The Piccolo Property blog

Property business owners, particularly buy-to-let Landlords, are likely to be hit with a number of quite dramatic changes in their tax status. One of the most draconian is the gradual disallowance of tax relief for finance...

We are often asked who is responsible for repairs in rented properties. Fortunately the law is very clear about a Landlord’s responsibilities and these are laid out in Section 11 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985. Essentially a...

The rental arm of the property market has been compared to the ‘Wild West’ by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)! Indeed, landlords new to renting can be faced with a confusing array of services and fee...

Looking at their glossy websites, it is easy to see how you can be persuaded. Most of the online agents provide all of the services provided by a traditional agent, but for a fraction of the cost. You can have your property listed...

There is a lot to do and plenty to think about before you rent out your property. First impressions count for everything when it comes to property, so it’s vital your home looks its best for potential tenants. Maintaining this...

A tenant who fails to take proper precautions is likely to be held liable for any damage caused to the property during cold weather. Don’t think it won’t happen to you! Take precautions: Read the small print of your tenancy...

Every letting agent has stories about things that tenants leave behind; some silly, some sad, some revolting. Apparently ‘grown-up toys’ are the number one item left behind by tenants when they move out of a property according...

In his latest annual report, Ombudsman Christopher Hamer said disputes with letting agents rose from 28% to 49% of his workload last year. He predicted that problems over lettings would make up two-thirds of his workload this...

Choosing the right flooring for a rental property is very important. Appearance, longevity, maintenance and cost are all factors that must be considered to help achieve a successful, hassle free let. The colour of the carpets can...

The Property Ombudsman scheme provides a free, fair and independent service for dealing with unresolved disputes between member agents and tenants and landlords of property in the UK. Member agents must follow the Property...