For around 2 years I’ve plagued myself on and off with the idea of ‘taking the leap’ and investing in my first buy to let property. I’m a 27-year-old Engineer and true to form, I must research everything inside and out to understand the market before I can decide to get involved or even pass […]

Belvoir’s Q1 rental index confirms more landlords exiting the market, with demand growing for larger family homes and tenancy lengths naturally increasing. Together with the results of a franchisee survey on tenant and landlord trends, revealed the highest percentage of landlords selling up for over a year, with tax changes, constant regulation and legislation changes […]

National board erection specialists, Agency Express, are reporting a pick up in pace for the UK lettings market in May. Month on month figures in the Agency Express lettings report show an increase of new listing ‘to let’ of 3.6% and listing ‘let’ of 2% nationwide. However, over a rolling 3 month period ‘let’ board […]

For the first time ever (I have been renting out flats since 1984) I have a situation where a freeholder is choosing to enforce the clause in the lease which demands knowledge of the underletting. Whilst there is no doubt whatsoever that they have a legal (if not, in my opinion, an entirely moral) right […]

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its monthly meeting voted by a majority of only 6-3 to maintain Bank Rate at 0.5%. The Hawks voting for an increase to 0.75% were Andy Haldane, Michael Saunders and the outgoing MPC member Ian McCafferty. Some market analyst are now anticipating a quarter percent rate […]

With the ever-growing number of laws governing the private rented sector, becoming a landlord for the first time can be somewhat daunting. Here are a few top tips to make sure you understand your legal obligations so you can be sure that you don’t fall foul of landlord legislation.  Landlord License First and foremost, you […]

ARLA Propertymark have clearly announced their verdict on Selective Licensing post the government’s launch of a review into its effectiveness. David Cox, Chief Executive of ARLA Propertymark, said: “Licensing doesn’t work, and it never has done. “The Government’s aims are laudable. We’re all striving for the same end goal of improving the private rental sector […]

In addition to releasing the guide “Houses in multiple occupation and residential property licensing reform: guidance for local housing authorities” the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has today announced a review into selective licensing to find out how well it is working. The review and its finding will be released some time next […]

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has today issued the document “Houses in multiple occupation and residential property licensing reform: guidance for local housing authorities.” The guidance has been produced for local housing authorities, but is also intended to be of use for landlords. Click Here to read the full document. From 1 […]

Santander Bank have issued a widely reported press release: “Owning a home is cheaper than renting in all areas of the UK” The Bullet points of their latest research below: Average first-time buyers could save over £2,250 a year once on the property ladder compared to renting Londoners could make the biggest saving, as the […]

New findings reinforce the benefits of renting to families, by revealing that homes rented to them take up the least amount of property management time when compared to other types of tenants. The findings come from more than 1,000 responses to the latest quarterly landlord research panel from the National Landlords Association (NLA), which asked […]

Research carried out by Direct Line for Business indicates that the UK may be heading towards a more ‘German’ style of property market with a greater percentage of homes being rented. From these research figures approximately 70% of the estimated 17 million people renting in the UK do not plan to purchase a property, with […]

There has been a win for companies building student accommodation, landlords and universities reducing VAT costs on student flats rented out during holidays. HMRC appealed against a ruling that student accommodation could be treated as ‘dwellings’ for VAT purposes. The tribunal turned down the argument by HMRC that a planning condition which restricted occupation to […]

The Government have written to a Conservative and Labour MP to clarify the rules and data regarding Holding deposits and Tenancy deposits post the Tenants Fees Bill. Junior Housing Minister, Rishi Sunak, has confirmed the new position on taking these deposits in an open letter following questions raised at the first session of the Public […]

What is best for retirement income? Net rents or equity withdrawal by remortgaging? If drawing equity is the answer to what Loan to Value should I max out at? To put some meat on the bones – my wife and I are retired investors in our 70s, with a portfolio of 41 properties and living […]

Experience for yourself first-hand what Birmingham has to offer for the property investor by attending an exclusive ‘Meet the Developer’ event hosted by Property Investor Partnership on Saturday 7 July. This FREE TO ATTEND event will commence at 11am and will include a tour of Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter, together with some of Birmingham’s […]

The local Norfolk newspaper Eastern Daily Press (EDP) has reported on a story that landlords using the Swaffham letting agent eHomes have been left with rents unpaid to them and tenants’ deposits unprotected. The Property Ombudsman has already ordered eHomes to pay one landlord £10,000 including £6,600 in unpaid rent. eHomes only Director and shareholder, […]

ARLA Propertymark is delighted to welcome their new presidential team for the year ahead. Peter Savage succeeds Sally Lawson as President of ARLA Propertymark, with Phil Keddie now President Elect and Richard Selwyn becoming Vice President, as of 15th June 2018. With more than 30 years’ experience, Peter has worked across student lets, as well […]

I am seeking advice on how best to approach my mortgage provider. Under their current rules they permit two rooms being let. However, it is currently a three bedroom property and intend on making the loft into a en-suite bedroom another room on a lower ground floor extension. I will remain residing in the property. […]

The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a report highly critical of the new government flagship welfare system, Universal Credit. The NAO assess that the new single benefit payment could cost more than the old multiple benefits system. It also said that it is possible we will never know if the stated goal of getting […]

I’m writing to draw your attention to a piece recently produced by the RLA relating to Universal Credit, Full Service. If you follow the link, click here,  you’ll find an excellent article, produced by Natalie Williamson, RLA after she and Richard Jones (RLA solicitor) visited Widnes Jobcentre Plus to view, first-hand, Universal Credit’s “Full Service” […]