Page 406 – Property118

Demand for pets in lets up 120% post lockdown

27th August 2021

New statistics based on Rightmove searches shows that interest in rental properties that allow pets has increased year-on-year this July by 120%. This would correspond with anecdotal evidence that many people bought pets while they were locked down in the pandemic. Increases in overall tenant enquiries were up by 13% showing the shift in demand […]

Rent increase holiday?

27th August 2021

Hi everyone, We are managing our rental property ourselves and are lucky enough to have a good couple as our tenants for nearly 5 years. In the tenancy agreement, there is a clause for rent increase which is CPI linked or 3% minimum whichever is higher. We have been increasing our rent at 3% per […]

Investor figure with gold percentage symbol representing mortgage interest rates

Interest rates reduced on 80% LTV specialist Buy to Let mortgages

27th August 2021

Interest rates have recently been reduced on 80% LTV Buy to Let mortgages. Below is a small selection of specialist BTL deals: EPC Specials: if you have a property that is rated EPC A-C, benefit from reduced rates. Stress Free BTL: No Stress Test on background portfolio & favourable rental calculations Landlords with Non-Property Income: […]

New Article 4’s are coming – What you need to know

27th August 2021

New article 4’s are coming! Act fast to seize opportunities before the door closes on you. Linda and I break down everything you need to know following a review of statements from over 30 councils! We talk about the new regulations being put in place and how we feel the councils do not understand the […]

#EndOurCladdingScandal

26th August 2021

I wondered if Property118 readers would be able to add some support to the campaign to protect leaseholders in the current cladding scandal. You could use the below link to send a template email to your MP – the site does the clever bit of finding your MP, but the template needs a little customisation […]

New-build market grinds to a halt as EWS1 argument continues to rage

26th August 2021

The latest research by StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed the Land Registry sold price records for new-build homes sold […]

Chronic failure to tackle criminal landlords puts tenants at risk

25th August 2021

The Government needs to address a chronic failure to tackle rogue landlords who put tenants at risk, says the national body representing landlords. With the Government pledged to publish a White Paper setting out proposed reforms for the private rented sector (PRS) in England, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is warning that every measure […]

Dropped a pole on the neighbour’s roof?

24th August 2021

I am currently carrying out renovations to our property and took on a contractor who in turn subcontracted scaffold to a scaffolder. As the scaffolder was dismantling the scaffold, he accidentally dropped a pole on the neighbour’s roof. The roof being 100 years old, the tiles were brittle and some broke. The Neighbour wants me […]

Boiler certificate held up but looking to sell?

24th August 2021

Hi Everyone, I recently had a new boiler fitted in a one-bed flat currently let on a rolling periodic AST. The job was done on 20th July and I am still waiting for the benchmark certificate from the plumber. He has blamed Glow Worm for messing things up? I want to move forward with the […]

New Class M Prior Approval Planning Permission Changes

24th August 2021

Yes on 31st July 2021 Class M EXPIRED for the conversion of 150 sqm of certain commercial properties. The Government in their infinite wisdom launched a NEW Permitted Development Right, actually a prior approval, and decided to call it class M too! In this video Linda Wright provides a detailed analysis of the 4 use […]

TPO dealt with 2,737 complaints relating to lettings in 2020

24th August 2021

Despite understandably lower enquiry levels in the first half of the year due to the pandemic, The Property Ombudsman’s (TPO) 2020 annual report reveals a significant uplift in the last two quarters as everyone seemingly settled into a ‘new normal’. Even though the sector experienced variability throughout 2020, enquiries increased year-on-year with a record 39,285 […]

Government looking to make Self Build a more mainstream option

23rd August 2021

Richard Bacon MP’s review of Custom and Self Build, commissioned by the Prime Minister, finds huge potential in the Self Build sector which could deliver 30-40,000 more homes every year, and recommends a major-scaling up of self-built homes to boost the overall housing supply. This will see homes that can be built in weeks that […]

Rent controls planned by new SNP/Green coalition

23rd August 2021

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group have agreed to work together over the next five years. Click here A shared draft policy programme, ‘the Bute House Agreement’, has been agreed upon and includes the implement an effective national system of rent controls, enhance tenants’ rights and deliver 110,000 affordable homes by […]

Landlords using credit cards abroad

23rd August 2021

The latest analysis from Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals the best debit and credit cards available to avoid any surprise charges and what consumers could end up paying with a standard credit card or debit card. A typical debit card charges £11.88* when consumers withdraw £250 in cash abroad, while some credit cards can charge £14.95** before interest […]

View on flooring clauses in a tenancy?

23rd August 2021

Hi, I have just been having a discussion with my wife regarding costs and tenancy agreements, and I am curious about what other landlords do. I have just completed inspections on my portfolio and one of my tenants has just asked for new carpets on the hall, stairs, landing and 2 bedrooms. As we all […]

Planning permission for change of use from C3 to C4?

23rd August 2021

I am applying for planning permission to convert a 3-bedroom flat in Birmingham (classed as a C3 dwelling house) to a C4 small HMO. Birmingham has a city-wide Article 4 Directive in place which overrides permitted development rights. The flat exceeds minimum room sizes considerably, and I am not proposing any changes to the internal […]

31% of properties still selling over asking price

20th August 2021

Propertymark’s July housing report indicates nearly a third (31%) of properties sold for more than the original asking price. This is a significant decrease from June which reported 40% sold over asking price, but closer to May’s figure of 33%. Agent members have highlighted signs of housing market stabilisation with the number of properties available […]

It’s Bad News For First Time Buyers As Property Prices Soar, Apparently

20th August 2021

The Guardian is reporting that 1 in 16 companies are on the brink of bankruptcy and that today’s youth will never be able to buy a home due to soaring property prices. But is it really THAT bad for first-time buyers? In this video, Andrew Roberts and I breakdown these two articles and what it […]

Demand increases but landlords more reluctant to invest

20th August 2021

The demand for private rented housing has reached a five-year high according to new research released by the National Residential Landlords Association following the easing of COVID restrictions. The wide-ranging survey of private landlords across England and Wales, conducted in partnership with research consultancy BVA/BDRC, found that 39% confirmed that demand for homes to rent […]