Page 503 – Property118

£100,000 for a bad property MOT!

25th November 2019

Jeremy Corbyn and John Healey, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary set out plans to put power in the hands of tenants with a new charter of renters’ rights. Labour will announce a new national ‘property MOT’. This would introduce a legal requirement for landlords to complete an independent annual inspection to ensure homes are up to […]

Conservative Manifesto – Ban S21 and strengthen rights of possession

25th November 2019

The Conservative Party have released their 2019 general election manifesto. This has been very briefly summarised with the key points of interest for Landlords and the PRS industry. Download the full manifesto here For the Private Rental Sector: The Conservatives say they will bring a ‘Better Deal for Renters’ by abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions – […]

Labour would devastate the rented housing market

25th November 2019

Plans by the Labour Party would threaten to close down the private rented sector according to the RLA. The development of annual ‘Property MOT’s’, a Charter of Renters’ rights, open ended tenancies and rent controls all combined would drive thousands of landlords out of the sector. This would lead to a massive shortage of properties […]

Let for 2 to 3 days a time – HMO licence required?

25th November 2019

We have an 8 bedroom (7 en-suite) property that we let via booking.com to guests. Most guests only stay for 2-3 days and no more than a week. We have been told that the property does not qualify as an HMO as it only offers temporary occupancy to guest. We do not have a reception […]

FREE CASH FOR CHRISTMAS

22nd November 2019

Lettingsupermarket.com have been running Reloc8 Uk’s fantastic incentive scheme for 12 months this month, and to celebrate the massive success we have added even more benefits for landlords with eligible properties. This scheme is ideal with winter and Christmas coming up, as we still have a HUGE demand for properties all over the UK. SO, […]

Labour Manifesto – Attack on the PRS

21st November 2019

The Labour Party have released their 2019 general election manifesto. This has been very briefly summarised with the key points of interest for Landlords and the PRS industry. Download the full manifesto here Pretty much all previous threats to the PRS have been included along with additional regulation and taxation policies. Private Rental Sector Labour […]

Croydon Selective Licensing consultation and forum notes

21st November 2019

I attended the Croydon Landlord Licencing Forum on 21 October 2019 and below are my notes in case anyone is interested. Despite the fact that the SL consultation has started, we have two licences in the borough and I registered to be consulted, I have received no information from the council at all. Nick Gracie-Langrick, […]

RLA approve of Tory Life Time Deposits plan

21st November 2019

The RLA has welcomed Conservative plans to introduce lifetime deposits for tenants. David Smith, Policy Director for the Residential Landlords Association (RLA), said: “We have long argued that deposits should be transferable. It will make renting cheaper and easier for tenants. It is vital though that the detail of the plans ensure that both landlords […]

Ground 1 Section 8?

21st November 2019

What evidence would I need to show that I would like my spouse to move into a property under Grounds 1 of a Section 8? I need to give the tenant notice, but the legislation does not say what evidence will be needed. Anyone have any advice? Reluctant Editors Note: >> http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/schedule/2 Ground 1 Not […]

Lib Dem Manifesto – 3 year tenancies and mandatory licensing

20th November 2019

The Liberal Democrats have released their 2019 general election manifesto. This has been very briefly summarised with the key points of interest for Landlords and the PRS industry. Download the full manifesto here The Lib Dems want to reform the Private Rental Sector: Promote longer tenancies of three years or more with an inflation-linked annual […]

Harassment of tenants by neighbours?

20th November 2019

My tenants’ neighbours are insisting they are smoking cannabis in my flat and are constantly contacting both me and my tenants. I have visited several times and there is no smell there at all. My tenants have admitted to vaping, but that is it. I have asked them not to vape inside to avoid problems. […]

New Welsh holding deposit requirements 13th December

20th November 2019

As of December 13th 2019 under The Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Specified Information) (Wales) Regulations 2019 before a holding deposit is paid to a landlord or letting agent the following information must be provided to a prospective tenant: – The amount of holding deposit – Identify the dwelling in respect of which the deposit is […]

88% of Scottish landlords hope to stay in PRS

20th November 2019

Landlords in Scotland are committing to continuing to rent private properties signalling confidence in the sector, according to the latest survey results from SafeDeposits Scotland. The not-for-profit tenancy deposit protection scheme surveyed its landlord members last month and found that 88.57% could see themselves continuing as a landlord ‘for the foreseeable future’. The majority (69.81%) […]

Hand writing the word "VALUES" in red marker to highlight property valuation topic

Valuation Mystique?

20th November 2019

I recently inherited a mid- terrace house currently arranged as 2 flats. All interests in the house ie Freehold, leasehold ground floor flat and leasehold first floor flat are in my sister’s name. The leases are relatively short 57 years at a small ground rent, but the Freehold has a relatively high value because of […]

Confidence knocked post tax changes

20th November 2019

A majority of private landlords say they are less confident about the market than they were three months ago. This is reflected in figures showing that the gap between the percentage of landlords planning to sell properties and those planning to buy has risen seven fold in the last two years from 4 percentage points […]

How do I protect myself?

20th November 2019

The Council are willing to pay the first months rent in advance and pay a cash deposit for an incoming tenant. I will NOT be issuing a tenancy agreement until I see clear evidence that: 1. Tenant has an existing HB claim with claim number 2. It has been agreed that rents payments will come […]

Location Independence – the lifestyle of Mark and Svetlana Alexander

19th November 2019

This post is far more about lifestyle and mindset than property. Nevertheless, our passion to help others with our knowledge of property, finance, tax and law has been the basis upon which we have achieved location independence. If you ever wanted a sneak peak into our lifestyle, or to ask us questions about it, then […]

Tory candidate slammed for ‘Tents’ comment!

19th November 2019

BuzzFeed News has reported on a Facebook video post made by Tory MP candidate for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, who said he would force nuisance tenants who make people’s lives a misery to live in a tent if he was voted in. Anderson is an ex-Labour supporter driven out by far left momentum views and now […]

Green Manifesto – Rent Controls and Land Value Tax

19th November 2019

The Green Party have released their 2019 general election manifesto. This has been very briefly summarised with the key points of interest for Landlords and the PRS industry. Download the full manifesto here From the full manifesto there is no detailed economic analysis of how their cuddly wish list of promises will be paid for. […]

£51,136 per inspection and hotel tickets!

19th November 2019

In 16 months Nottingham City Council has only managed to issue full licences to fewer than 3% of the applications received and apparently they’ve only done 176 inspections from approximately £9 million+ pounds in. This equates to over £51,136.00 I repeat FIFTY ONE THOUSAND POUNDS AN INSPECTION. When Nottingham Aug 2018 said an Inspection cost […]

What to do if tenant and landlord lose contract?

19th November 2019

What do you do when both the tenant and Landlord do not have a copy of the original contract dated in 2012? A new one was issued in April 2015 which we both have copies of. I’m trying to serve notice, but have been advised a Section 21 is not the route as it will […]