From April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic and non-domestic property in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants. Now as a Landlord I had not taken too much notice of this looming […]

In August 2017 a neighbour telephoned me to say that there had been a police involved incident at the property that I let. I went to the local police station to tell them that I was the landlord and enquiring about the incident. They replied that it had nothing to do with me. I said […]

I thought, this will be right place to ask this particular question, so here it goes: My son has just turned 18 and I am thinking of buying a property for him on Buy To Let basis whilst he is in full time education. I am aware that, 3% surcharge is not applicable as long […]

Dear P118 readers, I wonder if anyone has had experience with this issue lately? I am using Foxtons to let a property (as they had an offer on at the time) and the fixed term (18m) is coming to an end in 60 days. I was called by Foxtons asking if I wanted to renew […]

I am quite confused with SDLT tax. Here is our situation, My wife and I own two buy to let properties (50:50 split joint tenant) at the moment. I am thinking of changing to tenants in common with 99:1 split. The mortgage on each property is quite low (one is 54k, another one is 46k). […]

After a pipe leak caused a £130k claim (not quite yet settled) I find myself unable to find tenanted insurance. The letting agent insists on landlord insurance and my obligation to provide it is written into their standard tenancy agreements. The insurance lapsed in June 2017, but I couldn’t get meaningful cover while renovations were […]

I’m delighted to start the New Year with a piece of good news for those of you who make use of the Alternative Payment Scheme (APA) to secure redirection of the tenant’s “housing costs”. DWP has just confirmed its staff have been instructed “explicit consent” will no longer be required in relation to the progressing of APA requests. Prior to this, it […]

I had to review the service charge breakdown for two apartments in one development this year, as this and last year service charges have risen to almost double from all previous years. What I found is interesting and these are the biggest items; Management fee 70k Building insurance 128k Fire door audit 34526 (an audit […]

Baroness Valentine, a former banker and the wife of a venture capitalist, is the latest to have a go at private landlords (a common enough diversionary tactic to have a go at an unpopular group when you yourself are amongst the most privileged in society). In a debate on Industrial Strategy she made the following […]

At the first pre-legislative hearing by the Communities and Local Government Committee on the Draft Tenant Fees Bill, Professor Ian Loveland of the City Law School, told MPs allowing local authorities to impose fines of up to £30,000 on letting agents and landlords without a conviction could breach the Human Rights Act. Professor Loveland said: […]

Hi I decided to sell one of my BTLs – I had four. I purchased the property in 2004 so have made a gain once I have taken off costs, and the annual allowance I will still have a tax liability. However, I also own a property in Southern Italy which despite being in an […]

I’m new to being a landlord and have had tenants in my flat for the first time since end of September. It’s been fairly problematic since with drain blockages, my boiler needs replacing, all of that is manageable however my flat has been prone to rising damp. I had professional damp proofing done 3 years […]

Theresa May has taken the opportunity of a Cabinet reshuffle to promote her focus on housing by creating the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Following the appointment of Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the department will be renamed as the Ministry […]

Join Paul Shamplina, Founder of Landlord Action and Founder of the online letting agency Upad, James Davis, for a FREE webinar offering top tips for avoiding evictions with your tenants. The webinar includes advice on: Choosing the right tenant from the start The terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement – with a focus on […]

A planning application exists for a house on an awkward shaped plot left vacant when the estate was built in 1995. Of more concern to residents is that the applicant has also apparently bought surrounding streets, their pavements and a couple of footpaths, as well as another left-over plot big enough for a couple of […]

EDF energy are not the suppliers at my rental property yet executed a warrant with forced entry, causing superficial damage. Initially after several exchanges via email they insisted that they had accessed the incorrect property. Now they have accepted, but offered £150 compensation. I do not feel this is sufficient since the door repair is […]

The Welsh Government Consultation, ‘Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 – Fitness for Human Habitation closes on the 12th of Jan so this is the last chance to get your opinions heard or at least noted. This consultation is seeking views on the regulations determining a dwelling’s fitness for human habitation, and the accompanying guidance. Once […]

I have just been on the HMRC webinar for Income from property and they have said that commercial mortgages will be exempt from interest relief changes that are getting phased in from 2017-2018 tax year. Is a BTL mortgage classed as a commercial mortgage? as I was under the impression that they are not regulated […]

I have been embroiled in a 3 year campaign waged against me by the local authority being Enfield Council, along with Thames Water. This is a classic case of large institutions, abusing their position and adopting bullying tactics – To date it has cost me £8000 plus an award  by the court of a further […]

Terry Lovett, of Lovett Sales and Lettings in St Neots told the Property Industry Eye that he is “incensed” Social landlord Luminus Homes has escaped prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after gas safety breaches and no certificates were found in over a thousand of its homes. Terry does not believe any private agent […]

Readers of Property 118 will be familiar with my opposition to Selective licensing. A revenue raising exercise for Bankrupt Councils. The onslaught on the PRS is now bearing fruit. The Sky News report in to the homeless crisis in the UK has today released a startling statistic. The Borough with the most acute Homeless problem, […]