As it stands, there are currently 288,539 empty houses in the UK and 68% of Brits believe they should be used to help target the nation’s homelessness crisis1; new research reveals. The research, conducted by  GoodMove using data from Gov.UK 2, reveals how many empty houses there really are in the UK, as well as […]

The latest Nationwide House Price Index report for August shows market inflation month-on-month at 2.1% and year-on-year inflation recovering to 11%, up from 10.5% in July. The average UK house price as reported by the Building Society now stands at £248,857. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “House prices are now around 13% higher than […]

Hi, I recently received a letter from my property management company. They informed me, as I was aware, that they want to replace the two balcony’s waterproofing of my 3rd floor flat, of which I’m happy to oblige. The problem is the company that is doing the work has told them they need to remove […]

The end date for the temporary adjusted checks has now been deferred to 5 April 2022 (inclusive). We have made the decision to defer the date following the positive feedback we received about the ability to conduct checks remotely. We initiated a review of the availability of specialist technology to support a system of digital […]

New statistics based on Rightmove searches shows that interest in rental properties that allow pets has increased year-on-year this July by 120%. This would correspond with anecdotal evidence that many people bought pets while they were locked down in the pandemic. Increases in overall tenant enquiries were up by 13% showing the shift in demand […]

Hi everyone, We are managing our rental property ourselves and are lucky enough to have a good couple as our tenants for nearly 5 years. In the tenancy agreement, there is a clause for rent increase which is CPI linked or 3% minimum whichever is higher. We have been increasing our rent at 3% per […]

Interest rates have recently been reduced on 80% LTV Buy to Let mortgages. Below is a small selection of specialist BTL deals: EPC Specials: if you have a property that is rated EPC A-C, benefit from reduced rates. Stress Free BTL: No Stress Test on background portfolio & favourable rental calculations Landlords with Non-Property Income: […]

New article 4’s are coming! Act fast to seize opportunities before the door closes on you. Linda and I break down everything you need to know following a review of statements from over 30 councils! We talk about the new regulations being put in place and how we feel the councils do not understand the […]

I wondered if Property118 readers would be able to add some support to the campaign to protect leaseholders in the current cladding scandal. You could use the below link to send a template email to your MP – the site does the clever bit of finding your MP, but the template needs a little customisation […]

The latest research by StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed the Land Registry sold price records for new-build homes sold […]

In today’s Property Breaking News, Students can now get 100% Buy-To-Let Mortgages, and the London office market is bouncing back whilst the nasty London councils try to ban the newly introduced Permitted Development Rights (PDR)! Join Andrew Roberts and me as we explain how this affects you as a savvy property investor. Please click on […]

The Government needs to address a chronic failure to tackle rogue landlords who put tenants at risk, says the national body representing landlords. With the Government pledged to publish a White Paper setting out proposed reforms for the private rented sector (PRS) in England, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is warning that every measure […]

I am currently carrying out renovations to our property and took on a contractor who in turn subcontracted scaffold to a scaffolder. As the scaffolder was dismantling the scaffold, he accidentally dropped a pole on the neighbour’s roof. The roof being 100 years old, the tiles were brittle and some broke. The Neighbour wants me […]

Hi Everyone, I recently had a new boiler fitted in a one-bed flat currently let on a rolling periodic AST. The job was done on 20th July and I am still waiting for the benchmark certificate from the plumber. He has blamed Glow Worm for messing things up? I want to move forward with the […]

Yes on 31st July 2021 Class M EXPIRED for the conversion of 150 sqm of certain commercial properties. The Government in their infinite wisdom launched a NEW Permitted Development Right, actually a prior approval, and decided to call it class M too! In this video Linda Wright provides a detailed analysis of the 4 use […]

Despite understandably lower enquiry levels in the first half of the year due to the pandemic, The Property Ombudsman’s (TPO) 2020 annual report reveals a significant uplift in the last two quarters as everyone seemingly settled into a ‘new normal’. Even though the sector experienced variability throughout 2020, enquiries increased year-on-year with a record 39,285 […]

Richard Bacon MP’s review of Custom and Self Build, commissioned by the Prime Minister, finds huge potential in the Self Build sector which could deliver 30-40,000 more homes every year, and recommends a major-scaling up of self-built homes to boost the overall housing supply. This will see homes that can be built in weeks that […]

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group have agreed to work together over the next five years. Click here A shared draft policy programme, ‘the Bute House Agreement’, has been agreed upon and includes the implement an effective national system of rent controls, enhance tenants’ rights and deliver 110,000 affordable homes by […]

The latest analysis from Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals the best debit and credit cards available to avoid any surprise charges and what consumers could end up paying with a standard credit card or debit card. A typical debit card charges £11.88* when consumers withdraw £250 in cash abroad, while some credit cards can charge £14.95** before interest […]

Hi, I have just been having a discussion with my wife regarding costs and tenancy agreements, and I am curious about what other landlords do. I have just completed inspections on my portfolio and one of my tenants has just asked for new carpets on the hall, stairs, landing and 2 bedrooms. As we all […]

I am applying for planning permission to convert a 3-bedroom flat in Birmingham (classed as a C3 dwelling house) to a C4 small HMO. Birmingham has a city-wide Article 4 Directive in place which overrides permitted development rights. The flat exceeds minimum room sizes considerably, and I am not proposing any changes to the internal […]