London Borough of Redbridge Council “secretly and informally” flouted its own policy in order to fine over 100 landlords in just six months. Testimony from a senior officer in a 2019 court case reveals the council’s policy to try to resolve issues with landlords “informally” before issuing a fine was ignored “for a few weeks” that year. The council then […]

For some of the Property118 community, you will have already seen the Shergroup Team of Enforcement Professionals on Channel 5’s new TV show about our work as High Court Enforcement Officers.   To be honest, as an Officer with over 40 years of enforcement experience under my belt, I can confess that watching these shows is […]

I’m posting this on behalf of an elderly landlord, who’s a friend. He owns a few 3-4 bed houses and rents it out by rooms to young professionals. All these years he has been splitting the monthly energy bills equally amongst the housemates, and everyone used to be fine with that. However, lately because of […]

England’s allotments could provide space for over 600,000 new homes, according to the latest research by GetAgent.co.uk. The research found that there are an estimated 4,554 allotments across the nation containing roughly 177,606 plots, each at an average size of 250 square metres. That’s a potential 44,401,500 square metres of allotment space, enough to build […]

In a consultation by the Law Commission on areas of law that it intends to review, Propertymark has called for a dedicated housing court to guarantee fair, timely redress for tenants and landlords and safeguard investment in the private rented sector. They note the current procedure to possession via courts is “slow, complex and costly, […]

Moneyfacts UK Savings Trends Treasury Report data reveals not one average savings rate fell month-on-month. The monthly analysis of savings trends also reports, that except for the notice ISA rate which remained unchanged, all other savings rates rose. There was a notable improvement to the average one-year fixed bond rate, which saw the largest monthly […]

The UK Government has been told it must complete and publish a full assessment of the impact on renters of their decisions to freeze Local Housing Allowance and cut Universal Credit, which risks pushing many households into poverty, problem debt, and homelessness. This comes from a Joint statement by: The Big Issue Ride Out Recession […]

With new instructions from landlords remaining in decline (slipping from -6% last month to -20% in July), rents are now expected to rise over the next three months. This is according to a net balance of +50% of RICS member respondents. Rental expectations in London have seen a particular turnaround, with a net balance of […]

The social housing white paper outlines a wide-ranging package of reforms to improve standards for residents and enhance regulation of the sector. The reforms aim to addressing safety issues, strengthening the complaints process, professionalising staff and rebalancing the relationship between resident and landlord. Eddie Hughes MP, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing said: “Giving social […]

Smart Company structures have been all the rage for savvy property entrepreneurs. In 2019, HMRC launched its task force to investigate any wrongdoing concerning these structures, but now it’s been announced in the Financial Times that the HMRC has disbanded their unit. So in light of this good news, join myself and Mark Smith as […]

Are you aware that Ealing are proposing to extend and enlarge their existing licensing schemes? At a recent boisterous virtual meeting, the council outlined their plans, ending that there was a consultation period which is going to end on Monday August 16th at midnight. As many of the landlords present had only just heard of […]

Despite letting UC know (though the official form) that the tenant has now paid back in full her rent arrears, I have since been paid directly another deducted payment. I am assuming that at some point DWP will realise this and ask for it back as it classes as an overpayment, but the tenant says […]

Linda Wright gives an excellent explanation comparing and contrasting class G v class MA These 2 NEW prior approvals for converting use class E-commercial space to residential C3 uses. Did you know there are over a dozen differences between the two, creating more opportunities where one does not meet the full criterion, the other will. […]

I am in the process of purchasing 2 flats for £39k each in Scotland from the same seller. Additional dwelling supplement tax (4% of purchase price) is normally zero for properties under £40k. However, my solicitor has interpreted this as a linked transaction and thinks that ADS is payable on the combined total purchase price. […]

Hi everyone, I have a question and would appreciate some help on this. I have never owned a property before, and I am looking to purchase a Buy to Let property under a limited company. When it comes to buying my own house, in my own name, I am wondering if I will still have […]

Following the release of their new management system and landlord interface, our recommended letting agent Lettingsupermarket.com are offering property118 readers an exclusive deal to celebrate their 10th year in business. Whether you are looking to let your property or transfer management immediately or in the next 12 months by signing up in the month of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]