Page 566 – Property118

Night shifts vs access requests for viewings

7th March 2019

My landlord has given me notice as he wants to sell the property I am renting. I will be leaving in 2 months at the end of my fixed term contract. My AST has a clause which allows for viewings with 24 hours notice at ‘reasonable’ times of the day. My question relates to what […]

Home Office to appeal High Court Right to Rent ruling

6th March 2019

The Minister of State for Immigration, Caroline Nokes announced the Home Office rejected the Judge’s ruling against Right to Rent and indicated the government were ready to challenge the decision through the Court of Appeal. The Minister said: “In the meantime, the provisions passed by this House in 2014 remain in force. There are no immediate […]

The best luxury one-bed units secured for investors

5th March 2019

Our latest off-plan development is ideally situated just outside the city centre of Nottingham and we are delighted to have secured readers the best luxury one-bed units for the fantastic price of £104,995, with yields of up to 6.6%. All of the properties also come with a parking space! Our nominated letting agent, Joe Knowles […]

DPS and TPO giving contradicting advice and reviews?

5th March 2019

In a ‘nutshell’ Purplebricks letting agents have made a mess once more.  This time at a DPS adjudication, by again going against my clear instructions, when they entered a claim against the former tenants for the rental arrears, which were due to their early termination of the “fixed term” tenancy, but ironically they DID NOT […]

Warning signs highlighting tenancy fraud risks for landlords

Suspected falsification of employment reference?

5th March 2019

I have just let out two properties in the London area through 1 agent to 2 tenants. The agent provided us Veri Check reference check, employer reference, and passport IDs. However, after I received the tenant’s contact info, something looked odd so I went back to double check the reference by contacting both employers of […]

Accountant, Freeholder and Managing Agent all at same address?

5th March 2019

We have just had the latest ridiculous service charge bill (e.g. £250 for common parts electricity when we have one light-bulb on a timer in the hall and have used 120kwh this year!) from our freeholder who we know to be a particularly bad one (Trustpilot shows 94% “BAD” / 1* reviews) when we received […]

Can we counter admin fee with our own fees for replying?

5th March 2019

We own a commercial unit in a mixed used building. We recently had major issues with our Freeholder (FH) that has now mainly been resolved. The FH has presented us with an admin charge that we will dispute once we saw the breakdown. What I would like to know is can we counter the admin […]

Developer has torn up reservation and still holding deposit?

5th March 2019

In September 2018 we paid a substantial reservation fee to a Property Developer through a well known Property Investment Group to secure a new build apartment in Sheffield. The agreement we had with the developer and all the agents is that exchange of contract and stage payment would be made upon start of construction and […]

Discrimination against high risk tenants

5th March 2019

There has been much talk in recent media about landlords and letting agents discriminating against tenants who claim benefits for housing. I don’t think that is the case at all, these landlords and their agents are simply refusing to hand they keys of their valuable assets to people who present a high risk. Would you […]

‘No DSS’ adverts in the private rented sector

4th March 2019

Responding to an announcement from the Government that it plans to work with stakeholders to address the issue of ‘No DSS’ adverts in the private rented sector, John Stewart, Policy Manager for the Residential Landlords Association said: “Landlords should not refuse someone solely because they are on benefits, and should consider prospective tenants on a […]

When to consider a second charge mortgage

4th March 2019

The Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD) came into force in March 2016. This required brokers to consider a second charge alongside a remortgage, when clients were looking to raise funds on their property. Since then they have grown in popularity and the terms available in the market have improved with Second charge loans available up to 95% […]

Government to assist vulnerable with PRS deposits or first month’s rent

4th March 2019

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP has confirmed over £19.5 million is to be shared among 54 projects across England to help thousands of people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to secure their own home. Councils will use the funding boost to help vulnerable people secure their own tenancy through support such […]

Be a guest of Mark Smith (Barrister-At-Law) – Clapham

4th March 2019

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 Clapham Meeting property networking event Tuesday 5th March 2019. The event will start at 6:00pm until 9:00pm and will be free for guests of Mark Smith that have not previously […]

Rent calculation on Periodic Tenancy termination by tenants

4th March 2019

Hi everyone. I would like to seek advice on final rent as terminated by my tenants. Original AST signed through agent (introduction service) on 27/10/15 for 12 months. An amendment was signed directly with tenants on 27/10/17 with rent increased, other clauses remain. New deposit certificate issued although deposit amount unchanged. After 27/10/18 the contract […]

Does the section 20 have a time limit?

4th March 2019

In December 2015 I was notified, under a section 20, that work needed to be undertaken to the car park at a cost of £497.38 per flat (24 flats in block) which we paid in December 2015. Part of the work was completed in 2016, but work ceased due to additional work that was needed. […]

Here we go again – PRS Right to Buy!

4th March 2019

I came across this posting on another forum and wanted to share it with P118. “Sian Berry, The Green Party’s London Mayor candidate plans to introduce a right to buy for tenants. Sian Berry has been influential to Sadiq Khan, The London Mayor who has adopted Green policies and also Jeremy Corbyn so there is […]

High Court rules “Right to Rent” breaches human rights!

1st March 2019

The High Court in a ruling this morning have said it will be illegal to roll the “Right to Rent” scheme in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland without further evaluation! This is the much criticised regulation requiring landlords to be HM Border Force officials and document proof that a tenant has the right to stay […]

Croydon HMO Licence “Evidence” Dubious

1st March 2019

Croydon are doing a consultation so they can implement borough wide Article 4 restriction on HMOs. Their main claim is that 3 bed or more houses are being lost to HMO conversions. Details can be found: Click here The ‘evidence’ is dubious. If you look at there evidence report, there is Figure 1, page 10 […]

3% Stamp surcharge only if property is suitable as dwelling on purchase?

28th February 2019

The Times has highlighted a First-Tier tribunal ruling that overturned a decision to charge the additional 3% stamp duty for a second property, because it was not deemed suitable to be used as a dwelling on the date of purchase. HMRC have to date applied the stamp duty surcharge for properties capable of being used […]

Two amazing opportunities within high specification refurbishment

28th February 2019

We are delighted to offer two amazing opportunities within this high specification refurbishment, in the sought after L25 postcode of Gateacre. We have been able to secure discounted prices exclusively for our investors.  The spacious 2-bed apartment is available for only £170,000 and the beautiful studio apartment for only £90,000.  According to local letting agents, these outstanding […]

6 sold and only one final two bed left

28th February 2019

Sorry last property now sold We are delighted to offer our investors one final opportunity to invest at this fantastic Newton Road development in St Helens, near Liverpool. Having already sold 6 plots at this popular development, and we have been offered one final 2-bed, build complete property for the amazing price of £117,500 with an anticipated […]