I became a landlord to manage my own destiny as my pensions are poor due to redundancies etc. I contend that 1. Private landlords can only use 1 year’s capital gains allowance. This is unfair 2. The current method of calculating a capital gain is wrong and does not reflect the true value of an […]

The title says it all …. do you? And if you don’t, why not? Did you know that the length of your lease has a direct impact on the value of your flat. It always surprises me when clients realise the length of their lease in a panic, either because they are trying to release […]

I, together with a group of other long flat leaseholders, have tried everywhere without success to find out whether we will be liable for costs and if these could be high if we lose a case which looks as if it is heading to First Tier Tribunal, as the other side has told Land Registry […]

As landlords of some 30 years, we served notice on a tenant in October 2013 who had been with us for 10 years. In 2003, when we initially rented the flat to this lady who worked for the NHS in HR in Wolverhampton, all was fine and dandy and at this time deposit protection wasn’t […]

We are renting a one bed house from the agency and there were some issues with the check in when we moved in last July. It wasn’t carried out to a high standard: the landlord insisted she would do it on her own (normally it’s the outside company who does this), the quality of pictures […]

We have just bought a BTL house for £175k cash at auction.  We are keen to get it mortgaged ASAP so that we are in a position to buy for cash again. We have heard about the 6 month rule/guideline but wondered; which lenders would be happy to value and lend earlier? We don’t need anything […]

I have a property down on the South coast which is currently tenanted. Just lately my tenants have started complaining that the television reception is poor. We have called in a television/Ariel specialist who informs us that the signal is weak in this area so advises that we either put up an extended Ariel with […]

Many UK landlords feel their world has been turned upside down. Not surprising given the shock announcements of having to pay an extra 3% Stamp Duty on purchases as of NOW, that mortgage interest paid out will become increasingly taxed as if it was income (for private landlords only) and that buy-to-let mortgage lending may […]

mydeposits is delighted to announce the launch of its new government-authorised custodial tenancy deposit protection service in England and Wales today (1 April 2016). The scheme also unveils a new-look website and refreshed branding that’s been designed based on feedback from its members and tenants. Eddie Hooker, mydeposits CEO said, “Today is an important step […]

From 1st April 2016, tenants have the right to request consent from their landlords to make energy-saving improvements for the properties they rent. Landlords will not be able to refuse their consent without good reason, but tenants will need to ensure that they have a way of funding improvements at no cost to the landlord, unless […]

I had an offer or £295000 accepted on a 2 bed flat in North London on 12th January 2016. I thought I would have plenty of time to complete by the 31st March stamp duty deadline! However due to the incompetence of the estate agents in house broker and the vendor who took weeks/months to […]

I am seeking advice on what happens when a tenant decides to leave a property (HMO) when the remaining 3 tenants decide to stay on. There is no other tenant moving in, but the tenant moving out would like to be removed from the tenancy agreement. I have heard of a ‘Deed of Surrender’ and […]

I sold a BTL property in January 2016, which I had had since 1998. I believe that Taper Relief was replaced by Entrepreneurs Relief. Is ER available to reduce the capital gains tax liability on the profit realised from selling the BTL property? Many thanks Malcolm

After ten years of successful business dealings my letting agent has suddenly stopped forwarding the rent money. I confirm that this has been paid by the tenants. The letting agency asked for time to get matters in order, asked for three months. Due to history of successful business trading, three months was given but to […]

A report by Lendinvest indicated that out of 105 post code areas 14 had and average house price below £125,000. This will mean that with the 3% surcharge on Stamp Duty for second properties below this figure coming into effect from the 1st of April that landlords looking to purchase in these areas will pay […]

There are many reasons why a tenants may stop paying rent. They may no longer be able to afford it. They may decide they are not going to pay it anymore because of a perceived bad service. They may even prefer to spend their money on alcohol and cigarettes than rent. In all these cases […]

On Thursday 26th May 2016, Landlord Action will once again be hosting a white collar charity boxing event. They are looking for motivated participants from all sides of the property industry, men and women, to come together, try a new sport, get fit, and channel some of their competitive spirit. It allows people with no […]

I currently own my own house in England, where a very good friend stays with me as a lodger. I also have a (very) modest BTL portfolio of one other property in the same area, which I would eventually like to add to. Both properties are mortgaged. In around 2018, my job will require me […]

Firstly I must state I am not a BLT landlord and nor do I see myself making my millions from letting properties. My girlfriend and I live in separate properties and she has recently fallen pregnant so I’ve decided to move into her property to help support her during the pregnancy and bring up our […]

Bridging Finance is often the fastest and most flexible way of raising capital and the most commonly used purposes can be split into 3 categories.  1. A property is unsuitable for mortgage purposes Renovation: If a traditional mortgage would not be approved such as when a property has no bathroom or kitchen, a bridging loan […]

In an effort to stem the perceived risk of Buy to Let on the housing market, the Bank of England have imposed new guidelines on lenders to tighten underwriting standards that have slackened since the credit crisis. Although there are no hard and fast criteria rules the Bank of England want lenders to stress test […]