Page 623 – Property118

No WI-FI? No Rent

5th September 2017

Student landlords who fail to properly invest in technology may well be losing out on significant income, according to a new study commissioned by Currys PC World Business. The findings reveal that technology can make all the difference when it comes to renting, with nearly half of students (44 per cent) willing to pay more […]

Two tax planning models to avoid

5th September 2017

Around 20% of the landlords who consult me regarding tax ask about the “Hybrid strategy” or the “LLP to Incorporation Strategy”. The reason I am so worried is that these structures are scheming to abuse the tax system, and it is only a matter of time before HMRC react to that or HM Treasury influences […]

Agent continues to trade and gets extra 4 year ban by TPO

5th September 2017

Truro based letting agent Prmier Property Management was banned from operating by The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for 2 year last November. However, as the subject of a BBC investigation they were found to still be trading this February and the TPO received a further seven client complaints resulting in additional awards against the agents totaling […]

Checking tenants Right to Rent

5th September 2017

This is the 8th post in my 2017 Legal Update series. Ever since 1 February 2016 (or 1 December 2014 for landlords around Birmingham) landlords and agents in England have had to check whether the people who will be occupying their properties have a ‘right to rent’ in the UK. It has caused a lot […]

Airbnb management company active in 8 cities

4th September 2017

Press release from Pass the Keys: Pass the Keys, a fast-growing property tech start-up, completed their second round of funding led by London-based VC, Talis Capital. The funding will support further platform improvements and expand the service offering to more cities in the UK and internationally. The company closed its seed round back in October […]

Belvoir steps up acquisition programme

4th September 2017

Belvoir has reported on the completion of 12 franchisee-led acquisitions in 2017, and confirms that further acquisitions are in the pipeline. Dorian Gonsalves, CEO of Belvoir says: “Business development via our Assisted Acquisitions Programme has been a major growth strategy for the Belvoir Group throughout 2017. “Earlier this year we embarked on a series of […]

Property Partnership Between Spouses

4th September 2017

I have read with interest the articles on forming a property partnership as a way of allocating profit to a partner on a lower tax band. I have also purchased and read the “Guide to Forming a Property Partnership” which was very helpful and I think this would suit us. My husband and I jointly […]

Company Let to 12 employees ‘Hot Bedding’?

4th September 2017

I would be most grateful for help in knowing what to do and where to start with regards to renting my home to a company whose staff would be working 12hr shifts and “hot bedding” so there would be 3 on night shift and 3 on day shift, that would stay for a week and […]

Consumer Law and why you should be worried about it

4th September 2017

This is the 7th post in my 2017 Legal Update series. The Consumer Legislation – does it apply to YOU? When I mention ‘Consumer law’ to most landlords they just look at me blankly. “What’s consumer law got to do with me?” one landlord asked at a training workshop earlier this year. Maybe she speaks […]

TDS backs Zero Deposit

4th September 2017

Tenancy deposit protection and dispute resolution company The Dispute Service (TDS) today (Monday September 4) announces a long-term strategic partnership with Zero Deposit, a new company which aims to help tenants by replacing the traditional tenancy deposit with an affordable insurance policy. TDS has entered into an exclusive contract to provide dispute resolution services to […]

No Letting Fees For Landlords

3rd September 2017

Typically, letting agents charge around one months rent to find you a tenant. If you use an online letting agent you might get the service cheaper but then you will have to deal with viewings and will probably pay extra for referencing, inventories etc. LettingSupermarket.com give you a choice. They can charge their letting fees […]

Section 21 notice date – Will it be thrown out by the courts?

1st September 2017

I have an AST created on 15/06/2016 for a 12 month period where rent is paid monthly on the 15th of the month. I have given a Section 21 notice (Form 6A) on 05/04/2017 with a notice date of 16/06/2017. As this date is not technically ‘the last day of a period of the tenancy’ […]

New penalties for landlords and agents under the Housing Act 2016

1st September 2017

This is the sixth post in my 2017 Legal Update series. The Housing & Planning Act 2016 The most recent piece of housing legislation to come out of Parliament is the Housing & Planning Act 2016. This introduces a new enforcement regime aimed at ‘rogue’ landlords and letting agents. Although you will probably not come […]

Almost half of landlords planning changes as a result of tax implications

31st August 2017

Results from a survey released today by mydeposits, the custodial and insurance-backed tenancy deposit scheme, have revealed that 44% of landlords are planning to make changes to their present circumstances in direct response to tax changes imposed on landlords over the last 18 months. With the full effects unlikely to be felt for another three […]

49% of home purchases are First-time buyers

31st August 2017

Connells Survey and Valuation have reported that First-time buyer home purchases are increasing as a percentage share of the purchase market and now stand at nearly half 49%. This is an increase of 6% on the five year average from July 2016. However, Buy to Let purchase activity has declined over all with a marked […]

Tenant Tax (Clause 24) causing homelessness?

31st August 2017

Hi Team Here is the impact of Tenant Tax (Clause 24) clearly visible. (Homelessness and Genocide of poor and sick). It is causing Homelessness in London and will cause homelessness everywhere else in the country soon. Click Here for article. (Or Search google for “Evening Standard Surge in rough sleeping on Tube”.) When the winter comes, […]

Setting up the generations against each other

31st August 2017

The new report by Legal and General and CEBR (Click Here to view) has been presented as yet another example of ‘intergenerational inequality,’ with particular focus on the fact that the Bank of Mum and Dad is not only used to assist offspring with property purchases, but now also with accessing rented accommodation. The L […]

Section 21 – time limits, forms and retaliatory eviction

31st August 2017

This is the fifth post in my 2017 Legal Update series. We have had two posts already in this series on section 21 but there is still a way to go. Today I am going to be looking at the remaining ‘Deregulation Act’ amendments. If you are in Wales, you can ignore this post as […]

71% of landlords feel less confident post political instability

30th August 2017

A landlord sentiment survey carried out by Foundation Home Loans considering confidence post political instability of the snap General Election and Brexit shows that 71% have experience a drop in confidence for the PRS. 38% of landlords have since reviewed the size of their portfolios due to increasing costs and 7% have actually sold property […]

Freeholder repossessed and done a runner?

30th August 2017

Hi my wife and I own 1/3 share of a freehold Victorian conversion house split into 3 flats. We currently rent this out. The previous owner/occupier of the top floor flat did a runner and his flat was repossessed by his bank and resold leasehold only, apparently he still owns the freehold. We wish to […]