
I’m thinking of buying some land to build on. What’s your advice?
By Orchards Estates on 7th Nov 2018,Q. I’m thinking of buying some land to build on. What’s your advice? A. The best piece of advice where land is concerned is...

Identifying 3 common pests
By Orchards Estates on 18th Oct 2018,For an in-depth look at the 3 common pests that occupy the interior, exterior and interior/exterior areas of properties, read our identification guide...

Landlords: All the laws you need to know
By Orchards Estates on 24th Sep 2018,Are you thinking about becoming a landlord or are you one already? Do you intend to or do you manage your properties yourself? It comes as no surprise that...

How To Be A Landlord
As a landlord instructing a lettings agent, your biggest expectation should be peace of mind that your property is being properly managed. You want your...

How To Check If Your Deposit Is Protected
By Orchards Estates on 24th Sep 2018,Under the Housing Act 2004 (updated 6th April 2007) your landlord or the managing agent of your property has been legally obligated to protect a tenants...

Landlords: 1 October deadline is looming
By Orchards Estates on 21st Sep 2018,LANDLORDS Do you have tenancies in your portfolio that started before July 2018? All letting agents (and some landlords) will be aware that BEFORE the...

Gas Safety Week 17-23 September
By Orchards Estates on 20th Sep 2018,If you need a recommendation for a gas engineer, please do get in touch 01935 277977 or 01460 477977. Alternatively, get in touch to discuss our management...

Deposit disasters – oil tanks
By Orchards Estates on 6th Sep 2018,A recent case brought to adjudication by a landlord claimed £220 for replacement of heating oil. A photograph of the tank’s interior at the beginning of...

How to avoid nightmare tenants
By Orchards Estates on 8th Aug 2018,An attractive buy-to-let property investment can soon turn into an unwelcome liability if you find yourself with a nightmare tenant. Adam Tanner, expert...

Selling a House with Tenants
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Jul 2018,With so many changes to the laws and legislation around rental properties, many landlords are feeling the pinch and exiting the market. Selling your...

Landlords are losing an average of £61.83 every week
Recent research has shown that as many as a third of landlords are falling into a borrowing trap. Without realising, or remembering, they are not...

How to attract premium prices for your Buy To Let Properties
By Orchards Estates on 15th Jun 2018,how can you ensure you are attracting the highest quality tenants who are prepared to pay a premium price? Here are five simple ways that don’t break...

Ask The Expert - Do issues over boundaries often cause problems?
By Orchards Estates on 9th Jun 2018,Q. Do issues over boundaries often cause problems? A. Not all that often, actually. But by their very nature, if and when...

Proposed increase on amount of tax paid on limited company BTL dividends
If you have a buy-to-let property business in a limited company, the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) is proposing some big changes that could increase...

How to get a premium price for your buy to let
By Orchards Estates on 25th May 2018,The tenants looking for these specific requirements are willing on average to pay a premium to have the right things for their lifestyle. It also means...

New changes required for residential flats
By Orchards Estates on 17th May 2018,What are my responsibilities as a landlord? In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government have instated a raft of new changes in order to...

Private landlords being fined up to £30,000
By Orchards Estates on 15th May 2018,
Government Announces plans to review Carbon Monoxide Alarms
By Orchards Estates on 2nd May 2018,Government Announces plans to review Carbon Monoxide Alarms...

Are Landlords aware of how much legislation has changed recently?
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Mar 2018,have recently had a conversation with a lanldord who had been happily managing their rental property themselves for a few years. Everythign seemed to be...

I currently live alone and am considering taking in a lodger - Ask the Experts
By Orchards Estates on 5th Mar 2018,I currently live alone and am considering taking in a lodger to help with the bills, etc. Can I do this without any issues arising?...

ALL LANDLORDS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE CHANGES FOR 2018
By Orchards Estates on 19th Feb 2018,ALL LANDLORDS IN SOUTH SOMERSET SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE CHANGES FOR 2018...

Don’t get caught out by changes to energy rules
By Orchards Estates on 16th Jan 2018,One such change has been the recent Government decision, which will come into effect on April 1, 2018, to require private rental properties to meet a...

The easiest way to avoid a deposit disaster
By Orchards Estates on 6th Jan 2018,t’s the situation every landlord and tenant dreads. An ongoing dispute over a deposit. It causes stress, is time consuming and can be expensive – for...

November saw an 11% increase in Buy To Let sales
By Orchards Estates on 30th Dec 2017,Buy-to-let sales are on the rise, what does this mean for Somerset landlords?...

How do you find and manage tenants?
By Orchards Estates on 10th Oct 2017,Many people own investment properties and think that they are able to find and manage their own tenants. It feels to many like a way to shortcut spending...

Another 5 Star Review!
By Orchards Estates on 6th Oct 2017,Our Lettings Team work tirelessly to keep tenants and properties safe. They also offer free impartial portfolio assessments so ensure you are maximising...

Orchards Estates recognised by Residential Landlord Association
By Orchards Estates on 6th Oct 2017,Orchards Estates recognised by Residential Landlord Association...

What are my gas safety responsibilities as a landlord?
Did you miss Gas Safety Week in September? Do you know your responsibilities as a landlord? Here are six simple steps to help keep your tenants safe and...

Rightmove identifies the best local agent
By Orchards Estates on 10th Jul 2017,Rightmove data shows best estate agent in South Somerset...

Rents Rise 19.6% since 2005! - How is the new tenant Tax going to impact rents?
By Orchards Estates on 13th Apr 2017,how rents have risen since 2005...

Housing Crisis? Generation Trapped
By Orchards Estates on 16th Mar 2017,Is a yeovil generation trapped renting a property...

With 7,173 people in Private Rented Properties in Yeovil
By Orchards Estates on 2nd Mar 2017,investing in property in Yeovil buy to let...

A little look at Merriott
By Orchards Estates on 26th Feb 2017,Merriott a lovely local village...

Excellent service
By Orchards Estates on 15th Feb 2017,Excellent service review and testimonial from client...

It was like a Pig Sty!
By Orchards Estates on 11th Feb 2017,Blog post about property "it was like a pig sty"...

Would you like a free holiday?
By Orchards Estates on 19th Jan 2017,Free prize draw for holiday with property valuation...

Boxing Day Browser
By Orchards Estates on 23rd Dec 2016,property valuation and viewings increase over the xmas period...