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One of the top experts in the UK buy to let world has described the current rental climate as "dog-eat-dog".

Paul Shamplina, a founding partner of Landlord Action, says that thanks to the economic environment the UK has found itself in, many buy to let hotspots like Manchester and Birmingham have become very competitive as rentals fall.

Shamplina reminded landlords that: “you must have your wits about you", and that by hard work and planning, you can be at the front of the rental race.

He says: "You have got to be methodical. Do not cut corners and do not think: 'My property's been vacant for two weeks I need to get someone in there’.”

It doesn’t matter if the rental market is up or down, and it doesn’t matter if things are more competitive: whatever the situation, a good landlord always should have their wits about them. That means planning; it means expecting the unexpected and it means always being on top of your finances with the help of a professional adviser.

If you make sure of all these things, there is no reason why you cannot get ahead of the pack and continue to prosper in tougher times. Those who are not able to make it through the month are the ones that didn’t take advice and didn’t think the worst could happen.

To keep up with the latest News and comment on the UK buy to let market visit the Buy to Let Mortgage Blog