Peterborough Council have scrapped their discount scheme for landlords belonging to the National Landlords Association (NLA) or the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The scheme previously charged members of both associations £50 for a 5 year licence to rent property in the borough. Now all landlords regardless of membership will have to pay £600 per property […]

With the Self Assessment tax deadline for 2016-17 looming, I would like to know, as a portfolio landlord subject to making payments on account, whether the S24 switch from taxing turnover as opposed to profits could restrict my personal allowance entitlement already based on the income (turnover) declared on my 2016-17 tax return? I have […]

A recent survey by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) of almost 2,800 landlords has found that 42% were reluctant to rent to anyone except those with a UK passport and 49% are less likely to rent to someone who has permission to stay in the UK for only a limited time. RLA Policy Director David […]

I am looking to buy a property with my partner. He is a first time buyer however, I already own a flat that I’m currently living in. I’m not planning to sell my property as I want to rent it out once I move out. I am aware that new purchase will be subject to […]

There are some elderly flats which I have seen for sale. They have an energy efficiency of only F and they are Grade 2 listed. From April it will be unlawful to rent them out in their current condition and energy efficiency rating. What is the mortgage markets point of view and criteria currently for […]

I own and rent several properties around Coventry and London and was thinking about starting to rent to students to increase occupancy and reduce taxes. Now, I don’t have any prior experience with renting to students myself, so would like to hear from any members here who have experience in this field as I’ve heard […]

The introduction of Universal Credit has been a hot topic for the various landlord forums over the past few months. Universal Credit is replacing the myriad of benefits currently available and replacing it with one single all-encompassing payment. This Universal Credit payment will incorporate the current system of payment of various benefits including Housing Benefit, […]

We rented our property to tenants when moving overseas six years ago and have never missed a payment. Intelligent Finance, our mortgage provider, charged an extra 1% on our mortgage as a risk premium under the terms of our mortgage. As a percentage of the overall margin IF charge as their mortgage rate this ‘risk […]

I just received my service charge demand/invoice, where there is “Annual Notice of Subletting Fee” of £90+VAT, without any communication or my request. The management company does know that I’m letting out the flat, which is fair enough. But: 1. Are they legally allowed to add such fee to service charge invoice without communicating or […]

A landlord can concurrently apply for a possession order and leave to transfer up to the High Court for enforcement. This can and should be done if you feel your property is at risk from tenants who may wish to destroy or damage your property as there can be a long wait for a County […]

Westminster Council in London is looking to crack down on property owners unlawfully letting their homes on a nightly basis using platforms such as Airbnb for more than 90 days per year. Airbnb lettings in Westminster have more than doubled in the last two years to over 3,600 and rising with nearly 1,500 of these […]

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today unanimously voted to keep the Bank of England Base Rate at 0.50% and maintain the current levels of Quantitative easing. Good news at least for borrowers. With inflation now at 3.1% it remains to be seen how long it will take for the fall in the Sterling exchange rate […]

Portico London estate agents recently put on a sell-out investment seminar, where a host of industry experts gathered to share their insight on some hot property topics. One of the first experts to speak was Carla Sateriale, Senior Policy Advisor for UK Finance. Carla and her team represent the first charge mortgage market, and as part […]

I read an article yesterday where an MP suggested restricting the number of properties that are available for non UK residents to purchase. The idea being that if wealthy foreigners didn’t buy the properties then they would be available for UK residents and hence the housing shortage would be lessened. This got me thinking – […]

Some say that each Bitcoin might be worth $5,000,000 in years to come! Well if they are right I will settle for owning just one thank you very much 🙂 Some say it’s the modern economic version of ‘Tulip Mania‘ The truth is, I have absolutely no idea whether the recent growth in popularity of […]

ARLA Propertymark Predictions for 2018 As we approach the new year, there are a number of hurdles on the horizon but scope to remain hopeful. With further interest rate rises expected, Brexit negotiations to overcome and the cost of living escalating, the property market could see significant changes. Almost three in five 59% of letting […]

You are now the Prime Minister/President/Absolute Monarch/Dictator of the United Kingdom… Your task is to restore the nation’s finances, to create sound economic foundations, and to ultimately break the current self-defeating cycle of: reduced tax yields -> higher tax rates to regenerate public services -> stultified economy -> further reduced tax yields -> even higher […]

A new report from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has revealed strong support for an update and review of the current Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which is used to take action on poor housing. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), introduced in the Housing Act 2004, assesses risks to […]

Thanks to a joint marketing campaign with Cotswold Barristers and AccountingWEB we now have a database of 747 accountants (and growing) who have taken the time and trouble to download a PDF explaining the BICT incorporation structure and the associated viability analysis software. Our plans are to share further proven structures with these accountants over […]

Has anyone expertise out there in the best way to go about buying a property with a view to splitting the plot? I believe you can make a planning application while you are purchasing the property. However, is this going to be a realistic option if you need to make an offer quickly to secure […]

I run a HMO which has recently been visited by an enforcement officer from the London borough after a failed application for a C3 to C4 change of use (based on the fact that the council states Article 4 does not apply to my property on their website.. but apparently it does). I am now […]