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, […]

I currently have 3 x 10 bed HMOs in Liverpool obtained via purchase or leased, I am doing a little self management as well as using an Agent (inc 10% fee) and Gumtree. have any landlords used Virtual Assistants VAs to get tenants and save time? Many thanks Richard

My partner is freeholder to a building – a shop and 2 flats. The flats are both owned by leaseholders and are both sub let. The flats have access to a shared bin store. A neighbour has been complaining that bin bags are left in the store and never put out for collection. They smell, […]

Myself and my fiancee rent in London and due to the astronomical property prices here, we decided in Dec 2014 to purchase a buy-to-let residential investment in Northern Ireland. It completed in April 2015. We’re now in the process of buying our first residential home together in NI also with a view of moving back […]

Buy to let hotspots by location start at £75,000 with good investment opportunities and capital gains available to landlords despite the impending changes to legislation. These are our top locations popular with renters where house prices are soaring above average. • Carmarthen, Wales – Budget: £75,000 In this county town, it is possible to buy […]

I would like some advice on a tenant landlord issue, the property has a key card lock on the flat door which has been deactivated and has not been in operation for several years. Some how the tenant managed to get himself locked into the flat by this lock over the weekend. He had to […]

I have a HMO that I provide the internet for. I have a tenant who wants to take out her own separate internet bundle with TV etc. Can anyone see any problems with this? Many thanks Sharon

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, was today speaking at a Treasury Select Committee hearing. He indicated that interest rates were more than likely not to rise in the medium term and that if the economy needed further stimulation the Bank could consider a further drop in rates towards zero, but ruled out […]

With just a few weeks to go to the in/out referendum I’d be interested to learn of any thoughts as to the likely effect on BTL and property prices in general. Google the subject and there are as many different opinions as articles but the one thing that does become clear is that no-one seems […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]