Steve Harriott, Chief Executive of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme In the last week we have seen Which? publish a report that cast doubts about tenancy deposit protection. If its recommendations were implemented there is a very real possibility that the consumer protection for tenants might end up being worsened. Discussing the future of tenancy deposit […]

The Scottish Government’s private rental reforms are shaking up the sector according to new data, which reveals rental property sales have outstripped purchases five-fold in the last three months. Findings from the National Landlords Association (NLA) show that almost a quarter (24 per cent) of landlords with property in Scotland have sold over the last […]

Almost three million UK households could be at risk of potentially fatal fires, electric shocks and even street-wide gas explosions caused by an undetected energy meter tamper. The figures come from new research, which revealed that 14% of UK residents have encountered the signs of a tampered energy meter in person; around three million households across […]

We are absolutely delighted to launch our new investment opportunity in Birmingham – One BHM comprised of 165 one, two and three bed contemporary apartments within the B1 postcode.   Prices start from only £164,995 for a one bed apartment, rising to £225,995 for a two bed.  Yields of up to 6% have been predicted. […]

In his weekly Monday Column for the Daily Telegraph, Boris Johnson, has told Theresa May slash the absurdly high Stamp Duty (SDLT) tax rates and abandon affordable housing targets. Boris indicated he thought the housing market is the single biggest and most urgent crisis we face and would lead to an impending crisis of capitalism. […]

Can I sell/transfer the Freehold interest from my SPV company to a management company I also own ? My existing mixed use property is made up of a commercial unit and 3 flats – currently all on a single title. My aim is to get each of the units on their own lease, remaining in […]

Does a new court ruling in reference to smoke alarms mean that smoke alarms inside a property will have to be tested by Landlords? “Landlord Terry Millis, 63, admitted that he put the lives of five residents at risk and pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with requirements to prevent the risk of […]

I am the Freehoder of block of Flats (12) which I acquired in 2014. The orignal Lease is 125 years from 2009 The intial (and current) Ground Rent I collect is £150 per Annum. The lease provision is Ground Rent doubles every 25 years One of the Leaseholders is selling and have asked to amend […]

So, you have just incorporated your properties. Now you want to sell one of them. A buyer has been found, then, at the last minute, the buyer has been refused a mortgage. A seemly arbitrary and little known rule common to all mortgage lenders is if a property that is to be mortgaged has not […]

On 10th and 11th September we are sponsoring the IRRV Severnside and South West Association enforcement forums alongside Excel Civil Enforcement. 10th September – The Aztec Hotel in Bristol 11th September – The Mercure Southgate Hotel, Exeter We will be covering a range of topics, and the forum will be followed by networking drinks. The […]

With the summer months meaning an increase in travellers moving from place to place we thought we’d look at how you can protect both property and land from unwelcome visitors. Secure doors and windows It will be worth considering installing steel security doors and looking at how you can also best secure all entrances such […]

I have just seen the article by solicitor Giles Peaker on his excellent blog “Nearly Legal”, which relates to a recent case in which LB Richmond’s HMO Licence Fees have been found to be unlawful, as they were set in breach of an EU Directive. The issue was whether private letting of accommodation was a […]

If you have a spare 5 minutes to watch a short video I think the one below will make you chuckle. Feel free to share on Social Media to attract new readers to Property118. James Veicht’s elaborate wrong number prank! Enjoy 🙂 PS – you might also enjoy the story of The slightly unusual dilemma of […]

This weekend I have a simple request to all Property118 members. If you haven’t already done so, please sign my Housing Policy petition to Theresa May. LINK TO PETITION HERE We don’t need to get 100,000 signatures to make this campaign successful. In fact, just a few more signatures than we have now could do it, […]

Maggie Thatcher said you can have the Channel Tunnel as long as it is built by Private Sector Funding and not the taxpayer. Whitehall Mandarins have had enough of Private Sector Landlords (PSL) who exert too high an influence on housing strategy. Recently we have seen the tax regime changed drastically to favour companies and […]

Please can anyone tell me the min time period that the freeholder can legitimately carry out insurance reinstatement valuations for the building? We have been hit with a £1600 bill in 2016 for this and then again in 2018 for £1800! It seems very excessive to require a full reinstatement valuation every two years. Why […]

The UK now has such a plethora of Regulations that doing business in any sector of the economy is becoming a Task. As regards taxation, the UK has the highest property taxes in the developed world. (source The Telegraph). We are taxed and regulated to death. This nonsense is to be expected from Comrade Corbyn […]

I recently purchased a converted barn, which has a two bedroom adjoining annex with internal access via the main house plus its own front door, kitchen and bathroom. I pay one council tax bill for the property as a whole. If I wanted to rent it out via Airbnb, or a.n.other holiday letting company do […]

the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) has obtained permission to challenge the government Right To Rent policy in the High Court. The full hearing is set for court on the 18th and 19th of December this year. The JCWI release stated: ““This is going to be the first proper chance a court […]

From the Royal Institute of Chartered Suveyors (RICS) July 2018 UK residential market survey the most striking feature is the continued reduction of new property being put on the market in the lettings sector with 22% more respondents seeing a fall rather than rise in New Landlord Instructions. This is the eighth consecutive quarter in […]

Selective Licensing consultations have resulted in the idea being knocked on the head a few times. However, this has only happened when the Councils have received an overwhelming negative response. In the vast majority of cases, the schemes have been introduced because only a handful of landlords have fought back. Apathy costs money! My advice […]