The Ministry of Housing Communities and local government has written draft legislation proposed to come into force 1st June 2020 titled ‘The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020’ Click here. Landlords will need to ensure that the electrical safety standards are met  and ensure every electrical installation is inspected and […]

Responding to new research published by Shelter today, the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) says that no one should feel ill or stressed as a result of their housing situation, whether that it is in the private or social rented sectors or in the home ownership market. The RLA however urges caution on groups claiming to […]

Is this what landlords in the rest of the UK have to look forward to post the ban on Section 21? The Times  has reported on a Freedom of Information request made by Scottish law firm and lettings experts Aberdein Considine to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service. In 2017 all rent and repair issues […]

CAN YOU HELP? A HMO landlord friend of mine is in court on Friday challenging the VOA ruling on a HMO rooms. He has:- NO ENSUITE ROOMS NO KITCHENETTES 100% SHARED FACILITIES BASIC ROOM FURNITURE ONLY IN ROOMS The VOA claim the re-banding increase tax by factor of six is because the rooms are individual […]

We are building a Network of Promoters. If you are active on Social Media, such as LinkedIn and/or Facebook, we are inviting you to consider working with us. The tasks are simple,  but we will pay you handsomely for results. WHAT IS REQUIRED? All we ask of our Promoters is that they post tracked links […]

The attempt by Liverpool city council to impose their city wide licensing scheme on Liverpool landlords for a further 5 years has been struck down by the Secretary of State. Full credit to the government and full credit to Brandon Lewis who changed the law after this greedy authority originally foisted their rotten scheme on […]

The latest figures from the HomeLet Rental Index indicate that the rental sector is set to see the sustained growth of rental values observed throughout 2019 continue into the new decade. The headlines from December 2019’s HomeLet Rental Index are: – The average rent in the UK is now £953, this is up by 3.5% […]

Nottingham City Council Press Release: £100,000 to help improve renting standards in Nottingham Nottingham City Council has been awarded £100,000 by the Government to help private landlords improve housing standards across the city. The council is one of more than 100 local authorities across England awarded a share of over £4 million. Councils will use […]

From the 28th January 2020 a new Article 4 Direction comes into force in Croydon Borough. The effect of the Article 4 Direction will mean that the conversion of houses to a small HMO (up to 6 people) will require planning permission across the Borough. This means that all types of newly created HMO in Croydon will […]

Plans to end the freeze on housing benefits will still leave many tenants unable to afford their rent say landlords. Following the announcement today that from April the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will increase by inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, the Residential Landlords Association says that as the Allowance has been frozen […]

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a statement by, Will Quince, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Welfare Delivery. Click here This indicates that the freeze on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates has ended and that they will be increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Quince said: “I am announcing […]

I am looking at a plot of registered land, which is available at a very good price. However, I spoke with the neighbours on both sides and discovered the following information. 1/ On one side there is no defined boundaries, which the neighbour made a point of, but there is temporary low grade animal fencing. […]

Early pension pot potential? It is by no means a fortune, but I can access £50,000 of my pension fund tax free now I am 55 and I intend to retire when I am 60. I am contemplating buying a one bed apartment in Spain for rental and to use myself out of season. Has […]

I had a repayment mortgage when I myself bought my home in 2002. I bought another house with my boyfriend in 2015. My original house turned into a rental with a BTL mortgage. I want to leave him and go back to my house to live. I need to change my BTL mortgage back to […]

Hi fellow landlords.. just trying to keep up with the changes. I have a couple of existing tenants who thankfully are very nice. When they moved in I took 6 weeks rent as their deposit and an additional pet security deposit of £300. My questions are as follows: Do I need to return their extra […]

My letting agents gave my key to a new tenant without receiving the deposit and advance rent and before signing the contract. I signed for a full Management service from my letting agency as I am busy and don’t want to take any stress. Now they have finally found a tenant and the tenant was […]

A Daily Mail reader wrote in requesting help from the Financial Mail on Sunday’s investigator, Tony Hetherington, who fights for the individual rights of readers that have been taken advantage of and left out of pocket. The call for help said: “My father bought a house in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1971. Several years ago, […]

As of today, a video recorded at the Baker Street Property Meet in regards to tax planning solutions for landlords facing problems with the section 24 restrictions on finance cost relief has been watched more than 34,000 times. The following is an update to that video, again hosted by Ranjan Bhattacharya in an interview with […]

If you have fallen out of love with investing into UK residential property you may well be considering your exit strategy. However, the following issues will no doubt be playing on your mind:- Will other investors want to buy the properties with your tenants in situ, and if so, what level of discount will they […]

From 6 April 2020, a UK resident taxpayer will be required to make a return and payment of Capital Gains Tax within 30 days following the completion of a residential property disposal on a worldwide basis.  This rules has applied to non-UK-Residents for a few years now. The new requirements will not apply, however, where […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers will be presenting an overview of several landlord tax strategies at the Great Property Meet networking event taking place Monday 20th January 2020 from 7pm to 9:30pm at Dunchurch Park Hotel Rugby CV22 6QW:  Click here to attend. Great Property Meet want to […]