Page 688 – Property118

Tax Notification on transfer to joint names?

4th July 2016

For tax efficiency purposes I had a property put into joint names – a transfer of title exercise. Is there a document or form I have to complete and send to HMRC of what I have done ? My lawyer has done all the other bits relating to the property transaction etc. There is nothing […]

Buying a repossessed flat and asked to pay for previous works?

4th July 2016

I’m ready to exchange on a repossessed flat. I’m required to pay a hefty bill for works completed earlier this year (before my period of ownership). I’ve asked for exemption but the company insists. The property has been on the market for three months and there has been no offer higher than mine. Should I […]

Tenant claims against property not registered as an HMO?

4th July 2016

Does anyone know: if a property should have previously been registered as an HMO but is only now in the process, can previous or current tenants make a claim for their last 6 months rent to be repaid? Thanks to anyone that can comment Jamie

Leaving the EU – What does this mean for property investors?

4th July 2016

The British public has taken the monumental decision to leave the European Union. What does that mean for those looking to invest in the UK’s property market? An Opportunity for Overseas Investors to Take Advantage of the Pound Sterling’s Short Term Weakness The pound sterling has been strong and stable currency. There is an opportunity […]

West Bromwich Tracker Mortgage Refunds UPDATE

3rd July 2016

Since we won our case at the Court of Appeal against West Bromwich Building Society, mortgage borrowers affected by their tracker rate hike are now receiving their share of the £27,500,000 payout in respect of over charged interest and compensation thereon. I have been inundated with thank you messages of support on Facebook and other […]

Landmark judgement for lenders on negligent valuation case

1st July 2016

Decision changes long-held legal precedent of the “But For” test The Court of Appeal today issued a landmark judgement in a professional negligence case that will have wide-ranging ramifications across the lending industry. The decision also sets a new precedent, in that it changes the legal principle of causation. Banks, building societies, asset based lenders […]

Short term letting

1st July 2016

I am planning on renting my flat out on short term lets i.e. not ASTs.  My lease has 2 clauses which I need some guidance on: The flat must be used for residential purposes It should not be used for business purposes There is no restriction in the lease about how long I can rent […]

Could Post Brexit Government Be Landlords Dream Team?

30th June 2016

Homeowners and landlords alike appreciate stability in the UK property market, so being a nation of homeowners the majority of the UK will doubtless be thankful for a new top tier in Government. Our prediction is an all female team to fill the top two positions in the post Brexit Government with …. Teresa May as […]

Property118 Figures for 2016 vs 2015

30th June 2016

Our reader figures are now in for the first half of 2016 and we are delighted to report that progress has continued to accelerate in terms of both page views and unique user numbers. A significant contributor to the exceptional Q2 growth this year, which is up over 300% compared to the same period last year, has […]

Mark Carney hints at possible MPC decision to reduce Bank Base Rate

30th June 2016

In a speech this afternoon at the Bank of England, Governor Mark Carney, confirmed that the Monetary Policy Commitee (MPC) may need to consider all monetary policy easing tools at its disposal following a “change in the economic winds”. This means that it is possible the MPC could consider supporting the economy by either decreasing […]

Housing and Planning Act 2016

30th June 2016

The Housing and Planning Act 2016 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/22/contents/enacted was approved by Parliament on 12th May and there will be a number of changes affecting landlords and property managers of residential properties. Recovering abandoned premises Currently, if a tenant has abandoned a residential property which has been let by a landlord, it is necessary for a landlord […]

Split general expenses across my JV portfolio for tax return?

29th June 2016

I have now bought 2 additional properties on top of the one I already owned (100%). These 2 new properties (one single let and one Multi-let) have been bought with my wife (50% / 50%) and one with my wife and a friend as JV (not declared on the completion statement) which is in fact […]

Expensive quotes for new build?

29th June 2016

I have Planning Permission to build a 2 bed end of terrace house with gross internal floor space of 79sqm onto the side of an existing rental house I own. Requests for quotes have gone out to 3 builders, one used before and other 2 from recommendation. I thought I could get it built for […]

I want to place a BTL Mortgage in a Family Trust?

29th June 2016

I want to remortgage my BTL flat with a Lender that will allow me to Transfer the Property into an existing family Trust if I should want to do so in the future(the Trust has £80,000 of shares that are not performing well). There is no risk to the Lender in doing this as the […]

No more 7 day evictions

29th June 2016

Changes to the process of accelerated possession, through applying to use High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) to evict a tenant, has brought an end the so called ‘7-day eviction’ which were misleading for landlords as well as increased costs. The majority of residential possession claims are dealt with in the county court and enforced by […]

Property owners in the UK renovate to create their ideal home

29th June 2016

The majority of British home owners renovate their property for living in for the long term rather than to increase the price, according to the latest research. 67% of people are planning to stay in their home for more than five years and carry out work with the aim of building their dream home. A […]

Stop the Land Registry being sold off

29th June 2016

In case Property 118 members don’t already know, the government has revived its proposal for selling off the Land Registry – despite having had to scrap a similar proposal made during the previous coalition government. If private corporations get their hands on the Land Registry, they’ll have just one thing on their minds – profits. […]

No lawn mower and entering the property while I am away?

29th June 2016

I live in a rented property with my two sons. It has a massive garden and we do not have a lawn mower to cut the grass with. The landlord has had us living here with a no working shower from August to December, when I started to ask for compensation. The house was in […]

Scam Letting Agent Jailed For Over Four Years

29th June 2016

Following a complex four-year investigation carried out by Barnet Council’s Trading Standards team, Martin Marcus, 52, of Bushey, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to fraudulent pocketing over £220,000 seven days into his trial. He was sentenced on five offences at Harrow Crown Court on Monday. The court heard how he fronted a string of letting agencies and […]

Join Conservative Party before 1st of July and make your voice heard

28th June 2016

If you wish to have an influence on who is elected the next leader of the Conservative Party, and hence Prime Minister, you need to join as a member of the Party before the 1st of July. Considering the attack on Landlords and the PRS by George Osborne, with cuts to mortgage interest relief and […]

BREXIT, SDLT and Interest Tax Relief

28th June 2016

With Brexit starting to hit the housing market isn’t it now an ideal time for the chancellor to drop the SDLT and reintroduce the full tax relief on interest payments?  Buy-to-let property investors saved the housing market from 2007, kept house owners from going into negative equity, helped created an environment where the developer could at […]