Stoke-on-Trent City Council carried out a consultation exercise earlier this year considering the introduction of Selective Licensing in 14 areas of the city to “tackle problems in areas with high levels of privately-rented housing and improve property conditions and the health and wellbeing of residents.” The Council have published the results of the consultation and […]

Last week Shelter issued a document in partnership with the National Housing Federation (NHF) called “Stop DSS discrimination” Click Here Their argument is on Page 6, with the heading “What does the law say – is a blanket ‘No DSS’ policy unlawful?”  (The answer is No, it is not unlawful, but they claim it might […]

A Tenant of mine who is in substantial arrears has agreed to give up the property via Deed of Surrender a few days before a Section 8 / PCOL hearing is due. I would like to proceed with the hearing as Section 8 hearings also lead to money orders – and it would also rubber […]

If we, the only leaseholders (fyi) and the landlord have a 60/40 split on service charge items should the landlord contribute towards 40% of the communal lighting bills/electricity, and also the property bank account? He does/should on work being carried out, but not sure about the rest. He contributes towards fire extinguishers etc in communal […]

We have a portfolio of nine properties all over UK, bought in 2007, interest only mortgages. Half are nice little earners, no problem tenants, but a couple have been nightmares with one in particular costing us a fortune. Everything has gone wrong with the house itself. We’ve had to evict every tenant, and the house […]

I have recently let out a flat through an agent. The agreement was to charge an all in fee which would include the rent collection. The fee will be paid on a monthly basis, deducted from the rent. The tenant has moved in about 11 days ago, but the agent would not pay me the […]

As a BTL investor I have turned recent attention to refurbishment and development. The aim has been to generate more cash to buy more BTL. I have just finished a 2 storey extension to my main residence and reaped the financial benefits of this. During my search, I have recently viewed a Victorian semi detached […]

On 22 August Shelter issued its press release about the mystery shopping, which had notes for editors.  The first note said detailed research can be found in ‘Stop DSS Discrimination: Ending prejudice against renters on benefits’ – copies available from Shelter’s press office. The conclusion of that document included this paragraph: “The widespread prejudice towards housing benefit […]

Famous for its two Premier League football clubs, world-renowned music scene and important industrial history, the city of Liverpool situated in the north-west of England has benefited from a major overhaul triggered largely by its success as the European City of Culture in 2008. Regeneration in the city is ongoing as its population continues to […]

One of my rentals is a leasehold flat, there are 18 in the building, which is run by its Co-owners, as a shared Freehold. But one of the Directors and owner of 4 flats is a self elected dictator and megalomaniac, having been on the management as a director for 20 years. He and I […]

Hope I can get some advice, which is always appreciated from the 118 community Briefly, our freeholder took us to First Tier Tribunal in July over numerous issues and lost on all counts. The main issue was service charges. He charged us in advance, does NOT issue any service demands which do not comply with […]

Last week Shelter published the results of their mystery shopper exercise, in partnership with  National Housing Federation (NHF).  The latter is in the social sector so it is a mystery in itself why they are involved, except that by attacking the PRS they can deflect attention away from the defects in their own sector, examples […]

We have secured beautiful properties within the St John’s Presbyterian Church conversion, as well as stunning, new-build, semi-detached properties within the grounds. St John’s Gardens is situated in a highly sought-after area in Runcorn, benefitting from excellent transport links and an abundance of great primary and secondary schools very close by. There is no time like today to […]

My wife and I  have had our offered on a property accepted by the vendor. The problem lies in the fact that at the bottom of the garden are a row of adjoining terraced houses with the foundations of the end terrace alleging to have been affected by the tree planted at the bottom of […]

For anyone looking for help with Mortgage Express appointing receivers. Check who signed the paperwork for the appointment. Did they work for the company. It should be signed by a director, secretary and attorney. Cross check the authorised name on companies house. In my case the people were not known to the company. The terms […]

If you are one of slightly lazy landlords like I am at times, who allowed new tenants to move in and had not given your new tenants a copy of a valid Gas safety record , or the new booklet called “Right to Rent”, and or Energy Proficient Certificate (EPC), then worry not, it is […]

Serious questions were raised by my colleague on P118 ‘Free Advice for Shelter‘, concerning the so-called ‘housing’ charity Shelter. As we know, it is clearly a double misnomer to call this multi-million pound organisation a ‘housing’ charity or ‘Shelter,’ as it provides neither. Clearly, most of the money goes on salaries and those salaried employees […]

Shelter have supported various initiatives to change the PRS so I wondered if I could do the same for them.  The accounts to March 2018 aren’t online yet, so I looked at the previous year’s figures: Click Here The total remuneration received by the six directors during the year was £763,446. There were 1,273 members […]

What is Anti-Social Behaviour? Anti-social behaviour is a a wide range of unacceptable activity that causes harm or alarm to others or their community or environment, often leaving the person feeling alarmed, harassed or distressed. Examples of anti-social behaviour may include: Excessive noise in quiet hours of the day Rowdy behaviour – shouting, swearing, fighting […]

Dear Landlords, Someone has sent this the enclosed pdf through, link also below. With more legal knowledge than me you may pick up on something.  The attached document has some ‘data’ he collected for selective licensing. Looks very damning reading against the council: Were the Nottingham City Council Selective Licensing consultation results really in favour […]

I decided to start a refurbishment program to make the Flats more modern and more energy efficient. I replaced the very old double glazed windows with brand new  A rated ones. Replaced the water heating with A rated one took out the storage heaters and fitted the new energy efficient ones. Refilled the roof with […]