Hello all, I hope someone can help. I own 3 apartments in a block, the only apartments in that block with our own entrance. We do not own the entrance/hallway the freeholder/landlord does. The landlord owns the building and on the ground floor an estate agency with its own entrance. We are trying to allocate […]

Hi I’m looking for Rent Guarantee Insurance on my properties that are apartments in apartment blocks. I am having no problems obtaining Rent Guarantees for my other properties as long as I also take out building’s insurance as part of a package. However, with my apartments, I have to pay the building’s insurance as part […]

Just under half of mortgage intermediaries expect to write more buy-to-let business in the next 12 months, according to Paragon Bank’s Financial Adviser Confidence Tracker (FACT) Index. The index developed quarterly by the specialist lender, is evidence of the market’s current strength. When asked to describe the demand for buy-to-let mortgages at present, 48% of […]

Using text messages to remind tenants when rent is due and chase late payments provides a range of benefits, according to PayProp who say communicating via text not only saves time and resources, but also meets the needs of modern tenants, many of whom prefer not to receive direct phone calls.  Why is SMS an […]

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a support package to help keep rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless safe this winter in the press release below: This will give local areas the tools and funding they need to protect people from life-threatening cold weather and the risks posed by coronavirus. Today’s announcement […]

There is no indication it is likely, or that the Bank of England will reduce the Base Rate to zero or a negative figure. However, a letter has been sent by Sam Woods on behalf of the Bank of England to selected firms’ CEOs asking about their operational readiness should interest rates move in that […]

The NRLA responded to the Chancellor’s announcement of furlough schemes where local lockdowns exist with, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, saying: “The local furlough payments are not going to be enough to help renters who are already behind with their rent, because of the impact of COVID-19. “The impact of local lockdowns makes it even more […]

A lawyer recently told me that he thought there was a law whereby, if a tenant gives notice, but then does not move out at the end of their notice period, they can be charged double rent. Has anyone heard of this please or know what my position is under the Covid-19 emergency rules? My […]

The latest NRL A survey in England and Wales indicates the majority of landlords expect their rental business to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey of just over 2,000 members found that 48% felt they would face a ‘slightly’ negative impact to their business as a result of the pandemic and 18% […]

The NRLA’s submission to the government is calling for a package of financial support for landlords and tenants to assist with Covid-19 related rent arrears ahead of the publication of its Comprehensive Spending Review. Unlike the recent announcement by the Welsh government introducing a tenant loan scheme paid directly to landlords or agents there has […]

Have any landlords had experience of accepting guarantees from a rent guarantor company rather than a tenant’s relative or close personal friend? I have a potential tenant who wants to offer one of these companies (Housing Hand) and use them as the rent guarantor. Has anyone had recourse to claim from them due to tenant […]

Hi, I currently have a small portfolio with 20 properties that I have had for over 15 years. I have always managed accounts and expenses on Excel which has worked well till now. With new legislations constantly coming in and data needing to be reported on I am now looking to have a central store […]

The latest RICS Residential Survey shows the UK housing market activity remained strong in September with buyer enquiries, agreed sales and new listings all remaining strong over the month. Nevertheless, sales further ahead are expected to weaken amid the challenging macro-economic environment, evidenced by 12-month expectations which have moved deeper into negative territory. In the […]

Hello, I have a property where 5 tenants are staying (not as an HMO – They are a family), each of whom has signed the contract. The contract is expiring early December 2020, they also have 2 part payments in arrears. I went to visit the property and on entering, I noticed that 2 family […]

Hi, I have 3 vacant residential properties -V- two tenants who are not paying their rent since February 2019. Possession for one property was granted 7 months ago in March 2020 and the tenant is still occupying the house. I am now reluctant to rent the three other properties fearing what will happen and the […]

Do you remember law firms offering to claim PPI as no win, no fee? Well, I’m sorry to have to say that landlords are the latest group that the ambulance chasers have set their sights on. I speak from personal experience. Let me tell you what happened, in the hope that others don’t get intimidated […]

A new £8 million Welsh Government Tenancy Saver Loan scheme to help tenants struggling with rent arrears due to coronavirus has launched by Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James. First of its kind in the UK, the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme will be open to private rented sector tenants in rent arrears and […]

There are currently a shocking 640,000 empty homes in England, which account for 2.65% of all houses. But where in the country are the most houses sitting vacant? Coulters have conducted research using Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data to discover the areas with the highest percentage of vacant homes and reveal the […]

The September Halifax House Price index has just been released showing annual growth of 7.3%, quarterly growth of 3.3% and a monthly increase of 1.6%. The new average house price now stands at £249,870. The key question is how long will pent-up demand from the lockdown and the Stamp Duty holiday incentive continue to outstrip […]

Short scenario – Tenant is asking for a partner to move in. I won’t offer a joint tenancy as the incoming person has not been in a job long enough to warrant this (still in 6 month probation period) and even then she won’t be able to afford the full rent herself. The existing tenant […]

A note which should be issued to all Landlords using a managing agent for their properties: You may be aware that new Electrical Regulations are coming into force for rental accommodation. Until now, it was only necessary to have a full electrical installation test every 10 years. Under the new regulations, this period is now […]