The current ban on repossessions in the residential rental market in England and Wales is due to end on Sunday 20th This follows a U-turn on the 21st August which saw the Government extend the ban by a further month in chaotic, last-minute circumstances.  At the time the Master of the Rolls described the nature […]

When Robert Jenrick made his shock announcement on the 21st of August of a new 6-month notice period in England (copying ‘socialist’ Wales) he further abrogated the state’s responsibility. How could it be right that private citizens are now made to house non-paying tenants whom they ordinarily would have been able to evict after ‘only’ […]

This story concerns two slum-like death trap HMOs which had both been granted recent HMO Licences by Lincoln City Council and condemned as unsafe for habitation by an independent expert. One such HMO Licence was granted as recently as January 2020 and even after inspection by one of Lincoln City Council’s supposedly expert Housing Officers, […]

The FCA has published additional guidance for firms, to ensure that consumers who have benefited from payment deferrals under the current guidance who still face financial difficulties, as well as those whose financial situation may be newly affected by coronavirus after the current guidance ends, continue to get the support they need. The measures mean […]

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced further measures to protect renters. Law Society of England and Wales president Simon Davis said: “Possession hearings restart on 21 September, meaning that landlords are able to commence hearings to evict tenants. However, in areas where a local lockdown is implemented, enforcement of any possession […]

A tenant that has recently vacated one of our properties left the place in such a state that we said we would need to keep some of his deposit to cover deep cleaning and removal of many items left behind. His deposit is with ‘My Deposit’ – all arranged by the agent that lets out […]

Hello,  I have a number of properties where the fuse board/CCU is not in a metal cabinet or metal frame. In fact on some certified electricians have over the years replaced the old board with plastic boards to include circuit breakers etc. I not convinced that in any circumstances – or particularly plastic boxes need […]

On the 5th of June 2020, the UK Government announced that it would be suspending all housing possession cases in the courts for a further 2 months. Recently, this was extended again taking the total ban on legal evictions to 6 months. The Government have confirmed that the new 6-month notice period will be in […]

Hello, Please can anyone point me where to look on the internet (or Property118) where I can read up about how to turn a Freehold Property ie a property with just 1 Land Registry Title into two titles i.e. A Leasehold and a Freehold. I would also like to be able to read up about […]

The new government Green Homes Grant will give up to £5,000 in vouchers to landlords to make their homes more energy-efficient. This scheme is part of a £3b investment in green technology to promote energy efficiency, as well as to help boost the economy during the coronavirus pandemic by creating jobs. If you are looking […]

Renters affected by coronavirus will continue to be supported over autumn and winter through comprehensive measures confirmed by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. The government has changed the law to increase notice periods to 6 months meaning renters now served notice can stay in their homes over winter, with time to find alternative support or accommodation. The only exceptions […]

22% of private landlords with properties in England surveyed have lost rental income as a result of COVID-19 according to new polling. The research, conducted online by YouGov for the National Residential Landlords Association, found that whilst 19% of those questioned had lost up to half of their usual rental income as a result of […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers will be presenting an overview of several landlords tax strategies at the pin Oxford property networking event Tuesday 15th September The events will be held Online and Attendees can expect first-class speakers and great networking opportunities. For any Property118 readers looking to attend […]

It may seem like it just ended, but the Premier League returns this weekend. While there’s a long road ahead before the champions are crowned, estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has revealed which teams take the top spot for buoyant house price growth. They pulled house price data surrounding every Premier League stadium to look at […]

A tenant (local to us but not one of ours) has been advised that she has to vacate to enable “massive repairs”. I do not currently have details of what these massive repairs entail, but the suspicion is that they are actually improvements being labelled as repairs by the landlord as a way of attempting […]

Hi. We have a tenant who left a fixed-term tenancy agreement 2 months earlier than his end of tenancy agreement and moved into a larger property nearby. He paid all his rent till the end, but would not hand over his keys or give consent for us to access the property to prepare it for […]

“Landlord fits new high-efficiency boiler in under 24 hours despite tenant owing rent!” Is a headline that won’t be appearing anywhere anytime soon, however that is the reality of being a landlord for most of us on here. I know because I have just done it, kissing 6 months rent goodbye in the process. Of […]

The Material Valuation Uncertainty Leaders Forum (UK) forum was set up by RICS to consider the unique events relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on valuation, particularly the reporting of material uncertainty.  The forum has a focus on financial reporting and measures for the accurate and consistent reporting of material uncertainty in […]

Judge Mary Stacey has ruled in favour of Stephen Tyler in County Court that a Birmingham letting agent unlawfully prevented him from viewing a property on the basis that he was in receipt of housing benefit. Stephen Tyler, aged 29 and disabled, was represented by Shelter solicitor, Rose Arnall, who successfully argued that a blanket […]

Hello peers, My question is regarding exemptions to the extra 3% SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) currently payable on investment properties. Is my understanding correct that the SDLT paid on probate properties is eligible for a refund if they’re turned around and sold again within the year? I appreciate your time! DP Editors Notes: HMRC […]

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has today announced that the prospectus inviting bids for the government’s investment in affordable housing and new measures to make it easier to get a foot on the property ladder are being launched this week. The £12.2 billion overall investment in affordable housing was confirmed at Budget, which also includes £700 […]