Banks have tightened their criteria for buy-to-let loans. Paul Farrow suggests some handy tips on how to get your houses in order

Owning a second property used to be a sure-fire way to make money. Until recently, the wannabe amateur landlord – spurred on by a plethora of property makeover programmes that made making money from bricks and mortar look easy – would have found their bank managers in a receptive and generous mood.

The Telegraph, 7th April 2008

Cheap buy-to-let mortgages were easy to come by as lenders relaxed their criteria, no longer demanding a hefty 30 per cent deposit or that the rent comfortably covered the mortgage. Now the market has soured, banks are increasingly picky about who they lend to. Falling property values are causing headaches for investors who were in it for a quick buck.

Rather than panic, it’s a good a time to check your buy-to-let portfolio to see whether you are making the most of it. Here are 10 things you can do to help you get your houses in order – full article