Another advert push for ECO3 and the installation of both gas lines (up to 23m) and new Worcester boilers. Is it REALLY worth doing given the total uncertainty and lack of direction as to where this is all going??? I have some tenants that may be within 23m of an existing gas line that currently […]

Minister for Housing, Christopher Pincher, spoke to the Lords recently about underoccupied property. He wants the properties to be used more efficiently. What happened In 2015 the Finance act penalised landlords and some sold up. There was a large Victorian house off Bedford Hill in Balham which was an HMO. It was home to seven […]

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, commissioned a report from the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to look at ways of simplifying the collection of Capital Gains Tax and IHT. The OTS had recommended in the report that CGT be increased in line with income tax rates to 20% at the basic rate and 40% at the higher […]

Market analysis by real estate debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, has revealed that the level of social housing being built not only hit a 13 year high prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 but social housing as a percentage of all homes built also hit its highest levels since 2015/16. The analysis of the […]

The Shelter press release below is critical of the winding down of the evictions ban and living costs inflation: Since the Covid restrictions began to lift in June 2021, more than 1,000 callers a day have contacted Shelter’s emergency helpline in England, new data reveals today. The charity’s free helpline, which is part-funded by M&S […]

Hi, Can anyone advise me, please? I use 6-month ASTs with monthly payments which would rollover to monthly periodic, but I’ve had some tenants offering 3 months rent in advance at the start of a 6 month shorthold tenancy. My question, I think I’ve read somewhere that if I accept, the periodic would then become […]

Yes, I know this may be the most ridiculous question. But I ain’t Einstein even though I have 27,000 times more common sense than the Govt and Nottingham City Council. You only know the answer if someone tells you. So come on Ian Narbeth, Chris Possession Friend and all you other Legal experts. I’m talking […]

The Nationwide House Price Index for November is indicating that annual growth has recovered back to 10.0% and up 0.9% month-on-month with the average house price now standing at £252,687. Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth remained strong in November at 10.0%, marginally higher than the 9.9% […]

Like many we were attracted to the idea of property ownership, ‘another way of hedging’ was our MO, we could keep the property for 10 years and then sell make a few bob, pay some tax and all’s well that ends well. Unfortunately, we made several beginners errors, although our biggest mistake was simply the […]

The NRLA has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new £30 million funding pot as part of a plan to end homelessness. Local authorities are expected to be able to use this funding to support a nationwide private rented sector leasing scheme. The scheme will allow local authorities to lease properties from private landlords […]

As 2021 draws to a close, Belvoir’s pandemic report reveals the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the UK rental market. “Earlier this year Belvoir commissioned property expert Kate Faulkner to review data from the Belvoir rental index as well as quarterly surveys of offices during the pandemic and beyond. This information has been used […]

The Welsh Government will announce a new £30million funding pot over five years for local authorities. Under the Private Rented Sector Leasing Scheme, private property owners will be encouraged to lease their properties to local authorities in return for a rent guarantee and additional funding to improve the condition of their property. Local authorities can then […]

Lisa Nandy MP for Wigan has replaced Lucy Powell on Labours front bench after only being in the role since May as the new Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Lisa has had a tilt at the Labour leadership position and was previously the shadow foreign secretary. This […]

Foreword below by Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government. Click here to see full details of the consultation We are legislating to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme across Scotland. The purpose of the licensing scheme is: to ensure short-term lets are safe and address issues faced by neighbours; […]

It would seem many landlords are selling up, ‘but’ is this where capital gains tax comes in? As an example:- I have read if a property rises in value to leave £300,000 after taking away purchase price exp’s etc. After the measly £13000, allowance taking into account the capital gains tax thresholds with rates of […]

Yogesh Patel returns for £400,000 to be invested into his Property Investment Deal, claiming it will double your money in returns. Will one of the 5 Property Angels invest, or has Yogesh broken too many hearts after his visit last season? Stay tuned for our most shocking episode yet of Sky TV’s Property Elevator. Property […]

The Ministry of Justice 8 week consultation sets out a new approach to the delivery of legal aid for housing possession proceedings. The proposed changes will improve access to legal aid for anyone at risk of losing their home and provide holistic advice to individuals most in need. The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme (HPCDS) […]

Hi, My tenants have not had a rent increase for the last 3 years and I need to do this now. Unfortunately, they are refusing the rent increase and tenancy renewal unless I fix the windows. The windows have some mist collecting between the two panes of double glazing. The windows are fine otherwise. I […]

Demand for private rental housing is at an all-time high, according to new research being published by the National Residential Landlords Association.  A survey of private landlords across England and Wales, conducted in partnership with the research consultancy BVA/BDRC, found that 57% confirmed that demand for homes to rent had increased in the third quarter […]

My daughter bought a house which she shares with two friends as her tenants. They pay below market value rents for the area, but this year the rental income will be above the £7,500 annual rent a room allowance. She wants to opt for “Method B” (pay tax on gross rents to extent this exceeds […]

All the other joint tenants in my property have given notice to leave, thus that means the same for all. However, one occupant won’t tell me what she intends to do and won’t speak to anyone and is so far keeping her room totally. She is paying her portion of the rent. I maintain it’s […]