People who applied for Universal Credit as Covid hit could be subject to a benefits check by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Citizens Advice sets out the need-to-knows on the DWP’s Trust and Protect scheme, and the steps that should be taken to ensure benefits are not withdrawn. What is the ‘Trust and […]

I’ve been a joint shareholder of a freehold company that owns a Victorian block with 4 flats for about 5 years, there are four flats with four shareholders, and I am one of three Directors running the management company. The other two Directors are ‘Directors from Hell’, they have owned their flats for over 30 […]

Hi, I have tenants that, for almost a year, are constantly requesting amendments be made to my property in Wales. For example, I had the property painted and decorated just before they moved in at a cost of £3000. They moved in, and the next day sent me a repair list of 38 items, one […]

Most Tenancy Agreements (TA) state first rent in advance, but what about when this is not applicable? Benefit tenants or Direct Landlord UC payments are always a month in arrears, so how do you get across this dilemma of the working in a TA? Is it viable to ask for two months Rent in Advance […]

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released data for March 2021 shows the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 1.6% in the 12 months to April 2021 up from 1.0% to March. This brings inflation levels towards the Bank of England’s medium-term target of 2% without causing immediate short term […]

With the current stamp duty holiday spurring a property market frenzy, house prices have boomed. The latest UK House Price Index shows that the North of England is leading the way, with both the North West (11.9%) and Yorkshire and Humber (10.9%) registering the highest rates of annual growth, while the North East (9%) isn’t […]

Private sector tenants are leaving London in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to new research, landlords renting properties in London were the only ones in the country to report that tenant demand had fallen more than it increased. A survey of National Residential Landlords Association members, conducted by the research consultancy BVA-BDRC, found that […]

I am looking to make a claim for carer allowance, having had to retire at 63 and to move back home to care for elderly ill parents. My company pension is not included in the rules for carer allowance. However, rental “earned income” is and there are questions about it in the form. Having googled […]

I wonder if anybody can assist me? I applied for possession in accordance with s21 in January after first applying to the Court in March 2020 in respect of a normal AST. Eventually, after numerous errors by the Judge, I was granted a possession order in April. The tenant is 6 months in arrears, so […]

Astons, the international experts on real estate, residency and citizenship through investment, has revealed that it’s not just green list inclusion for UK holiday makers that could see travel to Portugal increase this year, with investment into the nation’s Golden Visa program also expected to climb in 2021. Portugal currently has one of the most […]

It was announced in the Queen’s speech last week that ground rents for new leasehold properties will be abolished, with a small sum in rent taking their place. However, it remains unclear as to how, or if, this will impact existing leasehold homes and the latest research from StripeHomes has revealed just how much is […]

May sees a new Rightmove record for the price of property coming to market, hitting an average of £333,564. That is 1.8% (+£5,767) above the previous all-time high recorded in April. While the level of new properties coming up for sale is at a similar level to the long-term average, demand continues to massively exceed […]

The pandemic-related debts of tenants and landlords should be “top of the Housing Minister’s in-tray”, according to the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) following the formation of a new Welsh Government. In the wake of the Senedd election on 6 May, Mark Drakeford has formed his new cabinet. Julie James remains in charge of housing in the […]

I have had an application from a very young lady (only just 18, but she is due a baby within the month) for a two-bed flat with her partner. While she has the Rent In Advance & Deposit, I am wary that if the partner leaves her, she won’t be able to afford the rent […]

I have a tenant who is now on a periodic agreement with terms requiring monthly payment. He is a terrible payer and I would normally look to evict him, but it is not so easy at the moment. He has just requested to move to weekly payments, and I am happy to accommodate his request. […]

House prices are predicted by many to fall following the end of the stamp duty holiday and tax bills are high. If you’re a portfolio landlord, now could be the perfect window to sell part or all of your buy-to-lets, from the experts who know exactly how to do it, for the best price. We’re […]

A slowdown in the supply of new homes in April has seen price growth accelerate across the UK, according to the RICS Residential Market survey, April 2021. Meanwhile, a lack of new properties to let has also put pressure on prospective renters. Tenant demand for rental properties picked up over the quarter to April – […]

According to Google Trends, searches for “pets” has increased by 60% over the last three years. As a nation of pet lovers, more than two in five bought a puppy to be their Covid-19 companion, and two-thirds agreed that their dog was a “lifeline in lockdown”. Mashroom has researched the most pet-friendly cities in the UK, […]

Hi, My partner and I (not married) have developed a pair of semi-detached properties that we owned jointly in personal names and converted into 5 flats. We are now selling off 4 of the flats. My question is because I have been advised that the leasehold of the flats can not be in the same name […]

Where to find property investment hotspots for Buy To Let (BTL) in the UK. In this video, I go through the top 5 Buy To Let Hotspots in 2021 and the number one best strategy to capitalise in hotspot areas. Please click on the Video below: 

The temporary adjustments to the right to rent check introduced on 30 March 2020, due to COVID-19, are ending. From 21 June 2021, you must check the prescribed documents as set out in the right to rent code of practice and the landlord’s guide, published on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/landlords-immigration-right-to-rent-checks. This means that when carrying out […]