The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is looking to allow the reinstatement of Retirement interest only mortgages on main residences by excluding them from the definition of a lifetime mortgage. In a consultation paper the FCA plans to class Retirement interest only mortgages  as a separate interest only mortgage for older consumers where, assuming there is […]

All Good Landlords detest the phrase “rogue landlords” but we have to accept they exist, just as rogue Police Officers and rogue Vicars do. The difference is that the Police and the Church take responsibility for their rogues, as do many other organisations. What prompted me to write this post is that a “rogue landlord” was […]

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, and co-founder of Hunters Estate Agency has called for a debate on the lettings fees ban in the House of Commons this morning. The Fees ban was announced in last Autumns Statement and is expected to come into force in the next year, but as yet without a […]

This is the 9th post in my 2017 Legal Update series. All tenancies should have a tenancy agreement. It is legally possible to create a tenancy without one but you would be foolish to do so. For example, I was contacted a while ago by a landlord who had allowed his tenant into the property […]

Everyone knows that rogue landlords bring down standards and should be rooted out, but have recent buy-to-let changes gone too far in punishing the good landlords who provide an excellent service and high-quality accommodation, as well as people who actively choose to rent not buy? In the past eighteen months, the Government appears to have […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Hi folks Does anyone have any experience of using Housing Act 1985 section 610 to have a restrictive covenant removed, thereby allowing a house to be converted to flats? Thanks in advance Neil

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’ […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]