In a new report commissioned by the TDS Charitable Foundation, property expert Kate Faulkner provides advice for parents of students weighing up their accommodation options. Kate, who runs Propertychecklists.com and consultancy Designs on Property, analyses the costs and benefits of a range of accommodation options available to parents of students, including buying to rent and […]

As we are all aware, the government intends to remove the option for landlords to use the no fault eviction notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which with our current system would leave only grounds under Section 8, similar to the system recently introduced in Scotland. Unlike Scotland, however, there is currently […]

Hi, I have a very tough situation here with my letting agent. Beginning of this morning, my letting agent found 3 sharers for my 3-bed flat located in Stratford. Basically, I was told that I just pay additional £500 upgrading my selective license to the additional HMO. It is very straightforward. Once I put the […]

I have a flat in Scotland which is within a new style development with a communal stairway. Within the stairway are located only two flats and a communal cupboard. The stairway has a locked door as does the communal cupboard and the exterior/communal areas are maintained by a 3rd party factoring company. The tenant has […]

When I met my wife I owned my own home in a North Yorkshire town. When we decided to move in together, rather than sell my house, I rented it and became an “accidental landlord”. Fast forward 8 years and my now wife and I have started a family and want a bit more space […]

Last year I let a property to a young lady and her boyfriend. He was recently arrested for assaulting her and is on remand. The old lady next door who lives in a council property has complained to the council about loud music and shouting. The council passed these complaints on to me urging I […]

By January 2024, approximately 250,000 borrowers will have reached the repayment date for their interest-only mortgage. Most have no plans in place to deal with this problem and will struggle to find a new deal elsewhere, according to research by Kensington Mortgages. That number equates to about 15% of the 1.7m British borrowers who currently […]

The National Landlords Alliance does not advocate contravening legislation so where the law says that ‘No Dss’ ads contravene equality legislation we must not use the terminology. Now for some straight talk. Shelter have campaigned for the abolition of S21, in effect eroding property owners rights. Shelter with their Million pound budget have time and […]

By the end of this month, the two biggest property portals in Britain, Rightmove and Zoopla, will no longer allow ‘No DSS’ lettings listings i.e. those that state tenants who receive housing benefits cannot rent an advertised home. The decision by the portals is part of a wider stance being taken to stamp out discrimination […]

Please click the video link below to watch the full Work and Pensions Committee evidence session for the “No DSS: discrimination against benefit claimants in the housing sector inquiry” 09:36:34 Witnesses: Helena McAleer, Landlord , Lynne Mapp, Mother of tenant, Phillipa Lalor, Tenant, and Greg Beales, Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns, Shelter 10:07:39 Witnesses: […]

Hello everyone, I have got a terraced house and we need to replace the chimney at the top which is moving a bit due to weather. This chimney is in between my and neighbour’s house. The question is how do I find out who owns the chimney as I want to split the cost as […]

Having a go at home improvements may be more costly than we think, according to a recent study by construction supplier Burton Roofing.    By analysing monthly housing data from the Office of National Statistics and talking to 1,000 UK homeowners, the investigation found that the average UK household will spend £1,150.24 every year on their DIY attempts. This equates to a total of more than £31billion (£31,229,016,000) estimated to be spent on putting up […]

ARLA Propertymark is today issuing its March Private Rented Sector.  David Cox, ARLA Propertymark Chief Executive, said: “Whilst its really positive that the number of properties available per branch hit a record high last month, this may be the first signs of the industry consolidating ahead of the tenant fees ban as agents either sell-up […]

The All Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee has widened its inquiries to take in other potential forms of direct or indirect housing discrimination against benefit recipients It will now look at the “no DSS” ads run by letting agents or the tech companies that promote them, to the property insurance policies that won’t cover homes […]

Until now, the recorded footage of this packed out meeting at the Baker Street Property Meet has never been officially released, but it is still as valid today as it was when it was recorded live in May 2017. Grab a coffee and and click below to enjoy the video. Incorporation checklist If you’re contemplating […]

Labour has accussed permitted development rules, which allow office blocks to be converted into residential housing without planning permission, of giving corporations permission to escape their responsibilities to build good quality, safe, affordable housing. Instead of adding to the housing stock slum housing and rabbit hutch flats are being created. Since the relaxation on planning […]

Airbnb is backing the Mayor of London’s call for a clear, simple and host-friendly registration system to support the current 90 night limit in London and help ensure that rules are applied equally to all hosts, regardless of which platform they use. Sadiq Khan has requested Government introduces a registration system for anyone wishing to […]

About 7 weeks ago, after evicting a non-paying tenant, the agent notified me that there was a slight leak under the sink. I asked them to arrange to get it fixed. Now, 7 weeks later, I’m told that I need new pipe work, repairs to kitchen units, probably new carpets and a dehumidifier for a […]

The government have announced that they intend to remove landlords right to use the no fault ground for eviction in section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. But where does that leave people now?  For example: 1. When are the changes likely to take place? 2. What should landlords do in the meantime? 3. What […]

Robust Business + Tax Planning Structures with Mark Smith: In this continuing mini-series of interviews with successful people in property, Rob talks to Mark Smith, a barrister based at Cotswold Barristers, Cheltenham. Mark is a tax expert who, on behalf of 260 landlords, led a legal team responsible for recovering twenty-seven million pounds of unlawfully […]

Now that the government has committed to a consultation following its announcement to ban section 21 notices the RLA is calling on landlords to help influence policy by completing a new survey: Click Here to access the survey. The survey concentrates on what will be needed to assist landlords faced with repossessing properties through the […]