This autumn marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of the first buy-to-let mortgages, and now another innovation is giving landlords complete peace of mind by paying them a full year’s rent upfront at the start of a new tenancy.
Leeds estate agent HOP has become the first property company in the city to offer a brand-new Premium Advance Service, where landlords can receive their 12-months’ rent up front, even if their tenants pay monthly. Landlords receive the lump sum in advance, minus HOP’s management and letting agency fees, once the tenant has signed the tenancy agreement and paid their first month’s rent.
Cris Fowler, general manager said: “Our Premium Advance Service is a game-changer for investors and landlords with buy-to-let property. It allows landlords to unlock the potential in their portfolio, giving them a significant lump sum in advance to re-invest as they see fit – whether it’s a new buy to let property or refurbishment works to maximise existing investments. It’s also a major development in the private rental sector and for this launch to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the inception of buy to let mortgages is certainly significant.
“The biggest problem residential landlords can face is tenants not paying their rent in full and on time, and our Premium Advance Service completely eradicates this risk. Our lettings team currently manages one of the largest residential rental portfolios in Leeds and we’re very excited to be the first and only estate agent in the city offering this unique service.
“Funds are transferred directly to the landlord, as a single lump sum as soon as the tenant completes the tenancy process. The rent is then collected monthly from the tenant over the year and is also fully protected under a rent guarantee. Landlords intrigued by this new proposal can see what kind of lump sum they could receive, using the clever advanced rent calculator on our website.
“Advanced rent is already proving popular with all types of landlords in other cities, and particularly those in the student market, who have faced 18 months of uncertainty due to Covid, the evictions ban and many students deferring university. The fact that a whole year’s worth of rent can now be paid in advance offers security, peace of mind, convenience and financial freedom, is immediately changing the way landlords and investors are viewing their investments.”
The first mortgage buy-to-let products were officially launched in September 1996, when the lending industry and the Association of Residential Landlords (ARLA) developed a mortgage product specifically tailored to landlords. Since then, the number of buy-to-let mortgage products has surged to a record 3,031 according to Moneyfacts and it’s now estimated that there are approximately 2.65 million landlords in Britain.
