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Month: February 2021

Howsy win Best Online Agency award!

by Asif AliPosted on

The Howsy team are delighted to announce that we are the proud winners of the 2019 LIS Award for Best Online Agency.

The award, presented last night at the National LIS Awards, recognises the hard work and dedication delivered by the entire Howsy team, and we are honoured to receive it.

Up against some stiff competition, our nomination underwent a tough grilling by the judges – a panel made up of some of the biggest names in the property world – before an online voting system was opened to the public to choose their winner. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us, we really couldn’t have done this without you!

‘I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team, this is an incredible achievement and one that we have worked really hard for,’ said Calum Brannan, CEO of Howsy.

‘Every member of the Howsy team is passionate about providing the very best support possible to our landlords and tenants, and I am delighted that this dedication has been recognised with such an exciting industry award.’

‘As well as the recognition from such a prestigious judging panel, it means a huge amount to us all that so many of our customers took the time to vote for us. We’ll definitely be back at the LIS Awards next year, ready to defend our title!’

Satellite dishes: Should I give permission?

by Asif AliPosted on

Long gone are the days where an evening’s entertainment is confined to only four channels. With thousands of channels offering unlimited options, it is no surprise that many tenants are keen to have satellite tv options installed in their rental properties.

So, if a renter requests a satellite service, what should a landlord say? After all, with satellite dishes adorning the roof and cabling snaking through the inside, installing entertainment isn’t always a simple job. 

On the flip side, once the components are in place to receive satellite services they will remain in situ even after the current tenant leaves and this can be a real selling point for future tenants, who wouldn’t have to worry about arranging installation themselves!

Getting appropriate permissions

Any permanent changes that a tenant wants to make to a rental property should of course be ok’d by the landlord, and having satellite TV fitted should be no different.

Whether the subscription requires the installation of a dish or just internal cabling, changes are required to be made to the property, and as such it is important that the landlord gives their full approval before the tenant proceeds.

As well as being good rental practice, there are certain elements of an installation that a tenant may not have considered – failing to tick all of the correct boxes before pressing ahead could leave the property owner in trouble!

For example, if the landlord is a leaseholder, they may have to get the permission of the freeholder before making changes to the exterior of the property. This could mean reaching out for permission for a tenant to erect a satellite dish. On the flip side, there may be strict rules in place over whether dishes are allowed at all, they may be deemed to infringe on common areas of the property (the exterior) and be against the rules. Installing one dish could break the terms of a landlord’s lease.

Even if the property isn’t bound by a leasehold agreement, there are other potential pitfalls to consider. Blocks of flats often have limits to how many dishes are allowed (more on managing this below) and listed buildings are unlikely to be granted planning permission to erect a dish.

If you are unsure if your property is bound by any planning permission regulations, clear guidelines are available in the Householders Guide to Antennas and the Government’s Planning Portal.

Is there a chance of damage?

If your tenant is having a reputable organisation carry out the satellite dish installation, there should be no major concerns about damage.

The installer will attend the property and assess the best location for the dish, and any internal cabling. The dish installation will require a hole to be drilled through the property’s external wall to allow a cable to be passed through, and then the dish will be mounted onto the external wall. The engineer will position the dish to be angled to pick up the satellites required to access the service – usually this is south facing. The dish will be positioned in a location that it can be accessed for maintenance, if needed. Depending on the location of the dish, the installer may need to drill a hole in the external wall to secure their ladders, however all holes will be made good.

Ask to be present during the installation so you are able to query any issues you have a concern over. If there are any problems with damage, raise them with the service provider. Sky have an Engineer Complaints Department and if a complaint is made a manager will be sent out to review the situation and resolve it. It is worth noting that Sky does use third party engineers for communal set ups and work higher than first floors.

With a dish in situ, it is advisable to add the dish to your list of points to check when you carry out your maintenance checks on the property – they can be sensitive to high winds, so make sure you keep an eye on it if the weather takes a turn! If your property is overseen by a letting agent or property management agent, be sure to let them know that it has been installed and should be monitored.

Tenancy agreements

If there are any strong elements one way or another regarding the installation of satellite tv services, it is wise to include details in the tenancy agreement, so that your tenant is aware of the situation from the start of the process. This would be a reasonable restriction, if it was made clear from the start. 

If the property’s permissions prohibit the installation of a satellite dish, consider including a clause in the agreement specifically prohibiting them. Most agreements include a general clause prohibiting changes to the property without consent, however it is wise to be very clear if there is a specific issue, such as the potential breach of a leasehold.

If a tenant chooses to ignore this clause, they are in breach of the rental agreement and the landlord would have options with regards to how to proceed.  Eviction proceedings could be started, using a Section 8 notice using ground 12 (Breach of tenancy obligation) or a Section 21 no-fault notice. The Section 8 notice has a two-week notice period, but is a discretionary ground, meaning its success is down to a Judge’s decision. With this in mind, if eviction is the end goal, a Section 21 no-fault notice, with a two-month notice period, is a more reliable option.

If the issue is not quite so severe as to want to evict tenants, but damage has been caused in the installation of the dish, it is possible to highlight this to a deposit protection scheme at the end of the tenancy. Rectifying the issue may require remedial work, the cost of which can be recovered from the tenant’s security deposit.

Alternative options

Before worrying too much about the impact of a satellite dish on the aesthetic of your property, you could look into the possibility of ‘dishless’ options instead.

Sky provide the Sky Q option which is able to be installed without a dish – instead being delivered through a box via a broadband connection. Virgin Media is delivered through cable, which prevents the need for a dish – however this isn’t available everywhere, so make sure to check.

Howsy Club: Zero deposits for tenants, greater protection for landlords

by Asif AliPosted on

Your rental property is a huge asset and making sure that it is properly protected is a big consideration for a savvy landlord.

Finding the right tenants, carrying out thorough checks, and feeling confident that you are handing over the keys to someone who will love the property as much as you do is vital when it comes to living a calm landlord life.

However, the rental cycle has looked the same for years. Landlord advertises a perfect property, tenant falls in love, passes all the checks, pays a hefty security deposit and moves in. We thought it was high time to shake up this outdated system, and have launched an innovative initiative designed to change the way letting looks, and smooth the way for more affordable, and accessible renting for everyone. We are proud to introduce Howsy Club.

How does Howsy Club Work?

It’s really simple. Despite the deposit cap of five weeks being introduced in June as part of the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the average rental deposit in the UK is still over £1,000. For tenants in the capital, this figure creeps closer to £2,000.

With Howsy Club, this upfront payment is replaced by a small monthly fee, paid in with the rent. This is great news for your tenant, who is free of the burden of finding a hefty sum, and only has to make one simple payment every month. All your tenant has to do is pass our standard reference checks, and we’re up and running.

As the landlord, all you have to do is sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that the team at Howsy have got things covered. There’s no hidden admin hassle to worry about, and as we are the policy holders, we deal with any claims on your behalf. The scheme is insurance-backed and therefore fully protected under the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service, meaning it is completely regulated for your peace of mind.

Should you have to make a claim, Howsy Club works slightly differently to a traditional deposit scheme does. When your tenants come to move out, we will undertake a check out using your original inventory, checking that everything in your property is left exactly as you expect it. If so, great news – your tenant can move on, and we can help you re-let your property. However, if there are any issues that need to be addressed, we will detail the issues and request payment directly from your tenant.

If the tenant wants to dispute the issues raised, they can notify the team here at Howsy within seven days, and the case will be passed to an independent adjudicator. At this stage, the process is very similar to a ‘traditional’ deposit adjudication. Everything is overseen by the third party, who will request evidence from us, and your tenant. We will supply the original inventory and images and check out data and images, and the adjudicator will make an impartial decision based on the evidence provided.

Should your tenant fail to pay, we can make a claim under the Howsy policy on your behalf. Upon receipt of funds – from our policy or your tenant – we will arrange to have any remedial work carried out at your property to make sure it is ship-shape and ready to rent again, or in the case of rent arrears, pass them straight back to you.

Why should I change what I always do?

So much has changed within the private rented sector over the past few years, our head is spinning! It’s much harder to be a landlord now than it was two, five, ten years ago, and here at Howsy we believe that simplicity is the best way forward – for everyone.

With Howsy Club, not only is the process simple and stress-free, but it also brings a raft of additional benefits that the ‘traditional’ method doesn’t, for both landlord and tenant.

For you, the landlord, the primary benefit is of course knowing that your property is protected by a safe scheme is the most important. However, Howsy Club delivers so much more:

  • The nature of the scheme means that you are able claim up to six weeks’ worth of costs, instead of the industry standard of five. As the scheme isn’t a deposit, but an insurance, it is not restricted by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 in the same manner.
  • Cleaning costs, dilapidation costs, removal of tenant’s furniture and rent defaults are included within the policy, as you would expect from any ‘standard’ deposit scheme.
  • This is a huge draw for prospective tenants. When advertising your property, you are offering the equivalent of up to £2000 cash back! Who wouldn’t want to take you up on that offer?
  • Best of all, there is no additional cost to you! In a competitive and ever more complex market, you can take some stress off of your shoulders at no extra cost and become part of the Howsy Club.

How do I convince my tenants?

Howsy Club hasn’t left tenants out of the list of benefits. As well as saving money, we’ve got a tasty little benefit that might help your tenants spend a little of that spare cash they’ve got left over…

Every Howsy Club membership comes with a complimentary tastecard+ membership, an exclusive members-only benefit that provides access to a huge range of offers across the UK.

50% discounts on dining at 6,000 UK restaurants, offers at theatres, comedy, cinema and live music events, and 2-for-1 at to UK attractions, there’s something for everyone with this great little flexible friend.

We are so passionate about Howsy Club, we are now offering it as standard to all our landlords as part of every Howsy Standard and Protect package. For more information on Howsy Club speak to one of the team today on 0330 999 1234.

Identifying top tenants: Who’s perfect for your property?

by Asif AliPosted on

With more people looking to the private rented sector than ever before, identifying your top tenants is key, and understand what your target audience are looking for.

Knowing exactly the sort of tenant that is likely to fall in love with your property is the first step to designing the perfect property marketing campaign.

However, identifying that market segment doesn’t just stop with what lies behind the front door. Taking a wider view at the surrounding neighbourhood and local amenities is really important when it comes to understanding who may be interested in your property.

Young professionals

Working professionals are considered by many to be the ‘ideal’ tenant. In a stable profession, this type of tenant is often keen to find a property based around providing a good work/life balance, providing them with a simple commute, and ability to make the most of their downtime.

As businesses move their headquarters from major UK cities out to more regional locations, we are seeing more young professionals move with them, and as such the rental landscape is shifting as we flex to suit the ever-changing locations of this huge market segment. Identifying the needs of these top tenants is key, so what exactly are they looking for in their perfect prime location?

Close to public transport

Whilst arguably a huge draw for anyone, busy professionals are likely to have a real need for easy access to public transport. Convenient travel into or around the nearest major town is a great asset, and if your property has good access to major hospitals, universities or business centres, that’s a huge plus too. 

Nearby shopping, restaurants, gyms

Taking time to unwind is vital, and being located close to shops, cafes, restaurants and gyms puts a big tick in the box. You can help your potential tenants really make the most of these exciting benefits with Howsy Club, a new initiative from Howsy aimed to revolutionise renting for both tenant and landlord. The scheme replaces high rental deposits, with a manageable monthly fee and delivers a host of additional benefits to the landlord. In addition, tenants receive a free Taste Card, giving them access to 2-for-1 meals at over 6000 UK restaurants.

Good internet connectivity

With more and more people working from home, super-fast broadband speeds are a becoming a prerequisite for tenants across the board, with many hoping to find properties pre-connected and ready to log on as they move in.

Families

As the housing market continues to creep skywards, the age demographic of renters is creeping up with it, and we are seeing more and more families look to the private rental sector to fulfil their housing needs.

This section of the market generally has a very specific wish list when searching for the perfect family pad, and identifying their top ‘wants’ is vital if you’re aiming for family tenants. But what exactly does the modern family look for in a dream neighbourhood?

Parking

Children bring with them plenty of things. From pushchairs to rugby kits, every parent knows that the day their child comes into the world is the day they wave goodbye to skipping out of the house with just keys, phone and wallet! With this in mind, it is no surprise that off-street parking is a huge bonus to families.

Great schools, nurseries and childcare

If your property is within the catchment area of a great school, it can be a major draw to parents looking to enrol their child. With entry restrictions often very tight, having the perfect postcode can make all the difference. Access to great nurseries and childcare options is also very important to many parents, so do your research on the options locally.

Parks and open spaces

No matter how perfect the property, there is no replacement for getting outside and having a run around in the open air. If you have great amenities such as parks, youth clubs or sports centres on your doorstep, shout about it!

Low crime rate

Obviously, this is an important element for everyone. However, with increasing fear around gang culture in teens and young people, this is a very real concern for parents of young adults. A safe and calm neighbourhood with active regional Neighbourhood Watch schemes or community support may offer peace of mind, and edge ahead over an area without such benefits. 

Students

Student tenants are key to the rental market of some of the UK’s major towns and cities, with student-based rentals making up a high percentage of some region’s private rented market.

However, this sector is not without its challenges and often requires slightly more hands-on management as students take their first steps on the path of independent living. But what regional benefits appeal to this young rental range?

Nightlife and entertainment

It may be an age-old joke, but easy access to bars and nightlife could be a real benefit to students, who may be excited to take the opportunity to make the most of life in their new city. Speedy routes to nightlife hotspots will appeal to students, whilst safe, well-lit streets will appease parents!

Life within walking distance

When it comes to prioritising how to spend a student loan, it is highly unlikely that many will choose to budget for a car… With this in mind, having all major amenities within walking distance is important to student tenants. Taking a stroll around the neighbourhood and jotting down walking times to university campus, local supermarket, transport facilities and restaurants, cafes and bars can help provide clear details in your advert. 

Mature tenants

Whilst students starting out on their rental journey is one end of the rental range, there is a widening part of the of the market appealing to a more mature tenant. Many landlords identify this market sector as top tenants due to them often looking for long-term, reliable tenancies and a good relationship with their landlords, what more could a landlord want?

With older tenants making up a growing part of the private rental sector, it is important that landlords are aware of the needs and desires of this tenant type. Finding the right neighbourhood is often key to more mature tenants, so what are they looking for? 

Access to medical care

As with schools, many doctors’ surgeries operate on a postcode system for patients. More mature tenants may be aware of the need for easily-accessible medical care, and are likely to be looking for continuity of contact with existing healthcare practitioners.

Like-minded neighbours

Feeling that you fit in within a community is key, so mentioning that the property is located in a ‘quiet residential street’ is likely to be appealing to a more mature tenant. Living in a property located amid busy restaurants, or sandwiched between student accommodation is unlikely to tick any boxes.

Identifying top tenant selling deires in your neighbourhood and highlighting them in your advert can bring a real boost to your marketing potential.

For some top tips on writing your advert, read our quick guide here. Alternatively, let the team at Howsy give you a hand crafting the perfect advert, designed to showcase the top selling points of your location, and property.

Give our team a call today on 0330 999 1234 to see how we can help