Page 671 – Property118

Should I wait 2 years or appeal to freeholder for lease extension?

20th October 2016

I’ve recently completed on a flat with an 87 year lease; I want to extend this lease, but should I wait for the 2 years (giving me the right to extend), or try and appeal to the freeholder and get him to agree to extend before the 2 years? Are there pros and cons? And […]

Does 2nd Charge affect Ist Charge Loan To Value (LTV)?

20th October 2016

I currently have 4 Mortgages with one of High Street Leading Bank on Buy To Let basis. The LTV has always been below 60% as such I always qualified for best possible deals on my properties with them due to low LTV. However, recently, instead of taking further advance, due to their stringent criteria, I […]

Fake Letting Agents Jailed

20th October 2016

If you ever did business with any of the following agents you will now be regretting having ever met them.  Belgravia Property Group, Carlton Residential, Park Lane Residential Ltd and Mayfair Residential were all fake agencies operating from serviced offices in London, Birmingham and Bristol. The scam affected both landlords and tenants. With a rental demand booming […]

Home sales to be outdone by property rentals for first time in eight decades

19th October 2016

For the first time in eight decades, home buying will be outstripped by the property rental market next year. This is as a result of home buyers continuing to struggle to find affordable properties. Since the EU referendum in June, activity in the sales market has slowed. A lack of property for sale partnered with […]

Buy to Let Apartment in Bradford City Centre

19th October 2016

The last remaining unit is available to investors in a refurbished period building located in Bradford city centre. Market Place benefits from being within easy reach of many of Bradford’s amenities, including The Broadway shopping centre, Bradford’s shopping district and transport links. The apartments have been refurbished to a high standard, perfect for the young […]

Rent Arrears Recovery During Possession Order Process

19th October 2016

I’d be grateful for ideas on the pros and cons of immediately pursuing a separate and simultaneous small claims application for recovery of rent arrears whilst an accelerated property possession order (not standard) is going through the court against a tenant who (on the advice of local council staff) has failed to move out of […]

Financing Buy to Let Through Offshore Vehicle Options

19th October 2016

I am a British National currently living and working in the GCC.  I am looking to purchase my second buy to let property in the UK and am doing so through a British Virgin Islands company that I am setting up. I work full time for a global company and I have a decent deposit […]

Dave Feels Trapped By Section 24

19th October 2016

Poor old Dave! He has a property rental business with 22 terraced houses in the North East. Cashflow is fine for now but he’s far from rich. He makes around £44,000 a year of profit at the moment which is split between himself and his ex-wife. On top of that he has a small private […]

The cost of not seeking for professional advice

19th October 2016

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, at other times it is very expensive!  About a year ago I spoke with a very established landlord who, together with her partner, were in the process of selling many of their properties to pay down mortgages. She was furious with the tax changes introduced by George Osborne and had decided […]

PRESS RELEASE from THE LANDLORDS UNION (Property118 Action Group)

18th October 2016

How private landlords can avoid finance cost restrictions Research conducted by Property118, “The Landlords Union” into new landlord tax legislation by has revealed that, with proper planning, many more of the worst affected private landlords will be in a position avoid the effects of restrictions on finance cost relief than previously thought. What’s more, they […]

Portfolio mortgages – To be or not to be?

18th October 2016

We have 4 properties on BTL mortgages, all being in joint personal names with partner and high street lenders. Our LTV is ~60% on all properties, mostly because of higher value as being in London. The median rates is 1.8% with most on 2 year tracker. I wonder if we should go for portfolio mortgages? […]

6.5 sq metre minimum room size for HMOs

18th October 2016

The Government has proposed a minimum room size of 6.5 sq metres (70 sq feet) for a rented room in an HMO. This is in an effort to stop tenants from being crammed into overcrowded properties and to set minimum standards creating a level playing field for good landlords. This proposal will only relate to […]

Brand Name Change For Property118 Action Group

18th October 2016

Property118 Action Group is changing its name to “The Landlords Union”. New member logo’s will be provided to existing members in due course. The reason for the change is that we feel the new brand better describes what we do and will be significantly more powerful for media purposes. For example …. “Research conducted by […]

Upward trend arrow over Irish flag with houses and euro symbols, representing housing tax changes

Why Ireland Is Reversing Finance Cost Restrictions For Landlords

18th October 2016

In 2009 the Irish government disallowed 25% of the interest cost in calculating a landlord’s taxable profit.  This was retroactive because it applied to properties that were already owned, not just future purchases. This was partly amended as from 1 January 2016 because of the shortage of accommodation for tenants in receipt of certain social […]

Retainer for cleaning and deposits?

17th October 2016

With reference to retainers and deposits, if a Landlord puts his/her property in the hands of a letting agent on a fully managed service, when the fees are all calculated for the prospective tenant to pay, can the Landlord ask for a £200 retainer on top of the deposit and all the agents fees and […]

The correct way to end shared AST?

17th October 2016

My 3 tenants have a joint AST agreement. Unfortunately, 2 want/need to leave (been offered better job outside London/ having year out traveling). The remaining tenant wants to stay but doesn’t know 2 others to share with. I absolutely do not want my lovely flat turned into an HMO, so I am now having to […]

Capital allowances on Furnished Holiday Lettings

17th October 2016

Hi, I would like to clarify something to do with the disposal/cease of an Furnished Holiday Letting (FHL) property business with relation to the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) I intend to claim at the outset of the business. If I have only one FHL and I’m told that the AIA I can claim would amount […]

Sole Owner To Corporate Landlord In 3 Years

16th October 2016

The benefit of becoming a corporate landlord is that it allows you to retain profits at corporation tax rates of 20% and falling, and continue to offset 100% of finance costs against income despite George Osborne’s tax changes for individual landlords being phased in from April 2017. It works best for portfolios where mortgage debt is in excess […]

First time landlord- documents & responsibilities – does the list ever end?

16th October 2016

I am close to completing the purchase of an investment property that has been mortgaged on a buy to let mortgage. As a first time landlord I am seeking some guidance on the responsibilities of the landlord for self managed Assured Shorthold tenancies. Here is how I see the workflow… 1. Advertise on property renting […]

New tax Changes For Landlords Next year – Where To Start?

15th October 2016

I am new to the forum so apologies if asking questions that have previously been answered.  I have 4 BTL’s all under my name and my wife’s name. I’m aware of the tax changes (although don’t necessarily understand all of them) for landlord’s coming into effect next year and I’ve heard of the various implications this […]