I’d like to report about a situation of great gravity where an estate agent placed not only myself but tenants life at risk whilst their redress scheme despite all the evidence retained covered for their member without taking seriously my complaint and getting a 2nd investigation shut down despite the Head’s intervention. As a Landlord […]

Moneyfacts UK Savings Trends Treasury Report data (not yet published) highlights the savings market’s continued recovery, with all average rates increasing for the first time since February 2011. Charlotte Nelson, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts, said: “Many would have assumed that in the lead-up to a base rate rise, the savings market would grind to a […]

A new analysis of the BTL market by Shawbrook Bank forecasts a continued dampening of the sector over the next three years, before the market stabilises in 2021 and returns to growth in the following two years. The ‘UK Buy to Let’ report, produced by Shawbrook Bank and compiled by the Centre for Economics and […]

I must admit I never knew of such a thing as ‘Central Funds’. Perhaps P118 readers could shed some light on what it is and why we have it. My company was issued an Abatement Notice for fly-tipped rubbish on a piece of land (read: separated off-road parking space) that I do not own. I […]

A month ago, one of my tenants in an HMO barricaded himself into his room and started a fire. He was rescued by the fire brigade, and although initially pleading mental health issues, has now been charged with arson and is on remand. I am looking at a repair bill of circa £80,000 I think. […]

I’m looking for some advice. I have a young relative in Aberdeen who’s very keen to get into the building trade. He’s just done his CSCS and is awaiting the arrival of his card, but when applying for site jobs he’s getting told he needs a year’s experience. Can anyone give advice on how he […]

As I understand it, both the corporation tax rate and the income tax rate in Bulgaria is fixed at 10%, the lowest in Europe. In addition to looking into becoming non-resident, by moving to Bulgaria, I have also been exploring incorporation relief. I cannot see anything in the HMRC manuals that says I can’t incorporate into […]

I have a theory, and I hope I am wrong! Many Eastern Europeans came to the UK because they could earn more, and despite the higher costs of living they could send money home to their families. However, a few years ago, every £1 they sent home converted to around €1.40 whereas it’s now closer to €1.10. […]

Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire, is reported by the Sun to back calls introducing 3 year tenancies in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation titled, ‘Overcoming the Barriers to Longer Tenancies in the Private Rented Sector.’ The Decision on the consultation could possibly be taken as early as next week so landlords are […]

I’m in the process of selling one of my properties however have recently found an overseas tenant who is ready to move in soon, checked out her employment history, etc. My question is: are there legally recognized tenancies shorter than a standard 6 months AST? I ask this because there’s a mutual benefit for both […]

I couldn’t think of a title for my article so i will leave that to the clever people at Property118. With Brexit, Section 24, Selective Licensing and all the other crap the Government are throwing at us I am still undecided on what to do, at least in part anyway. Being an avid reader of […]

A few months ago the Property118 team were called upon to assist an accountancy practice to consult on the strategic restructuring of a new client (an established landlord business partnership with 67 properties) which the accountants had recently been engaged to act for. Insight is a thriving, multi-faceted, financial services business. They started as an IFA […]

Some may remember my problem with a tenant owing approx. £4k in rent arrears. I served the s8 notice and then just as I, via a solicitor as unsure, submitted the court papers I got 4 days notice from her that she was leaving and for me to be there or she would shut the […]

I served a Section 21 notice on a tenant in May 2018 and when it expired in July I instructed a firm to apply for a possession order. It then came to light that the managing agents had issued the Prescribed Information in time, but not protected the deposit for approx 40 days rather than […]

One of my long term tenants left a property on 26th January 2018, but advised his electricity supplier that he left on 1st January and provided a fraudulent reading. The first I knew of this was in March when EON charged me £126 for the ‘unoccupied’ period from January 1st to 25th. When I queried […]

I have a Victoria semi detached rental property that has been in the family for 100 years and we are trying to establish who is responsible for the boundaries of the property as there is no clue on the title deeds. There is currently 4ft walls between us and each of our neighbours, but in […]

I am now tentatively looking into making my next investment steps, never one to be happy just coasting, rather striving for the next rung. The backstory…. 1. Husband and wife (early 40’s), both low rate tax payers but on the cusp of tipping over. 2. Main residence approx. £400k value with 50% LTV on tracker […]

I would like to personally invite all Property118 readers to our Seminar in association with Shawbrook Bank to understand more about commercial finance and in particular focusing on Bridging and Development finance for property investors. This event run by my company Brooklands Commercial Finance, partners of Property118, and will be held on: 21st of September […]

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 […]