I am seeking advice on how best to approach my mortgage provider. Under their current rules they permit two rooms being let. However, it is currently a three bedroom property and intend on making the loft into a en-suite bedroom another room on a lower ground floor extension. I will remain residing in the property. […]

The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a report highly critical of the new government flagship welfare system, Universal Credit. The NAO assess that the new single benefit payment could cost more than the old multiple benefits system. It also said that it is possible we will never know if the stated goal of getting […]

I’m writing to draw your attention to a piece recently produced by the RLA relating to Universal Credit, Full Service. If you follow the link, click here,  you’ll find an excellent article, produced by Natalie Williamson, RLA after she and Richard Jones (RLA solicitor) visited Widnes Jobcentre Plus to view, first-hand, Universal Credit’s “Full Service” […]

Having served s21 1(b) and 21 4(a) on 8th April with an expiry for the 17th June, after seeking advice in March, I’ve started to complete the court possession form. Had been advised at the time of service not to do the s8 at the same time as not 2 months in arrears. The Letting […]

My daughter and 3 friends want to rent a 3 storey, 4 bedroom house. To avoid having to licence it as an HMO, the Landlord wants to put 2 tenants only the contract and allow sub-letting to the other 2! Is this a recipe for disaster? What should I advise her? Many thanks Jim

Right to rent checks were first introduced in February 2016 meaning before a landlord rents a property, they must have carried out checks to ensure that the tenant or tenants have the right to rent in the UK. These checks must be carried out on all tenants even if they are not named on the […]

If your tenant has damaged your property, you should be able to use the deposit to claim back the cost of the damage. The first step you should take is to negotiate with the tenant and come to an agreed amount to be deducted for the damage. If you are unable to come to an […]

What do I do? My tenant has stopped paying rent, closed curtains, moved out with most of her main items of furniture, but leaving smaller items and rubbish. She has promised, repeatedly, to move these items, end the tenancy and hand over the keys but, to date has failed to do so. Do her emails […]

ARLA Propertymark are critical of the proposed ban on tenants fees with Chief Executive, David Cox, saying “We have been awaiting the announcement of this Bill, given the scrutiny on tenant fees across the private rented sector. It’s no surprise that, as with the Tenant Fees Bill, the Welsh Assembly have decided on a total […]

Hi all, I would appreciate some advice. I have a very good tenant who at present is the sole occupant of the property. He has recently requested our permission to advertise to let out the spare bedroom / share the rent with another person. I think that his reasoning for the request is both to […]

I entered into a joint tenancy last August with a friend, whom I am no longer on civil terms with. We both departed the property in March this year. At the time I paid for the entire deposit, excluding her share of the first months rent up front and the holding deposit. I did phone […]

The letting fees ban has now spread to Wales and could be introduced in the new Bill below: Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill – Impact Assessments We introduced the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill into the National Assembly for Wales on 11 June 2018. The Bill will prohibit certain payments in connection with […]

Hi all, looking for information and advice. I have a tenant that has not paid any rent from January 1st 2018. They have told me that they want a council house. They were issued with a Notice 21 and Notice 8 in February, with the Notice 21 to vacate by April 10th 2018. We are […]

A common question I am asked by landlords who are considering incorporation of their property rental business is “what does washing out Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on incorporation actually mean?”. I will explain this first using an analogy, which will make a lot more sense when I then relate it back to the question. Imagine […]

I have a commercial property with a Lease which, for historic reasons, provides for an annual rent review. The rent has not been increased for many years (my decision). This year the tenant verbally agreed an increase with the Chartered Surveyor/Valuer appointed by me, but now refuses to answer his emails, texts, voicemails or letters […]

I have been submitting my self assessment tax return for the past 12 years, however for 2016_17 which I am attempting to submit now I am coming across something that doesn’t seem to be right. For the past 6 years my small portfolio of 4 flats has made a small profit, but the prior 6 […]

I am looking to replace 3 elderly electric storage heaters in a ground floor 1-bed flat. No gas in the building so that’s not an option. I am sure technology has moved on a lot since the ones in this property were installed! What would be a good replacement, for efficiency, good appearance and to […]

Kensington have introduced a new Buy to Let range of 85% Loan to Value mortgages based on 2 and 5 year fixed rate terms. 2 year fixed rate options start at: 4.19% with a 1.5% completion fee that can be added to the loan and a maximum mortgage of £1,000,000. Reversion rate is LIBOR (currently […]

We have seen statistics on the numbers of landlords exiting the PRS, citing costs imposed by the government including Section 24 mortgage interest relief restrictions and Licensing. The statistics below showing the REDUCTION in the amount of accommodation is the ‘proof of the pudding.’ Why are the media Not asking the obvious questions and making […]

Research conducted and published by Precise Mortgages shows 38% of landlords will use limited companies to buy properties over the next year compared to 28% as individuals. This is in the wake of Section 24 mortgage interest relief restrictions. 42% of landlords with portfolios of more than four properties will be buying through a limited […]

I am buying a property for the 1st time doing the 5% gov scheme, we exchanged contracts , however there is nothing in the contract to say about the completion date. I bought it off plan, the property is still in construction, but before we exchanged contracts the verbal agreement was the property will be […]