Belvoir News Article

26/11/2008 - Making the most of ‘LAT’ life - rental advice for couples that live apart during the working week

It was the former Conservative Employment Secretary Norman Tebbit who famously suggested, back in the 1981, that people who could not find work in their home town should get on their bikes and look elsewhere. Now, more than 25 years later, securing employment in another city or part of the country has become so commonplace that an increasing number of couples are finding they have to live apart during the week to enable them to meet their work obligations.

These ‘LAT’s, (Living Apart Together) as they have become known, usually need to run two homes. Often both of these homes will be rental properties. However more established couples, especially those with families, may own the main family home and then rent a second property where one partner resides during the working week. Once the preserve of the very wealthy, today many couples run a pied-a-terre(foot on the ground). Britain’s leading lettings specialist, Belvoir, which manages a property portfolio of over £1billion, offers the following advice to would be ‘LAT’s looking to secure their own second rental property.

• Decide on where the best location for that second property would be, take into consideration price as well as the local amenities you will require.
  
• Will your partner or other family members ever use the second property to stay overnight, either during the working week or perhaps at weekends when you choose to stay in a particular location? Make sure the property is big enough and has enough bedrooms to accommodate all family members if needed.
  
• Is the property secure if you leave it vacant on a regular basis at weekends or when you go on holiday?
  
• Do you want a property that you will have sole use of or would it be more cost effective (and sociable) to rent a larger property and share with other ‘LAT’ individuals?
  
• If you are staying in your rental property for three or four nights a week what cooking and washing facilities will you need or will you opt to use local restaurants, takeaways and a laundry service for the most part?
  
• Ask your lettings agent if they can recommend a local cleaning firm which can clean your property while you are away.
  
• Ask your lettings agent if they can provide a mail collection and plant watering service for when the property is vacant.
  
• Get to know your neighbours who will be able to keep a close eye on your property while it is vacant, providing additional security and peace of mind.
  
• If possible, make sure your partner gets to see the property before you sign any rental agreement.
  
• Many pied-a-terres can be on the small side. Ask yourself if you are willing to live in such a small space for several nights of the week or would you prefer to live slightly further away from your place of work but enjoy a larger space, perhaps with a terrace or small garden.
  
• Consider whether you will need parking. You may not require this during the week but if you plan to use your property at weekends occasionally, perhaps with your partner or family, is affordable, local parking a priority?

“When looking to rent a second property to use as base during the working week it really pays to do your homework and take all factors into consideration before making a final decision,” says Belvoir Chief Executive Mike Goddard. “It is also beneficial to use a specialist lettings and property management agency who can keep a close eye on property during vacant periods as part of a managed landlord service.”


Back to news articles