Hi, I’m in the process of purchasing a mixed-use commercial premises. It consists of a leasehold 3 bed maisonette. The Freehold title includes a barbershop below. The vendors are a father (freeholder) and a son (leaseholder). Their solicitor is asking to split the transfer deed to divide the purchase price between the leasehold and freehold […]

The tenants in the Recarrell v Rouncefield case, who lost their appeal at the High Court, have now had their bid to have the case heard at the Supreme Court declined on the basis that it was not a point of general public importance. The case won by the landlord was a landmark decision confirming […]

The latest RICS Residential Market Survey reports the number of new homes listed for sale has risen for the first time in twelve months with the start of spring, this despite ongoing caution over the rising cost of living and higher interest rates. In March, +8% of respondents reported a rise in the volume of […]

Can anyone advise how to heat water for an all-electric flat to comply with a reasonable EPC rating? The previous EPC stated ‘Hot Water- Electric Immersion, off peak – Average. But recommended an insulation blanket on an already insulated tank. The blanket was added & the ‘Hot Water’ part of the assessment went to ‘Very […]

Hi everyone, I let all my properties on an unfurnished basis. However, someone has now told me that I am required to always provide at least an electric cooker and hob? Is this correct? Is there legislation to confirm this and would it be a requirement by a local authority? Many thanks DSR

Last year I had 2 properties vacated and decided to sell them both. I have owned both for around 16 years and they have been tenanted during that time To improve the resell value, I had both redecorated and new carpets throughout Normally I would put both the redecorating and replacement carpets as a revenue […]

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Michael Gove have revealed an agreement that will see industry contribute £5 billion to address the building safety scandal. Michael Gove has agreed a solution with the housing industry that will see developers commit a minimum of £2 billion to fix their own buildings. Industry will […]

Would an extra £10,000 per year help your tenants pay their rent? If any private landlords still have (or accept) tenants in receipt of welfare benefits, or on low incomes, it is in your interest to ensure that your tenants are receiving the maximum benefits that they are entitled to. Why? so they: Have more […]

Do you have to use an Agents own AST for a tenant find service? For a tenant find service it is normal to reference the applicant you select and prepare the tenancy, arrange signing, collect deposit and lodge with the DPS as well as serving all compliance documentation. I have used a very good agent […]

Having had a Fire Risk Assessment a few months ago, it seems the first since the building was completed (a conversion of an office block), we now find that apart from the usual rubbish fire stopping, possible cladding issues we are also facing a huge bill for non-compliant fire doors. Some doors have been made […]

The House of Commons Committee have today 13th April 2022 released their report investigating the regulation of the Private Rental Sector (PRS). This includes recommendations to the government that they have two months to respond to. Click here for the summary and to download the full report. The summary concludes that: “The sector is failing […]

Responding to the publication today of the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the regulation of the private rented sector, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, who provided oral evidence, said: “Today’s report rightly makes the case for a comprehensive, data-driven strategy for the private rented sector. Too often reforms have been […]

A Window of opportunity now exists for property developers in areas with expiring Article 4 restrictions? The Housing Minister, The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, has asked a number of London Boroughs to revise their article 4 applications rejecting blanket Article 4 applications across Boroughs. Royal Kensington and Chelsea believed as a small council they […]

Households who become sponsors through the Homes for Ukraine scheme will not lose their council tax discounts thanks to legislation coming into force, Minister for Refugees Lord Harrington has confirmed , 11 April 2022. Regulations will protect sponsors’ council tax discounts for single persons and limit the impact on council tax payments for those sponsoring […]

We have just been successful with our Right to Manage ‘bid’ and the handover is in June. What is concerning a number of us is that our current management company is managed by and answers to a property management company, not the Freeholder – who also holds the contracts (as in the porter’s contract). It […]

I purchased a property 6 weeks ago with a tenant in place on a 12 month AST. The previous landlord said he was a good payer and up to date with all the rent. I have tried everything possible to get in touch with him via telephone, text, letter and visits to request payment of […]

We are accidental Landlords having failed during Covid years to sell the flat we moved from in DEC 2019. We began renting on the 1st Nov 2021 and need to pay tax to the DWP/HMRC. Does the letting agent inform DWP/HMRC and then my wife and I get a letter from them with a Unique […]

Hi all, I had a bad tenant who left the property still owing a lot of money in outstanding rent. Unfortunately, I could not claim from the tenant’s deposit because the DPS sided with her. She left to go back to Czechoslovakia and I would like to add the debt she left to her credit […]

The Treasury has announced moves to recognise ‘Stablecoins’ as a valid form of payment and part of wider plans to make Britain a global hub for Cryptoasset technology and investment. This is part of a package of measures to ensure the UK financial services sector remains at the cutting edge of technology and includes: introducing […]

32% of property sales fell through before completion between January and March of this year, according to new figures from Quick Move Now. Of the sales that failed, 25% fell through because the buyer struggled to secure mortgage finance, suggesting that lenders are beginning to show more caution in light of rising interest rates and […]

Hi Everyone, I have a property owned for almost 3 decades. Recently I have had mould appearing on the inside wall below the front ground floor window. Despite painting over with anti-mould paint the mould keeps reappearing. I have a suspicion that it is connected to the insulation which was done approx 10 years ago. […]