Prevention is better than cure; what you (and your tenants) can do to make sure your property is ready for winter.
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With approximately 400,000 landlords at risk of higher tax bills, will the new Chancellor Phillip Hammond overturn his predecessor's tax plans?
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With 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, all decorated beautifully in a modern style, this property is a must-see.
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With 22 deaths and nearly 1,000 gas-related injuries in the last three years, it's vital to stay gas safe. Read about our new system to help let only landlords keep up to date with gas safety checks.
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McCartan Lettings are again at the forefront of championing best practice in the letting industry by raising awareness to landlords and tenants of non-compliant agents who hide their fees in Swansea.
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Take a look at three properties we have let on the first day of viewings
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On the McCartan Lettings blog this month, Hannah McCartan explains the importance of having correct legal documentation before beginning a new tenancy.
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With just six weeks to go, almost 50% of our landlords are registered with Rent Smart Wales - which means 50% still to go.
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