AS A growing number of people invest in property, some are asking: what does buy to let mean? John Hards, operations director of Countrywide Residential Lettings, said: "It literally means buying a house or flat with the sole aim of letting it rather than living in it and there are some very good specialist mortgages available at the present time.

"However, it is important that properties should be chosen carefully, with your target tenant in mind. For example, business tenants and students are at opposite poles, with young professionals, who account for 75 per cent of the market, somewhere in the middle."

Mr Hards added: "In between tenancies you need to allow a week for thorough cleaning and essential redecoration. You also need to make allowances for periods of slack demand although, at present, there are insufficient properties of the right standard to meet demand in most locations around the country."

Over the long term, investors can expect capital values to rise "and if a property is sold, there will be tax implications".

For further information, contact the Ashford branch on 01233 622212.