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Latest news and articles

large portfolio holder
It has not been an easy journey for commercial property landlords over the last decade. The financial crisis left many large property investors nursing heavy losses, but the market seems to be on the up again More information
data
I am sure you are aware of the recent Ransomware cyber-attacks on the NHS and a wide range of businesses and organisations worldwide. More information
lodger
Lodger and tenant – two words that are often used interchangeably but have quite separate legal meanings and insurance implications. More information
estate agents
Although landlords and their tenants don’t always see eye to eye, there is one thing that unites them: their mutual dislike of letting agents. More information
coins
Your buy-to-let portfolio comprises a number of properties, and the success you have achieved so far is testament to your ability to read the market and skilfully manage your assets. More information
car
As a motor trader, it is vital that you can move vehicles around safely. This might be because you are buying or selling them, or carrying out repairs and servicing. More information
stamp duty
Rents are rising, but below the rate of inflation. According to figures cited by the BBC, inflation grew from 2.3% in March to 2.7% in April – the highest rate recorded since September 2013 and above the Bank of England’s 2% target. More information
Breaking rules
Two thirds of UK tenants break landlord rules, study finds when landlords let their properties to tenants, they have to trust that they will follow the rules set out in the tenancy agreement and take good care of their assets. More information
students
Recent years have seen an uptick in investor interest in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), such as the student housing sector. Where investment goes regulation is sure to follow: this October will see significant changes including a new definition of More information
estate agents
On 7 August, in a long-anticipated move, Ombudsman Services: Property withdrew from the housing market. The service offered redress for consumers of property agents, for whom it is a mandatory requirement for legal trade More information
office space
Are SMEs doing enough to incorporate remote working in their office? More information
small florist
Insurance for smaller businesses - a checklist More information
advice for working at home
Tips and advice on working from home More information
energy
Energy performance certificates (EPCs) – you know what they are, and you know you need them for your buy-to-let properties. But are you fully up to speed with your obligations as a landlord, as well as with recent updates to minimum energy efficiency stan More information
block of flats
If you own a block of flats it obviously represents a significant investment, whether the market value is a few hundred thousand pounds, or a few million. More information
mould on walls
Damp and mould is a serious health hazard and can make tenants justifiably unhappy with their living conditions, but there is much landlords can do to prevent this becoming a major problem. More information
advice for working at home
Landlords can face a range of issues relating to their let property, and also to their tenants. Mostly these will be day-to-day, small problems (managing access, keys, services, etc), and it is your responsibility to deal with these. More information
brexit UK
There are big changes ahead for the UK. But while Brexit commands the column inches, businesses need to be aware of the other legislative and regulatory challenges on the horizon. To ensure these changes are not overlooked or misunderstood, we have comp More information
fees
Letting agents are right to feel a little perplexed as to whether the fees ban is actually going ahead or not. This issue has been in the spotlight for some time now, so the team at Stride thought it would be useful to set the record straight. More information
inspection
Property inspections are a fundamental part of the UK’s private rental market. They provide both letting agents and landlords with the opportunity to assess how the current tenant is treating their home. More information
MEES
With the New Year in sight, the clock has officially started ticking for letting agents and landlords to make sure they’re ready for the government’s minimum efficiency standards (MEES), which are to be introduced from 1 April 2018. More information
blacklisted
When certain letting agencies make the headlines for the wrong reasons, a common consequence is for the public to tar others in the sector with the same brush. It’s a shame how the reputation of an entire industry can be impacted by such a small minority. More information
denied credit
46% of landlords would reject tenants over their credit score. If some issues do arise during the tenancy, it’s best for landlords to have protection in the form of rent guarantee insurance. This is something you can offer landlords through Stride. More information
contents insurance
Four in ten university students turn a blind eye to contents insurance assuming their landlord had sorted it out for them. Stride Let Protect, letting agents and landlords can offer students our comprehensive tenants contents insurance. More information
personal injury
The entire insurance industry was rocked back in February when the government unveiled plans to slash the Ogden discount rate. which is used to calculate compensation awards for personal injuries. More information
house insurance
Landlords want to achieve as much income from the property investment as possible and might be tempted to reduce outgoings, such as landlord insurance. No insurance is a serious mistake that could prove expensive. Stride can discuss the right insurance so More information
coins
What happens if the rent suddenly stops coming in? There are countless reasons why this might happen. Rent guarantee insurance provides you with peace of mind that you are protected against periods without income. Most policies offer protection of up to £ More information
flood
It's something all landlords dread, with good cause: a call from a tenant in the middle of the night saying emergency assistance is needed. More information
fruit and veg shop
You want your small business to go from strength to strength, but the truth is that a few adverse events can spell insolvency for even the most promising of small enterprises. More information
Builders
Although safety standards have improved a great deal in recent decades, construction is still a more hazardous occupation than most. More information
affect business
Changes to the so-called ‘discount rate’ coming into play on 20th March will have a significant impact on insurance costs, but how will these changes affect your business? More information
liability insurance
Public liability insurance provides protection for your business in the event that someone is injured or their property is damaged while on your premises or because of your actions when seeing them on another site. More information
overdue payment
Smaller businesses are usually the least well equipped to cope with non-payment and late payment of invoices: with smaller cash reserves, a non-paying customer can easily impact the business’ own cash flow and credit rating. More information
slip injury
How to avoid personal injury fraud: when a slip could lead to a trip to prison for landlords. Would your insurer stand up to the test of a personal injury claim? Why not speak to Stride Direct about your options? More information
inspection
Inspections of buy-to-let property can feel intrusive unless handled sensitively. While it's reasonable for you to want to check on your property, it is also reasonable for tenants to want some privacy and respect.High quality insurance is a vital protect More information
director at desk
Company Directors and Officers (D&Os) are beginning to bear the brunt of corporate liability. This move is having a noticeable impact on the industry, with an evolving insurance market for Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance. More information
small business cafe
Protect your small business against unforeseen events by purchasing business insurance. Also a guide on how to make a claim if anything should happen to your business. More information
small business
Hidden costs for small businesses will depend on the nature of your business and its best to know what they are so you can dodge them or meet them.Stride Direct can help protect your enterprise against these risks. More information
indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance provides protection. In professional life, mistakes can lead to costly legal claims by clients so be sure that yours do not threaten the viability of your organisation and talk to Stride today. More information
office building
Carrying out regular rent reviews on your commercial properties will help you to maximise rental income by ensuring the prices you charge tenants fall in-line with current market values. More information
flats building
Would you be crazy to invest in a buy-to-let property portfolio in today's market? More information
brexit UK
Foreign investors are being blamed for making it increasingly challenging for young people to get on the property ladder. The UK are now to monitor property buyers. More information
shared houses
Many landlords and investors are converting their properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) as a way of generating higher rates of return.Don’t forget – you’ll need to acquire quality landlord insurance for your HMO property. Get in touch with More information
retail
Since 1969, employers' liability insurance has been required by law for almost all companies. It is designed to provide protection for employees who are injured as a result of their employment. More information
un-furnished house
To furnish or not to furnish? That is the question facing many landlords. The decision is a multi-faceted one, with many things to consider: the target tenant profile, health and safety, affordability and insurance cover. More information
london
The Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) will apply to insurers, investment firms, mortgage and insurance brokers etc. Partner with Stride and have a dedicated account manager to offer you best advice and support. More information
fire
Fire safety must be taken seriously and we have listed the steps to ensure the safety of those occupying your commercial premises. Stride can arrange cover for business premises, offices, shops and commercial property portfolios. More information
letting to airbnb
Landlords everywhere will agree that trust plays a key role in maintaining good relationships with tenants. Landlords can’t keep a watchful eye on those occupying their properties all of the time. More information
property developer
As a property owner with a sizeable portfolio, you may be aware of the recent uproar surrounding ground rents on leasehold properties. More information
building plans
Although safety standards have improved a great deal in recent decades, construction is still a more hazardous occupation than most. More information
workplace
We've all heard the horror stories about workers who are dragged into machinery or crushed by a heavy object on a building site. More information
MEES
Landlords in England and Wales have less than a year to make sure that any properties they let out have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or above. More information
legionella
Since 2001, landlords have been required to undertake a Legionella risk assessment on their properties. More information
home work
For many people, working from home is a dream come true. You can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, choose your working hours, wear comfortable clothes and enjoy leisure activities in those precious hours that used to be spent commuting. More information
business
More and more people are starting up businesses, whether they plan to work alone as a freelancer or develop into a larger business. More information
affect business
Ask any landlord to name the biggest bugbear they face when renting properties and you can bet their answer will be 'rent arrears.' According to the Landlord Finance, Investment and Tax Report from the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), 28% of landl More information
signing papers
Running a business is exciting and rewarding, but sometimes the risks involved can be daunting. That’s where business insurance comes in. More information
elderly couple
Do you, like many other portfolio owners, plan to use income generated from your properties to fund your retirement? More information
commercial business
Buy-to-let landlords have certainly been dealt a few blows over the past year, many of which originated from former Chancellor George Osborne's 2016 Budget announcements. More information
energy
In its bid to achieve carbon reduction targets for 2020 and 2050, the government is introducing new regulations next year designed to boost the energy efficiency of older, rented properties in England and Wales. More information
buy to let houses
The time has come to add to your ever-growing buy-to-let portfolio – and when it comes to choosing where to purchase your next property, being flexible can really pay off in the long run. More information
properties
If you’re new to the world of portfolio insurance it can be confusing to work out what some of the terms used by insurers mean. More information
home office
One in seven people now work from home, a total of more than four million workers. Research shows that a further 1.8 million people would like to work from home if they were given the opportunity. More information
Office workers
Becoming the director or officer of a company has legal consequences. You can be held responsible for failings of the company on health and safety, data protection, accounting and fraud, even if you were not actively involved. More information
Plumber
Property investors need to be able to trust their building contractors. When you invest in a property construction or expansion, for example, you need to know that the work will be completed to a reasonable standard and deliver a return within a reasonabl More information
water on floor
You might think that after their home or business premises have been flooded, things cannot get much worse for your clients. Untrue: if the aftermath of a flood involves wrangling with an unresponsive, disorganised insurer then their distress will go a no More information
row of houses
Landlords, breathe a sigh of relief. For a brief period over the summer, it seemed that a new legal case could set a precedent meaning landlords’ duties would become more onerous, with repairing obligations for parts of properties they do not own or contr More information
stressful job
Managing property portfolio can feel like a full-time job. As its easy to start tinkering with the management side of things and, before you know it, you’re practically working full-time as a property manager. More information
skyscraper offices
When you sell a commercial property or agree a lease, there is a seemingly endless flow of paperwork. However it is important to keep on top of all the documents to make sure transactions go smoothly and to ensure your legal obligations are met. More information
investment risks
There are some very obvious differences between property investments and other kinds of investment. Firstly, property is a physical asset, unlike bonds or gilts or shares in a company. More information
flats
If you own a block of flats it obviously represents a significant investment, whether the market value is a few hundred thousand pounds, or a few million. So, if you’re a landlord or freeholder, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of having the rig More information
commercial business
Every commercial property owner understands the value of their assets, and will generally ensure that they have both buildings and contents insurance in place to protect them. More information
insurance
When you have complex risks to insure, a standard policy just isn’t enough. You will need a tailored, unique quote to cover your specific needs. More information
portfolio landlord rules
Where is the threshold at which a landlord becomes the owner of a property portfolio Many successful people start out with a single property, slowly adding to their portfolio and investing in higher-value properties until the time comes when it needs to b More information
offices and apartment
If your property portfolio includes residential and commercial premises on the same site, you will know that the insurance requirements can be complex. You will need buildings insurance to cover the bricks and mortar, plus a mix of legal expenses insuranc More information
buy to let property
More and more people have been purchasing buy-to-let properties in the last few years. Low interest rates, booming house prices and changes to pensions combine to make taking on a rental property seem like an attractive proposition. More information
couple with laptop
Choosing a letting agent is a very important decision. If you pick a good one, your rental property will be protected, your income security will be improved and you will be saved a great deal of inconvenience. More information
house and key
9 things to consider before renting your property When you’ve bought a rental property, it’s understandable that you want to waste no time in installing tenants so you can begin to realise a return on your investment. More information
lady at laptop
If you’re an experienced landlord, you’ve probably got a list of pet peeves about tenants: paying rent late, drying washing indoors with windows closed or leaving mystery dents in your plasterwork. But tenants have complaints about landlords, too. More information
cut the risk of problem tenants
It’s the kind of thing that makes landlords wake up with the cold sweats: problem tenants. The term ‘problem’ is a bit too mild for some tenants – those who will rip your wallpaper, fill your property with rubbish, block your drains then disappear without More information
insurance refusal
Insurance is an essential requirement for landlords. It provides protection for your property and your livelihood; without it, you could face severe financial consequences if something goes wrong, such as a fire or a tenant injury. More information
students
It is possible for the landlord-student tenant relationship to be a happy one. More information