Looking at Buy to Let? Visit the Property Investor Show

If you are contemplating moving into the Buy to Let sector (buying a property to rent out), then I would recommend making a visit to the Property Investor show/exhibition that takes place on 4^th and 5^th October at the London ExCeL Centre.  There will be over 100 exhibitors and over 50 seminars that will assist in answering all your questions about the Buy to Let sector and the highs and lows of being a landlord.  It’s free to attend and there will also be a good (Horsham based!) mortgage adviser on site to assist with all mortgage related enquiries.  

The Buy to Let sector has been through some interesting times recently and it always seems to be this area that is targeted when it comes to tax and regulatory changes.  I always stipulate that any property investor should have a good set of experienced property professionals around them when it comes to advice and recommendations, especially with regards to in-depth tax advice from an accountant who understands property, limited companies and all the new rules surrounding landlords and, where applicable, portfolio landlords.

In addition, minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) were introduced in April 2018.  The standards affected all new lets and tenancy renewals in the private rented sector to have a minimum energy performance rating of E.  From April 2020, this will also cover existing tenancies.   Landlords will be unable to rent properties until any works are done and the minimum rating is achieved.  

On the upside, the availability of Buy to Let mortgages is at its highest for some time with loans available up to 85% of the property value and five-year fixed rate deals, with only three year redemption penalties recently being launched.  One lender has recently launched two-year rates from 1.99% and five-year deals from 2.99%.  Terms and conditions obviously apply and every case is looked at and underwritten on its own merits

With interest rates so low and demand for rented properties increasing, and no clearly defined solution to help first time buyers, I can only see this sector growing over the foreseeable future.