Page 549 – Property118

Pests in hot weather?

2nd July 2019

I let a ground/lower ground floor flat out in a converted property of twelve flats. It is let out on a standard AST where there is a clause for the tenant to pay for the removal of “vermin, pests and insects, if the infestation occurs during the term”. During the hot spell the flat was […]

First Time BTL choice up and rates down

2nd July 2019

Competition within the first-time landlord buy-to-let mortgage market has increased significantly over the last five years seeing a rise in the number of products available and a reduction in rates, research from Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals. Over the last five years, the number of products available for first-time landlords has increased from 645 in 2014 to 1,405 […]

The Alliance Housing Policy

2nd July 2019

Following on from the onslaught against the PRS emanating from Government, Councils and other anti-landlord bodies, the Alliance has now published its housing policy. We have stated our case at the Fair Possession Coalition summit regarding the abolition of section 21. As the curtains come down on May’s failed Premiership, there is an opportunity for […]

A case of communication, cooperation and compliance

1st July 2019

I wanted to share this story, because it demonstrates the importance of direct payments from tenants in receipt of Universal Credit to Private Rented Sector (PRS) landlords.  Not only does it give landlords peace of mind, it also safeguards tenancies, ultimately preventing homelessness. Last week, (Tuesday 18th June) a landlord contacted Caridon Landlord Solutions (CLS) because […]

RLA plea to Tory candidates

1st July 2019

Landlords are urging the candidates to lead the Conservative Party to adopt a more positive approach to the private rented sector. In a letter sent to Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson the Residential Landlords Association warns that the interests of tenants are not being well served by policies which are reducing the supply of homes […]

Termination of contract fee is extortionate

1st July 2019

I pay £70 a month for an agent to collect rent on my property. For this they have done nothing since finding the tenant. Oh yes, they did an inventory, but it never materialised. With 2 months’ notice of the end of the 1 year tenancy, they want to charge £600 to let me take […]

Separation and Divorce of Landlords in a partnership

1st July 2019

Nearly two years ago my Husband and I separated, at this point he went to live in one of our properties recently purchased on an Option Agreement. I stayed in the marital home, which is now going to be sold so that I can move on. We didn’t want to get solicitors involved as we […]

What does Shelter advocate for the older generation?

1st July 2019

I would be delighted to learn from Shelter just what their intentions are for accommodating elderly people. Do they propose Retirement Villages and if so where does the land come from? Who funds these Retirement Villages? Not Private Sector landlords (PSLs) I fear. The position in the real world is the PSL has just one […]

The scrapping of Section 21: landlord responses

28th June 2019

Given that the Government appears to be rushing to scrap Section 21s possibly before the end of this year (and notwithstanding any change Boris Johnson might make to this if he becomes and stays as Prime Minister for any length of time), how are you as a landlord responding? “Section 21 could be outlawed within […]

finger pressing red keyboard key with piggy-bank icon to represent holding deposit dispute

Government plans for deposit passporting

28th June 2019

More than 4 million people live in the private rented sector, yet when moving home, some tenants can find it a struggle to provide a second deposit to their new landlord, risking falling into debt or becoming trapped in their current home. Ministers want to understand the scale of this problem. Ministers are inviting proposals to make […]

James Brokenshire – All new homes sold to be Freehold

28th June 2019

All new-build houses will be sold as freehold in a move to tackle unfair leasehold practices and prevent future home-owners from being trapped in exploitative arrangements, the Communities Secretary said. In a wide-ranging speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Manchester, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP confirmed plans to abolish the selling […]

Higher Deposit Bond allowed?

28th June 2019

With the law changing to only allow 5 weeks rent equivalent for a deposit, can this be contested with Local Councils’s? One Local Council (LC) I deal with has a Deposit Bond system whereby the deposit is essentially guaranteed by them from day 1 of the tenancy. The deposit is paid back to Council by […]

Government plans for 19 new garden communities

28th June 2019

An extra 19 garden villages will be created across the country, with the potential to deliver 73,554 homes, it has been announced today. The government is providing £2.85 million to support the development of plans for housing from County Durham in the North to Truro in the South West. Each of the projects will be given £150,000 to […]

Date with MP to discuss Sect 21

27th June 2019

I have (at last) managed to secure a surgery appointment with my MP in regard to the proposals to scrap Section 21. I’m going in armed with as much info as possible and clearly will be talking from personal experience to date. Can anyone tell me if there are any specific consultation groups that I […]

Professional Landlords still proceeding cautiously

27th June 2019

Paragon’s latest quarterly survey, which tracks the experience of more than 200 seasoned landlords shows that landlords now have an average of 13.1 properties in their portfolio, up from 12.8 properties three months ago. Larger scale landlords are continuing to make targeted investments to optimise their position according to Paragon’s PRS Trends Report for Q2 […]

Prompt rental payment discount?

27th June 2019

Does anyone use prompt rental payment discounts? In light of no longer being able to charge for late rental payments, could a landlord advertise a property at a slightly higher rate than the property would be advertised for normally, but offer the tenant a discount for each month the rent is paid on time? For […]

They are not making anymore of it

27th June 2019

Land that is! Left Wing Organisations such as Shelter are very destructive in their comments and policies but need to understand they really must be Constructive not Destructive! The added numbers of young families needing to be housed is greater than the on-stream supply of houses. So where does Shelter suggest these houses come from? […]

Don’t Panic ARLA

26th June 2019

The Tenant Fees Act 2019, which came into force on June 1st, is causing concern amongst landlords and agents. ARLA Propertymark, which represents residential letting agents and has over 9,000 members, appears to be panicking and giving out wrong advice. ARLA has advised its members that they may be in breach of the Act if […]

Back by popular demand

26th June 2019

PIP is delighted to offer another opportunity within this elegant, high specification refurbishment, located within the sought after L25 postcode of Gateacre. We have been able to secure a discounted price exclusively for our investors on a stunning, spacious 2-bed, 2-bath apartment for only £165,000. According to local letting agents, this outstanding property should achieve a gross rental yield of up to […]

Citizens Advice calling for National Housing Body

26th June 2019

Citizens Advice has conducted a survey into the PRS and concluded renters do not receive the same level of protection as in other essential consumer markets. Click Here to view the full survey. Therefore they are calling for a ‘National Housing Body’ to set consistent standards, providing more protection for tenants and make it easier […]

Terrible reference report?

26th June 2019

A well known London letting agent found us a tenant, but subcontracted the referencing to a Referencing Agency. The reference report recommended that we accept the tenant and was a glowing report. After 6 months she stopped paying the rent, but the agent failed to inform us and we only discovered this when our Bank […]