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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Belvoir, which has over 300 offices on the High Street and is currently the UK’s largest property franchise has announced the acquisition of Brook Financial Services Ltd, which trades as Mortgage Advice Bureau. Dorian Gonsalves, who is currently Belvoir’s Chief Operating Officer, and has been with the company since 2005, has taken over the role […]

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. […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Has anyone used a trace agent to trace ex tenants? Was it done to your satisfaction? Can you recommend any good companies. Thanks wanda