Quick query about stamp duty. My wife and I own 4 properties 50/50 as tenants in common. We have a partnership (not an LLP) i.e. our self-assessments show income from partnership to declare this property income. We want to keep the ownerships as 50/50 but want to split the partnership to 80/20 so take advantage […]

The past year has been tough on most due to COVID, however, Landlords can take heart from a very healthy insurance market that continues to compete for their let buildings and contents insurance. The cost of landlord insurance depends largely on the insurer that you speak with. Axis, Channel, Accelerant, Ocaso and Arkel are all […]

I take a stroll down the high street and share what to look for when searching for retail property to convert to residential use under Permitted Development Rights. Watch this video to find out for yourself, and join us this Sunday for a FREE live 90-minute masterclass where you can learn more on the subject! […]

The latest Rightmove House Price Index shows the Greatest excess of demand over supply over the past ten years, pushing up the average price of property coming to market by 0.8% (+£2,484) this month. The Number of potential buyers enquiring about each available property on Rightmove in the month is at a record 34% higher […]

Like many leaseholders up and down the land, the development I live in has a few parking issues (albeit manageable ones). These are caused by leaseholders owning more than X vehicles (contrary to the terms of the lease), and is a bit more of an issue currently due to the increase in people working from […]

I’m looking to buy a commercial property for my wife’s business in our local town, and I’ve found a property in the town centre which is ideal. The commercial property is listed as freehold, however, there’s a flat above the shop which already has a leasehold in place, with someone else according to the seller. […]

I’m a little confused about the legal side of HMO at your own home or private residence. My home is a bungalow. In early 2016 I completed a loft conversion which gave me two bedrooms(one en-suite) a bathroom and a small box room upstairs. The intention was for my partner’s son and family to live […]

I just applied for Home Insurance with Hiscox, I was declined because I am a Landlord! I made it clear it was for my home only, but it made no difference. I did not realise even insurers held us in such contempt. Has anyone else had this, why are we seen as such low life? […]

I correctly predicted last year, that there would be no housing market crash in 2021. In this update, I consider some key announcements from the Budget and state why I feel property prices will rise in 2021 and beyond. Watch this video to find out why and what you need to do now to benefit. […]

I have a general query and sorry if this is an obvious one. Are landlords allowed to undertake basic electrical changes ie swap a pendant, swap a cracked socket or faulty socket? I have been asked to undertake a few accreditation inspections and all is fine, but they have requested that I provide double sockets […]

Labour-controlled Oxford council says it’s confident a huge new Revenue Generating licensing scheme for one of Britain’s most high-profile cities will be voted through today, but it admits there’s a big clash of opinions between landlords and agents on the one hand, and the council and other respondents to a consultation exercise. Oxford council will this […]

The TDS is “raising money and awareness for the domestic violence charity, Refuge. The aim is to highlight the wonderful work of the charity but also to raise awareness of the abuse that happens in homes throughout the UK every day.” Click Here It must, by implication, be spending some money (and time is money […]

Hi Everyone, Last May I engaged an electrician to investigate a fault in my tenanted London flat. After many visits and tests, it became clear to him that there were problems with the old wiring systems, beginning outside the flat in the courtyard where the electricity supply enters the whole building. Naturally, he was unable […]

News the government is set to extend the ban on the enforcement of evictions today received a guarded welcome from the Law Society of England and Wales. Law Society president David Greene said: “We welcome the news that some tenants who are struggling and would otherwise be facing eviction will be able to stay in […]

Responding to an announcement from the Government this afternoon that current regulations restricting repossessions will be extended until the 31st May and then begin to taper off, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “We welcome clarification that emergency measures in the rental market will be phased out in tandem with […]

Residential tenants will be supported as the ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in all but the most serious circumstances, such as incidents of fraud or domestic abuse, and the requirement for landlords to provide 6-month notice periods to tenants before they evict will also be extended until at least 31 May. Business owners are being given […]

Rented sector strategy will be part of a major new housing publication written by the Scottish government apparently looking to improve accessibility, affordability and standards, as part of a new 20 year route map for housing to be published next week. The Rented Sector strategy will be a key element of Housing to 204. Scotland’s […]

If a couple agrees to separate permanently, but without getting a court order they will be treated for SDLT purposes as an unmarried couple. This means that for the purposes of the 3% surcharge each spouse can buy a house without being treated as owning any property the other spouse owns. This also means that […]

I’ve recently received an email from my Management Company saying an inspection of the doors to the flats is required to see if they are rated FD30a. The flats are in Cornwall and according to the Management Company, it is an initiative which is likely to become law later this year. I am a bit […]

For the second year, I’ve received notification from the agent that in addition to the charge for a new tenancy agreement they want renewing fees which amount to over £1000 for doing nothing. This is a SCAM. I don’t mind paying for the new tenancy agreement which essentially is a copy and paste exercise with […]

Our next webinar is with Housing Barrister Dean Underwood from Cornerstone Chambers and specialises in HMO and licensing issues. In this webinar Dean will be looking at three key HMO issues relating to licensing. Essential watching if you are an HMO landlord (and even if you are not!). Failure to comply with HMO licensing rules […]