Page 666 – Property118

Oxfordshire area landlords with LPA stories required

29th March 2017

Are you a Landlord in the Oxfordshire area or elsewhere and have had dealings with LPA Receivers being appointed and feel it was not correct. An expose is being put together by a local radio station. Do any and or all of the following sound familiar about your experiences once the Receivers have been appointed:- […]

Fergus Wilson faces civil action for ‘no coloureds’ discriminatory policy

29th March 2017

The controversial Landlord, Fergus Wilson is likely to face civil charges under the Equality Act for racial discrimination. Mr Wilson, who claims to be one of the largest UK property owning landlords, was reported to have instructed his letting agents not to rent to “coloured people” because of the cost of removing the smell of […]

Can a one bed flat be a studio with a separate bedroom?

29th March 2017

I am looking to buy my first flat and I can only really afford a studio in London. However I have noticed some have the same gross internal area as some one beds and I could easily re arrange the layout to create a bedroom. If I was to convert a studio into a one […]

Our own report sent to new high level review of the Private Rental Sector

29th March 2017

The comprehensive report written by Dr Rosalind Beck: Section 24 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015: “the unjust legislation that will make the UK housing crisis much worse.” Has been sent to The Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York which will be carrying out a review of the PRS led by […]

Gas cert labelled AT RISK but legislation doesn’t condemn?

29th March 2017

I’m having a real pickle with a gas engineer (employed by my agent), who has given me an At Risk status on my cert which as far as I can tell is quite contrary to the legislation. The point made is that he states there is no secondary control valve to bee seen, and although […]

Ireland consulting landlords on future taxation

29th March 2017

Having tried taxing landlords to the wall, then realising tenants couldn’t afford their homes after rents rose by up to 50%, it seems Ireland has woken up to the invaluable service provided by the PRS. A key highlight from the article reads: “The consultation document asks whether a tax relief comparable to the reliefs for […]

Why do domestic residents have to pay for a commercial risk by the Landlord?

29th March 2017

I have an apartment in Birmingham, The Masshouse Plaza, recently we received notification that the resident of a commercial block had not paid their service charges for 2 years, and as residents of one of the residential blocks, we are now responsible for nearly £200,000 of debt owed to the Landlord by the commercial interest. […]

SDLT when moving from rented into own home as a Landlord owning BTLs?

29th March 2017

I am a landlord myself and am selling my own Principal Private Residence home to move into rented for approx 2 years. I understand the extra 3% SDLT may play a part if I stay in rented this long and then wish to buy another PPR property to move into. Should I move into one […]

Finding it impossible to evict tenant

28th March 2017

I have a tenant, who has not been paying rent since December 2016. I served Section 8 and Section 21 notice together in Jan 2017. I attended hearing under Section 8 Grounds (mandatory) for more than 2 months in arrears. During the  hearing the tenant alleged that, he made December payment in Cash therefore he […]

Nottingham CC stitch up – Artificially inflated distortion of the true facts!

28th March 2017

Nottingham City Council are claiming that between 2013 to 2016 to have received 4500 complaints against the PRS in support of their plans for a city wide licensing scheme. In response to a Freedom of information request that I made the Council have admitted to spending £9,664 between 2014 and 2016 on advertising, specifically to […]

The long haul perspective for Landlords and financing

28th March 2017

The Budget was a massive disappointment for Landlords. There had been hopes for a reversal of the incoming changes to tax relief on mortgage interest and stamp duty rates.  Unfortunately, there were no such U-turns here. However existing Landlords and Portfolio owners can perhaps consider some of the positives and options: House prices are up […]

An attractive new address for resurgent East Manchester

27th March 2017

A Buy to Let opportunity in a unique urban village on the doorstep of Manchester city centre is now available.  The development with 127 high quality homes is in an appealing urban village landscape, complete with courtyards, public square, orchard, play area, car parking and community facilities. Victoria Gardens is an attractive new address for […]

Am I in my legal right to demand rent be paid directly to me?

27th March 2017

I have a dispute with the letting agent which is being handled by the Ombudsman. I have written to the letting agent to inform the manager that I am terminating business with them and releasing the agency from all management duties. I wrote to the tenant to ask him to pay the rent directly to […]

Am I responsible for Council Tax if agent can’t provide records?

27th March 2017

I have had a full property management contract with a property company. They have recently sold the business to another company and the local council have issued me with a bill for unpaid council tax covering a large period when I have been receiving rent from the properties. The agent insists that they gave the […]

Finance Bill 2017 brings foreign owners into IHT net

24th March 2017

The provisions of the Finance Bill 2017 seem to mean non-UK domiciled people and companies are brought into the IHT net to the extent that they own UK residential property (directly or through a trust structure). So the estate of a French or Chinese investor would suffer 40% IHT on death (with no reduction for […]

Wall hung letter box in corridor disallowed?

24th March 2017

I have just bought a leasehold flat and fitted a wall hung letterbox on the wall in the corridor right outside the front door, after sealing the letter box hole in the front door. I have been told I am not allowed to do so without much more information. I don’t see any specific terms […]

Council car parking rip off for HMO – Help!

24th March 2017

I’ve just been informed by my local council that I need on street parking permit for each tenant in my HMO at a cost of £350 per permit instead of the £5 a year the tenants could get for there own vehicle. The tenants for my property are all contractors working in the local area […]

AIIC recommends Landlords allow tenants to decorate and make improvements

23rd March 2017

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has recommended that Landlords and agents allow tenants to personalise, decorate and make improvements to their homes. This is following a survey by online home improvement platform Plentific showing that: 73% of tenants have carried out their own DIY 23% of tennats have spent more than £500 on […]

Popular central Birmingham Buy to Let opportunity

23rd March 2017

A Buy to Let opportunity in the popular city of Birmingham is now available. Prices start from £149,995, which are extremely competitive value for the city centre location and an  attractive payment plan is also available. The development is situated in a prime location, with major attractions such as the Bull Ring shopping centre and […]