Page 612 – Property118

Dilemma on arrears, eviction, and late deposit protection?

14th June 2018

Having served s21 1(b) and 21 4(a) on 8th April with an expiry for the 17th June, after seeking advice in March, I’ve started to complete the court possession form. Had been advised at the time of service not to do the s8 at the same time as not 2 months in arrears. The Letting […]

Is this a recipe for disaster?

14th June 2018

My daughter and 3 friends want to rent a 3 storey, 4 bedroom house. To avoid having to licence it as an HMO, the Landlord wants to put 2 tenants only the contract and allow sub-letting to the other 2! Is this a recipe for disaster? What should I advise her? Many thanks Jim

Right to rent checks

14th June 2018

Right to rent checks were first introduced in February 2016 meaning before a landlord rents a property, they must have carried out checks to ensure that the tenant or tenants have the right to rent in the UK. These checks must be carried out on all tenants even if they are not named on the […]

How to make a claim for damages

14th June 2018

If your tenant has damaged your property, you should be able to use the deposit to claim back the cost of the damage. The first step you should take is to negotiate with the tenant and come to an agreed amount to be deducted for the damage. If you are unable to come to an […]

Tenant keeps changing mind and date for ending tenancy?

14th June 2018

What do I do? My tenant has stopped paying rent, closed curtains, moved out with most of her main items of furniture, but leaving smaller items and rubbish. She has promised, repeatedly, to move these items, end the tenancy and hand over the keys but, to date has failed to do so. Do her emails […]

Associations critical of Welsh Fees Ban Bill

14th June 2018

ARLA Propertymark are critical of the proposed ban on tenants fees with Chief Executive, David Cox, saying “We have been awaiting the announcement of this Bill, given the scrutiny on tenant fees across the private rented sector. It’s no surprise that, as with the Tenant Fees Bill, the Welsh Assembly have decided on a total […]

A tenant’s request to let spare room?

14th June 2018

Hi all, I would appreciate some advice. I have a very good tenant who at present is the sole occupant of the property. He has recently requested our permission to advertise to let out the spare bedroom / share the rent with another person. I think that his reasoning for the request is both to […]

Joint tenancy but no lead tenant with TDS?

14th June 2018

I entered into a joint tenancy last August with a friend, whom I am no longer on civil terms with. We both departed the property in March this year. At the time I paid for the entire deposit, excluding her share of the first months rent up front and the holding deposit. I did phone […]

Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill

13th June 2018

The letting fees ban has now spread to Wales and could be introduced in the new Bill below: Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill – Impact Assessments We introduced the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill into the National Assembly for Wales on 11 June 2018. The Bill will prohibit certain payments in connection with […]

Possession Claim Online experience?

13th June 2018

Hi all, looking for information and advice. I have a tenant that has not paid any rent from January 1st 2018. They have told me that they want a council house. They were issued with a Notice 21 and Notice 8 in February, with the Notice 21 to vacate by April 10th 2018. We are […]

What Does “Washing Out CGT On Incorporation” Actually Mean?

13th June 2018

A common question I am asked by landlords who are considering incorporation of their property rental business is “what does washing out Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on incorporation actually mean?”. I will explain this first using an analogy, which will make a lot more sense when I then relate it back to the question. Imagine […]

Commercial rent review tenant hiding?

13th June 2018

I have a commercial property with a Lease which, for historic reasons, provides for an annual rent review. The rent has not been increased for many years (my decision). This year the tenant verbally agreed an increase with the Chartered Surveyor/Valuer appointed by me, but now refuses to answer his emails, texts, voicemails or letters […]

BTL losses brought forward and set off?

12th June 2018

I have been submitting my self assessment tax return for the past 12 years, however for 2016_17 which I am attempting to submit now I am coming across something that doesn’t seem to be right. For the past 6 years my small portfolio of 4 flats has made a small profit, but the prior 6 […]

Modern electric radiator mounted on wall beside sofa

Storage heater replacement – No gas?

12th June 2018

I am looking to replace 3 elderly electric storage heaters in a ground floor 1-bed flat. No gas in the building so that’s not an option. I am sure technology has moved on a lot since the ones in this property were installed! What would be a good replacement, for efficiency, good appearance and to […]

Kensington introduces 85% LTV Buy to Let range

11th June 2018

Kensington have introduced a new Buy to Let range of 85% Loan to Value mortgages based on 2 and 5 year fixed rate terms. 2 year fixed rate options start at: 4.19% with a 1.5% completion fee that can be added to the loan and a maximum mortgage of £1,000,000. Reversion rate is LIBOR (currently […]

Proof of declining Accommodation levels, but no links made!

11th June 2018

We have seen statistics on the numbers of landlords exiting the PRS, citing costs imposed by the government including Section 24 mortgage interest relief restrictions and Licensing. The statistics below showing the REDUCTION in the amount of accommodation is the ‘proof of the pudding.’ Why are the media Not asking the obvious questions and making […]

Research shows the increase in use of Ltd companies post S24

11th June 2018

Research conducted and published by Precise Mortgages shows 38% of landlords will use limited companies to buy properties over the next year compared to 28% as individuals. This is in the wake of Section 24 mortgage interest relief restrictions. 42% of landlords with portfolios of more than four properties will be buying through a limited […]

Chalk-drawn question mark on blackboard representing a landlord’s query about letting agent responsibility

Is completion date agreed in writing when we exchange contracts?

11th June 2018

I am buying a property for the 1st time doing the 5% gov scheme, we exchanged contracts , however there is nothing in the contract to say about the completion date. I bought it off plan, the property is still in construction, but before we exchanged contracts the verbal agreement was the property will be […]

Right to Buy leases and Consent charges

11th June 2018

You’d think that as the current Right to Buy legislation is now over 30 years old that the position on charges for consents or approvals under RTB leases would now be totally clear and that they’d be handled in the exact same way all across the UK… Dream on. The reality is that there is […]

Letting and Family?

11th June 2018

We are investigating our first potential property investment as a way of helping out a close family member, and ourselves as a long term investment. We are higher rate tax earners so have looked at buying and getting a mortgage through a limited company. Would it be permissible to let the property to a family […]

Lodger becomes accidental tenant?

11th June 2018

My friend came to rent a room from me on an all inclusive basis. I then moved out after 1 year to live with my boyfriend and rented out 2nd room in my flat. My friend’s son came to stay …& stayed. Creating an HMO wef April 2018. I told friend that her son had […]