Page 419 – Property118

CPIH inflation rate has jumped to 1.6%

19th May 2021

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released data for March 2021 shows the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 1.6% in the 12 months to April 2021 up from 1.0% to March. This brings inflation levels towards the Bank of England’s medium-term target of 2% without causing immediate short term […]

North of England prices booming amidst highest repossession levels

19th May 2021

With the current stamp duty holiday spurring a property market frenzy, house prices have boomed. The latest UK House Price Index shows that the North of England is leading the way, with both the North West (11.9%) and Yorkshire and Humber (10.9%) registering the highest rates of annual growth, while the North East (9%) isn’t […]

Significant shift of tenants away from London

19th May 2021

Private sector tenants are leaving London in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to new research, landlords renting properties in London were the only ones in the country to report that tenant demand had fallen more than it increased. A survey of National Residential Landlords Association members, conducted by the research consultancy BVA-BDRC, found that […]

Carer’s allowance claim v rental income

18th May 2021

I am looking to make a claim for carer allowance, having had to retire at 63 and to move back home to care for elderly ill parents. My company pension is not included in the rules for carer allowance. However, rental “earned income” is and there are questions about it in the form. Having googled […]

Do I need leave to enforce possession warrant on ordinary AST?

18th May 2021

I wonder if anybody can assist me? I applied for possession in accordance with s21 in January after first applying to the Court in March 2020 in respect of a normal AST. Eventually, after numerous errors by the Judge, I was granted a possession order in April. The tenant is 6 months in arrears, so […]

Portuguese Golden Visa popularity

18th May 2021

Astons, the international experts on real estate, residency and citizenship through investment, has revealed that it’s not just green list inclusion for UK holiday makers that could see travel to Portugal increase this year, with investment into the nation’s Golden Visa program also expected to climb in 2021. Portugal currently has one of the most […]

How will the abolition of ground rents affect existing leaseholds?

18th May 2021

It was announced in the Queen’s speech last week that ground rents for new leasehold properties will be abolished, with a small sum in rent taking their place. However, it remains unclear as to how, or if, this will impact existing leasehold homes and the latest research from StripeHomes has revealed just how much is […]

New Rightmove record for the price of property coming to market

18th May 2021

May sees a new Rightmove record for the price of property coming to market, hitting an average of £333,564. That is 1.8% (+£5,767) above the previous all-time high recorded in April. While the level of new properties coming up for sale is at a similar level to the long-term average, demand continues to massively exceed […]

Pandemic related arrears should be top of the Housing Minister’s in-tray

17th May 2021

The pandemic-related debts of tenants and landlords should be “top of the Housing Minister’s in-tray”, according to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) following the formation of a new Welsh Government. In the wake of the Senedd election on 6 May, Mark Drakeford has formed his new cabinet. Julie James remains in charge of housing in the […]

Concerned about offering tenancy to someone so young?

17th May 2021

I have had an application from a very young lady (only just 18, but she is due a baby within the month) for a two-bed flat with her partner. While she has the Rent In Advance & Deposit, I am wary that if the partner leaves her, she won’t be able to afford the rent […]

Change of payment terms for terrible payer?

17th May 2021

I have a tenant who is now on a periodic agreement with terms requiring monthly payment. He is a terrible payer and I would normally look to evict him, but it is not so easy at the moment. He has just requested to move to weekly payments, and I am happy to accommodate his request. […]

Lack of new properties to let putting pressure on prospective tenants

14th May 2021

A slowdown in the supply of new homes in April has seen price growth accelerate across the UK, according to the RICS Residential Market survey, April 2021. Meanwhile, a lack of new properties to let has also put pressure on prospective renters. Tenant demand for rental properties picked up over the quarter to April – […]

Scottish Landlords and Tenants love their pets

14th May 2021

According to Google Trends, searches for “pets” has increased by 60% over the last three years. As a nation of pet lovers, more than two in five bought a puppy to be their Covid-19 companion, and two-thirds agreed that their dog was a “lifeline in lockdown”. Mashroom has researched the most pet-friendly cities in the UK, […]

How do I create a lease without triggering CGT or SDLT?

14th May 2021

Hi, My partner and I (not married) have developed a pair of semi-detached properties that we owned jointly in personal names and converted into 5 flats. We are now selling off 4 of the flats. My question is because I have been advised that the leasehold of the flats can not be in the same name […]

5 Top UK Buy To Let Property Investment Hotspots

13th May 2021

Where to find property investment hotspots for Buy To Let (BTL) in the UK. In this video, I go through the top 5 Buy To Let Hotspots in 2021 and the number one best strategy to capitalise in hotspot areas. Please click on the Video below: 

Revised Right to Rent requirments from 21st June

12th May 2021

The temporary adjustments to the right to rent check introduced on 30 March 2020, due to COVID-19, are ending. From 21 June 2021, you must check the prescribed documents as set out in the right to rent code of practice and the landlord’s guide, published on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/landlords-immigration-right-to-rent-checks. This means that when carrying out […]

Longer notice periods for tenants until at least October

12th May 2021

Renters will continue to be supported as national COVID-19 restrictions ease, with longer notice periods in place until at least October, Housing Minister Christopher Pincher announced. As part of a phased approach, notice periods – previously extended to 6 months as an emergency measure during the pandemic – will be set at four months from […]

Queen’s Speech 2021 – Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill

12th May 2021

“Laws (to modernise the planning system) will be brought forward, along with measures to end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.” The above statement is detailed further in the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill The purpose of the Bill is to: Tackle the inconsistency and ambiguity of ground rents for future leaseholders. […]

Rent debt crisis needs addressing with tapering of notice periods

12th May 2021

Responding to confirmation by the Government today of its plans to taper down emergency restrictions in the private rented sector, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “Having operated under emergency conditions for over a year, today’s announcement from the Government is an important step in ensuring the sector’s recovery. “It […]

Should I risk changing the hearing date?

12th May 2021

Hi, I have been given a court review hearing date to recover my property. The review hearing is 7th June, however, today I have received a letter from my tenant saying she is going to move out on the 13th of June. Do I continue with the hearing, as may be a ploy for me […]