Despite a predicted last minute rush for Buy to Let Investors to complete purchases before the 3% Stamp duty surcharge comes into force for second property purchases in April, the annual house price growth remained at the same robust level of 9.7%. However, mortgage approvals did increase by 5% between December and January reflecting the […]

Can anyone suggest how I go about gifting a fire damaged North East property to the Local Authority, or to any other source for that matter? It is uneconomical to rebuild, I suspect even for a builder. Can the Local Authority refuse to accept it? Many thanks Gary

There was a piece on the BBC News channel last Sunday, 28 February, concerning the tax changes for landlords: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35681874 It was shown at 07.28 and at 14.16, and presumably throughout the day. It propagated misinformation about the tax change, was biased against BTL landlords, and promoted a commercial alternative.  My detailed complaints follow. The […]

I have a landlord insurance query that I hope some may be able to advise me on. I am looking to get landlord insurance on a buy-to-let flat (yet to exchange) within a house that’s been converted into 4 flats in total. I will have a share of the freehold of the flat, which is […]

With restrictions mortgage tax relief coming in I will end up with income well over £100,0000. All my properties are currently in my name. Am I right in thinking I should make a declaration of trust giving my wife a proportion of my income and file form 17 to HMRC to do so. I believe […]

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) have released their UK housing market report for January 2016 showing the supply of available housing is at it’s lowest point in 14 years. The report indicates the number of properties available per NAEA member branch fell to 33 in January, the lowest figure since December 2002 when […]

Our local Landlords’ Association secretary has just forwarded an email from a Forum who, whilst obviously touting for business by having people download their ’10 minute briefing’ for no less than £49.99 + VAT(!!), have pointed out that the Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16 passed its third reading in January, which makes provision for ‘housing, […]

I’m about to exchange/ complete on a leasehold property which currently has tenants in situ on an AST periodic agreement dated April ’14. The rental is currently managed by a lettings agent. The bond is in a TPS. I understand I’m buying it with the tenants and their current agreement but would like to clarify […]

I have had a compulsory purchase order put on me buy the council , do you have to pay capital gains tax on the profit if you are made to sell through a compulsory purchase order? My accountant seems to think so , but I’m sure and think I’ve read somewhere that you don’t. Any […]

At the danger of sounding like Mrs Osborne, there are surprisingly many of us speaking to the television in front of us while we watch the news. Right before last year’s summer holiday, George Osborne introduced yet another stealth tax on hardworking savers: he cancelled deductibility of interest for buy to let landlords. Complex to […]

I would like some advice on what to do regarding the last months rent of my tenancy. I have rented a cottage for 17 months and for the entire tenancy I have had penetrating damp (confirmed by the Environmental health) in one of the bedrooms. I requested the landlord to address the issue repeatedly but […]

I am currently renovating a property in a view to rent it out & I’m paying 150% per month council tax on it (this includes a 50% penalty for the property being unoccupied for 2 years even though I’ve only owned it 1 year) Can I offset this against my tax at the end of […]

My brother and I have recently inherited a 45 year old property which was completely owned outright, it is in a nice area with good schools. The local estate agent say’s he has a waiting list of families waiting to rent or buy, he suggested some improvement tips to prepare the house which are estimated […]

Hi veterans! I am preparing my first HMO property. There are plenty of options in the market for smoke and heat alarms. I was wondering if the veterans here can share information on which smoke and heat alarms you use in your HMOs? Cardiff Council gave me the information that the property will need a […]

3 person HMO on an AST. 1 tenant is moving out on the 11th March and another tenant is taking his place. Rent is currently due at the end of the month (preferred). Is it possible to amend the current agreement and ask the incoming and outgoing tenant to pay a pro-rata share of the […]

Recently I just received a council tax bill for £407, addressed to me with a secondary address reference to a recent buy to let, at first I assumed they had sent it me and was the tenant’s bill. The dates on bill related to the purchase date and tenant start over a 4 month period. […]

I have been an investor in the student HMO sector for over 10 years. My properties are all 100 yr + Victorian terraced houses. I invest a large amount of money each year on maintenance. Looking at the future and the slow but significant influx of purpose build student accommodation, should I be concerned? My […]

I know that you cannot have an open vented gas appliance in a room used as a bedroom, but can you have an open fireplace? I have a three bedroom house with two reception rooms, and my tenant has asked if they can use the one reception room as a fourth bedroom, but as there […]

Property118 contains literally thousands of discussions, Q&A’s and news reports relevant to anybody with an interest in property, regardless of whether they are a landlord, tenant, developer or professional adviser. Searching our archives for these articles and discussions is very easy. Let’s say, for example, that you want to read articles and discussions about freehold […]

Some time ago I asked for your views about purchasing the freehold of the development where we live. Your comments were very helpful. On the 21st December the solicitors, acting on behalf of the bank, served a notice pursuant to section 5 of the landlord and tenant act 1987, prior to the property being sent […]

My tenant has not paid any rent since Aug 15 and their AST expired on 31st October 2015. A Section 21 Notice was also provided to the Tenant in August to inform them that they must vacate the premises. The tenant then decided not to vacate at the end of their tenancy and until today, […]