Your Liverpool Bucket List

To truly experience the great city of Liverpool, there are numerous activities, events and sights you cannot miss! These opportunities and experiences are treasured and enjoyed by the local community, tourists and regular visitors of the city. Now Room’s looks at the indisputable ‘Bucket List’ to carry out whilst you’re in the city.

Visit The Beatles Story: Explore the world's largest permanent exhibition dedicated to the lives and music of The Beatles.
Take a tour of Anfield Stadium: Home to Liverpool Football Club, experience the history and atmosphere of this iconic football ground.
Explore the Albert Dock: Discover the vibrant waterfront area with its museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Visit the Liverpool Cathedral: Admire the stunning architecture and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the tower.
Explore the World Museum: Discover a wide range of exhibits, including natural history, ancient civilizations, and space exploration.
Walk along the Royal Albert Dock: Enjoy the scenic waterfront promenade, lined with historic buildings and boats.
Take a ferry across the Mersey: Enjoy a scenic boat ride and take in the views of Liverpool's skyline.
Visit the Walker Art Gallery: Explore one of the largest art collections in England, featuring works from the 13th century to the present day.
Experience the nightlife at Mathew Street: Known for its vibrant music scene, this street is home to the famous Cavern Club where The Beatles performed.
Take a stroll through Sefton Park: Enjoy the beautiful green spaces, lakes, and Victorian palm house in this picturesque park.

To have these cultural, historical and celebrated attractions at your disposal every day is incredible- no wonder so many visitors of the city are drawn to move here. To see what Liverpool has to offer- start planning your trip and who knows, the city might just persuade you to rent a room and stay?

Keeping Our Tenants Happy

We here at Now Rooms pride ourselves on providing great Customer Service. For our business to thrive, we need to ensure our Tenants are supported in every aspect from the minute they enquire about a room to rent. Our dedicated team ensure our tenants are happy throughout this experience and this is how:

Our Lettings Team

As soon as one of our tenants enquires about a property, we act fast. Our Lettings Team strive to respond to our enquiries as quickly as possible, taking note of any requirements they may have, booking property viewings at the earliest opportunity and making sure the tenant is happy with everything before securing the holding deposit. With our efficient referencing portal, we will have references completed, checks in order and tenancy agreements signed within a week ready for the tenant to move in as soon as possible.

Speed and efficiency are the key components to keeping tenants happy when looking for a room- and we are here to support tenants every step of the way.

Our Property Management Team

Keeping a tenant happy can be challenging when things do not go to plan, whether it’s a leak coming from above, the electrics tripping out or if the boiler breaks down; in an ideal world, everything would work perfectly. However, the reality is nothing is perfect. Our Now Rooms’ Property Management team keep our tenants happy by minimizing the stress that these issues cause- with a quick response and speedy solution, our tenants feel taken care of when things do not go to plan.

With our CRM system our tenants can communicate with our Property Managers directly and report any maintenance issue with a click of a button. We found that it is the most effective way to respond to our tenants swiftly and efficiently. With our in-house maintenance team on call, you will have an engineer at your door as soon as possible.

Operations Management & Accounts team:

The way we operate ultimately has an effect on our tenants- and we at Now Rooms strive to adapt and change our operations in order to keep our tenants happy. With our operations manager overseeing our teams’ day-to-day tasks – we will look at ways we can implement new systems and strategies in order to improve the service we offer such as the introduction of our efficient referencing portal and CRM system.

Our accounts team ensures that our tenant’s deposits are released from the DPS the minute the check-out report has been reviewed by the team. Retrieval of the deposit, we know, is a key factor in keeping a tenant happy and our accounts department strive to be quick and responsive in liaising with the team to make sure they receive their deposit within the lawful time frame.

Overall, keeping our tenants happy is a top priority and our teams’ efforts do not go unnoticed! If you are looking for a room to rent and a team you can trust, get in contact with us today and we will be there every step of the way.

8 Tips to Avoid Rental Scams

In 2023 there were 5,751 reports of rental scams in the UK- an increase of 23% compared to scams reported in 2021. Unfortunately, rental scams are more prevalent in today’s society with the technological advances we have access to- however, there are measures that tenants can take in order to avoid being deceived by scammers such as the following:

1. Research the listing: Thoroughly research the rental listing and the property. Look for any inconsistencies or red flags, such as unusually low prices or requests for payment upfront.

2. Verify the landlord/property management company: Request to see your letting agency's company house registration number. You can also search online via land registry for the property owner's name and registered address, to ensure they are legitimate.

3. Visit the property in person: If possible, visit the property in person before making any payments or signing any agreements. This will help you verify its existence and condition.

4. Use trusted platforms: Stick to reputable rental platforms or websites with verified listings. Be cautious when using lesser-known platforms or dealing with individuals directly.

5. Verify bank details & be wary of cash-only requests: Scammers often request payment through wire transfers or in cash. Use secure payment methods and avoid making large payments upfront and verify bank details

6. Trust your instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. Don't be pressured into making quick decisions.

7. Read and understand the rental agreement: Carefully read the rental agreement before signing. Ensure that all terms and conditions are clear and reasonable.

8. Seek legal advice if needed: If you have any doubts or concerns, consider seeking legal advice from a professional who specializes in real estate or rental matters.

Remember, staying vigilant and conducting thorough research can help you avoid falling victim to rental scams. You can trust our specialist team at Now Rooms who are a part of the PRS (Property Redress Scheme) and Client Money Protection Scheme to help you find your next home safely and legitimately.

Transforming HMO's into Homes: The Art of Furnishing Your Property

You’ve found an investment property, refurbished it to the best it can be, but now it’s time to add some furniture to give the rooms some life. Furniture and interior design are such important elements when it comes to marketing your property and making it an attractive space for tenants. A key tip here is to see the property through the eyes of the tenant, would they want to spend 6+ months living in that space, and is it homely enough for them to feel comfortable in their room and the rest of the property?

It helps to have an overarching theme running throughout the property, as this ties all the rooms together and makes the property feel more like a home than individual, lifeless units. Of course, this is all based on budget and how much you intend to spend, but if you are financially able to invest in some home furnishings, it will help to attract tenants as well as achieving maximum rental income.

Let’s begin with basic furniture, items required for every bedroom:

Bed – This should be the first thing to think about. A large and comfortable double bed is generally the chosen option if the room space allows it (the tenant will be spending 1/3 of their life there, after all!)
Chest of Drawers – Adequate storage is essential, not just for clothes but for other possessions too – tenants may have brought a lot of items from their previous home and it’s better to avoid them leaving personal items in the communal areas.
Wardrobe – Not all rooms will allow for a large wardrobe and thus another set of drawers may have to be the solution, but a wardrobe allows tenants to store larger articles of clothing like coats and shoes out of the way to keep their room tidy.
Bedside Table – Just a small table next to the bed will make a huge difference, allowing tenants a surface to charge their phone on and keep other valuables off the floor.

These are what we deem to be ‘basics’, and enough to make the room rentable and homely. Many tenants are happy with this, especially if they work long hours outside of the home and are just looking for a comfortable place to relax in. However, in this day and age and with working patterns and lifestyles changing so much in current years, a desk and chair is also a common addition to a bedroom and we do find a lot of tenants are very keen to have this. Where previously, this was mainly expected by students, in recent years with a rise on working from home, it’s a popular preference for working professionals too.

In addition, if you have large rooms that feel empty with little furniture, or you want to give the rooms more of a luxury feel, you may want to invest in some ‘premium’ items. Some suggestions could include:

TV – Tenants may decide to bring their own TV, but many will avoid it if they can. A TV adds value to a room and allows tenants to relax with films or games in their spare time without having to take up the communal TV. Many landlords choose to mount the TV to the wall to save space.
Sofa – If the room is big enough, a small sofa can help tremendously when it comes to selling a room, giving the tenant a place to relax aside from their bed. In a large room, this combined with the TV, helps to create a mini private living area for tenants.
Lamp – A small lamp to go on the bedside table will give the room some ambience and warm feel at night and during the winter months.
Shelves – Great for tenants that have a lot of stuff, students with the need for book storage, or those that just enjoy decorating their room with ornaments & plants.
Artificial Plants – these go a long way when it comes to marketing images, and can add a bit of life and colour to any room.
Mirrors – A stylish, standing mirror can be a really classy element to a room, it also gives tenant a space to get ready whilst adding light and helping room to feel larger.
Artwork – If you are aiming for a more luxurious and stylish look, a canvas or framed artwork can really help draw colour themes together, or add a bit of life to the walls of your property. Having a curated selection from one artist placed around the property is an option to help tie the whole house decor together.

These are just the general furniture selections that we tend to see in most HMOs. Of course, you can get a little more creative and include additional items, based on your budget and how much you are willing to invest in to the rooms. We do tend to find that giving bedrooms a makeover or adding some stylish elements throughout the property can enhance the appeal, and even lead to potentially higher rental figures being achieved. At Now Rooms, we are always happy to discuss ideas and assist with decorating or adding new furniture items, as well as overseeing full refurbishment projects. If this is something you would like to discuss further with our team, do get in touch with us at info@nowroomsliverpool.co.uk

City of Liverpool's Remarkable Regeneration

The City of Liverpool today is a far cry from the vision of the 1980s, when we were plagued by miners strikes, unemployment and an array of derelict housing estates and declining streets.

Over the past several decades, Liverpool City has undergone significant regeneration, transforming itself from a declining industrial city into a vibrant cultural and economic hub. The regeneration efforts have revitalized various areas of the city and have had a positive impact on the local economy, tourism, the rental market and overall quality of life for its’ residents. With not one, not two, but an impressive THREE universities in the City; a spectacular Events Arena located in the heart of the city centre - featuring concerts from some of the world’s biggest acts; countless shops, bars and restaurants; and booming business parks dotted around the City and outskirts; and of course, TWO football stadiums… it’s no surprise that the Liverpool rental market is positively thriving for both student and professionals!

What makes Liverpool so special?

Liverpool has gone from strength to strength and really put itself on the map when it comes to culture, heritage and development in recent years. From being crowned ‘Capital of Culture’ in 2008, an iconic moment for our City, to hosting the Eurovision Song Contest on 2023 on behalf of Ukraine (generating an additional 500,000 visitors to the city in just a few weeks of music mania!). Here are some key aspects of Liverpool's regeneration:

Liverpool Waters: One of the major regeneration projects in Liverpool is Liverpool Waters, a massive waterfront development that aims to transform the northern docks area. It is one of the largest and most ambitious redevelopment projects in Europe, covering a vast area and incorporating residential, commercial, and leisure spaces.

Albert Dock: The Albert Dock is an iconic waterfront complex that has been transformed into a cultural hub. It houses several museums, galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars, attracting both locals and tourists. The restoration of the Albert Dock was one of the catalysts for Liverpool's rejuvenation. The Mersey Ferry is a fantastic day out across the water to visit The Wirral on the other side of the River Mersey – from here you can head to Blue Planet aquarium to spot the sharks and sealife; visit the beach, museums and art galleries in New Brighton, or head a little further afield to Chester.

Liverpool ONE: Liverpool ONE is a large shopping and leisure complex in the heart of the city centre. Since opening in 2008, this iconic complex has played a significant role in attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. It features a wide range of retail stores, restaurants, cinemas, and other entertainment options, with hot new clothing and gift stores being added regularly, a recently vacated ‘Debenhams’ department store in plans to be transformed into a huge indoor entertainment & leisure complex.

The Basics of HMOs in Liverpool

Let’s start from the beginning – what is a HMO?

A HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) is defined as a rental property housing 3 or more tenants of different households. Typically in Liverpool, this will comprise of students or young professionals who want to live away from home but perhaps want to try shared accommodation before taking the plunge of renting or buying of their own.

Why invest in a HMO in Liverpool?

The HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) market in Liverpool is characterized by a strong demand for rental properties among students and young professionals. Liverpool is home to several universities and colleges, attracting a large student population each year. This influx of students has contributed to the growth of the HMO market in the city.

HMOs are popular among students due to their affordability and the opportunity to live with fellow students, fostering a sense of community. Landlords have recognized this demand and have invested in converting properties into HMOs to cater to the student population.

Liverpool City Council has implemented regulations and licensing requirements for HMO properties to ensure safety and quality standards are met. Landlords are required to obtain an HMO license and comply with regulations regarding property size, fire safety, and general living conditions. These measures aim to protect tenants and maintain a high standard of accommodation.

The HMO market in Liverpool is competitive, with a range of properties available to suit different budgets and preferences. Areas such as Kensington, Smithdown Road, and Wavertree are popular among students, as they are in close proximity to universities and offer a vibrant student community.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in HMO investment in Liverpool, not only from local landlords but also from investors outside the city. The city's reputation as a thriving student hub and its ongoing regeneration efforts have contributed to the attractiveness of the HMO market for investors.

Overall, the HMO market in Liverpool is dynamic and diverse, driven by the demand from students and young professionals. The city's thriving educational institutions and ongoing urban development make it an appealing destination for both tenants and investors in the HMO sector.

Investing in Rental Property

So, you’re thinking of Investing in Property? When it comes to building a retirement nest egg for the future, property is still regarded as one of the safest long-term investments, but no investment of any sort is totally risk-free, and that is why there are a few things to consider before jumping into property investments and lettings.

At Now Rooms Liverpool, we can help guide you through the world of investment properties using the knowledge and experience we have gained from being a strong presence in the Liverpool rental market for a number of years. During this time, we have helped hundreds of landlords and investors to start, expand and manage their portfolio in Liverpool, providing expert tips on all things lettings & Property Management and giving investors access to fantastic sales opportunities within our portfolio. Below are some useful points to consider.

Once you’ve decided that property investment is your chosen direction, first of all you need to know your market.

When purchasing a property for investment, do research on which areas of the city/region have lower house prices and higher rents. This could potentially be somewhere near a university, retail parks or city centre. However, this is not always the case. For shared properties in particular, students and young professionals may prefer to stay a little further out the city and seek accommodation close to shops and transport links, where the rental figures may be slightly lower than city centre apartments, but they can still easily travel to work/university and of course, socialising and nightlife, which Liverpool is certainly renowned for!

Consider your investment goals.

Traditional savings investments do not always give very strong returns. Property investment, particularly HMOs, is often seen as an attractive alternative, with the potential to earn around 13% gross yield, in some cases. If you want to invest, but are concerned with potential problems managing your property, Now Rooms Liverpool offers an array of services that will allow you to reap benefits from your investment without having to do all of the hard work on a daily basis. With the right agents, your investment in a property can be hands-off, and it’s an asset that can be liquidated if your circumstances change at some point in the future – you own the property and can sell this when you wish (we can also help with property sales!).

Choose the right property.

Once you’ve established where you are looking to invest, choosing the right property is another very important key to success. If you are wanting to rent an HMO, do you want to purchase a property that is licensed, tenanted and functioning as a HMO already, or do you want to purchase a property to convert? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A few things to consider here would be whether the area you are looking at is within any local council restrictions, such as ‘Article 4’. This is a restriction placed within various boroughs of Liverpool City region, limiting the creation & licensing of new HMOs in already saturated areas and meaning it can potentially be more difficult to obtain a licence on a newly converted property. If you are looking at a property sale opportunity within Liverpool, it is always a good idea to check this first before investing too much of your time and efforts. You can find more information about this here, on Liverpool City Council website:

https://liverpool.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-permission/article-4-directions/

Follow compliance, and look after your property and the tenants.

If you purchase an HMO that is already 100% occupied by tenants, this will enable you to start earning rental income right away. In this scenario, you would need to obtain tenancy info, licence details and safety certificates from the previous owner/managing agent, serve notice informing tenants of the change of ownership, ensure you transfer any deposits into a secure online government registered scheme, and ensure the property is compliant with all government legislation and health and safety regulations. You will then be responsible for handling any tenant issues, collecting rent each month, finding new tenants if they decide to move out, renewing certificates, fixing maintenance and so on. There’s a lot to do!

Every property, large or small will need management, whether it is finding tenants, keeping on top of ad-hoc maintenance issues or ensuring the bins are being collected - there are always things to do. If you live locally and have the time and skills, you may wish to manage the property yourself. However, for most investors this is the last thing they wish to be involved with. A professional property management company such as Now Rooms Liverpool will do all of this for you and will look after the sourcing of tenants as well as collecting income and sorting out maintenance issues as quickly and efficiently as possible – taking away the daily hassles involved in managing property and tenants, and leaving you to receive maximum rental income and reap the rewards of your investment!

Why Use a Lettings & Property Management Agency?

Many investors are nervous about purchasing an HMO because of the work that may be involved. Finding good tenants, dealing with tenant issues, rent collection, licensing and being in compliant with regulations are just some of the duties of a landlord. If you’ve recently taken the plunge into property investment, or even added a HMO to your current portfolio, you may be at a loss of what the next steps should be and how the property & tenants should be managed. You may even have a large portfolio already and need help keeping things ticking over and running smoothly.

Using a letting agency to manage your property is a great way to go if you find your interests are solely for investment, and not to be involved in the day-to-day responsibilities of looking after a property and tenants. At Now Rooms Liverpool, we offer a fully-managed service, which is perfect if you are a landlord wanting to recoup the benefits of owning an investment property without it having a big impact on your time. We can take care of finding tenants, processing their applications, applying for your licence/renewals and everything from arranging ad-hoc maintenance repairs to conducting property inspection, ensuring your property remains compliant and meets health & safety requirements. We take care of your investment as if it was our own, leaving you free to enjoy the rewards with minimal effort.

Being a landlord is equal to running a (small) business. Tenants are provided with a product (the property) as well as a service (the ongoing management of the property). To get the most from a property investment, there is a lot of time, effort and organisation involved, whilst delivering the best possible service to your tenants – ensuring they are happy, safe and comfortable in your property. This includes but is not limited to reliable and speedy communication with your tenants, fast organisation of maintenance and repairs, timely deposit returns, professional arrears chasing and debt repayment negotiation, receipting rent and administering invoices for year-end tax reports and other business-like processes.

Within our team, based in our office in Liverpool, we have collective experience of over 100 years in the property industry, and part of our job is to keep on top of changing local council regulations, laws and licensing terms in order to ensure you can continue renting your property. Along with this, we are also extensively experienced in renting rooms, conducting property appraisals to assist with selecting the most suitable rental figures for each room, and the everyday liaising with tenants – handling everything from claiming deposits to finding tenants the perfect room to suit their needs, or handling disputes between housemates to find a peaceful resolution for all. These are all processes and procedures that we can provide to landlords in a professional manner, and all of this helps to encourage tenants to stay in the property for a longer duration, meaning we can maximise your rental income.

If you own a HMO investment, and would like to utilise a managing agent to help you get the most out of your property with minimal time and effort from you, then please don’t hesitate to contact us to explore our services!