Page 412 – Property118

Buying a house with an unapproved loft conversion?

29th July 2021

I have reached sale agreed for a semi-detached house and am in the mortgage application phase of the purchase. The house has a converted loft space for storage, with a fixed staircase leading up to the loft. The conversion does not have approval from the local authority. This was made clear to us before the […]

Left-field niche BTL criteria now available

29th July 2021

Some of the more left-field niche Buy to Let criteria has become available again to the property investor market and can open up options where none were recently available. These ‘niche’ criteria include the following: Day 1 Remortgage – No need to wait 6 months after purchase before you can move lender. Capital Raising – […]

Landlords reporting an increase in tenant demand in last 3 months

29th July 2021

Paragon Bank research has indicated that 39% of landlords have seen increased tenant demand over the past three months, with 18.2% saying it has grown ‘significantly’ and a further 20.3% reporting slight increases. The survey of over 750 landlords, carried out by BVA BDRC on behalf of Paragon Bank, also showed a dip of 2% […]

Month-on-month house prices fell back 0.5% in July

29th July 2021

The Nationwide House price index for July indicates some heat is being taken out of the housing market, but overall annual inflation is still high. Annual house price growth remained in double digits, but fell back to 10.5% with prices down 0.5% month-on-month. The average price for a house in June was £245,432, but for […]

Section 20 notice required even if we have the money?

29th July 2021

Hello, I help run a block of 18 flats, the Residents Association was set up when the flats were built and is run by a dedicated few owners. The residents were given the opportunity to purchase the freehold (which we did) after the freeholder went into administration. The Residents Association decided to up the service […]

Tenant declining access for surveyor until post eviction?

28th July 2021

My tenant has refused entry for the surveyor. I am looking to commence an eviction in November 2021 and now my tenant will not allow access for my lender’s surveyor as I am about to remortgage the property. Does anyone have a solution on how to deal with this behaviour? What are my rights as […]

Red F1 help button on Keyboard

Can anyone help with a licensing and planning issue in Greenwich?

28th July 2021

Put simply, one of our landlords has asked us to take on a 3-bedroom flat in the Royal London Borough of Greenwich. A call to the licensing team confirmed an Additional HMO licence would be required, but before it can be applied for, there has to be planning permission in place for the property to […]

Tenant’s improvements concerns?

27th July 2021

I have been letting residential properties for 14 years, but have encountered something for the first time. I have granted an AST to a single retired gentleman, and he has taken possession. He has always been an owner-occupier so he has been able to do as he likes in houses he has owned. He wants […]

Small Shop – simple contract?

27th July 2021

I am drawing up a contract for a tenant who wants to rent a tiny shop. One door and one single space equating to an RV rentable value of £1,650. An initial 6-month contract rolling (like an AST) thereafter. Tenant and LL to give a months notice if required. Electricity by meter to be billed […]

MPs calling for relief package to help tenants with post-pandemic rent arrears

27th July 2021

The number of tenants in arrears has tripled over the last year, leaving MPs and National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) once again calling for a grant or loan system for renters in England, so they can get on top of “a tsunami of debt”.  Many renters are already struggling to pay off arrears they have […]

Nottingham inspecting on average 3 houses per year per member of staff

26th July 2021

Nottingham Selective Licensing has inspected 600 houses in 3 years with 76 staff. One man in an MOT station could have inspected 6240 cars in that time. Nottingham Selective Licensing has just published its mid-scheme review. They’re inspecting on average 3 houses per year per member of staff. Most businesses would go bust at that […]

Tenant, Neighbour, Agents and the fence?

26th July 2021

Hello, My property is with a letting agency. The neighbour complained the fence was not in good repair post winds, my responsibility and my boundary. I appointed a professional to put up feathered fencing. The neighbour complained to the professional that he didn’t know the fence was going up, and he wanted the nice side […]

Common repairs in Scotland?

26th July 2021

I have an HMO property in a block of flats in Scotland. The block is owned by 6 owners. The owners do not co-operate or share the costs for common repairs. Does anyone have any experience of paying for common repairs in Scotland when the other owners do not want to pay? Many thanks Rajesh […]

Ranjan Bhattacharya (Succeed In Property) live Thursday 29th July

Meet Ranjan Bhattacharya (Succeed In Property) live Thursday 29th July

26th July 2021

Ranjan Bhattacharya will be live on Thursday 29th July presenting Why Commercial Property is the Biggest Opportunity this Decade for Property Investors. This Virtual Property Exhibition features 9 industry experts, who normally speak at large exhibitions and will be sharing with you the very latest on what’s happening in the market to give you a […]

Ceiling Heating?

26th July 2021

Hi all, has anyone heard of ceiling heating in a ground floor flat? This heating is in all 12 flats on 3 floors, the builder Seddons has provided plenty of drying areas outside (washing lines) my electrician hasn’t heard of it and speaking to the tenants they don’t use it. They use blower heating, which […]

300% Council tax premium on empty property?

26th July 2021

In February my daughter (first-time buyer on lowish income) bought an empty terraced house to live in. She could see that the house had been empty for a while but nobody warned her about empty property council tax premiums. The local council (Leicester City) now says that she is liable for council tax at 300% […]

Landlords need more help to reach EPC rating C by 2025

26th July 2021

Only 5% of private rented households have received government help to fund energy efficiency measures, despite having the greatest need. Although more of those classed as fuel poor live in the sector, private rented households received only half of the help given to those in the social sector. According to the English Housing Survey, a […]

Is Deal Sourcing and Packaging Myth or Reality?

23rd July 2021

How to Profit From Sourcing & Packaging Property Deals? Is the idea of Deal Sourcing a myth or reality? Enjoy this deep dive into the subject and click on the video below. Also you can register For this Saturday’s Commercial Property 90 Minute Webinar at 9am: https://www.succeedinproperty.com/free-training

Guidance for landlords and tenants – updated 20/7/21

23rd July 2021

The latest government guidance below to include step 4 of the Lockdown Roadmap applies to England only, Click here.  Some of the measures referred to also apply in Wales. See guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Rent, mortgage payments and possession proceedings The Coronavirus Act 2020 provides protection to social and private tenants by […]

Government guidance for moving home – Step 4 of lockdown roadmap

23rd July 2021

Those renting a property, letting agents and landlords should be aware of and follow the government guidance on coronavirus and renting which contains further advice that may also be applicable such as on possession proceedings, repairs, maintenance and health and safety. While much of step 4 will involve voluntary guidance, we are keeping a few […]