NLA/RLA Merger – Stand and fight with us

30th August 2019

Last November the Alliance was formally launched. Around this time the NLA and RLA entered in to discussions to merge. On behalf of the Alliance, our steering committee and all our members nationwide I would like to offer our best wishes to the new NRLA . The new merged association will still only represent less […]

ARLA 5 point manifesto

30th August 2019

David Cox, of ARLA Propertymark, has written in the Daily Mail outlining a five point plan for the PRS that will encourage landlords to stay in the sector and give tenants a better deal. In the article he detailed the plans as a new manifesto to be considered by the government: 1. Tax incentives Tax […]

Some very complex questions to address

30th August 2019

So, Boris Johnson is to suspend Parliament to enable him to set out his plans for Education, The Police, National Health Service, but he must not forget Housing. The only way to provide sufficient homes for the growing population is new build on an industrial scale. Within such plans must be provision for all types […]

Will the UK’s largest Landlord Associations Merge later this year?

29th August 2019

Property118 has received multiple anonymous tip offs today that the National Landlords Association “NLA” and the Residential Landlords Association “RLA” will merge later this year. Having once said “I think hell is more likely to freeze over before that ever happens”, I will also be the first to admit that I will be delighted to […]

Only 24 minutes from London Waterloo

29th August 2019

Property Investor Partnership is delighted to be offering 1 bed, build-complete apartments in the centre of Woking, Surrey – discounted by 10% off list prices. Spectrum House is an exciting development comprising of 41 apartments. Each high specification apartment has been interior designed, featuring high-gloss contemporary kitchens with integrated appliances and smartphone controlled underfloor heating. […]

The House Party?

29th August 2019

Which political party has been best for tenants and landlords? Independent letting and sales agent, Benham and Reeves, has looked at which political party has had the most impact on the UK rental market and which way you might want to be voting depending on whether you’re a landlord or tenant. Benham and Reeves looked […]

Landlord needs advice on HMO planning questions

29th August 2019

I have an HMO situation that I may need some help and advice with. I applied to Barnet council for an HMO license which was granted. A few weeks later Barnet council Planning Dept have now written to me asking me questions. After doing some checking myself, I can see that six other flats in […]

Ministry of Justice report on mortgage and landlord possession claims

29th August 2019

The Ministry of Justice have released the 2019 Q2 report on mortgage and landlord possession claims. Landlord possession claims There has been an overall decrease in landlord possessions. Compared to the same quarter the previous year, landlord possession actions claims (26,695), orders for possession (21,384), warrants (13,685) and repossessions (7,428) have decreased by 9%, 6%, […]

New 10 year fixed Buy to Let from 2.49%

29th August 2019

Two new 10 year fixed rate Buy to Let mortgages from Leeds Building Society are now available to landlords. The new products launching on Friday 30 August, are: 2.49% 10 year Buy to Let up to 60% LTV 3.29% 10 year Buy to Let up to 70% LTV Both products have a ÂŁ999 product fee […]

Letting agency posing as a club fined

28th August 2019

A lettings agency claiming to be a members’ club has been fined more than ÂŁ40,000. Lifestyle Club LSC has fallen short of the tenant fees ban, the club sought to imply that its members are licensees rather than tenants. The club offered flexibility in terms of accommodation to its residents and asked for a joining […]

Helping the Perfect Tenant?

28th August 2019

I have a bit of a quandary with one of my tenants. He has been with me for nearly 10 years across 2 houses. Never missed a rent payment and has improved and added value to both of the properties (I have always gone 50/50 with the cost on any improvements my tenants wish to […]

Charges to tenant on early termination of tenancy?

28th August 2019

My friend agreed to early termination of the tenancy under the – following clause 11. In the event of a surrender of this Tenancy by agreement between the Landlord and the Tenant, the Tenant will pay the Landlord the sum of ÂŁ250 towards the administrative costs generated thereby. The tenant is challenging the clause What […]

A question of scale

28th August 2019

I was recently watching a documentary about Albert, Prince Consort, and his magnificent efforts to provide housing for the poor in the 18th Century. I also highlight the magnificent efforts of George Cadbury at Bournville and Joseph Rowntree in the North East of England. There were, of course, others who made commendable efforts. Since those […]

Salford council launch social letting agency

28th August 2019

Salford City Council has launched its own letting agency, Salford Property Link, in an effort to encourage private landlords to help reduce the massive social housing waiting list. The new agency offers landlords different levels of service from advertising and tenant matching right through to full property management, guaranteed rent and a property repairs service. […]

Government changes shared ownership to 1% chunks

28th August 2019

The government will review a new national model for shared ownership to make it easier for people to buy more of their own home, including allowing them to buy in 1% increments. This plan is hoped to facilitate Boris Johnson’s priority to level up the whole country, closing the opportunity gap and helping millions of young […]

We believed fees ban would push up rents – ARLA

28th August 2019

The latest survey of ARLA agents show a record number of rent increases for tenants in July with 63% of agents reported that landlords raised rents, This is up from an already record high of 55% in June, and over double the reported rent rises in the same month last year. ARLA have issued an […]

Liverpool in the top five UK tourist destinations

28th August 2019

Liverpool has overtaken Birmingham to become the fourth most visited city for overseas tourists in the UK The home of The Beatles, two Premier League teams, the largest collection of Grade-II listed buildings and the European art outside of London. Liverpool has plenty of attractions but in the past, it may have been overlooked as […]

How the Tenant Fees Ban Can Backfire on Tenants

27th August 2019

CASE STUDY – based on a true story Lucy, Amy and Charlie rented a property for 12 months on a Joint Tenancy basis just three months ago. However,  Lucy has been offered a better job closer to her parents, so naturally she wants to move out. Amy and Charlie have no objection to this because […]

A Pleasant Surprise!

27th August 2019

Over the Bank Holiday I visited a house which had no hot water. Everyone was on holiday and I have this weird idea I know something about no hot water! Before I got into the car, I knew exactly what it would be. I was right. When I arrived I looked and said “you have […]

LLP structure achieves 85% tax reduction – CASE STUDY

27th August 2019

When used correctly, Limited Liability Partnerships “LLP’s” can be an excellent structure for landlords, not just for tax planning but also for the evolution of rental property businesses generally. For example, many landlords wish to eventually leave a legacy to the next generation. They also wish to consider succession planning, which is something all business […]

Sell or repair? At my wits end!

27th August 2019

The ongoing saga of my property. Spent a lot on getting doors and windows replaced, redecorated etc, just needed to get debts removed from gas and electric meters (which I had the codes for) and get the BG engineer to rest the meter on this coming Thursday. I even had a tenant interested and being […]