Hot Topic

The Government would like us all to think green. Landlords must now get Energy Performance Certificates for their properties and are being encouraged to insulate their properties and install low-energy boilers, appliances and lightbulbs.

Do you think that this is 'green' dictatorship or does the environmental agenda play a part in your strategy as a property investor?

Previous weeks Hot Topic

The Rugg Report suggests that landlords should be licensed. The scheme would be cheap, but it would be illegal for landlords to let out property without a licence. Misdemeanours would cost them points and the licence could be withdrawn altogether.
Do you agree this is a good idea?

Yes - 27.03%

No - 72.97%

In Scotland, landlords have to be officially registered in order to operate legally, and some have been struck off for renting out properties in poor condition.
Do you think that such a scheme should be introduced in the rest of the UK?

Yes - 16.13%

No - 83.87%

Do you believe that for property investors, today represents an attractive buyer's market in the UK?

Yes - 71.05%

No - 28.95%

Energy Performance Certificates show how efficiently the fabric of the building is designed Certificates are accompanied by recommendations, which set out both measures which could be taken relatively easily and longer term measures to improve energy efficiency. An EPC for a rented home is commissioned and paid for by the landlord, and must be made available to prospective tenants free of charge and given to the eventual tenant.

Were you aware that as of the 1st October 2008 all landlords will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate for all new tenancies?

Yes - 41.94%

No - 58.06%

At a time of rising borrowing costs, are you prepared to subsidise your rental properties if necessary rather than raise rents to what you fear might be an unacceptable level?

Yes - 78.13%

No - 21.88%

Rents are rising in many parts of the country, but so are landlords' overheads such as the costs of borrowing and meeting legislative requirements.

Looking at your portfolio as a whole, do you believe you will have to raise your rents within the next year?

Yes - 79.31%

No - 20.69%

Property price forecasts for the next two years are increasingly subdued, with one prediction that house values will fall at least 35% in this time.
Do you think this will happen?

The votes has been added to all that we have received, and a total is given below.

Yes - 34.18%

No - 65.82%

With attention focused on lenders' reluctance, we’d like to know what investors' real-life experiences have been.

Since the credit crunch began last July, have you been refused a loan on a new property investment purchase or had an offer withdrawn, when previously you would have believed acceptance automatic?

The votes has been added to all that we have received, and a total is given below.

Yes - 68.42%

No - 31.58%