Elem Homes

28/10/2026

When will the government realise that every extra cost they put on landlords has to be paid for somehow? 😩🤦‍♀️

Another budget, another tax hit for landlords.

And what happens when the cost of owning and managing a rental property goes up?

Landlords have two choices: absorb the extra cost and make less profit, or increase rents where the market allows.

So who ultimately ends up feeling the impact? The tenants.

I think this is what frustrates me most. The government talks about making renting more affordable, yet continues to pile costs onto the very people providing the housing.

Landlords aren’t all big corporations with endless pockets. Many are ordinary people who have invested their hard-earned money into property, often with mortgages, maintenance bills, insurance, compliance costs and now further tax pressures to consider.

And let’s not forget, when landlords leave the market because the numbers no longer stack up, those properties don’t magically get replaced overnight. Less rental supply can mean even more pressure on rents.

You cannot keep increasing the cost of providing housing and expect those costs to simply disappear.

At what point will the government understand that taxing landlords more doesn’t automatically make renting more affordable?

ARRRGHHH! 😤

I’d genuinely love to hear other landlords’ thoughts on this. Am I missing something, or are we going around in circles?

26/10/2026

💭 JANE’S PERSPECTIVE

“Is rent protection really worth it?”

I get asked this question all the time.
My opinion? Absolutely YES! And I have rent protection on my own rental properties, too. 🏠
Why? Because I’ve seen first-hand how quickly rent arrears can escalate, particularly when possession proceedings are delayed by court backlogs.

Let’s look at the numbers.
💷 Average monthly rent: £900
📅 12 months without rent: £10,800 in lost rental income.
And that’s before you consider legal costs, ongoing property expenses and the stress of dealing with the situation.

So ask yourself this…
Could you afford to lose £10,800 in rental income while waiting to regain possession of your property?
As a property investor myself, I know that protecting your cash flow is just as important as generating it.
That’s why I offer Rent & Legal Protection through Elem Homes.
It can provide cover for eligible rent arrears and legal costs associated with pursuing possession, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
The right protection can help reduce the financial risk when things don’t go to plan.
Of course, every policy is different, so it’s important to understand exactly what’s covered.
For me, rent protection isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about being prepared for it.

💬 Landlords, do you have rent protection in place, or are you relying on your tenant always paying on time?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇

And if you would like to protect your rental income then get in touch!

💭 Jane’s Perspective
Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

19/10/2026

💭 JANE’S PERSPECTIVE

The biggest mistake a landlord can make is choosing a tenant based on how quickly they can move in.
I understand it.
Your property is empty. Every day without a tenant means lost rental income, and naturally, you want to get someone in as soon as possible.
But here’s where I think landlords need to take a step back.
The quickest tenant isn’t necessarily the right tenant.
I’ve been letting properties since 2014, and in that time, I haven’t selected a tenant who has gone on to fail to pay their rent.
Now, I’m not saying that referencing can guarantee a perfect tenancy. No process can eliminate every risk.
But I do believe that taking the time to assess an application properly and make an informed decision matters.
When I’m letting a property, I’m looking at the bigger picture:

🔑 Affordability – Can the prospective tenant reasonably afford the rent?

📋 References – What do the appropriate checks tell us about their financial circumstances and previous tenancies?

🏠 Suitability – Is the property right for them, and are expectations clear on both sides?

🤝 Responsible decision-making – Have we carried out the appropriate checks rather than rushing because the property is empty?

And I’ve seen the other side of this, too.
I’ve taken over the management of properties where tenants were already in rent arrears.
In those cases, I’ve either successfully managed to recover the outstanding arrears or pursued possession through the courts and won possession so the landlord could regain their property.
That’s why I believe prevention, where possible, is better than dealing with the consequences later.
As a property investor myself, I understand that every empty day has a financial impact.
But I also understand that the pressure to fill a property shouldn’t mean compromising on the quality of the decision.
Of course, even a thoroughly referenced tenant can experience a change in circumstances. The aim isn’t to eliminate every risk; it’s to make the most informed decision possible.
My job isn’t simply to find someone who wants the property.
It’s to help landlords protect their investment, balance void periods against risk, and give each tenancy the best possible start.

Because filling a property quickly is one thing.
Finding the right tenant for the property is another.

💬 Landlords, would you rather get someone in quickly, or take a little longer to make sure you’ve made the right decision?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇

💭 Jane’s Perspective
Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

12/10/2026

💭 JANE’S PERSPECTIVE

Your letting agent shouldn’t just tell you what you want to hear. They should tell you what you need to hear.

And sometimes, that means challenging your decisions.

As both a letting agent and a property investor myself, I look at rental properties from two perspectives.

I understand that your property is an investment. You want to protect it, achieve the best possible return, avoid unnecessary costs and attract good tenants.

But I also know that sometimes, the decisions that feel like they’re saving you money or could potentially make you more money can actually cost you more in the long run.

🏠 Want to achieve the best from your investment?

That might mean advising you to:

🔑 Make improvements that help attract better-suited tenants.

💷 Review your rental price to remain competitive and reduce void periods in the current market.

🛠️ Deal with maintenance issues before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

And sometimes, it means being honest when something simply isn’t working.

I’ve been investing in property myself since 2014, so when I look at a rental property, I’m not just thinking about getting someone through the door.

I’m asking myself:

“What’s going to attract good tenants quickly and retain them”

Is it the price? The presentation? The condition? Or are we missing something that could make the property more appealing?

The rental market has changed, and simply putting a property online and waiting for applications isn’t always enough.

Sometimes, a different approach is needed.

My job isn’t to agree with everything a landlord says. It’s to use my experience to help them make informed decisions, protect their investment and get the best out of their property.

Because good property management isn’t just about finding a tenant. It’s about helping landlords make better decisions that can lead to fewer voids, stronger tenant interest and a better-performing investment.

💬 Landlords, would you rather have an agent who tells you what you want to hear, or one who challenges you when they believe there’s a better way?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👇

💭 Jane’s Perspective
Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

09/10/2026

⚖️ COMPLIANCE CORNER | Is Your Empty Property Still Insured?

🏠 An empty property doesn’t mean an empty list of responsibilities.

Whether you’re selling a property, carrying out refurbishment works or waiting for your next tenant, it’s important to understand exactly what your insurance policy requires when a property is unoccupied.

Here are 4 things every landlord should check:

🔍 1. Property inspections
Does your insurer require regular inspections? Check how often they must take place and whether you need to keep records.

💧 2. Water damage
Burst pipes can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. Your policy may specify whether the water supply needs to be turned off, the heating maintained or other precautions taken.

🔐 3. Security
Check the requirements for locks, security measures and keeping the property secure while it’s empty.

📋 4. Unoccupied property cover
Don’t assume your usual policy automatically provides full cover. Some policies restrict cover after a property has been empty for a certain period, while others impose specific conditions.

The important thing to remember is that every policy is different. Never assume you’re covered — check the wording and speak to your insurer if you’re unsure.

✅ FRIDAY COMPLIANCE CHECK

Take 10 minutes today to read your buildings insurance policy. Know your unoccupied property conditions before you need to make a claim.

And if you’re unsure, ask your insurer or broker to explain them.

🎤 Want to learn more about protecting your property investment?

At this month’s Property & Poppadoms Nottingham networking meeting, our main speaker is an insurance specialist, sharing valuable insights into the insurance gaps that property owners, developers and contractors can overlook.

From underinsurance to refurbishment works, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about protecting your investments.

📩 grab your tickets here: https://propertyandpoppadoms.co.uk/nottingham-oct-26

⚖️ Compliance Corner
Making compliance simple. Protecting landlords. Building confidence.

07/10/2026

📂 THE LANDLORD FILES

The service that felt unnecessary… until it was too late.
I had a landlord selling an empty property who initially used my caretaker service.
I visited regularly to check for leaks, damage and any issues, as well as running the taps and flushing the toilet — important checks when a property is unoccupied.
Once the property was sold, the landlord decided to stop the service.

A couple of months later, I checked in to see how the sale was progressing.
That’s when I found out a pipe had burst 💦
The damage was so severe that the ceiling had come down, resulting in the sale price being renegotiated and the landlord losing thousands of pounds because her insurance was void and would not cover the damage.
She told me she hugely regretted stopping the service because the issue could potentially have been spotted much earlier.

My takeaway?
Sometimes the cost of preventing a problem is tiny compared with the cost of fixing one.
An empty property still needs looking after.
Regular checks can help spot problems before they become expensive ones.
Protect the property. Protect the investment.

📂 The Landlord Files
Real experiences. Real lessons. Helping landlords make confident decisions.

05/10/2026

💭 Jane’s Perspective

Sometimes, It’s Not the Rent That’s the Problem… It’s the Property.
I had a rental property come onto the market recently where I advised the landlord to carry out some work before we advertised it.

My advice was simple:
Remove the tired bathroom tiles and silicone and replace the shower.
The bathroom looked tired and messy, and I knew it could affect how potential tenants viewed the property.
The landlord decided not to carry out the work.
So we put the property on the market.

We had viewings, but nobody was taking that final step and submitting an application.
People were interested enough to view it, but something wasn’t quite convincing them to say “yes.”
After some time, I went back to the landlord and had another conversation. I explained that we had two choices:
1️⃣ Carry out the improvements I’d originally recommended.
2️⃣ Reduce the rent to compensate for the condition.
The landlord decided to do the work and the bathroom was transformed.

The result?
One day after the first viewing following the improvements, we received an application and the property was successfully rented.

💭 My takeaway?
Sometimes landlords look at a property and think:
“Why would I spend money on it? It’ll only get trashed.”
But I look at it differently.
Create a property that people want to live in, and you give yourself a much better chance of attracting good-quality tenants.
A well-presented property is more likely to:
✔️ Attract better interest
✔️ Rent at a good market price
✔️ Reduce the time it sits empty
✔️ Make a great first impression on potential tenants
You don’t have to create a luxury property. You just need to create a property that people are proud to call home.

Sometimes spending money in the right places isn’t an expense, it’s an investment in getting your property rented quicker and at the right price.
And this is why I believe having an agent who understands property as an investment matters.
I’ve been investing in property myself since 2014, so I’m not just looking at a property thinking:
“Can I get someone through the door?”
I’m thinking:
“What is stopping someone from saying yes?”
Sometimes it’s the price, sometimes it’s the presentation and sometimes it’s one tired bathroom that needs a little attention.
Good property management isn’t just about finding a tenant, it’s about understanding what makes a property rentable and sometimes a little tweak can make a whole lot of difference 🤩

💬 Have you ever spent money improving a property and found that it made a bigger difference than you expected?
I’d love to hear your experience.

💭 Jane’s Perspective

Thoughts that challenge. Conversations that matter.

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

📣📣📣The next Renters Rights phase is coming 📣📣📣

The new Private Rented Sector Landlord Database.

❗️Nottingham and East Midlands landlords: registration begins on 15th FEBRUARY 2027. With a deadline to register by the 14th May 2027❗️

What You Need to Know:

If you’re a landlord in England, you will be required to register your rental properties on the Government’s new Register Your Rental Property service.

The rollout is due to begin in December 2026, and will happen region by region over the following 12 months.

So, what does this actually mean for landlords?

The database is being introduced as part of Phase Two of the Renters’ Rights Act and is intended to give councils better information about privately rented properties and the landlords responsible for them.

There will be an annual registration fee of £65 per property.

The rollout will begin in the West Midlands on 15th December 2026, before moving across the country.

Landlords will then have a three-month window to complete their registration.

What information will you need?

The database is expected to require information including:

* The property address
* Property type and ownership details
* Whether the property is licensed
* Whether it is an HMO
* Number of occupants
* Rent amount and payment frequency
* Relevant safety information and certificates, including gas, EPC and electrical safety information

The exact requirements may develop as the registration system is rolled out.

Can my letting agent register it for me?

Ultimately, the responsibility for registration sits with the landlord.

An agent may be able to assist with some of the information required, but landlords will still need to make sure their properties are correctly registered and that their information remains up to date.

Using a letting agent does not remove the landlord’s legal responsibilities.

What happens if I don’t register?

🚫This isn’t something to ignore.

⚠️ Landlords who fail to comply could face civil penalties of up to £7,000, with penalties increasing to £40,000 for multiple or continued breaches.

What about empty properties?

The rules around empty properties are also expected to develop.

The Government has indicated that, in the future, landlords will need to register an empty property before it is marketed for let.

My advice to landlords?

Don’t leave it until the deadline.

There has been a huge amount of change in the private rented sector recently, and there is more to come.

The best thing landlords can do is keep their property records, certificates and paperwork organised and make sure they understand the requirements that apply to their particular property.

Compliance is becoming an increasingly important part of being a landlord.

If you have a rental property in Nottingham or the surrounding area, the 15th February 2027 rollout date is the one to put in your diary.

As always, legislation can change, so make sure you check the latest Government guidance when registration opens.

08/09/2026

🚨 PROPERTY & POPPADOMS IS NEXT WEEK! 🚨

And this month, we’ve got a BIG speaker joining us… 👀

🔥 DAN MATTHEWS 🔥
Property Investor & Co-Founder of Inspired Property Group

Dan specialises in title splitting and has an incredible story of scaling a £50,000 property portfolio to £3.5 MILLION in just 7 months — by restructuring what was already there. 🤯

No magic wand.
No buying hundreds of properties.
Just understanding how to unlock the potential in what you already have.

📅 Thursday 17th September
📍 Nottingham
🍛 Property. Poppadoms. Networking.
💡 And plenty of ideas you can take away and put into action.

🎟️ Tickets are available NOW — grab yours here:
https://propertyandpoppadoms.co.uk/nottingham-sep-26

If you’re serious about growing your property business, you’ll want to be in the room. 👊

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