Page 629 – Property118

Negative equity and want rid?

19th July 2017

I own a two bedroom apartment in Leeds city centre. I am in negative equity and I want to get rid of it. Does anyone know of an organisation that will just take it from me and they carry on paying the mortgage. Any advice will be most welcome Thank you Peter

Housing Benefit Overpayment Case Study

17th July 2017

Caridon Landlord Solutions was set up with one purpose in mind; helping landlords secure solutions to any Housing Benefit (LHA) issues which might arise with local councils or DWP in relation to Universal Credit. Most landlords have encountered a problem where they have received a “Housing Benefit notification” stating the benefit claim has ended and […]

Letting Agent Gone Bust – Ilford

17th July 2017

A local letting agent in Ilford, Essex has closed down his business and run off – no one appears to know where he has gone. A number of landlords including myself have been left in a position where we have tenants in our properties and don’t know how to evict them. The original tenancy agreements […]

How do I deal with a shady housing agent?

17th July 2017

Help and advise is needed; please forgive my grammar error as I write in pain and low spirit. I rent out my 3 House that goes for market price £1200.00 for £700.00 to a shady a Nigeria agent in Canary Wharf. Little did I know his intention / plan was to rob me of every […]

Universal Credit Webinar

17th July 2017

Universal Credit Webinar facilitated by portfolio landlord and Upad CEO Mr James Davis and Sherrelle Collman Commercial Business Director of Caridon Landlord Solutions discussing what Universal Credit is and the challenges landlords face. Please follow the link below to join the pre-recorded webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3755128360713859330

finger pressing red keyboard key with piggy-bank icon to represent holding deposit dispute

Deposit retained by tenant find only agent?

17th July 2017

Does anyone know what the legal position is regarding an agent retaining the tenants deposit when they have been employed for a tenant find only? I already have an agent that manages my property and protects the tenants deposits, however, this agent claims that their procedure is to protect the deposits themselves through the DPS […]

Remortgage now to avoid PRA rules from September?

17th July 2017

I only have 4 properties, but fall into the ‘portfolio landlord’ category. The interest only mortgage on one expires in the middle of next year. I have approached the NLA mortgage team and found I can remortgage to Kensington, Paragon or Aldermore, albeit with a monthly increase of £80 – £100. (All mine seem to […]

Smart Property

5 things Sheffield’s student HMO landlords should consider this summer

14th July 2017

1. Security No one likes to think too much about their property being burgled. As unpleasant a thought as it may be, your property’s security should always be reassessed each summer. Whilst Sheffield has seen a reduction in burglaries, reported cases remain high compared to similar demographic areas nationwide. In Broomhill, a thoroughly student heavy […]

Releasing capital for business investment

14th July 2017

If you are looking to raise capital to invest in a business, you could use the equity in your home using a second charge loan. The Mortgage Conduct of Business rules (which were established in 2004 by the UK financial services regulator) ordinarily limit a lender’s ability to permit release of equity from a home. […]

English Housing Survey – Private Rented Sector 2015-2016 released

14th July 2017

The English Housing Survey on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) 2015-2016 was released yesterday by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Click Here to see the full report Despite popular propaganda most private renters move, because they want to with only one in ten asked to leave by their landlord. 73% of private renters […]

How to deal with incorrect licence advice from agent?

14th July 2017

My wife and I are expats who have been renting our property through an agent for 5 years. We currently own a four bedroom property (for bedrooms including a loft extensions). In October 2016, the previous tenants move out and the current occupants moved in. We were sent the documents with a recommendation that we […]

Weakened government u-turns on digital tax return plans

14th July 2017

Commenting on the Government’s decision to U-turn on its controversial Making Tax Digital Programme, Richard Lambert, Chief Executive Officer at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said: “We are pleased that the Government has finally listened to the concerns raised by the NLA on behalf of landlords who would have been dragged into a system of […]

Is BTL now only viable as a retirement plan?

13th July 2017

I have gone round and round on whether to continue with BTL and I keep walking into the 2 same issues: 1 – If I incorporate, tax rates are such that I could only take a small proportion of income (i.e via dividends) as long as I work 2 – If i don’t incorporate, I […]

Edinburgh City Council is very excited about Rent Controls

12th July 2017

Edinburgh City Council is very excited and pleased with itself. It has just approved action with a view to implementing rent controls. https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/11326/hope-future-cross-party-rent-controls-breakthrough-edinburgh-city-council It is possible that once this is established in Edinburgh other councils may follow suit and, as we all know, it is quite likely the idea could then catch on down south. […]

TDS Charitable Foundation report

12th July 2017

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme’s charitable foundation has released a report ‘How do we stamp out damp, condensation and mould in the private rented sector?‘ Kate Faulkner of designsonproperty.co.uk was provided a grant by the TDS to write a series of reports (this is the fourth) for the private rented sector designed to increase knowledge and […]

Is there a problem seeking possession whilst I am living abroad?

12th July 2017

Is the procedure any different when seeking Possession of Property whilst I am living abroad ? I have served a section 21 notice on tenants living in one of my properties in the UK. They have been unable to find affordable alternative accommodation. They have approached the Local Council who have not classified them as […]

What do you think of HMRC’s invitations?

12th July 2017

I assume I’m not the only Property118 reader who receives emailed offers of ‘help’ in the form of invitations to webinars from HMRC. And I guess I’m not the only one to be irritated at being addressed as “Dear customer”, as if I have a choice. If I had a choice I might choose to […]

Student accommodation investment opportunity in Plymouth

12th July 2017

Beaumont Square comprises 39 purpose-built student studios occupying a prime location close to Plymouth’s city centre and the University of Plymouth. Due to be completed in time for the influx of new students in September, Beaumont Square promises a net yield of 8% assured for three years. It is ideal for students who wish to […]

An ARMY within our midst – Fight against Section24

11th July 2017

I am sure others have thought of this, I did ages ago, that is; if Tenants were to write and make their concerns of the affect that Section 24 will have upon them, it will amount to MILLIONS of letters (voters) showing in our favour. My first concerns against this, were that by alerting tenants […]

Property Novice using Airbnb

11th July 2017

I have a 2nd property in Brighton that I Airbnb. I wanted to do this so the property is free when I want to stay there for holidays and weekends away. It has proved quite successful and is making a healthy profit each month, I am now concerned because I am a 40% taxpayer and […]