Page 705 – Property118

Police attendance checks at a property prior to purchase.

23rd February 2016

I have in the back of my mind that it is possible to get information on the number of a police call outs to a property. This is potentially of interest to those considering purchasing a property and want some peace of mind concerning the vulnerability of the property to intruders/criminals. Has anyone heard of […]

Tenant left 6 months early and cancelled Direct Debit

23rd February 2016

I have just found out that my tenants has left their property 6 months early, have cancelled their direct debit and claim the property is covered in damp/condensation. I took an independent person (estate agent) with me for my first viewing as the tenants couldn’t or wouldn’t go. There are several things wrong, large items […]

Can rent be collected after death by the executors?

23rd February 2016

We are having our wills renewed, as they where written 26yrs ago, and our situations have changed. Our children are now old enough to be executors of our will and we now own some rented properties, which I don’t know if it makes things more confusing. My main concern is can rent be collected on […]

Rollover relief from office property?

23rd February 2016

I was interested in the article by Mark Alexander 01/08/2012 re rollover relief. Due to retirement I have recently sold an office property that I occupied for my own business purposes on which CGT is payable. Does rollover relief apply if I buy a residential buy to let? Thank you Clive

Insurance Explained – What is Landlord Insurance?

22nd February 2016

Here at Property118 we want to make things as simple and straightforward as possible. That’s why we GUARANTEE to beat any like for like Landlord Insurance policy. But what is Landlord Insurance and why is it important? Using the same straightforward approach this is your guide to what Landlord Insurance is using layman terms. Definition […]

Strategy to grow your portfolio 75% LTV or 80% LTV and why?

22nd February 2016

I’m hoping some experienced BTL’ers can share their strategies on how they grow their portfolio, illustrating reasons behind opting for 80% LTV BTL mortgages as opposed to 75%. My current strategy is to grow my BTL portfolio by re-investing rental profits and refinancing when possible to release equity. This is a long term play. The […]

Legal system stuck in backwardness

22nd February 2016

I have spoken to friends and others from the UK about buying homes and you don’t use a lawyer to search titles. I’m from Canada and it is a must. I am shocked at some of the things we take for granted you don’t insert in your offers eg. Possession date is unheard of. My […]

Portfolio mortgages pros and cons

22nd February 2016

I would like to know the pros and cons of converting my properties, to a portfolio mortgage, i. e. Just one mortgage for the lot. Someone has suggested I do this, but it would be nice to tap into the collective wisdom of this site. I look forward to your comments. Regards Terry

Local Authority reclaiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax for 4 months?

22nd February 2016

I own a flat in Tyne and Wear with a DSS tenant,assured shorthold tenancy, no deposit (stupid I know). I recently received a letter from H Benefit saying my tenant has just left and therefore Housing Benefit has stopped-fair enough. I have just received another letter stating that the tenant left in October and I […]

Do section 21 new rules apply to old tenancy?

20th February 2016

If you have a tenant who as been with you for 5 years do the new rules apply regarding a section 21 for example having a current EPC cert , or do these new rules only apply to new tenants after October 2015. Regards Tony

You can stop whining about tenants abuse of All Inclusive accommodation

20th February 2016

I rent my 9 studio apartments to students on a bills included basis. During the first month of this project I would pass the building and witness open windows everywhere, knowing full well my boiler was burning gas at an exorbitant rate! The next week I fitted Open Window Sensors and Smart Thermostatic Radiator controls […]

Buying freehold agriculture land – is it worth it?

20th February 2016

I am planning to buy a freehold plot of size 0.2 acre / 845 sq meter @ £12,000 near Beaconsfield / Denham areas as future investment. Aware this is agriculture land and maybe in greenbelt area. Even for next 10-15 years might not get planning permission to construct , so land value may not increase […]

Gave notice but now tenant is leaving the property owing rent?

19th February 2016

I gave my tenant notice of my intention to sell my property in January 2016 and due notice of the end of the tenancy agreement. She has subsequently not paid February rent and has partially emptied the property of her belongings. We have a one month deposit held in the DPS scheme. What steps can […]

Right to rent comes into force

19th February 2016

As you may well know, from 1st February 2016 private landlords are required to check that their tenants have permission to live in the UK and therefore have the “right to rent”. Right to rent This includes everyone who will be living in the property who is 18 or over, even if they are not […]

Use of periodic tenancies in Scotland?

19th February 2016

I recently purchased some flats in Scotland which are subject to Short Assured Tenancies. I let a house in England and after an initial Assured Shorthold Tenancy I am usually relaxed about allowing this to become a periodic tenancy. However I am not clear whether the same considerations apply in Scotland, or whether it is […]

Rent to Rent for Serviced Apartments

19th February 2016

I am starting to talk to landlords about rent to rent. Ideally I want to create a serviced apartment from a rent-to-rent agreement. My questions are as follows: Would I (or the landlord/ owner) need to change the use of the property to Business Use C1? If so, would this affect their mortgage? If the […]

Returns of deposit and rent in arrears for deceased tenant

19th February 2016

I would like some advice on my deceased tenant. My tenant passed away few weeks ago and I want to return the Deposit and Outstanding Rent to the family member. Could somebody please advise me as how I need to go about it safely and legally. Many thanks Shailesh

Property118 Growth & Google Partnership

19th February 2016

Property118 Growth Chart Early indications are that Property118.com will deliver in excess of 5 million page views in 2016. To help fund the web-servers required to keep pace with this remarkable level of growth we have partnered with Google Adsense. This makes a lot of sense given that we are a Google News Feed and that Property118 […]

Demand increases around London tube stations in Zones 5 and 6

19th February 2016

Property demand across the London tube network has decreased to 35%, a fall of 3%, according to the latest Property Hotspots Index from eMoov.co.uk. While London’s inner zones have seen demand fall, Zones 3 and 4 have seen an increase in demand for property since a year ago, up 18% and 8% respectively. Areas in […]

Holding over after the end of AST as move delayed

19th February 2016

My AST ends on 28th Feb 2016, I was asked by the EA last month(Jan) to renew the tenancy for another year. As I was in the process of buying a property and the valuation went well and the mortgage offer was also released and I didn’t want to lock-in for 6 months if I […]