Page 469 – Property118

Can I get a discount for early redemption?

2nd November 2020

I have some decent mortgages with CCL, Rosinca and others (1.5% above base rate) and have enough properties to fill my time and needs. I now have the ability to repay all the mortgages (they have between 5 and 10 years remaining) and wonder if anyone has experience of gaining a discount in the settlement […]

Why didn’t my accountant tell me about this?

1st November 2020

Series two, Episode one of Property118 TV has just been released. Grab yourself a cuppa and within just 12 minutes and 27 seconds exactly you’re about to feel how neanderthal men felt when they first discovered fire. You will learn how Limited Companies can be structured in a SMART way for both income tax and […]

Protect Your Wealth In Property In 2021

30th October 2020

In turbulent times it’s more important than ever for property investors to protect their property wealth through effective tax planning. For this, an understanding of smart property company structures is essential to mitigate inheritance tax and provision for the next generation. Many landlords are now asking themselves; “why has my accountant never mentioned the benefits […]

You take the risk and I will take the tenant!

30th October 2020

I am constantly being approached by various Local Authorities to house single homeless people, something I am only too willing to do with certain conditions. In summary, my reply demands a guarantor, for both rent and damage without limit, using the catchphrase “You take the risk and I will take the tenant.” Nobody has taken […]

Close-up detail of engraved eye from British currency representing financial focus and interest rate changes

Sharp recovery of mortgage approvals

30th October 2020

The latest Bank of England statistics for money and credit in September indicate the mortgage market strengthened further from its recover post lockdown. Net an additional £4.8 billion was borrowed secured on homes, following on from net borrowing of £3.0 billion in August. This reflects increased levels of mortgage approvals for house purchases over the […]

I am a Landlord myself – Break clause?

30th October 2020

I served a notice on 16th October to terminate my tenancy, according to a 2-months break clause in my contract, expecting to pay only 2 month’s rent till I vacate the property on 15th December. However, the letting agent has got back to me saying the break clause falls within the statuary law which means […]

More flexibility to student rental agreement?

30th October 2020

With COVID-19 still in front of mind there is uncertainty over whether students will return to university or learn remotely from home after Christmas. Students are now asking for more flexible lease arrangements with a 6 month option, for example, rather than running the full 12 months. My question is how straightforward is it to […]

5.8% annual house price growth at 5 year high

30th October 2020

The Nationwide House Price index just released for October is showing annual house price growth rising to 5.8%, the highest rate since January 2015. House prices on a month-on-month basis, after taking account of seasonal factors are up 0.8%. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “Annual house price growth rose to 5.8%in October–its highest level […]

Gas Safety Certificate Failed by Boiler flue not sealed?

29th October 2020

I have just received a failed gas safety certificate due to the reason of “Boiler flue not sealed”, for a property with new boiler installed exactly two years ago. The strange thing is that for the past two years the gas safety certificates were all well and good, without anything changed. What’s my best action […]

Giving Tenants Notice versus Eviction during Covid-19 restrictions?

29th October 2020

So what is the difference with a rolling shorthold tenancy with a two month notice period, versus seeking an eviction notice? Do I still have to give my tenant six months notice when I wish to end their periodic tenancy with a two month notice clause? The Welsh Assembly states evictions cannot be started without […]

EPC renewal for HMO run by a Social Housing provider?

29th October 2020

The EPC is due to expire on a property that we let to a Social Housing provider on the basis of a whole property let. It is up to them how they let the rooms accordingly. The question is do we need to have another EPC conducted on the property now as it has expired, […]

Government’s approach is almost certainly unlawful

29th October 2020

Evidence is emerging that County Court Bailiffs and High Court Sheriffs (HCEOs) are declining to enforce warrants and writs of possession. Guidance has apparently come from the Lord Chancellor to Bailiffs, and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association has also publicised a letter received from Robert Buckland, the Lord Chancellor, asking them not to enforce […]

Do I have to accept a Smart Meter?

28th October 2020

My new tenant wants to have a smart meter installed. I’m not so sure as they have been problematic and not always able to give accurate readings plus some suppliers don’t like taking on new customers with these. I would therefore prefer her not to. I understand that we can’t legally say no, but can […]

Rent to Rent furniture sale taxable?

28th October 2020

Hi everyone, I’ve had a Rent to Rent HMO in Liverpool since March 2013. I’m now passing it on to someone else, furnished, and tenanted, as I’ve had enough myself, but it is a good house. When I first got the house, I obviously furnished it from top to bottom, at a lot of expense […]

Rent Guarantee Insurance – is it worth it?

28th October 2020

I have a 2 bed house that I’ve just refurbed after a family did a lot of damage to it and ran up rent arrears. I’m now debating whether to holiday let it or family let again. However, I’m reluctant to family let again without rent guarantee insurance. I’ve never taken this out as I’m […]

Being a professional landlord during COVID – legal and compliance update webinar

28th October 2020

LandlordZONE and the NRLA are to jointly host a webinar on Tuesday 1st December that will give landlords an update on the Coronavirus emergency and its impact on the housing market and legislation. The Webinar will be hosted by Paul Shamplina Head of Property at Hamilton Fraser, Landlord Law and presenter of Channel 5’s ‘Nightmare […]

The National Landlord Investment online Super Show – Tuesday 3rd November

28th October 2020

The National Landlord Investment team to host their online Super Show, Tuesday 3rd November with over 1200 minutes of free content! Join the team and over 40 expert speakers and connect with 50+ exhibitors online. Click Here The team delivered their first online event on 8th October which covered the Midlands and Manchester areas. The […]

Deposit not protected and solicitor demanding six times deposit repayment?

28th October 2020

A tenancy started 7th September 2018, becoming a periodic tenancy on 7th March 2019. I did not protect the deposit until 14th October 2019, and understand I am liable for a fine. I’ve done wrong, I accept that, so no need to lambaste me over it. The couple separated and the deposit was returned to […]

Sell my Main Residence to my Property Ltd Co and lease it back to myself?

28th October 2020

I am interested in investigating the advantages/disadvantages of selling my main residence to my Property Limited Company and then leasing the property back to myself (possibly on a Opco/Propco type of arrangement). My residential property is probably worth around £850k with a outstanding mortgage of £180k and the registered address of my Property Limited Company […]

We are now in a completely different operating environment

28th October 2020

In the past, if someone was in a reasonable job, I was willing to risk taking them on without a guarantor. In fact, it seemed rude to ask a professional in their 30s or 40s for one. The worst thing that could happen would be me losing about 6 months rent – which I may […]