This post has been prompted by comments on another thread.
Buy to Let
Water Gardens 2 bed smaller flat.
Purchase price in a letable condition £240,000
Rent £1000 / month =£12,000
Expenses
Rates £400
Service Charges £1100
Insurance £100
Repairs and Agents fees, Agents charge one month's rent per let , repairs will depend on many factors including the tenants , but for this exercise let's put this combined figure at £1250 pa.
So annual income £9150 Taxable
This is assuming continuous occupancy and in order to obtain this a slightly lower rent would be advisable.
£240,000 in the bank.
Government Debentures pay 5% interest
So annual income £12,000 pa, no expenses and Tax free.
The future.
Investing in property has always been looked upon as secure long term, however I do not believe it is likely that property will increase in value at anything like the rate it did a few years ago.
Money in the bank, the figures above indicate this is the best investment, but what does the future hold for interest rates???