Page 640 – Property118

Housing Benefit – That old chestnut

2nd October 2017

With all the main focus on Universal Credit we almost forgot about the issues that we face with the well-established Housing Benefit administered by Local Government. For most landlords after years of learning the system many managed to resolve issues that they faced and was finally starting to get the hang of it. However, what […]

Toy chattering teeth gripping UK banknotes to illustrate disputed letting agent fees

One months rent robbed by ex-owner of new flat

2nd October 2017

I am at my wit’s end, please help. I purchased my first property in Scotland, Edinburgh, a Buy to Let flat, that already had 4 tenants in it, from September 14th to next year, paying total of 2100GBP / month. Total cash funds were transferred to the solicitors based in Fife, on 19th September 17, […]

Remortgaging question from out-of-the-country landlord

2nd October 2017

My residential home, which I am currently letting on an AST whilst I am out of the country on a sabbatical, has an ordinary residential mortgage, the term of which comes to an end in a month or so. Whilst trying to arrange a remortgage, I have been told that FCA regulations stipulate that regulated […]

Universal Credit – What is all the fuss about?

29th September 2017

More and more over the last few weeks there have been articles discussing the Governments flag ship Universal credit system, this has been the most major shakeup in the Welfare Reform in 40 years. Currently there are two services; Universal Credit Live Service and Universal Credit Full Service. The Government hope to have Universal Credit […]

New Pre-action protocol for debt claims from 1st Oct

29th September 2017

The new protocol is designed to encourage debtor and creditor to communicate and resolve a payment plan before the need to go to court. Click Here to download the full Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims The following summary is from our partners at the Sheriffs Office: New process for Creditors: Creditors will be expected to […]

Live Universal Credit horror case study

28th September 2017

Today we have taken on the following case: In March the landlord granted a Tenancy to a tenant who informed him she was on Universal Credit. Unsure of the new scheme and not swayed by the bad press the optimistic landlord decided to give it a go. The landlord was informed by the tenant that […]

The solution for huge rental demand in Newcastle City Centre

28th September 2017

With huge amounts of regeneration underway in Newcastle city centre, the capital of the North East is bolstering its reputation as one of the UK’s most attractive cities for renters, but the city is only just beginning to cater for it. The city has been densely populated by students for a number of years, with […]

How to do right by tenants when selling?

28th September 2017

I have decided to sell one of my properties but I’m trying to find a way of selling with the tenants in situ. They are wonderful tenants who have rented from me for several years and I’m trying to do right by them. Are there any firms/individuals who buy tenanted properties? I know I won’t […]

No copy of agreement and tenant has dementia?

28th September 2017

I own a property which I purchased 11 years ago with an in-situ tenant who is under an old style Assured Tenancy (not an AST). Unfortunately the housing association I originally bought the house from claimed not to have a copy of the tenancy agreement and the tenant himself had lost his copy over the […]

Least Risk? S21 or S8

27th September 2017

We have a tenant finding it hard to find a property to move to. A developer let them move into a new house which is now for sold STC but the wave of Landlords selling is tightening supply so they can’t find anywhere. They have an expired S21, but now owe three months rent too. […]

Tenants refusing access – help with Section 21

27th September 2017

I’ve recently been asked to help some elderly friends manage their property (I’m not in this field – it’s as a favour to them due to the abuse they get from the tenants). The tenants have been in the property since 1998, with no updated tenancy agreement since 2007. When taking over I have placed […]

Signature Mill – Heritage England listed Buy to Let opportunity

27th September 2017

Situated in the Manchester City Regeneration Area, Signature Mill is a conversion of an old textile mill offering panoramic views over Manchester’s city centre. Due to Manchester’s increasing desirability, house prices are predicted to grow by 26.4% over the next five years, and the rental market is expected to grow by 4.2% every year for […]

Labour commits to introducing rent controls

27th September 2017

In Jeremy Corbyn’s speech at the Labour party conference today in Brighton he committed the party to introducing rent controls if they got into power. In his speech Corbyn said:”We will control rents, when the young generation’s housing costs are three times more than that of their grandparents. That is unsustainable.” “Homes should be for […]

TDS Foundation awards £94k towards improving PRS

27th September 2017

The Charitable Foundation of TDS deposit protection scheme made £94,054.94 in awards in latest round of funding. It hopes to break £500k in total by the next round of funding The TDS Charitable Foundation awarded over £94,000 to organisations to advance education on housing rights and obligations in the PRS. Now in its ninth round […]

If not me then who?

27th September 2017

If I do not continue to let out homes as a result of section 24 who will provide the housing? Are there other options for renters aside from council and social options? I am Intrigued to know if there are any other groups, aside from private landlords in the market as I have never come […]

Welfare Reform Week – Your chance to feedback to DWP on Universal Credit

27th September 2017

Caridon Landlord Solutions are pleased to announce that we are partnering with Property118 to bring to our readers Welfare Reform Week. Throughout this week we will be providing free online advice to landlord’s with tenants that are in receipt of benefit’s covering various topics from: Housing Benefit overpayments Housing Benefit Suspensions to Universal Credit direct […]

Borrowing request hits brick wall?

26th September 2017

After some advice, as have been a bit naive and hit a brick wall. I am looking to borrow more money against a property which has some equity in it, but is not due for remortgage yet. My thinking is that I’d like to have some money available should an opportunity come up to invest […]

ARLA confirms landlords ‘rough ride’ is being passed on to tenants

26th September 2017

The Latest figures from the ARLA Propertymark report shows that in August agents reported 35% of landlords increasing rental costs to tenants. This figure has risen from 27% last year and is the highest figure since July 2015 at 37%. This compares to only 2% of tenants who were able to achieve a rent reduction. […]

Tenant running out on utility bills

26th September 2017

I rented my property and once the tenant moved out she left owing nearly £700 in utility bills. She contacted the gas company and said she was just renting a room from me and that I was responsible for the bills. This of course wasn’t true, this has gone on for over 2 years, she […]

Council are saying we can’t stay in our own annex?

26th September 2017

We demolished an existing garage and rebuilt it with a small flat above about 5 years ago. The planning terms were that only friends or family could stay in the annex. It’s self-contained and has its own drive and entrance. We’ve recently moved to Portugal and rented out the main house. My husband’s internet business […]

Mezzanine Finance – a solution for building homes outside the big corporates

26th September 2017

The UK housing shortage will not be successfully addressed if we rely entirely on the major house builders. This is the view that was expressed by the government housing White Paper at the beginning of the year, which recognised both the importance of creating a diverse construction sector and the significant contribution that can be […]