Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick faced questions from the housing select committee today on how the government will continue to support tenants after the three-month moratorium on evictions is lifted on June 25. He said a decision will be made next month on whether to extend the ban, which was introduced to prevent people losing their […]

There was a lot of heated discussion on the proposed EICR testing of all PRS homes on this forum. Earlier this year it was reported that the legislation was going through parliamentary approval and it seemed likely it would pass through without too much amendment. What is the situation seeing that for new tenant lets […]

This month I am purchasing an Industrial new Build price £200,000 + VAT. The Developer has a larger unit that I want to purchase at £340,00 + VAT within six months and has agreed to take the original purchased Unit back at full purchase price in p/x. The original unit was intended for my manufacturing […]

We had a tenant on an AST which was renewed every year for 11 years in total. The schedule of condition wasn’t updated each year and unfortunately we didn’t carry our regular inspections, although this isn’t stated in the lease. The property needed a full refurbishment and last year a notice was served to terminate […]

A specialist taskforce has been created to lead the next phase of the Government’s support for rough sleepers during the pandemic. Spearheaded by Dame Louise Casey, the taskforce will work hand-in-hand with councils across the country on plans to ensure rough sleepers can move into long-term, safe accommodation once the immediate crisis is over – […]

Well maybe my idea is daft illegal or both, but I figured you’re the guys to ask. I’m going to cash a little pension in soon and it’s not a great amount, but maybe 30k now I own a terrace outright. In the past I’ve rented a room out, because I am  not brave enough […]

Quick question please: tenant has asked to change payment date from 21st to 24th to coincide with his pay day. Checking online suggests not to put any thing in writing & don’t change contract date on AST – this should remain the same as it affects monthly upfront payments. Technically, I understand he will be […]

My daughter rented out her flat through lettings agent. The tenant subsequently left and the property was checked. The Agent used a third party to undertake the check. The flat was left with a number of faults , the main one being that the front entrance door had been jimmied open breaking the main door […]

Research by rental deposit replacement scheme, Ome, has highlighted how a lockdown reduction in rental stock entering the market could result in higher rental and deposit costs for UK tenants. Ome investigated the percentage of buy to let mortgage loans approved over the last five years as a percentage of all loans. The figures from […]

– Why Would A Property Investor Leave The UK? – How Can Moving Abroad Help Someone Withdraw Money From their portfolio? – What Are The Rules For Someone Who Still Has Ties to the UK? – What If You Have A Business In the UK That Needs Operating? Please see my video below with Mark […]

Whirlpool have again recalled some makes and models of Hotpoint/ Indesit/whirlpool washing machines and have added further models to the list of recalls. We would suggest that all landlords advise their tenants to do a quick check of their installed appliance following the outlined process below to see if it is one of the makes […]

We purchased land under a company name and built two semi-detached houses. We are trying to re-mortgage the properties, but the mortgage company is asking us to split the title in two so each house will have a title of its own. Our solicitor has advised of the need to move one house from our […]

Research out today by Citizens Advice suggesting that some 2.6 million private renters have missed a rent payment, or expect to do so, owing to coronavirus is potentially a long way wide of the mark and irresponsible says the NRLA. Citizens Advice appears to have extrapolated this figure from just 25 renters who said in […]

The current pandemic has caused problems for businesses in a multitude of sectors, with big high street names including Debenhams, Carluccio’s, Brighthouse, Chiquito, Laura Ashley and Flybe having already gone into administration. Gatwick Airport, Rolls-Royce, Cairn Energy and Finsbury Food Group are also feeling the pinch but peer to peer lender, Sourced Capital, has looked […]

Over 1,100 landlords watched the April 2020 Baker Street Property Meet event LIVE on YouTube. The content must have been engaging because the audience levels were maintained for nearly two hours. The live comment feeds also support that. I must correct myself on two silly mistakes I made. The first is that HMRC’s internal manuals […]

My son has a HMO property which was let in January to four overseas students who claimed to be two married couples. Having done the Right to Rent checks, their documentation appeared to be above board. The passports were valid and had the correct student Visas and they had evidence of student registration at universities. […]

So, a while ago someone told me that you can set up your own management company. And use this company to , 1, Collect Rent 2, Manage Visit’s 3, Manage Repairs The management company then takes a fee and you get paid the difference. Of course you will then pay tax on both earnings. Does […]

Responding to news that the Department for Work and Pensions has suspended until 10th May deductions from Universal Credit payments for rent arrears, service charge arrears and council tax arrears Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “At such a difficult time the priority should be to do everything possible to […]

A new Covid-19 Housing Delivery Taskforce to tackle the challenges Covid-19 poses to the London housing sector has met for the first time and is chaired by Labour’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley. The group will consider how the sector can adapt and maintain resilience and also look at specific support […]

The average pension fund fell by 15.2%, its worst quarterly performance on record and only 11% of pension funds avoided posting a loss during the quarter. The Average annual annuity income fell by 6% to an all-time low with the average retirement income for someone saving into a pension fund and opting for an annuity […]

I had an Agreement in Principle (AIP) for a Client declined by Paragon yesterday due to credit issues,  BUT the credit file is more or less a perfect score, no missed payments, long historical residency, no CCJ’s etc etc i.e. no adverse. I spoke with Paragon about this and we couldn’t work out what the […]