W&H Property Workshops

W&H Property Workshops W&H Property Workshops is a Northern Ireland based company derived from professional landlords and experienced estate agents.

We have over 130 residential properties which we own, manage and maintain on a full time basis.

At this time of year one of the biggest and most frequent issues we have to deal with is black mold! Tenants immediately...
23/11/2021

At this time of year one of the biggest and most frequent issues we have to deal with is black mold! Tenants immediately think that the property is 'damp' however in nearly every case black mold is caused by condensation and a lack of ventilation. During cold spells the outer walls of a house will often be cold even if the property is well insulated. If the people living in the property are drying clothes on radiators, showering or cooking without using extractor fans or opening windows etc the warm steam will settle and condensate on the inner cool walls. This then causes mold to grow which if not addressed quickly will turn black. It is important from a health & safety perspective to treat and kill the mold as soon as it appears but it is also important to explain to the tenants of the property that it is in fact being caused by living habits. Make sure all tumble driers are properly vented. Make sure kitchens and bathrooms have an extractor fan. Explain that drying clothes on radiators is not a great idea and it is important to open windows to allow fresh air to circulate in the property.


When a tenant leaves a property and haven't cleaned to a good standard or if you have just purchased a property to rent ...
22/11/2021

When a tenant leaves a property and haven't cleaned to a good standard or if you have just purchased a property to rent out, a good clean really can save you time and money when renting your property. It may seem obvious but this can be simply overlooked! its amazing how many people have walked through the front door of a property we have to let and said how clean it is leading to applications and a tenant secured on the very first day. Make sure your property is super clean and make the right first impression!



PVC.PVC frames and double glazing can transform a property. It will increase the energy performance rating and it will a...
22/11/2021

PVC.

PVC frames and double glazing can transform a property. It will increase the energy performance rating and it will also modernize the look for the property. A lot of people will change existing windows and doors to PVC by default however we tend to take a slightly different approach. If the existing windows and doors are fit for their purpose we will usually leave them until at least one of the frames starts to show signs of rot. Obviously if you are working with an expensive detached 5 bedroom house in an area where every other property has PVC it would make sense to install it assuming your budget will allow it however if you are working with a small terrace property where a large number of the other properties still have wooden frames it is less essential. Yes having PVC will help rent the property but depending on the location it normally will not be a deal breaker. Its vital that you look at this with a business head on and properly consider all of the costs involved.


You dont always have to completely refurbish a property! In many cases it will just need a freshen up. This property was...
18/11/2021

You dont always have to completely refurbish a property! In many cases it will just need a freshen up. This property was in pretty good shape in terms of overall condition but the walls were badly marked and the carpets / floors were very old and badly worn. A 'quick lick' of a light neutral paint and some new carpets can make all the difference. This property let within 1 week of being advertised mainly due to the fact that it was left fresh and very presentable. Could we have modernized it more? Yes we could have but you have to learn were to draw the line. Always remember property rental is a business and you want to spend the least amount of money possible to make a property fit for its purpose. Does that mean you scrimp and cut corners? No definitely not however why spend vast amounts of money when you do not have to.


When you are viewing a property with the idea of purchasing it as a buy 2 let make sure you inspect any flat roofs as th...
18/11/2021

When you are viewing a property with the idea of purchasing it as a buy 2 let make sure you inspect any flat roofs as they can often lead to significant issues further down the line if they are not in a good condition. Obviously a surveyor should notice any current leaks etc but its important to check and see if there is evidence of past leaks which might reoccur. Find a window (usually upstairs) that gives you a good view of the roof and look for signs of past repairs such as different colored areas or any uneven areas were a repair may have been made. If you spot any have a look directly below on the ceiling of the room under the roof to make sure there is no damaged plaster or damp stains. Also look for weeds and any areas where there is a significant build up of thick moss. Greenery requires moisture to grow and if there are weeds growing on the roof there will most likely be a hole or a dip in the roof creating a build up of water.


When carrying out an inspection of your property or an end of tenancy inspection make sure to check oil tanks. As fuel p...
17/11/2021

When carrying out an inspection of your property or an end of tenancy inspection make sure to check oil tanks. As fuel prices rise some tenants will try and use every last drop of oil within the oil tank by propping the tank up on one side and towards the outlet valve. This can look innocent enough but can lead to much larger issues such as the debris and sludge at the bottom of the oil tank being sent to the central heating burner causing it to fail and also damage to the tank and or the fuel supply line. A simple check can save you a lot of money!


There are significant pros and cons to a garden at a rental property. Obviously a large proportion of potential tenants ...
16/11/2021

There are significant pros and cons to a garden at a rental property. Obviously a large proportion of potential tenants will want a garden especially if they have children however the big issue is whether they will maintain it or not. If they do not it ends up being your responsibility. Yes you can add a clause into their lease making it their responsibility however if they choose not to maintain it the problem quickly becomes yours as the landlord. The other issue is that when the property is vacant you will have to keep it neat and tidy otherwise it will put people off and hinder your ability to rent it 🤔                
           

Asthetics are so important in a rental property. It can determine the difference between an easy to let house and one th...
15/11/2021

Asthetics are so important in a rental property. It can determine the difference between an easy to let house and one that sits empty for a long period of time. Obviously the house type and the location of the property will help to determine what standard it should be but its worth trying to modernize a rental as much as your budget will allow. We have found that the 3 main selling points in a rental property are the kitchen, the bathroom and the decorative order of the house. You need to think a little deeper and make sure that the bathroom is suitable with regards to your targeted tenant. If you are in an area that has a high demand for family homes or perhaps an area that is popular with young single parents its very important to make sure that your bathroom has a bath as a stand up shower is not ideal for small children and babies. You really have to think outside the box.........


With careful planning and a dedicated system in place you can carefully manage whatever is thrown at you. We manage over...
15/11/2021

With careful planning and a dedicated system in place you can carefully manage whatever is thrown at you. We manage over 130 properties which include residential, short term let's, Airbnb amongst others. We also mange a large number of ongoing projects so we need to be organised. We have found dealing with any issues head on and with careful planning those "huge" issues are really just another day in the office. Procrastination can be the difference between a happy tenant or a tenant that leaves unhappy or worse! Don't we all want a quiet stress free life.



Finding the right tenant can seem a daunting task and that's why many use a local estate agent to take the fuss out of t...
12/11/2021

Finding the right tenant can seem a daunting task and that's why many use a local estate agent to take the fuss out of this. There is another choice and we have found that personally selecting tenants has helped us make sure of the right type of tenant. Now you will of course need very robust tenant selection and missed payment procedures in place but this is all very easy managed if done right!

Private Rental VS HMO VS Housing Associations.There are many different ways to rent your property once you have taken po...
12/11/2021

Private Rental VS HMO VS Housing Associations.

There are many different ways to rent your property once you have taken possession of it. The most popular options are private rental, Airbnb, HMO & sub letting to a government contract or housing association. They all have their pros and cons and some options can generate higher yields than others but its important to have your plan in place prior to purchasing so that the property is suitable for which ever method of rental you choose. HMO properties are licensed by local authorities and have to meet very stringent criteria. Airbnb and short term lets require a seal of approval from the tourist board. Private rentals typically achieve lower rents but are easier to organize and set up. Housing associations will take suitable properties on for 5-10 years with a guaranteed rent however in most cases they can hand it back with 1 months notice. Deciding ahead of time is the key and making sure that the property is fit for its purpose.


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152 Albertbridge Road
Belfast
BT54GS

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