Skipton International can now consider Buy to Let  mortgage applications from non-UK nationals resident overseas. Previously the offshore lender only offered UK buy-to-let mortgages to British expatriates. This news follows the decision to considerably expand Skipton International’s investment property lending criteria over the last year to now include Scottish property and can offer lending on […]

Leasehold Solutions has labelled evidence by Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP as ‘factually incorrect’ and a ‘disgrace’. Wheeler was questioned by members of the Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee at the final session of its inquiry into leasehold reform. Louie Burns, Managing Director of Leasehold Solutions, said: “Based on Heather Wheeler’s statements, it […]

The results of a survey by Belvoir reveal that uncertainty over Brexit is thought to be having a significant impact on rental and house prices. A survey of a random cross-section of Belvoir’s franchisees from across the country, analysed for Belvoir by property expert Kate Faulkner, shows that 86% of franchisees predict that rents are […]

Letter to Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford: I refer to the recently enacted Fitness for Human Habitation Act. Raised in parliament by vociferous tenant campaigner, MP Karen Buck, the title of the bill as it initially was, ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ was a strategic ‘check-mate. How could anyone, MP from whatever party, or […]

The proportion of income spent on rent in the private rented sector has fallen from 35.4% in 2010/11 to 32.9% in 2017/18. Including income from housing benefit, over the same period the amount of income used for rent by social tenants increased from 26.7% to 28%. The figures from the English Housing Survey for 2017/18, […]

Savills have released their five year ‘Prime’ lettings forecast indicating that the London high value rental market may have bottomed out, but with continued economic uncertainty prices will only start to recover in a year to 18 months time (Prime lettings are defined by Savills as starting at a rental income of £500 per week). […]

Apart from the Government’s tax and regulation onslaught against Landlords, they are also affecting many Landlords main assets, i.e. their Leasehold property! This feudal practice was supposed to be fazed out and replaced by Commonhold. However, successive Governments have chosen to ignore it! Leasehold effects Landlords and many people living in flats who think they […]

I am looking at buying a plot of land opposite my own main residence. It is intended for my 17 year old daughter so I can build a house and she can later decide either live in the property or rent it for an income and or have the option to sell it in the […]

My friend had tenants in a property for three years, but they did not pay any council tax during that time. The council said that he should have sent the Assured Tenancy Agreement to them and that they were not aware any tenants were living in the property. He ended up paying £8,000 in Council […]

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 Edinburgh Meeting property networking event Thursday 21st February 2019. The event will start at 6:00pm until 9:00pm and will be free for guests of Mark Smith that have not previously […]

Do many landlords ever dare to sign up new tenants remotely – or only in person? I recently gave a viewing to to a prospective tenant who was only in town for the day. We got on well. She now wants to sign a contract without having to meet again for a 2nd time. I […]

With the 3 main changes within the BTL market: 1. The introduction of the 3% stamp duty on second properties 2. The phasing out of the tax deductibility of mortgage interest payments through section 24 3. The tightening of mortgage underwriting standards It is essential that landlords take a professional approach to their portfolios. Many […]

Letter to Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford: Judges decisions There are guidelines for when High Court Enforcement can be requested after sufficient reason has been shown to and convinced a judge, or at least there should be – I would very much like to know the answer to this and other questions raised […]

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 Manchester Meeting property networking event Wednesday 20th February 2019. The event will start at 6:00pm until 9:00pm and will be free for guests of Mark Smith who have not previously […]

As a matter of urgency, we ask all members and Property118 readers to email the information commissioner:  [email protected]. The basis of our complaint is that, as landlords we cannot sign up to Sefton’s new licensing scheme because it is not GDPR compliant. They ask for details of landlords properties outside of their area. This is excessive and not necessary, and is […]

Nearly £250 million of housing deals will deliver almost 25,000 more homes, the Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has announced today. As part of this, the government will be investing £157 million in infrastructure such as building roads and putting natural green space alongside developments. A new partnership has also been struck by […]

Letter to Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford: Local Authority – Gatekeeping The country as a whole has experienced austerity for the last ten years, only I believe with the exception of MP’s salaries. Local Authorities have felt the ‘financial pinch’ along with everyone else. However, like members of the public they are still […]

The Government looks set to introduce a compulsory redress scheme for private landlords. The redress scheme will enable tenants to complain through a ‘housing complaints resolution service’ allowing them to have quick access to resolve problems and issues they face with their housing. The idea being that anyone, no matter what the issue can have […]

What is the best method to remove trespassers from a doorway within the curtilage of a non-residential property together with their belongings?  My client (local authority) owns the freehold of the premises. Where trespassers, for example rough sleeper, refuse or simply fail to move from a doorway when asked politely to do so, it is […]

The Tenants Fees Bill 2017 – 2019, click here, has formally received Royal Asent and has now become law commencing on June 1st this year. The Bill is sponsored by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (image right): “This means the ban on lettings fees will apply to all tenancies signed after June 1st.” Agents and landlords […]

Letter to Gareth Johnson Member of Parliament for Dartford: Dear Mr Johnson, I’d like raise some concerns about justice, or rather the lack of it in Housing. I operate my own business of recovering possession of mainly residential property for landlords who’s tenants have chosen to break their contract. Very similar if you like, to […]