Page 429 – Property118

Too soon for a paint request?

11th August 2021

A tenant moved in during June after the whole flat was fully and professionally redecorated (white) and re-carpeted (light grey). She now has asked to repaint the walls and put up shelves. On the one hand, I think yes, but on the other, she hasn’t been there long at all, and I know it will […]

Building Regs Acoustic compliance help please?

11th August 2021

I own a mixed residential shop with 8 studios above. Old Edwardian high street building Historically the correct building regulations were not in place, and so I have made an application for regularisation to get it up to standard and to comply. The council came round and have given me a list of 52 items […]

Increase of the over 65s in the PRS

11th August 2021

The proportion of private rented households with someone aged 65 or over living in them has increased by almost 45% over the last decade according to new analysis of Government data. The figures come as the National Residential Landlords Association warns that not enough is being done to help landlords access financial support to adapt […]

Distress for Rent Act

11th August 2021

There has been much discussion on this topic, with landlords finding that they are not successful in front of some County court judges. Of course, county court decisions are not binding, and it’s not unknown (although not desirable) to have different decisions. We had a Possession order today (10th August) where the judge accepted the […]

Can deposit replacements ever be a win-win for landlords and tenants?

11th August 2021

While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for the more vulnerable in our society. The Renters Reform Bill, announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech and reaffirmed by the Government in May 2021 will, amongst other […]

Grade 2 listed – EPC new rating exempt?

10th August 2021

There is still no clarity from the government about the proposed ‘upgrade’ to C rating for all PRS lets as yet…but… Are Grade 2 listed properties completely exempt from having to go through the ‘wrap first’ initiatives? My Local Authority does not have a conservation officer/Dept just to simply double-check, so any request for advice […]

Bridging Finance for Savvy Property Investors and Developers

10th August 2021

Bridging finance can best be described as relatively short-term loans, normally for periods of between one and eighteen months. Today, the cost of bridging finance is at its lowest point ever. Main uses of Bridging Finance Chain Breaking Light Refurbishment e.g. new kitchen or bathroom Heavy Refurbishment e.g. Extension, Change of use, including Permitted Developments. […]

Going down the Drain?

10th August 2021

When carrying out the end of tenancy inspection on a student let, I encountered a completely blocked drain outlet from the kitchen and bathroom. This was so bad that the adjacent paved area of the yard had been flooded which had left a congealed mat of fat and there was a watermark and crud on […]

Capital gains tax on gifted equity?

10th August 2021

I have sold a buy to let property and are now looking at filing my CGT return within the 30 days. One thing I am unsure of is that because the property is jointly with my brother now, however, it was purchased equally in 3 names (with my uncle) in 2009 but in 2016 he […]

Tidal wave of transactions

10th August 2021

The number of property transactions registered in England and Wales climbed 20% over the last quarter, rising to 290,248 in Q2 2021, up from 241,916 in Q1 2021, according to the latest edition of the Conveyancing Market Tracker from Search Acumen, the property data insight and technology provider. This is the highest number of quarterly […]

London Property Market is set to Boom and here’s why!

10th August 2021

The London Property Market has been in the doldrums for the last year, and it is set to boom! In today’s Property Breaking News (PBN), we are going to be giving you the latest analytics that shows how the London property market will play out. Also in today’s news, the new property investment trend may […]

Annual house price growth cooling

9th August 2021

The latest Halifax House Price Index is showing Annual house price inflation at 7.6% compared to 8.7% in June with the average UK property price now £261,221, up 0.4% in July. |However, Wales recorded its strongest house price growth since 2005. Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “House prices rose by 0.4% in July to […]

How do I increase the Lease on my 4 Nottingham Council flats?

9th August 2021

I have 4 flats (separate buildings) where the Council own the building (Freehold-Is that right?). I pay service charge approx £100+ each flat each year + Estate rent £10 each flat. No mortgages on each flat if that makes a difference. My limited knowledge and notes on this tells me: Council have to extend Lease […]

Council Enforcement – YELLING WHAT AN EARTH I WAS PLAYING AT?

9th August 2021

We purchased a fully licensed HMO a couple of years ago and soon after purchasing we obtained our own HMO licence which permitted 5 rooms (1 person in each room). The property also comprised of communal Kitchen and Bathroom. Having rented the property just over 16 months and the fact we had a number of […]

UC to be cut by £20pw from 6th October

9th August 2021

Over the coming weeks, people claiming Universal Credit will receive notifications about a cut to their benefits this autumn. As it stands, the government is set to cut benefits by £20 a week – equivalent to £1,040 a year – from 6 October. The exact date people will see the cut kick in will depend […]

Buyers lender demanding I instruct a solicitor?

6th August 2021

I am selling a leasehold flat and 50% share of the freehold. I have a buyer, they have received a mortgage offer. I am doing my own conveyancing. The buyer’s Conveyancers have agreed on the documentation and the Deed of Variation (to extend the lease to 999 years and reduce the Ground Rent to a […]

Bank of England emblem symbolising decision to hold the Base Rate at 5%

Bank Base Rate unanimously held at 0.1%

5th August 2021

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to hold the Bank Base Rate at 0.1% and to maintain the same levels of Quantitative Easing. This is despite CPI inflation projected to rise near term to 4% in 2021 Q4 due to energy and other goods prices, before receding back to the 2% target […]

Rumble with the Agents returns – you know the ropes

4th August 2021

Landlord Action has announced that its charity white collar boxing event, ‘Rumble with the Agents’, will return on Thursday 9 December 2021. Both May 2020 and May 2021 events were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, but founder of Landlord Action, Paul Shamplina, says he hopes this, which will be the sixth Rumble event, will […]

National Planning Policy Framework NPPF 2021 – Key Changes

4th August 2021

Linda Wright explains the key changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, NPPF 2021 Most importantly for us as property developers, Linda explains the changes to article 4 planning restrictions which will soon come into play, creating new opportunities for you. There are some interesting changes – did you know that the UN is having […]