TaxPayers’ Alliance analysis reveals how ministers, officials and ‘Quangocrats’ are wasting taxpayers’ cash funding organisations that lobby the government. From 2017-19, organisations that lobby for changes in public policy received at least £39,584,172. The Report shows Shelter received £15,204,000 between 2017-18 from multiple local authorities, government departments, public bodies and the London Councils Association. This […]

Are there any legal beagles that could help me deal with a deposit dispute? From advice I received a long time ago, I have my limited company give what I thought are lodgers agreement and therefore no need to insure the deposit. As my company is the tenant for the downstairs bar, I was advised […]

The latest research by rental deposit replacement scheme, Ome, has looked at the total sum used as rental deposits and how this compares to the levels of investment pumped into the economy, both at the top line and in various sectors.   Ome’s research shows that last year just over £5.2bn was held in rental […]

Following on from the webinar we held on the 20th November 2019, we have compiled some further questions that were asked by attendees. The webinar was presented by Matt Carter here at The Sheriffs Office and Yezdan Isset from Bolt Burdon solicitors. Is having an EPC mandatory? An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) became mandatory for […]

My live in tenants break clause occurs on the 21st of march 2020, he served 1 month notice 5 days early on the 16th Feb (in writing), stating that he wants to move out on the 16th of March. Although slightly disappointed, we accepted the notice and began our hunt for a new tenant. We […]

Maybe I have over-complicated things in my head, so can anyone help me sleep easier, please? Under the most popular s24-mitigation options, properties are transferred from personal ownership into a company structure, and HMRC now considers that the company now has “beneficial ownership” of the properties instead of the former individual(s). HMRC applies corporate taxation […]

Hamptons International’s monthly lettings index shows that the number of landlords in the private rental sector (PRS) has fallen to a seven-year low. Over the last two years the rental sector in Great Britain has shrunk with the total number of privately rented homes falling by 156,410 since its peak in 2017. Yet the number […]

The National Landlord Investment Show are celebrating their 70th show to date with a return to Olympia, London on 19th March 2020 with Andrew Neil and Michael Portillo.  FROM kickstarting their journey at their very first show in Croydon, South London in 2013, the National Landlord Investment Show team have made tremendous waves within the […]

The question involves a trust set up by my father on his home. Please bear with me I do think it is important to put the background to the story in as it is quite complex. My father set up a trust about 10 years ago. The purpose of this trust was to provide a […]

UK expats often rent out their primary residence when they relocate overseas. It is also the case that some individuals relocate for the primary purpose of limiting their UK tax bill. HMRC is undertaking a sustained campaign to ensure that overseas landlords are paying the tax they owe in full. Powerful investigation tools HMRC is […]

Hi everyone, I’d appreciate any input that the members might have with my predicament. I am currently the defendant in a case that one of my tenants has brought through the small claims court. The tenant is claiming in excess of 10k against me and has listed the following reasons. – The tenant paid a […]

The Chancellor must use his first Budget to take immediate action to reverse the decline in the supply of rented housing, say landlords. With landlords selling more properties than they are buying and others switching to short-term holiday lets for tax reasons, unless action is taken tenants are going to find it increasingly hard to […]

In the wake of Britain’s exit from Europe, a Belvoir survey reveals that almost three quarters of franchisees anticipate rental increases throughout 2020. “Belvoir commissioned media property expert Kate Faulkner to survey a representative cross-section of Belvoir franchisees in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” says Belvoir CEO Dorian Gonsalves. “The results show an overwhelming […]

I haven’t increased the rent on a flat in over 7 years as there have been no issues with the tenant and he is very settled. However, to be in line with flats in the rest of the block I’m going to have to increase the rent a little (£50 a month) but it will […]

Kevin Humphrey has started a Change.org petition for Councils and government to review Council Tax rules for Houses of Multiple occupancy (HMO). Click here to sign the petition. “Some local councils are starting to charge by the room for houses of multiple occupancy (HMO), so the bills for tenants are increasing by 20% plus. “A […]

Shelter Press Release: Thousands of vulnerable private renters across Greater Manchester were boosted today as the £600,000 test and learn fund for Fair Housing Futures was announced. The partnership project, hosted by the housing charity Shelter and funded by the Nationwide Foundation, aims to transform the way the private rented sector works for vulnerable* and […]

Two previous agents did not manage my flat effectively, no inspections were carried out for the past 7 yrs. The Flat got mould which I have now cleaned off after deciding to self manage. Since taking over the management tenant has become very intimidating to myself and contractors that have been repairing the damages. The […]

A landlord I am working with has a HMO and would like to issue section 21 to all tenants (many of which are long term) as they would like to fully refurbish the property. However they are an elderly couple and haven’t kept up with all of the compliance and regulations surrounding lettings. As such […]

A friend wants to gift his unencumbered, mortgage-free, own residence to his son and move into a previously let property. He is concerned that an old flame of his son might try to cook up a story of stalking/harassment to sue his son for financial benefit. The son is a mature student and would be […]

We recently had a mid term inspection, usually we like to be present at these inspection. However, this was not possible on this occasion and the letting agent entered using management keys. We have now received the inspection report which describes the property as being in a good, clean and tidy condition and they remarked […]

Esther McVey has been sacked from her Housing Minister job and replaced by Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, who becomes the tenth Housing Minister in ten years after Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle. The Junior Minister role of Housing has become a staging post for rising political stars to get their feet wet or a test […]