The Department for Work and Pensions has released its June 2018 Universal Credit newsletter. These Universal Credit newsletters will be published quarterly and provide information to social and private landlords about Universal Credit. Click Here to download the full June 2018 edition: “1.2 Applying for a managed payment to landlord If you’re a private landlord […]

Property118 has attached to this week’s summary a copy of the government consultation paper on its Rent A Room proposals. The time for response expires on 31st August 2018. Are there views on this subject from Property118 readers and the Rent A Room consultation paper and government proposals? Many thanks EJ Editor’s Notes: The Government […]

Whatever it was, the call for the Bank of England to freeze house prices for 5 years was lapped up by the Guardian and the Times.  For those like myself who had never heard of the IPPR, it describes itself thus: “IPPR is a registered charity and the UK’s pre-eminent progressive think tank”.  It is […]

We are delighted to bring Property118 investors this fabulous opportunity to purchase 1 & 2 bed apartments within the Southside development, in the lovely town of Ilkeston, just 10 miles east of Derby and 8 miles west of Nottingham.  This spacious development is conveniently situated in the heart of Ilkeston town centre, directly opposite the […]

Four new Billboards will be erected in the following locations over the next few weeks to promote the campaign against Section 24 and the devastating damage the tax attack on private landlords is having on the availability and pricing of UK rental properties:- Mansfield – Stockwell Gate Sheffield – Tinsley Road Leeds – Pontefract Road […]

I have encounter an problem on EPC and CO2 emission: I received latest EPC on the property I am proposing to purchase today: 1. The EPC is D on the front page next to the color chart 2. However its CO2 emission is F on the last page 3. Due to this reason the surveyor […]

There are approximately between 200,000 and 300,000 travellers living in the United Kingdom with around 60,000 who live in caravans on both authorised and unauthorised sites. If you do have problems with travellers then there are two options available to you, we outline these options and advise of which might be best depending on the […]

The government intends to hold a consultation on tenancy agreement lengths, with the proposal setting out the shortest term being three years with a six-month break clause. As it stands around 80% of tenancies in England and Wales are either six or twelve month assured short hold agreements, any changes would be significant and have […]

A “think tank” called The Institute for Public Policy Research has said that Britain needed to “reset” the way it thinks about rising prices to break the “cycle of ever-rising house prices that drives property speculation”, which it argues crowds out investment in the “real economy”. How stupid is that? I can only assume the think […]

Hi, I have a slightly complicated version of the question around terminating a letting agency contact. We were with one letting agent for a number of years. Although there were issues, they found great tenants and we muddled along. The letting agency ceased to trade around 10 months ago, and all contracts were passed over […]

Hello all, Looking for advice on how to best get my tenant out of my property so I can treat rising damp, paint it and sell it. My tenant has rented my terraced house in St Helens for the last 5 years now with many ups and downs, rent arrears, catching up, having moved a […]

Hello – there was a water leak in the property where I am the landlord. There was more than one visit to fix this and the tenant was informed prior (but claims not enough notice). Now he tells me due to time taken off work and re-arranged trips etc at work I am liable for […]

The recently updated ‘How to Rent’ guide has been updated yet again! The 9th of July 2018 edition now replaces the 10th of June 2018 edition. Click Here to download the full document which must be provided by landlords and agents to all new tenants. It seems the main change was the subtitle, which should […]

We are a small close of residential tenants where elderly and disabled people live. Approximately three months ago a flat in the close was let to a single female. She moved in almost immediately with a person we suspect is her brother. Since they have moved in they have called rude and obscene comments at […]

As the Government’s latest cabinet reshuffle sees Kit Malthouse appointed as the UK’s 17th housing minister in 20 years, Belvoir is once again calling for the appointment of an independent housing tsar. Dorian Gonsalves, CEO of Belvoir says: “It is almost a year to the day since Belvoir wrote an open letter to the Prime […]

The Government consultation on Rent A Room tax reliefs looks set hit Airbnb style letting of entire properties rather than individual room lodger type agreements. Click here to see the full consultation. Executive Summary: Rent a room relief allows individuals to earn up to £7,500 tax free from letting out furnished accommodation in their main […]

We live in a small 2 bed terraced house. It had an old toilet in the yard that goes back to back with our neighbour’s. Our roof had cave in and it wasn’t big enough to store kids toys or anything so we decided we wanted to remove it. At the same time we were […]

Recently elected as an MP for North West Hampshire in 2015 Kit Malthouse has taken over from Dominic Raab (now Brexit Secretary) as Housing Minister. This is not what you would call a high profile appointment in a vital area of crisis for the UK, but so many Housing Ministers have come and gone that fingers […]

Two million tenants across the UK could be hit with rent rises in 2018, with Walsall topping the list of the 10 places where the highest number of tenants will face rent increases. Over 70% of tenants in the West Midlands town could be hit with higher rents, costing them £155 more a year, as […]

We have had a few Property118 readers questions on this subject in the past. The Dangers of Japanese Knotweed The dangers of Japanese knotweed have been thrown into light recently after a court ruling spurred discussion as to whether landowners can claim damages if the plant has spread to their property. A Court of Appeal […]

I am thinking about buying a refurbished property originally valued at £680,000 for £635,000 and now have a purchase dilemma. The rental is circa £1850 which provides a decent yield. The thing is the Stamp Duty is £40,000 which is a significant up front investment. My Financial Adviser is advising against buying more rental property […]