Page 685 – Property118

Can I recover legal costs from repossession proceedings?

2nd August 2016

I am renovating a HMO and had to give notice to the remaining tenants. One refused to leave when the S21 expired. Because he was in discussions with the council about rehousing him, I held back from issuing repossession proceedings. However, after several weeks with no progress, I paid £1,250 to a well-known firm to […]

The Resolution Foundation reports home ownership lowest for 30 years

2nd August 2016

The Think Tank, Resolution Foundation, has reported home ownership is now at a 30 year low. Using data from the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey (LFS) the Resolution Foundation is reporting home ownership to have fallen from its high point in 2003 at 71% of the population to under 64% today. The highest […]

Room rents in Swansea rise twelve times as fast as London

2nd August 2016

SpareRoom.co.uk have issued their UK rental index for Q2 2016.  The data reveals that rents are rising fastest in Swansea (12%), Bradford (11%), Portsmouth (11%) and Swindon (11%) Other statistics: London is amongst the towns and cities seeing the least room rental growth in the last 12  months, up just 1% along with Belfast and West Bromwich […]

Northern Quarter v St Johns: Where to buy investment property in Manchester?

1st August 2016

Manchester has been subject to major regeneration over recent years. With Spinningfields in the south of the city, and NOMA in the north, where should individuals buy investment property in Manchester? Both NOMA and Spinningfields have been named as some of the best buy-to-let locations in Manchester. In the north of Manchester on the perimeters […]

Process for lending money to Ltd Co for BTL purchases?

1st August 2016

My unmarried partner and I have residential and rental property. We decided to add future properties in a Ltd company to help children and minimise tax. We have roughly 25% deposit and additional stamp duty (146K) to invest in an HMO (420K, 8% return plus 10% 6 month appreciation). I would like to lend the […]

Purchasing a buildings freehold questions?

1st August 2016

I am looking at getting a mortgage on a freehold flat, however I would become the buildings manager and own the land. The upstairs flat would apparently pay me ground rent and pay towards the home insurance. The upstairs flat is leasehold and has 78 years left. Would you be able to explain what that […]

One owner occupier in block harassing my tenants!

1st August 2016

In London, we are in a small block of flats all with share of freehold that share a garden with some private and communal areas. We own all the flats bar one and usually rent those out, but do occasionally return to live there. The one flat we do not own contains a 30-40-something couple […]

Letting Agent increasing price as now registering for VAT?

1st August 2016

My letting agent has just informed me that they have grown and now registered for VAT, as such future bills will have VAT added. As an individual this will put up my cost by 20%. I know they aren’t making any more money from this but they have only provided me with 4 days notice […]

All electrical items in the property are left as a gesture of goodwill?

1st August 2016

When we initially viewed our rental property and prior to signing the rental agreement, there was a fault with the integrated fridge freezer which was pointed out to the letting agent. We were assured this would be addressed. With that in mind, we duly signed the agreement believing that it would be repaired. It took […]

What is the science behind an offer price?

1st August 2016

I am very new to the whole property investment market and I have been researching two areas for investment property (flats) at the moment in Slough and Ilford. I have made a few offers, unfortunately my bid usually just falls through. I wonder if my offers are too low or investors see something that I […]

Repayment or Interest Only for new flat?

1st August 2016

I am looking to a buy a flat locally for £60,000 the current rents achieved are between £550 to £600. The same flat on the same floor is worth £75,000. I am looking at a pension really more than short term gains or income which is not needed. In this position am I better going […]

Exciting BTL opportunity near to Manchester’s £800m regeneration zone

29th July 2016

According to recent figures, Manchester ranks 4th in terms of rental yield and buy-to-let property. Investors can take advantage of the booming market and current launch offer discount of 10%, and invest in Naples Gardens, an exciting development near to the extensive £800m regeneration project, NOMA. Naples Gardens is located close to the NOMA regeneration […]

Open Letter to Philip Hammond MP – Chancellor of the Exchequer

29th July 2016

FAO Chancellor Of The Exchequer – Mr Philip Hammond MP Dear Mr Hammond Re: Levelling the playing field between owner occupiers and private landlords In reference to George Osborne’s commitment to “level the playing field” on UK housing between owner occupiers and private landlords we would like to suggest the following additional steps given the […]

Any Property Geniuses know of low income remortgage companies?

29th July 2016

My partner and I have 4 fixed mortgages coming to an end over the next couple of years. The problem we have is I would like quit my 9 – 5 job move to the countryside and start working part time to enjoy the hard work we’ve put into building our portfolio. My partner is […]

Building on land at the rear of my mortgaged property?

29th July 2016

I have recently purchased a 4 bed property for £250,000 (total plot around 300 sq/m). I have a residential mortgage on the property of £150,000 (60% LTV). To the rear of the property is a large plot of land suited for a new build – I’m 99% sure I will be granted planning to build […]

Housing Association rental or Buy to let?

29th July 2016

M&B own a 4 bedroom semi detached property with a mortgage. Both were born in 1957. They have 2 children. Daughter A was born in 1985 and has an acquired disability through viral encephalitis (herpes simplex) at the age of 3. A now has severe epilepsy, severe learning difficulties and right sided hemiplegia. A currently […]

Pink storage box labeled "Personal Belongings" used for organizing tenant items after eviction.

Getting rid of personal belongings?

29th July 2016

We were granted an eviction order for non payment of rent amounting to more than £3,500. The tenant was due to vacate on July 13, which she did, but removing only some of her furniture, etc. The remainder of her furniture, belongings, clothes and personal items are still in the house. Despite many text messages […]

Ordinary 4 bed flat but with HMO Licence?

28th July 2016

I bought a derelict flat next to West of Scotland university in Paisley (it had been empty for a number of years ) and I converted it to a 4bed flat. Initially the assessor gave it a council tax banding of Band C which is OK to this point. The HMO Licence was granted the […]

Buy to let investment hotspots revealed!

28th July 2016

The top city for rental yield has been revealed as Manchester, however the best overall returns are still offered by London, according to a new report. The average rental yield in Manchester has reached 6.8% between 2010 and 2016, coming out on top in a list of postcode areas in England and Wales where rental […]

Sublet tenant with no agreement, no payment and false claims!

28th July 2016

We have someone in our home whom we have sublet a room to. She screams day and night, she hasn’t signed the agreement which she promised to do as she entered the home and she doesn’t pay the rent. Recently she has filed a case on one of our friends who also stays here, on […]

Landlords evicting illegal immigrants – Last minute changes

28th July 2016

Last minute changes to the Immigration Bill to give greater protection to landlords were approved in May, shortly before the bill received royal assent. Right to rent Section 22 of the Immigration Act 2014 introduced the Right to Rent regulations which make landlords responsible for checking that their tenants have the right to rent in […]