My partner and I were first time buyers and bought a leasehold flat. We went on to swap the bedroom and the kitchen around (they were right next to each other with only a stud wall between them), and we also moved the stud wall 0.5m. The managing agents at the time had been notified […]

I understand that when beneficial interest in property is transferred between spouses the amount of mortgage liability assumed by the transferee is regarded as consideration and SDLT is payable on any amount over the threshold of £125000, but can anyone tell me what happens when: • Spouses hold the property as tenants in common • […]

The NAEA Propertymark is today issuing its February Housing Report1 and Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, said: “With demand at a seven-year low, buyers are approaching the market with caution. As we move into spring, we would usually expect to see an increase in activity, but house hunters are evidently delaying their plans until the impact of […]

Research released by Precise Mortgages shows nearly two thirds (64%) of all portfolio landlords (64%) with more than four properties who plan to purchase more property this year will do so in the name of a Limited company with only 21% intending to purchase in their individual names. Further market statistics show 44% of all […]

At the end of 2018, Hamilton Fraser launched HF Academy, a series of half and full day workshops offering property professionals advice and education covering the full tenancy lifecycle. The next workshop, due to take place on 14th May at Holiday Inn Borehamwood, is ‘Future Proofing Your Lettings Business and How to Deal with The […]

Alex Cook, Litigation Solicitor and Partner at Helix Law offers his view on the world of property development training. Would you like to get rich quickly? There’s a host of people out there telling us we can all be property millionaires – but at what cost? Welcome to the world of property development education, training […]

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee have voted unanimously to hold the Bank Base Rate at 0.75% for another month. From the meeting notes below this seems to be a holding pattern due to uncertainty around how, when and even possibly if the UK will leave the European Union. Along with other factors such […]

I am looking for help please with suggestions for best wording to explain a larger rent rise than normal for my tenants this year. I have 2 properties, a house that I rent for £998 and a 2 bed flat for £650. Both are good tenants and cause no issues. I did have 8 properties, […]

Last year, Property118 contributor Dr Ros Beck wrote a critique, under the banner of The Landlords Union, of a Richard Bilton/BBC Panorama programme in which he was calling for the removal of S.21 altogether, that questioned and strongly criticised the use of the term ‘no fault’ when describing S.21 Notices. Click here to read the […]

The Remit of the Programme was: What happens to the Tenants when the Landlord Retires or Dies! Why are Private Sector Landlords (PSL) leaving in droves, because of the punitive tax regime! Unfortunately Panorama sacrificed an informative explanation of the reasons for the PSL exit in favour of two “non stories” from tenants and thereby […]

PROPERTY OWNERS who are considering rent to rent (sub-let) agreements need to make sure they have the right property insurance in place. Standard landlord insurance is worthless if you ever need to make a claim on a property that is sub-let. Rent to rent is where the property owner lets the property to a primary […]

Many years ago, property investors and developers knew their local bank manager and would simply arrange a meeting with them to discuss the various finance options. However, today, bank managers are a virtually extinct species and where they do exist, their knowledge of today’s financial market is very limited. This has increased the need for […]

I have now had a response form Heather Wheeler MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, from my letter expressing the lack of justice in housing for landlords. You can read my points made in the series of readers articles below which started: Letter to Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford: Dear Mr Johnson, I’d […]

Alexandra Morris, Managing Director of MakeUrMove, shares details on what landlords need to know on the laws of overcrowding in rental properties.  At the end of 2018, the government introduced details of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, which is to replace the Landlord and Tenant Act.  Set to be introduced on the 20th […]

The cost of landlord licensing schemes in Britain are a postcode lottery reveals new research1 from Direct Line for Business. The analysis of licensing charges between local authorities show a large variance, with the cost of a new licence ranging from just £55 to £1,150, a staggering 21 times more expensive.  In Liverpool, the cost […]

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 comes into force today 20th March 2019 The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government has released its official guide for landlords. Click here to view the full guide. “The Act applies to the social and private rented sectors and makes it clear that landlords must ensure that […]

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has net and called for wide ranging reforms to the leasehold system finding the balance of power in existing leases, legislation and public policy is too heavily weighted against leaseholders. Click here to view the full report. The report indicates the current leasehold system is open to abuse […]

Just before tuning in to BBC1 to watch yet another “Greedy, rogue, villainous, money-grabbing landlord programme”, I was watching a trailer for next weeks Kyle Files and guess what? It’s about rogue landlords! I quickly switched channels and on Channel 4 dispatches was just ending. It then showed a trailer for next weeks episode which […]

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark said: “We’re hugely supportive of the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team’s (NTSEAT) new guidance for agents on referral fees, issued last month. The guidance will improve transparency and provide greater clarity for consumers at a time when markets across all regions need support to boost consumer confidence. “We’ve […]

Following a recent court case in which a landlord’s attempt to regain their property was deemed invalid due to a dispute over a gas safety certificate the RLA is campaigning to protect the rights of landlords to repossess their properties. After initially being granted an order to repossess the property using Section 21 powers, the […]

Responding to news that Zoopla will ban property owners advertising properties to rent as ‘No DSS’ on its website, Chris Town, Vice Chair of the Residential Landlords Association said: “We welcome today’s announcement from Zoopla which comes after extensive campaigning by the RLA. Landlords should not refuse someone solely because they are on benefits, and […]