Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.

As 2011 draws to a close we can reflect on a very buoyant year for the private rental sector with demand continually outstripping supply and with landlords achieving higher rents and improved yields on their investments.

The Eurozone economic difficulties and UK austerity measures are showing signs of impacting on confidence and the ability of tenants to afford to rent is becoming more tested.

Our prognosis for the next twelve months is however positive with some further growth in the supply of property to rent expected and demand likely to remain strong as the sales market continues to stagnate. For those able to borrow and invest, now looks like a good time to increase portfolios.

In this issue we have a number of articles providing further insight into the private rental market and Lucinda Newell takes a seasonal look at helping the less fortunate in our society.

I hope you enjoy the content and may I on behalf of myself and the team at Lenwell take this opportunity to wish you, your colleagues, friends and families a very merry Xmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

I hope you enjoy the content.
Happy Reading!



Rob Wellstead
Managing Director

Over three-quarters of landlords set to pull out of LHA.

More than half of tenants feel trapped on ”runaway train”.

The Lucinda Newell Column

To be seen pottering along the highways and byways of Luton in her Mini Clubman, her trusted Scottie Malcolm at her side, our super sleuthing property rental expert Ms Lucinda Newell is on the case on your behalf!

Tis the season to be jolly . . . .

So the Christmas carol goes and, for most people, Christmas is a time of great joy with family gatherings, the sharing of presents and eating and drinking to levels that we all regret come January.

As a property owner and landlord, I do however find myself sparing a thought for those less well off than myself at this time and particularly for those who suffer being homeless... Click here to read full article
 

Relief for tenants as rent rises slow.
Rent rises slowed to their lowest rate in eight months, according to the latest buy-to-let index from LSL Property Services.

In October, the average rent in England and Wales rose by 0.2% to £720 per month, the lowest monthly increase since February… Click here to read full article



 
EU regulation of buy-to-let mortgages could be 'disastrous'
Concerns are mounting over the growing likelihood of EU regulation of buy-to-let mortgages in the UK, with some landlords being urged to re-mortgage long-term sooner rather than later to avoid possible difficulties later…... Click here to read full article



 
More tenants than home owners' in 15 years, say half of consumers.
Within a generation, there may be more renters in the UK than home owners.

This is according to independent research carried out for the UK’s largest listed landlord, Grainger, by Brunswick… Click here to read the full article



 
Christmas and New Year at Lenwell.
The team at Lenwell will be taking some time off to recharge our batteries over Christmas and the New Year. Our opening arrangements are as follows:

And finally..
Seasons Greetings from Lenwell!

At this time of year, with the hustle and bustle of the festive season, it is very easy to forget that every 2 minutes, somebody in this country faces losing their home.

Lenwell will not be issuing Christmas cards this year but instead will be sending an ECard and making a donation to our chosen charity, Shelter, who work tirelessly to help the homeless throughout the year click here to view our Ecard

As always, should you have any comments or questions, we should be delighted to hear from you.

Sincerely

The Editor
editor@lenwell.com