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 […]

My family and I are in a bit of a situation with our letting agent and landlord and we are hoping that somebody on here may be able to either offer a bit of advice or let us know where they think we might stand? So, we have been living in our rented property for […]

I was wondering if anybody can offer me some guidance. I left the UK for work just over 3 years ago, and it is most likely that I will return to London sometime in 2020 once my current employment contract ends. I have 2 properties back home in the UK – one BTL, and one […]

Has anyone else received an invitation from Conservative Campaign Headquarters, asking for your support? I received an email and felt compelled to respond (see below). If you are receiving similar emails from the Conservative Party, you might like to send a similar response so that they start to get the message. Dear Mr. Mabbutt, I […]

We have a PLC in which we bought land, developed it into a camp site and now run it. We jointly own our residence.  I want to buy a property for investment. A new build for rent. Is the extra 3% stamp duty a tax deductible cost? And, as a PLC can we claim interest […]

If I go back 5 years in my property journey I couldn’t understand why anybody would pay people to do things that they could do themselves? Why pay cleaners, workmen, agents, accountants etc. I thought I was unique in my stance of doing everything myself and that this gave me an advantage over anyone, as I […]

The proportion of landlords in central London who intend to sell property has quadrupled since last year’s Budget, according to new research from the National Landlords Association (NLA). Just 4% of landlords in central London had plans to sell property when surveyed before last year’s Budget. However, the figure has almost quadrupled, rising to 19% […]

I have a BTL property with a share of freehold. This BTL property has two other properties below it which consist of one whole building. The freehold for the whole building is held within a company (to which I am a shareholder and director) and the two other landlords of the properties below (freeholders) are […]

I would appreciate any help or advice on how I should demand ground rent. I currently own the freehold for my 1st floor maisonette and the ground-floor maisonette which is owned by someone else. I am now entitled to demand ground rent from the owner of the ground-floor flat however I don’t know if there […]

I am looking to grow my portfolio, but only have experience in Bath and London, I would like to expand my area search as neither are within my price range anymore, and yields are coming down. How do you gain knowledge on other areas, has anybody had any really good mentors who have helped them […]

We have a rental property that was rented out on an initial 3 months short term assured tenancy. That period ended and the tenant has been there for nearly 2 years. We now need to increase the rent and she has said it must be done in accordance with the contract which says it will […]

I have a client doing a re-mortgage on an existing let; lender is Skipton Building Society. They stipulate the tenants must not be in receipt of DSS. They’re not, but it raises the question: “What if a tenant goes on to claim benefits, including housing, after the tenancy has commenced?” Logically thinking, this must cause […]

We have 3 properties with an agent for the last 12 years. We are generally ok with the service of the agent but now realise that the fees that we are paying for their services are too high, compared to other agents. Their site states 18% but we are paying 12%. Having phoned a few […]

Not good news for all, but helpful for those in Scotland wishing to move their property into a ltd company. Hopefully the UK government will follow suit and help landlords survive the changes. Deputy first minister John Swinney said “Our priority is to make sure first time buyers have the greatest possible chance to get […]