Thousands of private renters who have built arrears during the pandemic face problems finding an alternative home because of damage to their credit scores according to a new survey. With the Government refusing to support tenants and landlords in tackling COVID related arrears, this research finds that approximately 210,000 tenants may face severe difficulties in […]

I’ve just received a letter from the Information Commissioner’s Office, Wilmslow addressed to our Management Company informing us that most companies need to pay a fee of between £40-£60 a year. It says if you are liable and have not paid a fine of £4,000 could be issued. Apparently, they have checked our records, and […]

In England, the ban on most bailiff-enforced evictions comes to an end on Monday, while the notice period landlords need to give tenants will be reduced from six to four months. Citizens Advice are reporting an increasing number of private tenants are turning to them for help. Polling conducted by ICM Unlimited for Citizens Advice […]

For once, well organised Landlords are threatening to take the council to the High Court over plans to expand a housing licensing scheme. York Residential Landlords Association claim City of York Council’s proposals are “unlawful and irrational”. The council’s legal team is considering a solicitor’s letter from the landlords’ association, a spokesperson said. A consultation […]

Propertymark’s latest Housing Market Report has indicated that a record 32% of properties sold for more than the original asking price. This smashes the previous record back in May 2014 of 19%. Propertymark Chief Policy Advisor, Mark Hayward, said: “It is phenomenal to see demand for housing breaking records, as house buyers continue to fuel […]

An elderly family member has rented a property to a council tenant for 20 years plus. My relative hasn’t managed it well and is owed £8,000 in missed rent payments. As my relative is ‘slightly’ at fault (in my view), I agreed to let the tenant repay monthly, without interest. My question is that I […]

I’m in the process of buying a house and in the conveyancing process, and it has appeared that there is a dispute between a neighbour and this property on a very large cherry tree that sits in the corner of this garden, but had grown to cover theirs, too. The neighbours have insisted that it […]

Hi, I am looking to purchase an empty property. The owner has passed away after a number of years in a care home. The property is in a state of disrepair, and the deceased still shows as the registered owner, but a proprietorship register contains a restriction. 1, the disposition is by two or more […]

New guidance on the measurement of land for development projects such as new housing and commercial development have been published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 25 May 2021, which defines common measurements used across the built environment and associated metrics such as density. The guidance is now available and will be used by […]

As Sheriffs, we are continuing to monitor transfer times of Orders for Possession from the County Court to the High Court for landlords, and other claimants who want a faster and more effective transfer system.  So, we will be sharing our research with the Property 118 community, and naturally, we would like to hear from […]

I have inherited a property with a regulated tenant of over 60 years standing. I am aware that to gain an EICR the property will require a complete rewire. The property is immaculately maintained and decorated by the tenant. How do I stand regarding making good the damage this will cause and the cost of […]

I have a 2-bed flat which I have rented out to the same tenants since I bought it over nine years ago. As I am now planning to make some changes to my (small) portfolio, I want to sell the flat early in 2023. Does it make sense to give the tenants written notice of […]

A new national design code meaning areas are beautiful, well-designed and locally-led is being tested across 14 areas in England, Housing Minister Christopher Pincher has announced. The code will ensure future developments are beautiful and fit in with local character. It gives local planning authorities a toolkit of design principles to consider for new developments, […]

My tenants have flooded the bathroom using the hand shower in the freestanding bath. Their accident caused water to spill down through to the kitchen and into a wall socket. They now claim they suffered electric shock and say it’s my fault for not fitting a waterproof floor. Who is responsible? I don’t think l […]

I need to replace a bathroom in a property in NW London. It is a total job involving ripping out the existing bath loo and basin, replace a radiator, flooring and some plasterboard on the ceiling, and change a tumble dryer and an airing cupboard round to occupy each other’s positions in an adjoining utility […]

Landlords considering investing or refinancing will be pleased to see the latest data from Moneyfacts.co.uk, which illustrates interest rates for investors are beginning to decrease. Since the start of this month, the average BTL two and five-year fixed rates for all loan-to-values (LTV) have fallen by 0.04% and 0.05% respectively, and since March 2021 by […]

Very sadly a long term tenant has died. The contract was an AST started in May 2005 and rolled ever since. As no new fixed-term tenancy or ‘renewal’ has ever been signed, and as the fixed term tenancy ended (in Oct 2005) I assume it is now a new ‘periodic’ tenancy that has been created. […]

The Office of Tax Simplification’s (OTS) second report recommends that the government consider extending the reporting and payment deadline for the UK Property tax return from 30 days to 60 days. Click here The second report said: Around 150,000 individuals make a disposal of UK residential property each year, 85,000 of whom have a taxable […]

Hi, my tenant is currently in N. Wales, single educated lady with 2 dachshunds and working as a teacher. She is moving to the Exeter/Devon area after 16 June and cannot find a property. She has been a wonderful tenant for 3 years with no issues, which is why I am asking here if anyone […]

I have a rented property with no problems from the electrics over a 10-year period. I had an EICR carried out in December 2011 that was satisfactory. A week ago the electrician EICR checked the house and found some minor problems with the earths plus the need for a new consumer unit and left. Within […]

Hello, I wanted to get some advice on a flat I have in Central London near Canary Wharf. The property is a 2 bedroom new build property (constructed in 2017). It has been occupied by the same tenants since it was built. In addition to the 2 bedrooms, there is 1 bathroom, and a large […]