Page 229 – Property118

Landlords face a property licensing boom in 2024

9th February 2024

Landlords in the UK are witnessing a surge in property licensing schemes and consultations in 2024, according to Kamma. The firm helps landlords and letting agents comply with licensing regulations and its data points to 2024 gearing up to beat 2023’s record of 32 new schemes. There are 19 schemes and consultations already taking place […]

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Landlords could face tenant troubles due to councils’ licensing backlog

9th February 2024

A landlord has expressed his worries about the possible problems that tenants could cause for him and other landlords with properties in selective licensing areas, due to councils delaying renewing their licenses. The landlord, who wished to remain anonymous, owns an HMO (house in multiple occupation) in a London borough that requires a license to […]

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Before You Welcome Them In: Essential Steps for Choosing Your Right Tenant

8th February 2024

As a UK property investor, finding the right tenant is crucial for a smooth and profitable rental experience. Selecting a reliable and responsible occupant minimizes risks of rent arrears, property damage, and disruptive behaviour, ensuring long-term stability and peace of mind. But with so many potential tenants out there, how do you make the best […]

Property expert warns landlords rushing Section 21 evictions before ban

Court system is failing landlords wanting to evict tenants

8th February 2024

Landlords in the UK are struggling to regain their properties from tenants who have breached their tenancies or stopped paying rent, due to inefficiencies and backlogs in the court system, a leading tenant eviction specialist says. The situation is expected to worsen with the potential abolition of Section 21, which allows landlords to evict tenants […]

When can I get my property back?

8th February 2024

Hi, I need some advice as my tenancy agreement ends in August 2025, I want my property back as I am getting divorced and need a place to live! I have a rental agreement with a housing association, who have a tenant in place. I intend to advise the housing association that I rent the […]

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Disabled people face housing crisis as Government reneges on funding pledge

8th February 2024

The Government has been accused of breaking its promise to increase the funding for disabled people to adapt their homes, leaving many in a housing crisis. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a fund that helps disabled people in England pay for home adaptations, such as ramps, stairlifts, or wet rooms, that enable them to […]

UK housing market continues to improve but rent growth slows

8th February 2024

The UK housing market showed further signs of recovery in January 2024, according to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The survey, which covers various aspects of the residential market, revealed that all key indicators improved in the first month of the year. However, the survey also indicated that the […]

Can I delay the bailiffs?

8th February 2024

Hello, We are slowly (and thankfully) escaping the world of rental properties after almost 20 years, which involves selling our portfolio of 13 properties. We haven’t had the best advice and went with the wrong agent with the wrong “fixed price” option, but we are back on track with an alternative for some of them. […]

Tenants subletting flat without permission?

8th February 2024

Hello, I’m interested to hear your thoughts on the following: • Flat rented out to Party A on a 1 year AST with no break clause. All tenant checks came back green. • Property fully managed by a reasonably big estate agent. • Sublet agreement obtained to rent to Party A from the freeholder. • […]

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Renters want green upgrades from landlords amid rising costs

8th February 2024

As rental costs continue to soar, most UK renters are urging their landlords to invest in green home improvements, according to a new report from NatWest. The report, based on the Greener Homes Attitudes Tracker, shows that 75% of renters who anticipate a rise in their monthly payments in the next year want their landlords […]

Mortgage consolidation query?

8th February 2024

Hello, I have 4 BTL interest-only mortgages originally with Mortgage Express, later taken over by Siberite. No missed payments/arrears, and the LTVs are well within the original criteria. P&L is still OK despite the rate rises, I’m looking at remortgaging 1 – 3 of the properties to pull out cash to refurbish the others. There […]

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The Renters (Reform) Bill will harm tenants and landlords, warns property expert

8th February 2024

A property expert is warning that the Renters (Reform) Bill, which aims to end no-fault evictions and improve security for tenants, will have negative consequences for both tenants and landlords. Chris Daniel, who has more than 20 years of experience in the property sector, said that the Bill will make it harder for landlords to […]

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The Times wants to hear from landlords about the upcoming Budget

7th February 2024

A journalist at The Times would like to hear from landlords on the biggest challenges they are facing this year. Rachel Mortimer, Assistant Money Editor at The Times would like to speak with landlords ahead of the Budget and any changes they would like to see from the Chancellor.  They must be happy to be […]

Damning report exposes council’s mishandling of selective licensing fees

7th February 2024

A controversial council has found itself in hot water following a damning report that exposes its failure to ringfence its selective licensing fees. Nottingham City Council finally published a report this week by accounting firm Ernst and Young (EY) who accused the council of “inappropriate financial activity”. The review which was commissioned by the council […]

Issued a section 21 but have a Prescribed Information problem?

7th February 2024

Hi, I’m quite new to buy to lets and have educated myself as I go along. I have now learnt the hard way of the importance of being extra careful to issue the correct information in the right time. I have a tenant who has fallen behind on their rent and caused some damage. I […]

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Urgent – Guarantor form advice?

7th February 2024

Hello, I have been asked to sign as a witness to a deed on a guarantor agreement. My friend’s daughter is renting a property in Belfast from July along with 4 other students. The students have all signed the TA (they signed today) along with the LL (signed last week) and now the agents are […]

UK house prices hit 12-month high in January

7th February 2024

UK house prices rose by 2.5% year-on-year in January, the highest annual growth rate since January 2023, according to Halifax. The lender’s house price index reveals that the average house price last month was £291,029, up by £3,924 or 1.3% from December 2023. This was the fourth month in a row that house prices increased, […]

Purchasing auction property with Bridging finance

7th February 2024

If you are interested in purchasing property at auction and you are looking to finance this through a bridging loan, there are some considerations to make before application. What is your exit strategy? Are you looking to refurbish the property to sell or are you looking to keep the property and convert to a BTL? […]

Is my Tarmac trespassing?

7th February 2024

Hello, There is tarmac to the front and side of my property and my neighbour has told me that it is trespassing on their land along the side of their house where it is under their eave projection, ie it oversteps their boundary if a notional line is taken from their roof eaves to the […]

Mortgage sector urges government to rethink EPC rules for landlords

7th February 2024

Mortgage lenders and advisers have called for a government U-turn on the relaxation of energy performance certificate (EPC) legislation for landlords, new data from the Mortgage Advice Bureau shows. The survey of some of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders and advisers found that 49% of lenders and 32% of advisers would support any decision to […]

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The top 5 property management services Londoners need in 2024

7th February 2024

Londoners looking for property management services in 2024 should pay attention to the latest trends and insights from SBA Property Management. The provider of property management solutions says it has identified the top five service areas that will be most sought-after by landlords and customers this year. A director of the firm, Tim Darwall-Smith, said: […]