Dorian Gonsalves CEO of Belvoir, says there were missed opportunities within Philip Hammond’s Budget, that could have helped to bring much-needed stability to the UK’s growing rental market. “It is disappointing that housing, and in particular, the nation’s rental market were neglected and did not really feature in this Budget,” he says. “I feel there […]

Is it possible to proceed with exchange and completion on a property, by signing a disclaimer for your solicitor and lender, if there are outstanding rights of access issues with the new property? I am buying the property, it’s a detached 3 bedroom freehold property, with a detached garage to the rear. You cannot access […]

Plumbing, drainage and leak questions are very common for readers of property118 so we thought this article from the Drain Doctor would be useful: Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are obliged to make basic repairs to a property, particularly those that relate to drainage, pipes and other areas of […]

I recently came across a Facebook post showing a picture of Alistair Trippett, a 22 year old from Stoke-on-Trent who recently completed a purchased of a block of 24 flats. Intrigued by how he managed to pull off a deal of this nature at such a young age, and what motivates, him I decided to […]

We were told that it could not be done. That landlords would not sign up, that the two main organisations had it sewn up. Wrong. The Alliance is good to go. I appeal to all those landlords who have sat on the fence. Those landlords who have decided to wait and see. If Churchill had […]

I wonder if someone selling the freehold interest have dealt with serving Section 5 to long leaseholders and to short leaseholders of commercial units in a mixed development. Or know a commercial lawyer in West London can do it including the conveyancing of the property being sold. Thank you, Sat Editors Note: From The Leasehold […]

This summer, HM Treasury proposed a new “shared occupancy test” for those renting their spare rooms to continue to qualify for the annual £7,500 rent-a-room tax relief. This was due to be included in the 2018-2019 Finance Bill and would have brought an end to rent-a-room relief for those who rented out a single room […]

I would just like to gauge some thoughts please on property licensing for buy to let landlords. The council where the majority of my rental properties are have introduced licensing for landlords. Now in theory I am not against this, as I have seen some of the states of the properties that get let out, […]

Initiative Q is an attempt by ex-PayPal guys to create a new payment system instead of credit cards that were designed in the 1950s. The system uses its own currency, the Q, and to get people to start using the system once it’s ready they are allocating Qs for free to people that sign up […]

More than half of the Elm Streets in the UK have had no house sales since last Halloween. It really is a nightmare to own a home on Elm Street, or so it appears, as more than half (54%) of the 79 Elm Streets in the UK have had no property sales since last Halloween, […]

I have recently moved into an annex, which the garage is attached to. The petrol fumes in the annex were quite strong, but I told my landlord and he kindly removed two containers of fuel. That removed the potency significantly. However, I can still smell the fumes. My landlord says that he cant remove the […]

We wanted to rent a flat through a West London lettings agency. We made an offer, conditioned by a list of non-negotiable requests. The agency chose to misrepresent the property, assuring us that all our conditions were met when none of them were (the flat wasn’t even cleaned/Health and Safety Risk). When confronted, the landlord […]

To: Mr Chris Stephens MP House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Date: 26.10.18 Dear Mr Chris Stephens, Universal Credit – DWP maladministration of direct payments to landlord problems causing financial hardship & homelessness.  I am in your constituent and in the private rented sector providing housing to numerous individuals and families.  Most of those individual […]

Digbeth, Birmingham is officially the coolest place to live in the UK. ‘Cool’ may be subjective. But either way you see it, this crown given by The Times can do nothing but good for the quirky Birmingham district of Digbeth. What may seem like a hip neighbourhood to bright young things, will likely resemble a slum to their parents. So […]

The Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the much anticipated Autumn Budget 2018. As expected the Welfare System was discussed with the Chancellor stating that “the old benefits system was broken” and “Universal Credit is here to stay and we are putting in the funding it needs to make it a success…… work should always pay.” To […]

The key headlines affecting UK landlords are:- The Nil Rate Band Personal Tax Allowance will increase from £11,850 to £12,500 and the High Rate tax threshold will increase to £50,000. These figures were announced in previous Budget’s as targets for 2020. These increases will now become effective from April 2019, a year earlier than expected. […]

Along with powers given to local authorities to fine landlords up to £30,000 for properties in poor condition along with other regulatory offences tenants may soon be able to sue landlords directly for properties that do not meet basic standards Labour MP Karen Buck’s Private Members Bill, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill, has […]

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have issued a press release, click here, announcing that it will instigate a Health and Safety review of the PRS: Renters are to receive greater protection thanks to plans announced by Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP which will overhaul health and safety standards for rental accommodation – […]

Property expert, Kate Faulkner believes that growth in the private rented sector (PRS) is being partially fuelled by an increasingly high quality rental stock encouraging people to choose to rent rather than buy. Kate, who runs Propertychecklists.com and consultancy, Designs on Property, made the claim in a report commissioned by the TDS Charitable Foundation; Has […]

Hi Folks does anyone know if there is a legal requirement to provide heating that will reach 21 C in the living room? I have a tenant who states the temp is only getting up to 19C and the room is COLD. At the moment don’t know if the central heating is staying on long […]

I am trying to establish the CGT and Stamp Duty position on the basis of two unrelated individuals forming an ordinary partnership (not an LLP). To simplify matters to begin with, let us assume they both own six residential rental properties worth £200,000 each, and each of those properties has a mortgage of £100,000 secured against […]