Page 630 – Property118

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 […]

Home or away – which address to attend?

11th July 2017

Under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013, which came into effect in April 2014, a notice of enforcement must be sent to the enforcement address. Notice of enforcement This is normally the address on the judgment, and the purpose is to give the debtor seven clear days in which to pay in full prior […]

Which would you go with, 5 or 10 Year Fixed

11th July 2017

My Interest only BTL mortgage is coming up for renewal and I’m looking at fixing in for between 5 and 10 years. My question to you guys is more of a “What would you do?” no right or wrong answer I guess. 23 yr term, not planning on selling, use difference between mortgage payment and […]

In advance dividends for mortgage?

10th July 2017

I’m writing with a question, as there is nowhere I can get the answer. I’m interested in a First Time Buyer Mortgage and I’m a director of my own company for the last 4 years. I have Annual Accounts for 2016 already, and it’s not showing much for dividends taken. Now to be able to […]

Early repayment charges to pocket equity and expand portfolio?

10th July 2017

I am looking to expand my property business, as looking to reduce hours at current job and focus on developing income from property. I am considering remortgaging a property that is on a 5 year fix, as it has 60k of equity. However, remortgaging before 2020 would cost £3500. Appreciate peoples thoughts/experience of the opportunity […]

Paragon report shows landlord’s no. 1 priority is reversal of Section 24

10th July 2017

Paragon Mortgages’ Private Rental Sector (PRS) Trends Report for Q2 2017 was based on interviews with 201 experienced residential landlords. The landlords surveyed were asked to list in order of their priorities the steps they would most like the government to take next to help with their rental businesses. Number 1 priority was the reversal […]

Landlord licensing want to force a change in existing tenancy agreement?

10th July 2017

I registered for Liverpool’s landlord licensing scheme with a tenant already in place and a contract already signed. They did a compliance inspection and tell me that I contravene the inspection conditions, because the contract does not contain a specific clause. While I am happy that all future contracts include this new clause, surely I […]

Furniture for lodgers as an expense?

10th July 2017

Hello I’ve read the article about “Capital v revenue expenditure on the first Refurb” , very informative. If after moving in to my residential property I were to furnish an empty room for a lodger, would that be an allowable expense? Likewise if I were to simply replace the old furniture in lodger bedroom, and re-decorate would […]

Declaration of Trust to Company Questions

7th July 2017

I’ve been researching the merits of buying a property as an individual, and creating a Declaration of Trust (DoT) to nominate the beneficial owner as my company. What I have determined so far is: • The mortgage lenders take their security against legal ownership ie the individual. • The legal title at HM Land Registry […]

First time leasehold extension advice

7th July 2017

My wife and I own both flats (leasehold) in a Victorian conversion. We also own the freehold. There are no other flats. I am looking to extend the leaseholds on the flats as they are about 75 years remaining. What should we consider when deciding on the length of the extensions? We have not done […]

Gifting property share with hubby but avoiding SDLT

7th July 2017

My husband and I own 6 houses, 4 are in joint names, 2 are in my sole name only. I work part time and my husband is retired so we are relatively low earners. Even with our rental income we are well below the higher level tax bracket. We are looking to buy another property […]