All posts by Ruban Selvanayagam

Can Landlords Help Alleviate Homelessness? (Part 2)

by

In the second part of the interview with Chris Hancock, Head of Housing at Crisis (see part 1 here), we continue to explore tenancy lengths, ensuring that management and solid lines of communication are in place, mortgage borrowing on properties specifically let to LHA tenants / ex-homeless, the noteworthy political will to eradicate rough sleeping (particularly in London), what the UK can learn from other global models and initiatives. Scroll down to the bottom of this post, for information about up and coming events in London, Scotland and Wales which will certainly be of interest to landlords interested in this area. PIB: This may be a difficult question to answer – as you may find that there´s a trade-off between longer, secure tenancies with landlords perhaps being wary about extended commitments and other unknowns – but what kind of tenancy lengths are... [Read More]

The Future of Build to Rent (Post Housing White Paper)

by

Despite the mixed feedback from early-February´s 2017 Housing White Paper, build to rent (BTR) developers were relatively jubilant on the back of government proposals to consult on the measures aimed at bolstering the sector, namely: Changing the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) so, where there is a need, local authorities know they should plan proactively for Build to Rent (BTR); Making it easier for Build to Rent developers to offer Discounted Market Rent (DMR) homes instead of other types of affordable housing; and Ensuring that longer, family-friendly tenancies of 3+ years are available for those tenants that want them.   The Property Investor´s Blog had the opportunity to speak with Ian Fletcher, policy director and lobbyist at the British Property Federation (BPF) at this year´s residential conference on the release date of the report entitled “Build to Rent – Unlocking the Potential of an Emerging Property Sector” (see parts 1, 2... [Read More]

Shawbrook Bank on the new Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) Criteria

by

One of the strongest challenger banks in the marketplace, Shawbrook´s most recent financial data reported £1.5 billion of gross origination levels for the nine months to the end of September, an increase of 23% compared with the same period in 2015.  Brexit-related uncertainties in the economy have seemingly had a minimal impact on overall business to date and the lender has firm intentions to continue expansion in the buy to let space. We asked Stephen Johnson, Deputy CEO and Managing Director of the Property Division some questions regarding the impact of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) framework alongside some suggestions as to how buy to let investors can best prepare themselves in the new borrowing landscape. (1) Would you be able to provide readers with a broad overview of what the new Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) criteria essentially means for buy to let investors? The new PRA guidelines, effective 1st January... [Read More]

What do Buy to Let Property Investors Need to Know About High-Speed 2?

by

After almost 8 years of debate and consultation, the initial phase of the second high-speed rail network hybrid bill is expected to receive Royal Assent early this year. Running 335 miles from Euston (London), High-Speed 2 will be formed in a “Y” configuration with construction of Phase 1 aimed for completion in Birmingham by 2026 (the middle of the “Y”).  Phase two will connect Birmingham with Leeds (at the top right of the “Y”) and Manchester (at the top left of the “Y”), with the entire line scheduled for conclusion by 2033.  With trains running at 225 mph (362 km/hr), journey times between Manchester and London are expected to reduce by 30 minutes, simultaneously boosting connectivity with the Heathrow Express and Crossrail lines.  Both Leeds to Birmingham and Manchester to Birmingham journey times will halve and Toton, Derbyshire (the East Midlands... [Read More]