I am in the process of selling my flat and extending the lease in the deal, for my buyer to get a mortgage. I have had a surveyor who values the lease extension at £27,000. The Lease Advisory Service calculates it between £26,000 and £30,000. The freeholder insisted we serve notice and has come back […]

BBC Radio 4 current affairs programme “You and Yours” are planning on more coverage of Mr Osborne’s attack on the private rented sector and the effects of Clause 24 and the extra 3% SDLT. They urgently want to speak to tenants that have been served notice due to the tax effects and landlords selling up, […]

Rising rents and a shortage of affordable housing has led to a buoyant but illegal subletting market which makes victims of both landlords and subtenants. This is what landlords need to know. What are subletting scams? There are many different circumstances in which subletting scams occur. But on the whole, they all involve a person(s) […]

I’m hoping you kind people can provide some opinions on the following situation. I am about to complete on a BTL property purchase and the vendor wishes to remain as a tenant until they complete on buying a new property which is in a chain. I want to be able to offer as flexible a […]

Does anyone have any dealings with CHL. Ive just received a 7 day before letter notice. they won’t enter into an arrangement with me to pay arrears. They said I have to pay back £10000 (just under) within 7 days. The arrears have come about as they paid back to my to wife accounts 4 […]

A tenant of mine recently died, it is a two bedroom flat, and his 21 year old son lived with him. The son was not registered as living at the property, he is actually registered as living with his Mother at a different address. The Son is not in a position to continue paying the […]

A little while ago I asked property118 for advice on evicting a tenant, we contacted Landlord Action and we have served a Sec 21 and now two Sec 8’s (they forgot to deduct the deposit which the tenant told us to use). Two weeks ago I had a call from the tenant to say he […]

Since April 2015, the government has signaled that it will introduce new legislation via the Housing and Planning Bill or an amendment to the 2004 Housing Act, which will extend the range of mandatory licensing. This regulation currently only applies to 3 story properties with 5 or more people, though this will now include 2 […]

I started my own portfolio of 3 flats in 2014 and feel like I’ve learned an incredible amount from property 118. What a great community! I’ve come across my first dilemma hoping for some advice. I have a persistent leaking roof in a top floor one bedroom flat. All landlords have contributed towards a fund […]

I am one of the two Directors in a Right To Manage (RTM) company created in 2008 after suffering for several years under the Freehold Landlord’s (FH L/L) appointed management companies, which had managed to turn a brand new development into a much-neglected site from 2005 to 2008. The current managing agents were employed for […]

I was looking for some guidelines with regards to compensation of tenants whilst a property had issues. So for 3 months while we were sorting out leaks and electrical issues how should I compensate a tenant. Would it for instance be a case of taking a percentage of the property which was not usable and […]

The first quarter of 2016 has seen a surge in investors buying student property in order to beat the imminent stamp duty changes. Investors have been rushing to complete their student property purchase by the end of this month to avoid the 3% stamp duty surcharge which will become applicable for second homes. Research by […]

The Chancellor George Osborne has just delivered his Government’s Budget. Quick reference details for Landlords Below: Stamp Duty surcharge of 3% on residential property to apply to all investors regardless of size. Stamp Duty on commercial property transactions is to be reformed. Our understanding is that bandings will be applied similar to residential property, albeit with […]

Eager to increase our portfolio to 3, and with increased amount of investors in Hastings and property prices rising and cash in the bank we jumped at a cheap 3 bed flat in the town centre. Seeing that it was of solid construction we did not get a survey done and for a quick transaction […]

I have a tenant who has a year lease at £625 per month. He has decided to only pay £500 per month. I always have to chase him to get the other £125. It is always over 2 weeks late. This time I have been very clear that we are not happy about the late […]

As landlords and investors, I’d like to pick your brains and gain your thoughts. I have been in the industry for 12 years as a letting agent, but doing sales as well, specialising in buy-to-let and student housing. I have superb relationships with many of my clients – having been to their holiday homes, even […]

Arundel House is a stunning high quality development of 12 luxury apartments, which will attract a minimum 7% NET contracted yield. The property is centrally located, purpose built for rental and is ready within weeks, offering investors exceptional returns and is available to purchase direct from the developer. Prices start from £75,000. These high quality […]

With the Cheltenham Gold Cup taking place this week, I would like you to spare a thought for horses that do not lead such a life of prestige and comfort as those thoroughbreds. Many horses are abandoned to fly-graze by their owners who either cannot, or will not, pay for food and livery. There are […]

Paragon Mortgages, one of the original lenders to help develop the Buy to Let market, has requested the Chancellor halt any further financial attacks to discourage Buy to let landlords ahead of tomorrows budget. It calls for a comprehensive review of the UK’s housing strategy to be carried out to meet the needs of a […]

I was told by my tenants a couple of years ago that their ground floor flat had damp. After viewing it I informed them that it was condensation and showed them that if they wiped it down with neat Domestos it would go away, I also told them having to heat and ventilate the property. […]

I have a tenant who is having some financial difficulties. He has been completely honest with me about this and I know he is now struggling to pay his rent. He is living alone in a 2 bedroom flat. The question of taking in a lodger has just arisen and this is something new to […]