Are you aware that Ealing are proposing to extend and enlarge their existing licensing schemes? At a recent boisterous virtual meeting, the council outlined their plans, ending that there was a consultation period which is going to end on Monday August 16th at midnight. As many of the landlords present had only just heard of […]

Despite letting UC know (though the official form) that the tenant has now paid back in full her rent arrears, I have since been paid directly another deducted payment. I am assuming that at some point DWP will realise this and ask for it back as it classes as an overpayment, but the tenant says […]

Linda Wright gives an excellent explanation comparing and contrasting class G v class MA These 2 NEW prior approvals for converting use class E-commercial space to residential C3 uses. Did you know there are over a dozen differences between the two, creating more opportunities where one does not meet the full criterion, the other will. […]

I am in the process of purchasing 2 flats for £39k each in Scotland from the same seller. Additional dwelling supplement tax (4% of purchase price) is normally zero for properties under £40k. However, my solicitor has interpreted this as a linked transaction and thinks that ADS is payable on the combined total purchase price. […]

Hi everyone, I have a question and would appreciate some help on this. I have never owned a property before, and I am looking to purchase a Buy to Let property under a limited company. When it comes to buying my own house, in my own name, I am wondering if I will still have […]

A tenant moved in during June after the whole flat was fully and professionally redecorated (white) and re-carpeted (light grey). She now has asked to repaint the walls and put up shelves. On the one hand, I think yes, but on the other, she hasn’t been there long at all, and I know it will […]

I own a mixed residential shop with 8 studios above. Old Edwardian high street building Historically the correct building regulations were not in place, and so I have made an application for regularisation to get it up to standard and to comply. The council came round and have given me a list of 52 items […]

The proportion of private rented households with someone aged 65 or over living in them has increased by almost 45% over the last decade according to new analysis of Government data. The figures come as the National Residential Landlords Association warns that not enough is being done to help landlords access financial support to adapt […]

There has been much discussion on this topic, with landlords finding that they are not successful in front of some County court judges. Of course, county court decisions are not binding, and it’s not unknown (although not desirable) to have different decisions. We had a Possession order today (10th August) where the judge accepted the […]

While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for the more vulnerable in our society. The Renters Reform Bill, announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech and reaffirmed by the Government in May 2021 will, amongst other […]

There is still no clarity from the government about the proposed ‘upgrade’ to C rating for all PRS lets as yet…but… Are Grade 2 listed properties completely exempt from having to go through the ‘wrap first’ initiatives? My Local Authority does not have a conservation officer/Dept just to simply double-check, so any request for advice […]

Bridging finance can best be described as relatively short-term loans, normally for periods of between one and eighteen months. Today, the cost of bridging finance is at its lowest point ever. Main uses of Bridging Finance Chain Breaking Light Refurbishment e.g. new kitchen or bathroom Heavy Refurbishment e.g. Extension, Change of use, including Permitted Developments. […]

When carrying out the end of tenancy inspection on a student let, I encountered a completely blocked drain outlet from the kitchen and bathroom. This was so bad that the adjacent paved area of the yard had been flooded which had left a congealed mat of fat and there was a watermark and crud on […]

I have sold a buy to let property and are now looking at filing my CGT return within the 30 days. One thing I am unsure of is that because the property is jointly with my brother now, however, it was purchased equally in 3 names (with my uncle) in 2009 but in 2016 he […]

The number of property transactions registered in England and Wales climbed 20% over the last quarter, rising to 290,248 in Q2 2021, up from 241,916 in Q1 2021, according to the latest edition of the Conveyancing Market Tracker from Search Acumen, the property data insight and technology provider. This is the highest number of quarterly […]

The London Property Market has been in the doldrums for the last year, and it is set to boom! In today’s Property Breaking News (PBN), we are going to be giving you the latest analytics that shows how the London property market will play out. Also in today’s news, the new property investment trend may […]

The property market is sky-high, an occurrence that happens just once every 7 years, so it’s no surprise that Landlords and Landlord Associations are in agreement that right now is the time to sell your buy-to-let portfolios. We’ve all done it: built up a portfolio of buy-to-lets that have allowed us financial freedom over the […]

The latest Halifax House Price Index is showing Annual house price inflation at 7.6% compared to 8.7% in June with the average UK property price now £261,221, up 0.4% in July. |However, Wales recorded its strongest house price growth since 2005. Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “House prices rose by 0.4% in July to […]

I have 4 flats (separate buildings) where the Council own the building (Freehold-Is that right?). I pay service charge approx £100+ each flat each year + Estate rent £10 each flat. No mortgages on each flat if that makes a difference. My limited knowledge and notes on this tells me: Council have to extend Lease […]

We purchased a fully licensed HMO a couple of years ago and soon after purchasing we obtained our own HMO licence which permitted 5 rooms (1 person in each room). The property also comprised of communal Kitchen and Bathroom. Having rented the property just over 16 months and the fact we had a number of […]

Over the coming weeks, people claiming Universal Credit will receive notifications about a cut to their benefits this autumn. As it stands, the government is set to cut benefits by £20 a week – equivalent to £1,040 a year – from 6 October. The exact date people will see the cut kick in will depend […]