From April 18th The Mortgage Works (TMW) will be removing the maximum age limit criteria on its Buy to Let mortgages up to a maximum of 65% Loan to Value for ‘experienced’ landlords for both purchases and remortgages. This will also include Limited company mortgages. An experienced landlord is considered by TMW as: “An applicant […]

I am having problems with anti-social tenants at the moment – not in my rented flat, but the one above. About 9 months ago the flat above was rented out and it soon became clear that the tenants liked to drink and subsequently have full blown marital disputes with foul language. My tenant at that […]

How much is everyone paying for Gas safety inspections? I have 8 properties, all on the same site. All have gas combi boilers & 1 gas appliance, a hob. I routinely get the combi’s serviced at the same time. My gas engineer is charging 8 x £75 to complete the work & issue 8 certificates. […]

Since 2012, the number of English landlords registering tenancy deposits on properties in Scotland has risen by over 430%, according to new research by SafeDeposits Scotland. The country’s leading tenancy deposit protection scheme found that in 2012, 260 landlords living in England registered deposits with them on rental properties in Scotland. In 2017, the number […]

Mortgages and Insurers Solutions have access to a number of limited edition buy to let portfolio products. The limited edition rates are available on properties with HMO status, limited company SPVs, single self-contained and multi unit blocks. Products for single self contained units include a limited edition 2 year fixed rate at 3.40% (APR 5.20%) […]

My wife recently lost her job with the NHS, but we have some cash saved to invest in property. We have one single let already that’s registered in her name. It was first let out early this year. We want to buy some more, but understand it will be difficult to get a mortgage if […]

The new landlord registration contravenes Human Rights Act and Part L of environmental pollution legislation. The right not to be discriminated against and the right to self determination are being heavily compromised with the new registration scheme. Good landlords far outnumber bad ones, yet all have to pay in time, money, and deflection from life’s […]

Birmingham, elected the UK’s ‘most investable city’ by PwC, is set to become the UK’s foremost property hotspot. The UK’s second city is expected to achieve 20-30% price growth by 2022, based on Hometrack’s 2018 analysis of regional economies and the trajectory of the housing market cycle. Hometrack predict that London house prices will grow […]

The CMA has secured the disqualification of two directors whose company broke competition law. This follows an investigation that resulted in 5 Somerset estate agents being fined more than £370,000 last year for secretly agreeing between themselves the fees they charged. Mr David Baker and Mr Julian Frost were, at the time, both directors of […]

More landlords with property in the North of England experienced a void period in the past three months than in any other UK region according to findings from the UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA). 53% of landlords with property in the North East and North West of England both experienced a void in the […]

The best tax structure for landlords very much depends on taxable income. For example, a couple who are earning say £30,000 each who plan to purchase two or three properties, where the combined rental profits and mortgage interest wouldn’t push them into the higher rate tax bands, might be better off with a partnership. It is […]

HMRC has just released the 2017/18 self-assessment tax returns. These are the first where the Section 24 restrictions on finance cost relief will apply (25% of finance costs disallowed in 2017/18 tax year). You can download the property pages of the new 2017/18 self-assessment form HERE The accompanying notes can be downloaded HERE  What percentage […]

I am a landlord and I believe a good one. My cousin however has been subject to a bad landlord and I would like to help her. I understand this is a landlords forum, but any advice would be very much appreciated. She began an AST Tenancy in 2010 and vacated in 2017, because of […]

I have been referencing a couple for one of my properties. There is a CCJ on one of the applicants reports, but I knew of this from the start and as its being paid and only a small amount I carried on with referencing. The property they are living in I was told was a […]

As I’m sure all West Brom mortgage holders have, I have recently received a letter from the West Brom essentially demanding that I inform them of my plans to pay off my ‘interest only’ mortgage once it comes to an end. While I’m used to lenders sending out letters saying I should ‘consider’ / ‘have […]

I know this isn’t a new topic, but I would just like an opinion on clauses being used to try and get £160 for new sublet and £60 for a renewal (I own a Property management company and its more than I charge landlords for a hell of a lot more work). I have owned […]

The Government’s review into building and fire safety regulations is missing the opportunity to assess fire safety regulations across all types of housing. This is the concern being expressed by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) as it formally responds to the Interim Report of the review led by Dame Judith Hackitt following the Grenfell Tower […]

I own a BTL property (higher rate tax payer) but am in the process of transferring part of it to my wife (basic tax payer) for tax purposes Is there any real difference between “Joint Tenants” vs “Tenancy in Common split in equal shares”? I know the difference between Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common […]

I am aware that income from property owned jointly by married couples needs to be split 50/50 for tax purposes (unless form 17 has been filed), but do expenses from jointly owned property also have to be split 50/50? My situation is that I manage our 2 jointly owned rental properties, including paying the mortgage […]

By the end of this year, every area in Great Britain will be delivering Universal Credit Full Service – with the new style benefit expected to replace all existing means-tested benefits by October 2022. So, if you either take, or are considering taking benefit tenants, then the RLA’s Universal Credit course for PRS landlords and letting […]

In all the years I have done property I have never come across this. My ex tenant is now trying to sue me for personal injuries. She reported a leak to the letting agent. I sent the plumber straight out as soon as she reported it and he found that the tap had a slight […]