Despite the ongoing and undeniable impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the latest research from Moneyfacts.co.uk demonstrates that landlords may have cause to remain positive as options return to the market. Despite a small reduction of 27 products since the start of this month, at 1,976, overall buy-to-let (BTL) product availability is still at the highest […]

The public will be able to convert vacant plots of land and derelict buildings into new homes or community spaces, under plans announced by the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick. The ‘Right to Regenerate’ proposals would make it easier to challenge councils and other public organisations to release land for redevelopment – helping communities make better […]

I have just found a new tenant for a room in an HMO. The existing housemates have had a video call with him and are happy to have him as a housemate, but have said they would like him to have a Covid test. I can’t find anything in the Government guidelines to require this. […]

The NRLA has just sent details out about a new initiative for tenant debt management. Coming into force from May 4 2021, the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space) allows people in England and Wales with unsustainable debts to arrange to enter a ‘breathing space’. Once someone enters a breathing space their creditors are not allowed […]

Landlords need to be in no doubt that tenants are being educed by councils, shelter, a wide range of no-win, no-fee ambulance chasers and now tenants unions too. Tenants are not only shown the ‘tricks and hacks’ they can use to stop you being able to gain possession (no matter how much they haven’t paid […]

My tenant complained of mould, but would not let me or my workers into the property. He then said he had decorated (he hadn’t) and no more mention of mould. He was clearly causing this by various things he was doing including a tumble dryer with no outlet and a paraffin heater. I served an […]

We have rented a property to 2 friends of ours who were in dire straits. They partially renovated a house we own, and moved in before it was finished. There are electrics. Doors and a bannister which needs finishing. They have 3 children but asked to move in early. We did not take a deposit […]

A recent EICR report has been returned with a FAIL on a C2, where the mains powered smoke detectors are 10 years old and classed as out of date. All are working correctly with no faults. Where does it state in regulations that this is a FAIL and not an C3 recommended to replace? I’ve […]

This needs a broader audience for sure. The stand out ‘features’ of this draft legislation are that it doesn’t include secured debt (well of course it wouldn’t) and they’re obviously expecting the mental health orders to go on for lengthy periods (which they quite easily could) as the legislation allows for review…every FIVE years! This […]

Research by Hamptons Countrywide has revealed that 41,700 buy-to-let Limited Companies were formed last year, which is a new record. In fact, the only category of Limited Company formations to beat this number was online shopping stores. Property118 has yet to check and confirm these numbers, but it should be relatively straightforward to do via […]

Property118 is delighted to congratulate Gular Nuriyeva on her recent promotion within our tax team, having previously worked as an Executive Assistant to Nicky Kita who will continue to supervise her work. Gular was born in a former Soviet Union country, now the Republic of Azerbaijan, in 1983 and also speaks fluent Azerbaijani, English and […]

Hi all. I have developed property in the past and want to return to the profession as my full-time job. I am stuck on whether to sell my current BTL and start developing small with zero debt OR raise as much money as I can ie. mortgage myself up to the eyeballs = stress. Personally, […]

After a number of years letting out my house, I have just had to supply a landlord reference for the tenant for her new property. The company advert states “delivers high-quality services to letting agents helping them win clients, protect their landlords, provide a great service to tenants and grow their business.” I was actually […]

I have a very young couple who are entering their first winter in one of my flats. They have just told me they are getting mould in some areas within the flat. They are pretty naive and are not taking reasonable steps themselves to stop the root problem of condensation (backed up my the electrician […]

A solicitor sold my property to a fraudster. Fraudster produced fake utility bill and a driving licence in my name (fake utility bills and driving licences can be bought for £5.00 on the internet). The law society’s recommends that as long as the documents are from an independent source they are acceptable to the solicitor […]

Hi, I just had my two flats out of date EPC assessments done and one failed.  The grade was G the lowest on the scale. I have been informed by the assessor that I cannot rent the flat with this low grade, and recommended I change the electric boiler to gas. We don’t have gas […]

I am selling up and last year I sold a flat and made the leasehold a shared freehold. The buyer had a survey done in March, and it showed up some works to be completed. He never told me of this survey nor its contents. The property completed in May. In November, during discussions with […]

DWP aren’t listening to Landlords, but if you contact your MP, they may listen to you. Benefit Landlords, keep complaining, there must be someone intelligent within DWP to finally see sense. This homelessness can be reduced. TWO years to get a complaint looked at where the Landlord has ZERO rent coming in is unacceptable & […]

Those who have read Douglas Murray’s recent fascinating book, The Madness of Crowds may have been struck by the parallel with Housing. Whilst Murray explains the Social justice movement effect on Gay, Feminist, Race and Transgender issues, the effects are far more reaching.  He makes the point that a generation who believe that they may […]

AS Libor linked mortgages are being phased out Lenders are working on an alternative arrangement. Does anyone have any further information on the replacement benchmark? Jo From the FCA: The interest rate benchmark LIBOR is expected to cease after end-2021. Firms must transition to alternative rates before this date. Transition to alternative risk-free rates Alongside […]

I would be interested to hear what the readers’ views and opinions are regarding my recent dealings with the Local Authority regarding an application to licence an HMO. By way of introduction, I am a landlord operating in the Midlands for just over 20 years. I have a number of smaller HMOs and several mandatory […]