The velocity of savings rate cuts on variable rate deals during the first six months of 2020 is officially the worst in over a decade for savers. Due to these relentless rate cuts, savers are being urged to act and switch if they are getting a poor return on their hard-earned cash. Indeed, the latest […]

My freeholder is responsible for building insurance for a flat that I own in a building with 8 flats. The insurance premium is 3 times (£450) what I pay for a similar flat about 200 yards away (£175). When I challenged this, the freeholder refuses to disclose any other quotes obtained due to “sensitive 3rd […]

I own two little cottages at the end of a terrace accessed by a shared doorway to road (historically an open alley). Normal for Cornwall! The neighbour holds the freehold of the two dwellings roadside (but only owns one flat) so we have shared responsibility for the front door and shared hallway.  My end of […]

New government measures to ensure access to social housing is improved for members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families have been announced this Armed Forces Day (27 June 2020) by Housing Minister Christopher Pincher. The government has today set out how councils should ensure members of the Armed Forces and veterans who need […]

Hi I moved into temp accommodation in Nov 2019 (self catering holiday home) as waiting to purchase a house. House purchase fell through and had to look for new place (due to move mid July). The owner of the holiday home changed the use of the property to a normal tenancy from the 1st April […]

Video explaining the Truth About Lease Options: I am joined by Simon Zutshi and together we explain how lease options are such a valuable tool in today’s market and how to make them work when investing in UK property. Please click below: A very powerful video for all looking to invest in UK property. 

I would like to invite you to join me, live online on Wednesday 1st July, as part of a virtual property exhibition, which has been organised by the property investors network (pin) and Your Property Network (YPN) magazine. This is going to be a full day of online presentations, from 9.15am to 5.30pm, with various […]

Landlords are being rallied to lobby their Members of Parliament to highlight the consequence of the five month ban on repossessions, due to end on 23 August. The National Residential Landlords Association and Landlord Action are joining forces to encourage landlords affected to tell their MPs about the impact it is having and the need […]

Shelter have highlighted Office for National Statistics figures for workforce data showing the number of people claiming employment related benefits reaching 2.8 million in May. This is a 125.5% rise since March and includes those employed with low income or hours and those who are unemployed. More than 600,000 people droped off the payroll in […]

Is this correct? I just spoke to the DWP and apparently even if a tenant has been capped, the cap has been removed for the next 9 months. I’m guessing this is a result of some landlords upping their rent to meet the increased LHA rates? I’ve been checking to see if my tenants are […]

66% of letting agents in England anticipate they will still be using the Government’s job retention scheme beyond July. That’s according to the results of the Property Redress Scheme’s COVID-19 back to work letting agent survey. The findings of the survey, released by the Property Redress Scheme today, also show that 26% of letting agents […]

I have a number of 1 bed and 2 bed properties in rather ‘challenging’ areas in Devon. Moreover my tenant base is very ‘interesting’! I do not get the private professional tenants and never will, I know this already. I’m getting to the point where I am seriously considering letting another company essentially manage my […]

The government expects to fund just a dozen extra staff to inspect and enforce fire safety in more than 2 million homes after Grenfell, new analysis reveals, in a “gross underestimate” of the resources needed to tackle the building safety crisis in England. The revelations have prompted calls from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for […]

I thought that I would share the following link from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) providing guidance for landlords, gas engineers and the clinically vulnerable during the Coronavirus outbreak: Click here  “Landlords: You have a legal duty to repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances, do annual gas safety checks and keep a […]

Housing Benefit sent me a direct rent payment for my tenant for 13 April – 10 May. The tenant (unbeknown to me) applies to Universal Credit and gets payment for 16 April – 15 May. I then start receiving MPTL for rent from UC ,the first one for period 16 May – 15 June. Who […]

The last two weeks has been hectic and here are some of the things I have covered. These cases are all landlords just like you. Covid-19 has meant much more enforcement action against landlords and not because of the virus, but because the council enforcement staff are spending more time at their home desks processing […]

Interim housing for thousands of rough sleepers taken off the streets during the pandemic is to be provided, ministers have announced. The additional £105 million will be used to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness into tenancies of their own, including through help with deposits for accommodation, and securing thousands of alternative […]

I have a sibling of a current tenant looking to rent as his mother has kicked him out. He is just over 18, has a job, yet no bank account/credit history or any financial referencing. She wants him to live near, but not with her in her one bed flat (he is currently staying with […]

I had a call from the neighbour of one of my tenants. Apparently the police had been called for the second time in three months at 4.00am for anti social behaviour, shouting, banging doors etc. I Email the tenant to arrange an inspection and also to meet them (they had moved in just before lockdown) […]

New measures to help the construction industry boost building and return to work safely will be introduced this week, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced 22 June 2020. Planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreement with their local council. […]

The Baker Street Property Meet Live Stream Event is tomorrow Wednesday 24th June at 7pm. Click here to join the event. After lockdown, how do you finance investment property deals or arrange a Buy to Let mortgage for your property investing activity? In this months livestream we look at Financing Property Deals, property investment, property […]