Page 416 – Property118

Old Possession Orders Move Fast in the Sheriff Lane

14th June 2021

This week in Shergroup we have started to see an uptick in the number of possession orders we are receiving with and without permission to transfer to the High Court for enforcement. As you get to know our story in Property118, you will know that Shergroup is a pro-active and innovative High Court enforcement agency.  […]

Judge tears into Northampton Council’s Samantha Ling and her department

11th June 2021

In a shocking, and embarrassing for Northampton Borough Council (NBC),  determination by Judge Wayte of the First Tier Tribunal property, he went so far as to suggest that the landlord should make a claim for costs against the Council. A move that is almost unheard of, such was his condemnation of Samantha Ling and her […]

BTL borrower overexposure limits?

11th June 2021

My husband and I jointly own a lovely Victorian terrace with 5 flats. We own the freehold (yes, in different name), as well as the leaseholds of all the flats as joint owners. We did major renovations and upgraded to top-spec when we bought the building, remortgaged the flats and the 5y mortgages are just […]

ONS construction output fall will add pressure to housing inflation

11th June 2021

Monthly construction output fell by 2.0% in April 2021 compared with March 2021, falling to £13,961 million, and was the first month-on-month fall since December 2020 when output fell by 2.2%. This follows comparatively strong growth of 5.8% in March 2021. Anecdotal evidence received from survey returns suggested increased new work, delayed projects returning to […]

Hand reaching toward a house-shaped safe representing secure rental deposits

Deposit protection for already protected deposit?

10th June 2021

I would like to seek the views and experiences of landlords on a particular deposit protection issue that I have come across. I have recently increased the rent on a property, which is on a rolling contract for couple of years now. The amount of increase was following conversation with and agreement from the tenant. […]

VAT when transferring small office to an LLP?

10th June 2021

I am considering transferring a small office investment into a family LLP. The property has been opted for VAT. The property was bought with vacant possession recently and has remained vacant, this would eliminate a Transfer a business as a going concern option. So my question is: If I transfer the property to an LLP […]

New 3.09% 5 year fixed BTL launched by Bucks BS

10th June 2021

A very competitive 80% Loan to Value 5 year fixed Buy-to-Let mortgage product has been released today by the Buckinghamshire Building Society available to limited companies and first-time landlords, but not, unfortunately, portfolio landlords (personal individual applicants cannot have more than 3 mortgaged BTL upon completion). The 5 year product is fixed at 3.09%  till […]

Average rent up 4% year-on-year

10th June 2021

The latest HomeLet Rental Index is showing increased demand has pushed the average annual Uk rental price up 4% to 997 pcm and if you exclude London this increases to 6.4% at £854 pcm. Every region excluding London saw a rise in rent prices year-on-year with the East of England seeing the most significant price […]

Council announces free property licensing!

10th June 2021

Instead of charging landlords around £1,000 like most UK councils – for the dubious honour of going into a database – which the council will then use, so they can easily inspect properties and issue eye-watering fines, Jersey (which is of course part of the UK) is to offer this for free. They did try […]

£610 million government boost for 26 towns

8th June 2021

Twenty-six towns in England will share over £610 million to boost their local economies, create jobs and help them build back better from the pandemic. These new Towns Deals range from seaside towns like Hastings and Hartlepool to the historic market towns of Bedford and Bishop Auckland. The money will help them to grow their […]

Will the ICO sanction my companies?

8th June 2021

This morning I received five copies of ICO data protection fee reminder. The letter states that it is my ‘legal responsibility to pay the data protection fee.’ It then has a box with a link stating that if I do not need to pay a fee that I need to tell them and complete the […]

Stamp duty on house including annex – more complex?

8th June 2021

Hello, I have just had my offer accepted on a 3-bed end of terrace property that includes an attached 1-bed annex. My solicitor tells me to talk to my accountant for the stamp duty calculation as homes with an annex can be more complex. This is my 8th buy to let, so I know of […]

Am I breaching Let to buy conditions?

8th June 2021

I am raising funds to buy a new main residence and wonder if my original flat is not rented, but left unoccupied by my wife and me, can we simply sell the property without being in breach of let to buy conditions? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation. John

Can Guarantor give notice to end tenancy that has become periodic?

8th June 2021

We have stood guarantor for a rental property for almost 2 years to allow the tenant to build up their credit rating. Up to now, the AST has been renewed every 6 months, and we have had to resign as guarantor. The landlord has now decided not to renew the lease and allow it to […]

Lifting The Housing Raffle Lid

8th June 2021

House raffles continue to pop up on a regular basis, offering the chance to get on the property ladder for the cost of a lottery ticket. But are they really the bargain of a lifetime? Or are they just a con? Does anyone actually win? And do the house raffle companies actually expect anyone to? […]

9.5% Annual house price inflation strongest in nearly seven years

7th June 2021

The Halifax House Price Index report for May shows continued strong inflation, with the annual index up 9.5% this month on last year. The average UK property price now stands at £261,743 with Wales continuing to be the region with the strongest price growth. The monthly price increase was +1.3% and quarterly +2.4%. Russell Galley, […]

No maintenance charge no agreement?

7th June 2021

I own a leasehold flat and the Freeholder ran the services and maintenance through a management company that he set up and there was an annual maintenance charge made. The Freeholder has now dissolved the management company, and consequently, I do not pay anything. However, because there is no management company in place I cannot […]

Portfolio Landlord exploitation?

7th June 2021

I have come to the end of my 5 years fixed mortgage product. At the time of taking the Mortgage, there was no such definition of Portfolio or Non-Portfolio Landlord (the one who owns more than 4 properties). I simply decided to switch product with the same lender and I own exactly the same number […]

Council declares war on Landlords while stealing housing from them

7th June 2021

A council has explicitly announced it’s “on the side of tenants against landlords”. Totally ignoring the fact that landlords are its citizens too. And citizens they are legally required to serve! To date, this council boasts that it has stolen £320,000 worth of housing by way of rent repayment orders in respect of tenants who have […]

I have offered to pay my tenants deposits!

4th June 2021

Anyone knows anyone else in the same boat, please spread. Many many tenants have done nothing wrong, but imbecile Govt and Councils are making it so hard for those that haven’t got a problem. I have offered to pay my tenants’ deposits so they can buy their homes after becoming disillusioned with the PRS. I […]