Page 209 – Property118

Correct Issue of documentation?

15th April 2024

I tried using Openrent quite a few years ago and it was ok but nowadays issue and acceptance of documents are far stricter than they used to be. I have just attempted it again and I asked about documentation. They have told me to issue the Gas safety, EICR, EPC and PAT testing certs myself. […]

Housing market shows signs of slow recovery

15th April 2024

There are signs of a slow recovery in the UK’s housing market with the average house price in England and Wales increasing by a modest 0.1% in February to £361,368. According to a new report by chartered surveyors e.surv, this is the first time the average price has reached this level since February 2022. While […]

Landlords increasingly diversify portfolios with HMOs

15th April 2024

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are becoming increasingly popular among landlords in the UK, according to data from specialist lender Shawbrook. It says there is a shift in buy to let strategies as landlords navigate a challenging economic landscape. While HMOs consistently made up around a quarter (27%) of Shawbrook’s BTL mortgage business in 2022 […]

Renters (Reform) Bill – Landlords adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach

15th April 2024

A majority of landlords (62%) plan to hold steady or even expand their rental portfolios in the coming year, despite the looming Renter (Reform) Bill, research suggests. Leaders Romans Group (LRG) surveyed 630 landlords last month which revealed a ‘wait and see’ mentality. More than half (55%) of landlords indicated their investment strategies wouldn’t change […]

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Tenants’ energy bills now equal an extra month’s rent

15th April 2024

For the first time since 2017, tenants in Britain are paying the equivalent of an extra month’s rent annually due to soaring energy bills. The research from Hamptons also reveals that the average annual energy bill for a rental property now sits at £1,331, exceeding the average monthly rent of £1,330. This financial squeeze is […]

Retirement, business continuity, succession and legacy planning

13th April 2024

Are you ready to embark on a journey that not only secures your property rental business but also your future? Retirement, business continuity, succession, and legacy planning are the four pillars that support your dreams and aspirations. Recent changes in the tax landscape have added complexity to these considerations, making it vital to reevaluate your […]

Landlords: we’ll sell your buy-to-let properties, fast, for the best price

12th April 2024

As we enter April it’s been a mixed bag for landlords, with many “nervous” landlords looking to sell amidst a growing apprehension of market conditions and general elections. If you’ve made the decision that now’s the time to sell some, or all, of the properties in your portfolio, you’re not alone. In the last three […]

Angela Rayner: Police reveal investigation into council house row

12th April 2024

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has revealed that investigations are underway into Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, following allegations of electoral law breaches. The police had previously dismissed the need for an inquiry into accusations that she had given false address information. But a report in The Times yesterday revealed that police had still not spoken […]

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Rising tenant application fraud – landlords pay the price

12th April 2024

Was anyone else surprised/not surprised to read that tenant application fraud has rocketed by 140%? For those working at the sharp end of the private rented sector, I doubt it. My first reaction was why something like this isn’t being highlighted in the dreadful Renters (Reform) Bill as an issue that landlords should not have […]

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DANGER! Hot wiring – what we all should know?

12th April 2024

Hello, Two weeks ago I was unaware of what Hot Wiring was. Basically, it is electricity theft done by connecting wire either side of a meter and hence no current is charged for as it doesn’t pass through the meter. It can be LETHAL. I had a call from the resident of a block in […]

Landlords looking to sell as buy to let market shifts

12th April 2024

The UK’s buy to let market is experiencing a period of change, with nearly one in three landlords looking to sell up in the next 12 months, research reveals. The findings from uSwitch also highlight that the average loan value for BTL property purchases is on the rise. In March 2024, the figure reached nearly […]

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Regaining possession of a private sector leased property?

12th April 2024

Hi, does anyone have any experience of getting possession of their property back which is leased under a private sector leasing agreement (PSL) to a council / agency? I have seen articles that councils are not giving properties back to landlords after notice is served. Ignoring the notice. I am interested in exactly what sort […]

Mastering the BTL mortgage maze in a volatile market

12th April 2024

In what has been a volatile time for the buy-to-let mortgage market, many landlords are struggling to find the right product. Navigating the mortgage market can be a maze but with the right guidance, landlords can find a mortgage to suit their needs. Here at Property118, we have worked with the team at Brooklands Commercial […]

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Extra unexpected fee to assign deed of covenant to Freeholder?

12th April 2024

I decided to gift a second home to my son and engaged a solicitor to conduct the transfer. The solicitor is now asking for £450 to assign a deed of covenant to the freeholder. Before this l gave the name of the management company to the solicitor, to speed things up l included a list […]

YBS Commercial Mortgages unveils new tracker product for landlords

12th April 2024

YBS Commercial Mortgages has unveiled a new tracker product for portfolio landlords and reduced rates across its range. The tracker offers a variable rate of 6.75% (BBR + 1.50%) for a three-year term. It’s available on either a capital-and-interest or an interest-only basis. The lender says it is open to considering loans up to £20 […]

Neil Cobbold discusses impact of Renters’ Rights Bill on letting agents

Renters (Reform) Bill changes make ‘little difference’ to most landlords

12th April 2024

An industry expert is downplaying the impact of recent amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill, claiming they will have minimal impact on most landlords and tenants. Neil Cobbold, the managing director of PayProp UK, argues the changes announced before Easter ‘amount to very little in real terms’. He suggests the core of the Bill remains […]

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Council urges private landlords to help ease housing crisis

12th April 2024

A council is appealing to private landlords to help a growing number of residents in need of housing assistance because its homeless bill is ‘no longer financially sustainable’. It says there are several reasons for the rise in demand, including flooding, the cost-of-living crisis, and the recent end of Ukrainian host placements. This surge in […]

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What to include in letter of consent to let as joint freeholder?

12th April 2024

Hello, as one of three joint Freeholders and a leaseholder of one of the three flats, I’ve been approached to provide ‘consent to let’ to another leaseholder who is currently selling their flat. I’m unsure about what to include in my letter of consent to safeguard the future use of the flat.  Does anyone on […]

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Unlock Financing Potential: Obtaining finance with Lendlord

12th April 2024

Any property sourcer or property investor knows the value of a smart investment strategy. But securing the right financing sometimes can feel like an obstacle course. The Lendlord software is here to help you navigate the terrain, bringing a suite of tools and resources designed to simplify property financing and empower your portfolio growth. Introducing […]

Property Investors Awards – Young Property Investor of the Year

11th April 2024

At the age of just 28 years old Emma Fielding has created a property empire. From working in Morrisons as an accountant, to now looking for the best property deals, Emma caught the property bug and has built a successful property-flipping business in her hometown of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. This dynamic young woman is now […]

Mobile phone mast lease dilemma?

11th April 2024

Hi, a phone mast on the flat roof was installed of my commercial property over a decade ago before I purchased the property. The phone company is forcing me to sign a new lease with very low rent, which does not cover the amount I spend on maintaining the roof. Does anybody on the Property118 […]