Welcome to “Landlords’ Barometer #19”, a snapshot of issues trending within the Private Rented Sector.

Here is this week’s selection of our wide-ranging topics:

1. Repayment or interest only BTL mortgage?

One of the great benefits of property investment is that you can leverage other people’s money to create wealth – including bank finance and tenants’ money to pay the rent.

Most landlords choose an interest-only mortgage and this discussion examines the reasons why.

2. Bringing a tired lettings business back to life

This interesting discussion features contributions from Dorian Gonsalves of Belvoir and Glyn Trott of LetMC, and shows how supportive this industry can be.

3. 26 signs that you know an area is in decline

As an investor myself, I always look for areas that are improving. I look for I.C.I. – investment, communication and infrastructure. Conversely, there are signs that an area is in decline and I came up with 26 of them!

4. What advice do you wish you had received when starting out?

Controversial landlord Fergus Wilson is involved in this discussion and, following a landlord’s comment about the death of a tenant, some strong views are expressed, including by me!

5. Bonus budget and the removal of tax breaks for landlords

It is rumoured that George Osborne is thinking of removing tax breaks for landlords. Find out what landlords think of this and how it will affect the private rented sector.

Finally, I would like to welcome Belvoir Franchise as a new sponsor of PropertyTribes.com

Belvoir are powering our “Entrepreneurial Tribe” where landlords discuss creating additional income streams and businesses, alongside their property interests.

Find out more by visiting the “Entrepreneurial Tribe”. There are some really inspiring discussions and “outside of the box” thinking.

Thanks for reading my column, and enjoy the sunshine!