While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for the more vulnerable in our society. The Renters Reform Bill, announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech and reaffirmed by the Government in May 2021 will, amongst other […]

There is still no clarity from the government about the proposed ‘upgrade’ to C rating for all PRS lets as yet…but… Are Grade 2 listed properties completely exempt from having to go through the ‘wrap first’ initiatives? My Local Authority does not have a conservation officer/Dept just to simply double-check, so any request for advice […]

Bridging finance can best be described as relatively short-term loans, normally for periods of between one and eighteen months. Today, the cost of bridging finance is at its lowest point ever. Main uses of Bridging Finance Chain Breaking Light Refurbishment e.g. new kitchen or bathroom Heavy Refurbishment e.g. Extension, Change of use, including Permitted Developments. […]

When carrying out the end of tenancy inspection on a student let, I encountered a completely blocked drain outlet from the kitchen and bathroom. This was so bad that the adjacent paved area of the yard had been flooded which had left a congealed mat of fat and there was a watermark and crud on […]

I have sold a buy to let property and are now looking at filing my CGT return within the 30 days. One thing I am unsure of is that because the property is jointly with my brother now, however, it was purchased equally in 3 names (with my uncle) in 2009 but in 2016 he […]

The number of property transactions registered in England and Wales climbed 20% over the last quarter, rising to 290,248 in Q2 2021, up from 241,916 in Q1 2021, according to the latest edition of the Conveyancing Market Tracker from Search Acumen, the property data insight and technology provider. This is the highest number of quarterly […]

The London Property Market has been in the doldrums for the last year, and it is set to boom! In today’s Property Breaking News (PBN), we are going to be giving you the latest analytics that shows how the London property market will play out. Also in today’s news, the new property investment trend may […]

The property market is sky-high, an occurrence that happens just once every 7 years, so it’s no surprise that Landlords and Landlord Associations are in agreement that right now is the time to sell your buy-to-let portfolios. We’ve all done it: built up a portfolio of buy-to-lets that have allowed us financial freedom over the […]

The latest Halifax House Price Index is showing Annual house price inflation at 7.6% compared to 8.7% in June with the average UK property price now £261,221, up 0.4% in July. |However, Wales recorded its strongest house price growth since 2005. Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “House prices rose by 0.4% in July to […]

I have 4 flats (separate buildings) where the Council own the building (Freehold-Is that right?). I pay service charge approx £100+ each flat each year + Estate rent £10 each flat. No mortgages on each flat if that makes a difference. My limited knowledge and notes on this tells me: Council have to extend Lease […]

We purchased a fully licensed HMO a couple of years ago and soon after purchasing we obtained our own HMO licence which permitted 5 rooms (1 person in each room). The property also comprised of communal Kitchen and Bathroom. Having rented the property just over 16 months and the fact we had a number of […]

Over the coming weeks, people claiming Universal Credit will receive notifications about a cut to their benefits this autumn. As it stands, the government is set to cut benefits by £20 a week – equivalent to £1,040 a year – from 6 October. The exact date people will see the cut kick in will depend […]

Join me today in my Rickmansworth commercial to residential property investment project with two barristers, Mark Smith and Michael Murphey, as I teach them how they too can invest in property. Register For this Saturday’s Commercial Property 90 Minute Webinar at 9am: https://www.succeedinproperty.com/free-training

I am selling a leasehold flat and 50% share of the freehold. I have a buyer, they have received a mortgage offer. I am doing my own conveyancing. The buyer’s Conveyancers have agreed on the documentation and the Deed of Variation (to extend the lease to 999 years and reduce the Ground Rent to a […]

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to hold the Bank Base Rate at 0.1% and to maintain the same levels of Quantitative Easing. This is despite CPI inflation projected to rise near term to 4% in 2021 Q4 due to energy and other goods prices, before receding back to the 2% target […]

Landlord Action has announced that its charity white collar boxing event, ‘Rumble with the Agents’, will return on Thursday 9 December 2021. Both May 2020 and May 2021 events were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, but founder of Landlord Action, Paul Shamplina, says he hopes this, which will be the sixth Rumble event, will […]

Linda Wright explains the key changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, NPPF 2021 Most importantly for us as property developers, Linda explains the changes to article 4 planning restrictions which will soon come into play, creating new opportunities for you. There are some interesting changes – did you know that the UN is having […]

Over half of local authorities in England have not issued any civil penalties against rogue or criminal landlords in the last three years according to a new survey. Since April 2017 councils across England have been able to issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 for a range of housing offences. Income received can be […]

Review of this week’s property news stories. This week, the BBC is criticising the new permitted development rules introduced on 1st August. Criticism is fine, but we don’t expect the BBC to be factually inaccurate! Also, we look at the accelerating bank branch closure programme and opportunities for property investors. Please click on the video […]

A survey of Shawbrook bank customers revealed that 46% of their landlords reduced their rents to assist tenants during the pandemic. This is made up of 28% of Landlords who gave a full payment holiday for an average 3 months and 18% who gave an agreed rent reduction over an average period of 4 months. […]

I always said I’d sell my small portfolio of 4 terraced houses, situated in a Northwest town when I reach the age of 75. I’m nearly 73 now, but thinking I should sell now, as the market seems right. Each of my houses is tenanted with good tenants who have indicated that they are there […]