How frequently do people on Property118 inspect their properties? I usually do it six months into a new tenancy and if all looks well then once a year. I am very careful with tenant selection. A niece of mine rents a flat (three years in possession) and her landlord’s agent insists on quarterly inspections. Nothing […]

We are extremely proud to introduce new functionality and a new look and feel to Property118 Member Profiles. One of the first things you might notice is that it’s now much easier to log in using Social Media. Also, you can now add a Bio to your Property118 Member Profile to tell other Members a […]

The latest figures from mydeposits show that while tenancy deposit disputes did see a year-on-year decline in volume during 2021, there was still an estimated £27 million worth of deposits held in rental disputes between landlords and tenants. At an average of £1,005 per tenancy, the cost of a deposit has fallen by 1.2% year-on-year. […]

I’m doing my research and coming around to the idea that transferring our BTL properties into a LTD company would be very sensible. I can see that Capital Account Restructuring using a bridging loan potentially means we may never have to pay high rate income tax again … Your article on this subject suggests that […]

Please do us a favour. As we continue to build the Property118 Editorial Team, to continue to deliver even more increasingly valuable content to our Members, we would really value your feedback by completing the Poll below. As one Member once said “none of us were born knowing how to boil an egg”. Property118 exists […]

Recent data shows an increase in the number of evictions issued in Q1 of 2022 when compared to the previous quarter and the same period pre-pandemic. According to Simply Business, an eviction costs approximately £2K and takes about 9 months to complete, plus tenants often stop paying rent during proceedings. Landlords who choose to evict […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers, will be presenting in person an overview of several landlord tax strategies at the pin Essex meeting Tuesday 21st June. The Essex pin Meeting has returned to its physical venue The Thurrock Hotel, Ship Lane, Aveley, Thurrock, RM19 1YN Hosted by Reegan Parmenter […]

My friend allowed someone (call him X) to stay at her empty house from the end of June 2021 as he had nowhere to go. She was going to Spain for a few months and the property was in the throws of being repossessed as her husband had used her house, in her sole name […]

This week Property with Andrew and Linda Wright is answering another Permitted Development Question. Is it possible to convert the upper of a shop to residential using Class MA on a Locally Listed Building, which is also in a conservation area? In the past, we’ve talked about Grade 2 Listed buildings, Permitted Development and Prior […]

The HomeLet Rental index for May indicates annual average rental inflation stands at 10.6% with an average rent of £1,103 or £928 excluding  London. This is an overall monthly change of 1.1% with inflation the highest in Northern Ireland at 1.9%. Mike Dawson, Group Sales Director for HomeLet and Let Alliance said: “With pressure on […]

The latest UK Residential Market Survey (May), from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). In the lettings market, tenant demand continues to rise firmly according to a net balance of +48% of contributors – the same as in April. At the same time, landlord instructions continue to decline, with the latest net balance coming […]

Hi All, I have a question regarding the additional SDLT refund criteria. My wife purchased her property in November 2017 before moving into my property in January 2020. I have owned my owned property since 2013. In the last 30 months, whilst my wife has lived with me, my wife’s property has been let on […]

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke at Blackpool concerning government plans to tackle inflation and the cost of living crisis. However, there was particular emphasis on home ownership and housing supply policies with the phrase coined in the speech of “Benefits to Bricks.” Outlined Policies for housing included: Expand the policy of Right to Buy to […]

This morning, the Housing Secretary, Michael Gove, described Housing Policy as a Mosaic as the Government announced several proposals, all of which have already been announced over the last 5 years. These policies include the ability of those on housing benefits to access mortgages to purchase their homes and the extension of the Right to […]

Failing social housing landlords could face unlimited fines and Ofsted-style inspections, under the Social Housing Regulation Bill set to be introduced to Parliament. The move will mean more people living in decent, well looked-after homes enjoying the quality of life they deserve. The Regulator of Social Housing will have stronger powers to issue unlimited fines, […]

Structural Warranty Insurance. (A.k.a New home warranties) and professional consultant certificates give financial institutions confidence that the building is in good condition and enables the end purchaser to secure the relevant mortgage. Section 6.7 of the UK Finance (UKF) handbook defines the steps when dealing with Building Standards Indemnity Schemes for new properties. In particular, […]

S21 requires EPC, How to Rent Guide and CGC papers to be issued to a prospective tenant BEFORE the tenancy is agreed or started, or the S21 notice is INVALID. I have read somewhere that LATE service is now accepted so, I wish to legally check where this change, if correct, is stated. No use […]

We have been landlords for almost 15 years – specialising in students. There is always one AST for 12 months (we have no HMO licence and do not need one right now). We have never encountered any problems. We are good landlords, all paperwork is always in order and all repairs are done immediately (within […]

Housing Minister Eddie Hughes was answering written questions to Parliament and indicated that the Renters Reform Bill that includes proposals to ban Section 21 would be pushed back. After previously stating the White paper would be published this Spring he now seems to be much less certain on timescales. Olivia Blake,Labour MP, asked: “When the […]

Official data shows that of all private rented households in receipt of the Local Housing Allowance over half, 57%, have a shortfall. This amounts to just over 820,000 households. Regionally, the proportion of private rented households affected ranges from almost 41% in London (although based on a much higher number of claimants), through to 69% […]

The Halifax House Price index released today shows a minor inflationary cooling with month-on-month prices increasing by 1%, the eleventh consecutive monthly rise. Over the last 10 years, the average house price inflated by 74% to the current figure of £289,099. Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “The average cost of buying a home in […]