Page 417 – Property118

Fobbed off by my local authority?

3rd June 2021

Hi all, Does anyone know the textbook answer on dealing with the following? Despite numerous ignored phone calls and letters from myself and my gas engineer, we are unable to gain access to carry out this year’s gas safety certificate. The certificate is now well overdue and I have been fobbed off by my local […]

EWS1- Freeholder refusing to do anything?

3rd June 2021

I posted a few weeks ago about issues in a relatively new block – around 6 years old. Sadly nothing much has moved on, but we are pushing forward with the RTM and working with the management company to get some work done, however, we have totally stalled with the EWS1. There is no cladding, […]

New insurance based approach for ‘pets in lets’ as default

3rd June 2021

After the Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill proposed by Tory MP Andrew Rosindell was killed off by putting better use of Parliament to deal with the pandemic as a priority, the pet advocacy organisation, AdvoCats, is drawing up battle plans for a second private members bill to outlaw the banning of pets […]

Legal Insurance – A necessity or worth the risk?

3rd June 2021

I have a small property portfolio and also insurance policies for my home, car, horsebox, pets etc etc. Each policy offers the addition of legal fees for around £35. I suppose my first question is, how necessary is this insurance for rental properties? I’ve never needed to make a claim (if I had a policy), […]

Business rates for a commercial property after forfeiture?

3rd June 2021

I am a landlord and have forfeited a commercial lease, but my tenant has applied for relief from forfeiture. We are still waiting for a court date, however, the council is now pursuing me for business rates. I have explained that the tenant has applied for relief from forfeiture and sent the council the court […]

Failing managing agent appointed by freeholder?

3rd June 2021

I’ll briefly set the scene: I am one of 13 leaseholders in a block of flats. There is a block management company with 4 directors, 3 of whom are leaseholders (me being one). In addition, there is a managing agent appointed by the freeholder. One of the directors of the managing agent is the 4th […]

What do you think of this 18 year property cycle forecast?

3rd June 2021

Fred Harrison has been quoted in the Daily Mail and This Is Money as the British author and economic commentator who correctly predicted 1990 and 2008 property price crashes. Harrison is now predicting house prices will continue to rise until a crash happens in 2026! What does everyone else think? Harrison claims he has mapped […]

Generation Rent wants the Government to force landlords to accept more risk

1st June 2021

Many people will have heard on the radio over the Bank Holiday weekend reports about the eviction ban ending. A Joseph Rowntree Trust claim that 800,000 households face losing their homes was repeated throughout the day. Not once did Radio 4 or Times Radio mention rent arrears. Not once did they say that many landlords […]

Accidental landlord – Can I do the annual accounting myself?

1st June 2021

Hi, We recently acquired a flat (no mortgage) – the flats we wanted do not come on the market very often, so we have bought it around 5 years before we are ready to exit London and move into it. We have no intention of buying more properties. So I am an Accidental landlord. We […]

Double-digit inflation for May house price index

1st June 2021

The latest Nationwide House Price index released for May is showing double-digit annual house price growth of 10.9%, the highest level in nearly seven years. The new record average house price now stands at £242,832, up £23,930 over the past year. Prices are also up 1.8% month–on–month, following a 2.3% rise in April. Robert Gardner, […]

Live in landlord – HMO requirements?

1st June 2021

Hi everyone. I live in my house in Wales and currently have two lodgers sharing my house and am thinking of taking a third, which would make a small HMO. I’ve checked with my local authorities and I don’t need an HMO licence, but does anyone know what my legal obligations are aside from having […]

Shelter warnings over eviction ban ending

1st June 2021

Shelter claims the lifting of the current ban on evictions by bailiffs on the 1st of June will leave thousands of private renters across England facing eviction this summer. Shelter has released new research on insecurity in the PRS it claims to show: 1.8 million private renting adults in England (22%) are worried they will […]

Possession action process – Guidance for landlords

1st June 2021

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has released its latest guidance for landlords and tenants in the PRS to explain the possession action process in the county courts in England and Wales. Click Here Due to coronavirus (COVID-19): In England: From 1 June 2021: – Notice periods must be at least 4 months […]

tools on a roof

Am I being unfair turning down compensation request?

1st June 2021

Hey 118ers, My roof decided to unzip and drip through into one of the bedrooms which has caused quite severe damage to the roof, ceiling and flooded the boiler causing it to become faulty. The tenants phoned me straight away, and they did their best to save the carpets and their own belongings but unfortunately […]

Complaints not resolved on multi-home cover?

1st June 2021

Hi All, I currently have a multi premise policy with British gas to cover gas, plumbing, drainage and electric for around 10 properties (all residential). I have had multiple issues with them such as not turning up, taking months to respond to a complaint and telling me my complaint had been resolved when it hadn’t, […]

The Law Society logo representing its call for more funding to prevent tenant evictions.

Law Society unsurprisingly cautions against replacing legal advice with mediation

31st May 2021

With  the UK government ending its eviction ban today and tapering down emergency measures from June the Law Society of England and Wales president, Stephanie Boyce, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a testing time for landlords and tenants alike. As we mark the end of the eviction ban, we urge the UK government to […]

HMO vs Single Let – Which Is Best?

28th May 2021

Property Investors ponder over whether HMO or Single Let is the best strategy for Buy To Let? The answer may surprise you! Please click on the video below:

210,000 tenants may face difficulties post Covid arrears

28th May 2021

Thousands of private renters who have built arrears during the pandemic face problems finding an alternative home because of damage to their credit scores according to a new survey. With the Government refusing to support tenants and landlords in tackling COVID related arrears, this research finds that approximately 210,000 tenants may face severe difficulties in […]

Information Commissioners Office logo

Has anyone else been contacted directly by the ICO?

28th May 2021

I’ve just received a letter from the Information Commissioner’s Office, Wilmslow addressed to our Management Company informing us that most companies need to pay a fee of between £40-£60 a year. It says if you are liable and have not paid a fine of £4,000 could be issued. Apparently, they have checked our records, and […]

8% of Private Renters are behind on their rent

27th May 2021

In England, the ban on most bailiff-enforced evictions comes to an end on Monday, while the notice period landlords need to give tenants will be reduced from six to four months. Citizens Advice are reporting an increasing number of private tenants are turning to them for help. Polling conducted by ICM Unlimited for Citizens Advice […]

Landlords threaten council with Judicial Review over HMO Licensing Scheme

27th May 2021

For once, well organised Landlords are threatening to take the council to the High Court over plans to expand a housing licensing scheme. York Residential Landlords Association claim City of York Council’s proposals are “unlawful and irrational”. The council’s legal team is considering a solicitor’s letter from the landlords’ association, a spokesperson said. A consultation […]