Brentwood Council ‘Gatekeeping’ have been found at fault by the Local Government Ombudsman for telling the tenant to remain in the property, after the court order, until the bailiffs evict them. The Landlord’s lost rent and bailiffs fees were ordered against the council, who must also issue ‘advice’ to their Housing Options staff, and go […]

Sometime in the near future, the remediation of cladding issues will need to take place in several developments in which I own apartments. It is possible that complete external walls may have to be removed, such that my tenants would have to relocate for a period of time. I want to avoid having to foot […]

I had an email this morning from one of my tenants asking how I felt about granting permission for the installation of a smart meter. The tenant wasn’t concerned either way, but he was just reaching out to see how I felt about this. My initial thought was “fine by me”. However, I’d be interested […]

I own the freehold of a property consisting of two self-contained flats. I bought it at auction. There is no other title and there are no common areas in the property. I live in one flat and rent out the other. I have considered selling the property, but have been told that I couldn’t sell […]

I purchased our student pod in 2017, and it came with the on-site management company that offered a rental agreement stipulating that they would cover all the maintenance costs, would be in charge of letting the property out and would provide a regular fixed rental income on a quarterly basis. In October 2020, not only […]

After several years of paying renewal fees, and with the agreement of the tenant, I notified the agent that at the end of the fixed period we would be going down the statutory periodic tenancy route. THEIR RESPONSE: Terminate the contract following a successful letting of the property by us and the existing tenants remain […]

The impact of the lockdown and lack of opportunity for international travel may well have incited consumers to consider staycations and, for those who are able to invest, a holiday let could seem appealing. The latest analysis by Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals a notable rise in the number of buy-to-let options for holiday let over the past […]

I am selling a property with a lease of over 100 years Ground Rent of £175 pa with 10-year reviews related to inflation. My buyer has pointed that at some time in the future the GR will exceed £250 and the property will technically become an AST with rights of repossession by the freeholder if […]

I recently had to evict a lodger from my house. I gave them 28 days notice for causing a nuisance, but they did not leave, so I had to change the locks. Afterwards, I sent emails and Whatsapps to them explaining what had happened and that they had 2 weeks to collect their belongings. That […]

Having lived in our main residence for three years my family relocated and moved abroad for my husband’s work. We are now back living in the UK and have been living in the previous main residence for the last twelve months. I was wondering what the CGT liability will be when we sell the house […]

A simple to understand video guide to the new PD for commercial to residential Prior Approval process exposing NEW opportunities and changes to existing processes. Robert Jenrick MP announced a package of measures to revitalise England’s cherished high streets and town centres. New planning law enables unused commercial buildings to be changed into homes which […]

I have a leasehold of a flat with Ground Rent of £250 that increases by either £250 or the rate of inflation every 10 years. 10 years are up next year, so Ground Rent will be a minimum of £500. Then the following 10 years will go up a minimum of £250 and so on. […]

We have a couple of ground floor flats, a one bed and two bed which up to now have been let to fully able-bodied tenants who have no special mobility requirements. Both tenancies will be ending shortly and I am acutely aware that these are sought after properties as a direct result of being directly […]

It was an evictions ban that was due to end on the 31st March, but the government has announced an extension to the ban on evicting tenants. A survey conducted by This Is Money showed that 70% of landlords have been contacted by tenants worried about paying rent. Tenants that can’t pay rent, and Landlords […]

From 1 April 2021 the Regulations for Electrical Safety Standards apply in all cases where a private tenant has a right to occupy a property as their only or main residence and pays rent. This includes assured shorthold tenancies and licences to occupy. Exceptions include social housing, lodgers, those on a long lease of 7 […]

From 1 April 2021, a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge will apply to purchasers of residential property in England and Northern Ireland who are not resident in the UK. Click Here The 2% surcharge applies to all ‘non-resident transactions’, even if you intend to live in the property when you buy a major […]

I am sure we all have friends, and or family members, who are First-time buyers facing the challenges of getting onto the property ladder, not the least of which is finding the deposit. However, there are a number of solutions currently available. Mortgage Guarantee Scheme:  A new Mortgage Guarantee scheme is being launched in April […]

The new polymer £50 note will be issued for the first time on 23 June 2021, which coincides with Alan Turing’s birthday. The note contains advanced security features, completing our most secure set of Bank of England polymer banknotes yet. Like the £20, incorporates two windows and a two-colour foil, making it very difficult to […]

It can make a massive difference to your bottom line whether you choose to invest in flats or houses. It can also make a massive difference depending on where in the country you are. Watch this video for a full breakdown on the pros and cons, and for recommendations on what type of investment property […]

The latest Nationwide House Price Index for March with prices down 0.2% month–on–month, after taking account of seasonal factors. Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth slowed to 5.7% in March, from 6.9% in February. “Given that the wider economy and the labour market has performed better than expected […]

Many people have spent more time than ever before at home over the last year. Some have been trying to work from home with children, dogs and cats to look after. And what of the neighbours? Perhaps your tenant has only just realised how noisy or disruptive they are but what can they do about […]