Please click the video link below to watch the full Work and Pensions Committee evidence session for the “No DSS: discrimination against benefit claimants in the housing sector inquiry” 09:36:34 Witnesses: Helena McAleer, Landlord , Lynne Mapp, Mother of tenant, Phillipa Lalor, Tenant, and Greg Beales, Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns, Shelter 10:07:39 Witnesses: […]

Hello everyone, I have got a terraced house and we need to replace the chimney at the top which is moving a bit due to weather. This chimney is in between my and neighbour’s house. The question is how do I find out who owns the chimney as I want to split the cost as […]

Having a go at home improvements may be more costly than we think, according to a recent study by construction supplier Burton Roofing.    By analysing monthly housing data from the Office of National Statistics and talking to 1,000 UK homeowners, the investigation found that the average UK household will spend £1,150.24 every year on their DIY attempts. This equates to a total of more than £31billion (£31,229,016,000) estimated to be spent on putting up […]

ARLA Propertymark is today issuing its March Private Rented Sector.  David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive, said: “Whilst its really positive that the number of properties available per branch hit a record high last month, this may be the first signs of the industry consolidating ahead of the tenant fees ban as agents either sell-up […]

The All Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee has widened its inquiries to take in other potential forms of direct or indirect housing discrimination against benefit recipients It will now look at the “no DSS” ads run by letting agents or the tech companies that promote them, to the property insurance policies that won’t cover homes […]

Until now, the recorded footage of this packed out meeting at the Baker Street Property Meet has never been officially released, but it is still as valid today as it was when it was recorded live in May 2017. Grab a coffee and and click below to enjoy the video. Incorporation checklist If you’re contemplating […]

Labour has accussed permitted development rules, which allow office blocks to be converted into residential housing without planning permission, of giving corporations permission to escape their responsibilities to build good quality, safe, affordable housing. Instead of adding to the housing stock slum housing and rabbit hutch flats are being created. Since the relaxation on planning […]

Airbnb is backing the Mayor of London’s call for a clear, simple and host-friendly registration system to support the current 90 night limit in London and help ensure that rules are applied equally to all hosts, regardless of which platform they use. Sadiq Khan has requested Government introduces a registration system for anyone wishing to […]

About 7 weeks ago, after evicting a non-paying tenant, the agent notified me that there was a slight leak under the sink. I asked them to arrange to get it fixed. Now, 7 weeks later, I’m told that I need new pipe work, repairs to kitchen units, probably new carpets and a dehumidifier for a […]

The government have announced that they intend to remove landlords right to use the no fault ground for eviction in section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. But where does that leave people now?  For example: 1. When are the changes likely to take place? 2. What should landlords do in the meantime? 3. What […]

Robust Business + Tax Planning Structures with Mark Smith: In this continuing mini-series of interviews with successful people in property, Rob talks to Mark Smith, a barrister based at Cotswold Barristers, Cheltenham. Mark is a tax expert who, on behalf of 260 landlords, led a legal team responsible for recovering twenty-seven million pounds of unlawfully […]

Now that the government has committed to a consultation following its announcement to ban section 21 notices the RLA is calling on landlords to help influence policy by completing a new survey: Click Here to access the survey. The survey concentrates on what will be needed to assist landlords faced with repossessing properties through the […]

One letting agency I know of is is charging students huge admin fees even though they don’t start their tenancies until September on the basis that they have to pay it now prior to the ban coming into force? Therefore, the question is if the fees ban is in force for all tenancies that start after […]

Charles Darwin once said; “it is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” When the former Chancellor of The Exchequer George Osborne announced in the Summer Budget 2015 that the basis of taxation for individual landlords was to […]

We are extremely excited to offer landlords with properties in Central London & surrounding areas our BEST DEALS yet! These deals are available NOW for a limited time only. If you are interested, please get in touch via the contact form below and we will get an offer out to you within 48 hours. We […]

There are few restrictions on who can be a partner. Both natural and artificial persons, such as companies, can be partners. It is not a requirement of partnership that each member is physically capable of performing the full range of the activities of the partnership business, but each must be capable of performing a part […]

Every year it looks as if things CANNOT get more complicated and difficult and every year it just seems to get worse! This year we have: New laws on energy efficiency and utilities New laws on property ‘fitness for habitation’ New laws on tenant fees and deposits Not to mention the government’s declared intention to […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers will be presenting an overview of several landlords tax strategies at the pin Swindon Meeting property networking event Wednesday 24th April 2019. The event will start at 6:00pm until 9:00pm and will be free for guests of Mark Smith that have not previously […]

A new team has been set up to provide greater protection for renters in England from letting agents who charge illegal tenant fees. This follows legislation that will ban tenant fees in the private sector in England from 1 June 2019. The new enforcement team – being led by National Trading Standards – will be […]

My tenant told me that his father (an electrician) would do a minor repair in the flat he rents. A quote for the job seemed okay so the tenant said he would pay and I could knock it off the rent. Next month he confirmed work had been done, but cost a bit more and […]

Hello, I want to be able to apply for specialist BTL, commercial, bridging etc loans myself without having to go through a broker. After two failed BTL applications I’ve made a point to read every word of lenders criteria and understand it as much as possible, in fact i really enjoy the process being an […]