We are a small group of leaseholders who are also shareholders in the management company that owns the freehold to our flats. I recently took over from the chap who ran the management company as he sold his flat and nobody else wanted to do it. We now have to do some urgent repairs that […]

This is a tricky one – we are a newish development (old offices) of 3 new floors and one existing (residential) on the 4th floor. The 4th floor lease has a clause that excludes them from 1st works to the roof as it was to be provided in good order. Clearly the issue is that […]

Does an EU citizen who arrived in this country six months ago have the right to rent a property without having settled or pre settled status? Advice from our agent who, of course, has an interest in placing this tenant, appears to conflict with what we are reading on Gov.UK web sites. Our understanding is […]

The tenant has moved out and Rent in Advance pays everything up to date, so there are no arrears and everything is squared up. As she left after the Benefit Assessment Period, it will mean I will get her Universal Credit rent paid to me for the last month, but the RIA has already paid […]

So you are buying a buy to let property, but what mortgage should you get? An interest only mortgage or a Repayment mortgage? In today’s video, I’ll explain the difference between an interest only mortgage and a repayment mortgage and which one best suits your needs. SPOILER: The answer IS dependent on your property investment […]

If a tenant moves on should I get a new EICR? I presume if you don’t then the landlord becomes legally responsible for any change that may have occurred during the previous tenancy? I know it’s not normal for tenants to change the wiring, but they do change light fittings and adjust wiring sometimes without […]

Rushed changes made to evictions legislation have meant from today (May 4th) Section 8, and it has been advised all eviction procedures, must include details of the government’s ‘Breathing Space’ scheme or face the risk of the eviction being rejected. This is a debt respite scheme full details of which can be found if you […]

The Nationwide House price index is showing annual price growth increased to 7.1% in April, up from 5.7% in March with a new record high average house price of £238,831, up £15,916 over the last year. Prices jumped 2.1% month-on-month which is the largest monthly rise since February 2004 and annual growth will reach double […]

It has been one hell of a year for Landlords!  A year full of change – which landlords have had to keep up with or face penalties. Not only have there been the changes which we expected – such the new electricity regulations, but an avalanche of other new rules to deal with the pandemic. […]

I have a 70s purpose-built flat which passed it’s EICR 6 months ago. Back then I didn’t have enough funds to get a new consumer unit so was relieved that EICR passed without me having to upgrade, and I was told everything looks safe. Now I’m thinking of getting it replaced (it’s still working fine), […]

The Land Registry recently sent me emails saying there has been activity by a bank on three of my rental properties. They are unable to provide any details except to say “the applications for all 3 properties have now been completed.” They also advised me to download a copy of the register at a cost […]

I had a telephone call from Mortgage Express last night, but I was not able to take it as I was going out to an appointment. They said they were calling back today around lunchtime. Have any other members had such a call out of the blue? What information were they seeking from you? What […]

 The pilot of the government’s Housing Possession Mediation Scheme can help letting agencies and landlords recover arrears without lengthy waits for court evictions, according to PayProp. Launched recently by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the free arrears mediation service aims to help parties resolve disputes more quickly without the need for court […]

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live our lives drastically and perhaps affected the way we live at home the most. Everyone spent more time at home and it gave us time to think about what we like and dislike, about our spaces. With some travel restrictions in place and outdoor activities put […]

Residents and building owners are set to benefit from a new code of practice for professionals assessing buildings’ external walls and cladding systems. As part of reform of the building sector, the government has commissioned the British Standards Institution (BSI) to draft a new code of practice for assessors when examining external walls and cladding. […]

Has anyone got a simple, easy to understand, easy to use Privacy Policy and GDPR that just refers to the control of data in electronic and paper format by a single sole trading Landlord please? I am baffled by the templates that even the NRLA have drafted. The whole thing is confusing as heck to […]

I have been asked many times over the last 10 years why we decided to call our website Property118 There have been many wrong guesses, and I have to admit several of them have been absolutely fascinating, so I decided to do a bit more research. I’ve added below extracts from a completely unrelated website […]

I have an apartment in a block of flats where the buildings insurance is paid for as part of the management charges. My tenant has accidentally put a hole into the side of the bath and a replacement bath, wall tiling is required. Who is responsible for the cost of replacement? As this is a […]

Hi Guys – My sister and I were left our mothers house several months ago and my sister is refusing to sell the house or pay the utility bills and is living in the house by her own choice and without my permission. I am now receiving threatening letters from the gas and electricity company […]

I am looking at purchasing a Grade 2 listed property that has already been converted into flats. The ground floor flat is small (22 sq m) BUT does have access to a private courtyard, a separate shower room and a separate bedroom. 1. As it is not a new build where 37 sqm is the […]

Research by Benham and Reeves, has found that rental affordability across London has actually improved during the pandemic where the percentage of income required to cover rental outgoings is concerned. Benham and Reeves analysed the rent to income ratio prior to the pandemic and found that across London, 64.4% of the average net monthly earnings […]