Surprisingly Useful Blog...

Portico is proud to announce that we are now producing all sales and lettings boards on fully recycled correx sheets.

Kiersty Sims, Group Marketing Director at Portico says, “Most of us are fully aware of the devastating effects that both climate chan...

For many years, buy-to-let was widely seen as a great (and pretty easy) way to make money, while providing a much-needed roof over tenants’ heads.

However, the Government have made it clear they want to reduce the number of people renting, in favour o...

Over the last decade or so, landlords have got very used to the Government announcing tax changes each year. Due to the general increase in rents, landlords are still seeing their investments perform well and thankfully the last two budget announceme...

There can be times when a rental property is vacant. Whether this is short term between tenancies, or longer term such as planned renovations that are easier without a tenant in situ, the downside is that when a property is vacant it becomes a lot mo...

Deciding to sell up and move is exciting. Once you’ve decided to sell, you probably just want to get on with it. But to be truly “sale ready” and avoid delays further down the line, you need to have your paperwork ready. So we’ve asked the property e...

It's fair to say that the London property market is overheated. Pandemic conditions sent the supply and demand divide even further out of whack. In addition, mass migrations caused tremendous turbulence and upward pressure on house prices as Brits sc...

Over the last 15 years, there’s been a huge increase in the amount of legislation landlords have to comply with in order to let and manage a property legally. And with that, the number and level of different penalties that can be imposed on those who...

Did you know the United Kingdom is the third-largest consumer of tea in the world, behind Ireland and Turkey and more than 165,000,000 cups of tea are drunk in the UK every day? To celebrate our quintessential British tradition of drinking tea, Natio...

When buying a house with a mortgage, you'll need to put down some money upfront as a deposit. This lump sum is then subtracted from the total borrowing figure required to make the purchase - in other words, the bigger the deposit, the less you will n...

As we make our way out of winter hibernation, so too do our houses, and nothing feels quite so refreshing as a spring clean after the cold months have passed.

As winter fades and the flowers begin to blossom, it's a great time to carry out some home ...

Family homes come in all shapes and sizes and, whether you are buying or renting is irrelevant to your list of wants and needs. As your family grows, your needs and priorities change meaning it’s hard to pin point exactly what you will want in years ...

“Do I need to put my house on the market before I start looking for a new one?” is something we get asked a lot. Like the chicken and egg situation, it can be difficult knowing where to begin when selling a property, so here are some tips to help thi...

If you’re in the process of buying a new property, it's probably been recommended that you organise a survey for your new home. If you've not bought a property for a while (or ever!), this can be confusing as there are several survey options to choos...

Through the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021, average property prices have been rising. Some indices, including Nationwide, are quoting double-digit increases, while others (e.g Hometrack) suggest a more muted rise of 5%.

It’s important ...

A recent survey of Leaders Romans Group customers has shown that in the six months from October 2020 to March 2021, the reasons for people moving home have significantly changed.

With the pandemic changing the way we work, possibly forever, the need f...

As a buyer, it can be very frustrating when a dream property that fits your requirements comes up for sale, only to be snapped up almost immediately by someone else.

There are, however, a few things that you can do as a buyer to boost your chance of s...

Buying a property is a big, exciting move, especially if it's your first time. However, the prospect of navigating the buying process can be somewhat overwhelming if you're not familiar with it.

For most property buyers, being approved for a mortgage...

If you’re a buy-to-let investor, then maximising profits is already likely to be high on your priority list. But even if you’re an accidental landlord or view your rental property as a long-term investment that you plan to cash in way ahead in the fu...

Making sure you get the best price for your home is always an important priority for any seller, especially when you may be relying on that equity to help you purchase your next property. Here are some quick house valuation tips that could help boost...

Whether you are a prolific investor or an accidental landlord, it is essential to understand the financials and protect your property profits. This includes monitoring your key costs on an ongoing basis.

Here are 5 financial reviews you should carry o...

To assist anyone wishing to get into the Airbnb market in time for the anticipated summer boom, we have launched a Portico Host special offer!

We are offering people that sign up to our Airbnb Management Services 50% off sign-up costs until Easter. Th...

When buying a house it’s vital your credit score is at a certain level, otherwise your mortgage could be declined. If you wait until you decide to get a mortgage, it’s impossible to make quick changes to your score to improve it. It’s important in th...

Since April 2018, landlords have been legally obliged to have a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’ in order to legally let a property or renew a tenancy – which was extended to existing tenancies in April 2020. Current proposals are for that to rise to a mini...

Things were looking good in Autumn 2021. The economy was recovering faster than expected, and wages were rising faster than inflation. The fear of high levels of unemployment following the end of furlough were less of a threat than expected, being re...

The rental market continues to grow and landlords are in high demand across the UK, with agents registering huge numbers of tenants seeking homes at their branches.

Despite being fantastic news for most professional landlords, tenants hoping to stay a...

If you’re a buy-to-let investor, then maximising profits is already likely to be high on your priority list. But even if you’re an accidental landlord or view your rental property as a long-term investment that you plan to cash in way ahead in the fu...

With the pandemic rolling on and the Brexit transition continuing, 2021 has been yet another year full of hurdles. However the property sector has managed to continually overcome these, and we’ve seen the average number of UK sales this year increase...

Gone are the days where Airbnb was simply a way to make a little extra income while away or through letting out a spare room. These days, holiday/short-lets are big business, with considerable growth occurring as a result of the pandemic.

When Covid-1...

As all landlords in England will know, ‘Right to Rent’ checks must be made on a prospective tenant – and any other person occupying the property, e.g. a carer or family member - to ensure they have a legal right to be in the UK.

Pre-pandemic, it was m...

With rents in the capital hitting a record high in January and the number of available rentals dropping year-on-year by a staggering 71 percent, it's safe to say that the rentals in London are a hot commodity. In London, the average rent now stands a...

We've selected our top 10 properties currently on the sales market for £500,000 or less in and around London. Whether you're a first-time buyer, looking to invest in London or searching for somewhere new to lay your roots we may have the perfect prop...

Eco-friendly living has never been more on-trend. As environmental concerns mount up and the cost of living increases, many are beginning to prioritise sustainability and eco-friendliness in their homes.

There are many ways to make your home more eco-...

Famed for its stunning architecture and relationship to historical figures, Chigwell is among the best areas to live in the county of Essex. Dickens himself described it as ‘the greatest place in the world.’ While it’s far less of a stand-alone town ...

As the days are getting longer and the daffodils are beginning to appear, we explore what’s happening in and around London this March - which has also been revealed by Rightmove as the strongest month to sell!

1. Celebrate St.Patrick’s Day

Although th...

Lying on the north bank of London’s River Thames, Fulham was once an ancient parish and manor that originally encompassed Hammersmith. Fulham dates back to the 15th century, and was first recorded in the year 691 by name. In 704, the Bishop of London...

With the new year in full swing and the festive season behind us for another year, the question on many homeowners' lips is - is now a good time to sell?

Well, according to the latest data analysis from Rightmove, the answer is a resounding yes.

We re...

After weeks of countless viewings and scrolling property websites such as Portico, your offer on your perfect new home has been accepted. Congratulations! But what happens next?

Although you think the hard work is done, this is the first step of your ...

Why would you want to invest, rent or buy in a regeneration area? If it’s being regenerated, there must be problems to start with. That’s the simple response, but look a little deeper and you’ll find that your purchase or home move could prove valuab...

Before you list a home for sale, there’s one important thing to consider – should you hire an estate agent or try to sell your property on your own? While both methods have their pros and cons, research and market sales suggest that property owners t...

The Levelling Up white paper has been billed as a plan that will 'transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it'. So, what exactly is the plan and how will it impact buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords?

Essentially, th...