We are all used to reading headlines about rogue landlords, but never feel that we could ever be labelled as one. Many of us believe that because we do our best to provide a high level of service to our tenants, pay our taxes, and give back to our local communities, we could never be […]

In response to the latest UK House Prices index announced by the ONS Sam Mitchell, CEO of online estate agents Housesimple.com, has commented: “These latest figures confirm what we already know, that the north-south divide has been turned on its head. “While property prices in the north have a spring in their step, driven by inward investment, […]

I have recently let my one of my properties through my normal high street letting agent – who have always given me excellent service and advice previously. This time however, they will not release the new tenants deposit for me to protect in my DPS account. They have stated that I must put the tenants […]

As of 1st October 2018 all tenants regardless of when they moved in will need to be served with a form 6a. They also will need to be served with the Gas Safety, EPC & How to Rent Booklet. The Section 21 notice will only be valid for 6 months from the date of service. […]

My sister in law’s father has recently died, owning a student house which is let for this year. Although the property is jointly owned, his widow doesn’t appear on the tenancy agreement. Is it difficult to add her to the student’s agreement or does she need something else? Thanks David

Hi All, I am wondering if you can help. I am looking into changing the beneficial ownership of my 3 BTL properties, all of which are mortgaged, and owned jointly as follows: X2 Joint Tenants with my Father (He is a Nil – Scraper Basic Rate Tax Payer) X1 Joint Tenants with my Wife (Nil […]

I promised last week to update readers after the “end of the road” Offering. Now to Sheffield Council and their Partners The RLA. Sheffield have introduced their Selective Licensing Scam. I have reviewed their application process and conditions and the scheme is a farce riddled with illegality. Firstly the Council state that one should consider […]

I’ve just had an electrician to my house and he said that from a July 31st 2018 it is compulsory for all rental properties to have a RCD fuse box, which has to be metal. Is this just good practice or a legal requirement? Many thanks Sarah Residual Current Devices (RCD) these are switches that […]

* Suggestions made by Mark Alexander, founder of Property118.com – Imagine an organisation with 10’s of millions of pounds of budget every year, funded entirely by its landlord members and acting only in the interests of its members. No sponsorships, no affiliations, no sharing of member data or side deals with any suppliers of services to […]

Average UK house prices could fall back to levels not seen since 2004 if Theresa May is not able to secure a Brexit deal, according to research by online estate agents Housesimple.com. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney’s warned ministers a “no-deal” Brexit could see house prices slump 35% over the next three years. According […]

* Property118 founder Mark Alexander shares his predictions on the future of BTL for established landlords PLUS his thoughts on mortgage lending and the polarisation of the mindset of private housing providers. Since November 2017 the Bank of England base rate has increased by 300%, from 0.25% to 0.75%. However, the cost five and 10 […]

Bath and NE Somerset Council have introduced a basic DBS check as part of its new licensing requirements. It also has a Fit and Proper Person form that must be completed by the proposed licence holder. If you lie when signing the declaration the Council says it can prosecute you – fair enough. The declaration […]

I have a property which I have leased through the same agent for the last 3 years. I have never felt like that I have received a great service, although paying a premium rate (12% plus VAT). The last few months the payments from the have been late, only by a few days, but it […]

[add your address here] Dear [insert your MP’s name] There is a major discrepancy in the treatment of SME’s in regards to relief at the point of incorporation if a business (ie moving to Limited company status). The problem specifically is Stamp Duty Land Tax. Relief exists to alleviate Stamp Duty when a partnership transitions into […]

This question has come up in every live webinar I’ve ever participated in. Also, I often see the question in Facebook groups, so the time has come for me to write an article on the subject which I can refer people to whenever the topic is raised. Declarations of Trust have existed since the Christian Crusades […]

Our Hon. Legal Counsel, Mark Smith, Head of Chambers at Cotswold Barristers will be presenting an overview of several landlords tax strategies at the Salisbury PIN meeting on Wednesday 19th September 2018. The event will start at 6pm and officially close at 9am, but there will be an opportunity to have a chat with Mark […]

Landlords are reeling, Punch Drunk from the sustained assaults by Central and local Government, not to mention hostile media articles suggesting huge swathes of landlords are preying on tenants offering accommodation for sex. About time we had a little straight talking, and this brings me to the title “end of the road”. I say categorically […]

I own a shop with 8 COMPLETELY self contained flats above. There is some confusion with Hackney council on the HMO issue. For mortgage reasons and other, I DONT WANT THEM TO BE HMOS. Hackney said if they comply to 1991 Building Regs(or if not if they can be made to comply), they they don’t […]

WARNING! The way the “Hybrid Structure” is currently being touted by one particular firm as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to the issues associated with the phased removal of finance cost relief could very easily result in people falling foul of HMRC’s “Transfer of Income Streams” legislation under The Finance Act 2009 schedule 25 – please see […]

The Bank of England’s Mortgage Lenders and Administrators Statistics (MLAR) – 2018 Q2 show the share of Buy to Let lending has declined since 2018 Q1, accounting for 13.1% of new lending. This is down from 14.2% last quarter. 2018 Q2 has seen an increase in mortgage lending activity when compared with the previous quarter. […]

The October 1st deadline for new mandatory licensing rules of HMOs is only weeks away. There has been almost no government assistance in the form of information campaigns considering the latest .Gov website update says landlords could get an ‘unlimited’ fine for renting out an unlicensed HMO. The old rules included a stipulation that the […]