Page 17 - April 2024
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EXPERT ADVICE





     Safe as houses - a Will can help

 How to get
 started in property

 investment  Making a Will can safeguard
     your home to your loved ones.             The risks you run

 Considering creating a property   Otherwise, the law will take over.   If you own a property and die
 portfolio? ESPC’s Nicky Lloyd                 without a Will:
 explains how it’s done.  No one wants to think about death or   •   Cohabitees don’t have an
     disaster when they’re celebrating a house
     purchase. But since it’s probably the        automatic right to inherit, unlike
                                                  spouses and civil partners.
 ou won’t have failed to notice that   money will stretch furthest. We can also   biggest financial commitment you’ve ever
 quality  homes  to  rent,  especially  in   advise on the best Edinburgh postcodes in   made, you need to consider what would   •   Depending on your title deeds,
 YEdinburgh,  are  in  extremely  high   terms of expected rental yield.  happen if you died.  they may not be entitled to any
 demand.  So,  if  you’re  considering  investing   part of the property at all.
 in  property,  now  could  be  a  good  time  to   You’ll need to budget for any updates the   Scotland has rigid laws about who inherits   •   Alternatively, a cohabitee you
 take the leap – especially while the property   property may need, an HMO licence if you   your property, if you die without a Will it   never wanted to inherit the
 market has calmed enough that you can   wish to take that path, and a contingency   can have unforeseen consequences.  property could go to court to
 feasibly buy a property closer to its valuation   for ongoing maintenance. To attract a      claim a share of it.
 price.  good rental rate and responsible tenants,   Rather than adding to the distress of loved   •   Your children or any other
 the property should be appealing, secure   ones, a Will can provide protection and   chosen beneficiaries could
 Alongside  this,  Scottish  private  rental  rates   and  safe:  somewhere  you’d  be  happy     certainty.   miss out on an inheritance you
 are now free of the cap that was in place from   to live.   wanted them to have.
 2022, meaning you can set a rent that suits   Updating an existing Will
 the open market rate, and look forward to a   Mortgage advice is very helpful when   •   Your estate could face legal
 long-term revenue stream. As property prices   you’re  starting  out,  to  help  you  secure  a   If you already have a Will, congratulations.   disputes and additional fees.
 generally  continue  to  rise,  your  investment   specialist buy-to-let mortgage if you’re   But you should certainly review it, and
 could be worth more if you decide to sell.  not  a  cash  buyer,  and  the  team  at  ESPC   perhaps update it, when you buy a
 Mortgages can advise you.  property – to make sure it suits your
 The first step is working out your budget, and   situation.
 your preferred property type. Do you want   Being a landlord is a commitment that you   Clare McCarroll
 a compact city flat, or a family home in the   should  take  seriously,  but  it  can  be  easily   So, rather than crossing your fingers    Partner, Private Client Services
 suburbs? Can you afford a turnkey home, or   managed  by  choosing  to  use  a  lettings   it’s so much safer to make a Will.   claremccarroll@lindsays.co.uk
 will you need to renovate?  management  service,  like  ESPC  Lettings.   0131 656 5609
 We can guide you in managing all aspects of
 ESPC’s  monthly  House  Price  Reports  offer   your property, including marketing, vetting
 great insights into property prices in various   tenants, rent collection and inventories, to
 locations, so you can work out where your   make the process smooth and simple.


 ESPC Lettings is an Edinburgh letting agent. We can help with marketing your rental property and finding the right tenants.
 Contact the team on 0131 253 2847 or landlord@espc.com.
     lindsays.co.uk                                     @lindsaysnews   @lindsays
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