As a sole trader I am interested in the beneficial interest trust as a strategy, however the article doesn’t seem to address the IHT issue.  A discretionary trust has been suggested but the 45% tax and 10 yearly IHT tax seems counter productive, any suggestions. Many thanks Tony

I took out a tracker mortgage to buy my home in 2004, was then relocated to Ireland in 2005 and I started to rent my house in 2006.  Halifax told me that I had to give up my tracker and go on another, higher, rate. This cost me twice as much. Has anyone had a similar […]

Shawbrook Bank who specialise on Buy to Let, Commercial, Semi-commercial and Bridging products have opened up criteria and improved products in light of the recent changes to Stamp duty. Shawbrook anticipate the commercial market is likely to attract increased demand from investors looking to spread their risk across different types of property investment rather than […]

We own a ground floor flat in an East London house converted into two flats in the 1970s. We have 120 years remaining on a 125 years lease. The upstairs flat has 60 years left on a 99 years lease. It needs refurbishing; we’ve had leaks through our ceiling. External maintenance has been neglected and […]

Having exceeded 100% of our £125,000 crowdfunding target we are obviously delighted with the support received to date .  The funds raised to date are in return for 5% of the equity in the business, thus confirming our valuation of £2.5 million. We would like to thank all investors who have participated in this round of crowdfunding. […]

The number of tenants falling into serious rent arrears has been decreasing, according to the latest report. Tenants renting their homes from private landlords are less likely to suffer from a serious build-up of late rent as a result of falling unemployment levels. Only 86,200 tenants across the UK were more than two months behind […]

The Supreme Court has today ruled that rights to a private and family life need not get in the way of legitimate cases where landlords and mortgage lenders need to reclaim possession of a rented home. The Court had ruled that whilst the right to a private and family life, enshrined in the European Convention […]

Myself and Steve Bolton would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the Tenant Tax Summit in London. It was an amazing day with around 600 landlords and industry stake-holders in attendance. Agendas and differences were put aside for the great good of landlords! Property Tribes were able to get two fantastic “star power” […]

Open Letter to Ian Cowie of The Sunday Times  Dear Mr. Cowie, I am the leader of the Conservatives on my local authority who has never had a reason to doubt the Conservative leaders in 33 years of membership. Now though, I seem to be living in some alternate reality as the group I have […]

PRESS RELEASE A group 60 landlords raised £31,575 via the Crowdfunder website in just 5 days. Neil Patterson, a Partner in Property118.com said “We are delighted with progress to date as we are significantly ahead of where we expected to be at this stage of this particular fund-raising campaign. We have a five phase approach and we […]

I am converting a warehouse with planning department permission into 3 dwellings the 1st of the dwellings I am renovating into a 9 bed HMO. The planning dept have kept me waiting for over 6months for a decision. Finally they have recommended for approval, but last week the council planning committee voted 9 out of […]

Property118 Action Group and The Letting Partnership have formed a Strategic Alliance Headed up by Jennifer Markham, a highly respected letting industry figure, The Letting Partnership is an award winning team specialising in the provision of accounting and administration support to letting agents nationwide.  They are leaders in the provision of outsourced client accounting services […]

I am in the process of purchasing a new build apartment. My solicitor has notified me of a unilateral notice which registers an interest of a previous purchase that became abortive. The vendors solicitor has confirmed this, but is unwilling to take an undertaking (a legal promise I take it) to have it removed only […]

Can anyone please clarify whether I, as the landlady, or the letting agent would be held responsible if heaven forbid there should be an injury or fatality while the gas safety cert on my rental property is out of date? I have just signed up to a full management contract with a letting agent and […]

The Skipton and the Manchester Building societies have been very quick to comment on the Property118 Action Group win at the Court of Appeal against West Bromwich Mortgage Company. Both societies seem very keen to justify over-charging their customers by acting in breach of contract. Needless to say, they don’t see it that way! Skipton issued the […]

I have just learned that my flat is 67 years lease remaining the same as the other flat which is asking me for a lease extension as I am the freeholder. Now come remortgage and I have been informed to extend the lease. I am the freeholder, but in the land registry it is 67 […]

I am looking to get a HMO licence for a property in Newham borough. The house is a three stories high with 4 doubles (1 en-suited loft), 2 singles, reception room, large kitchen and 2 complete shower rooms. Therefore a mandatory licence. Emailed the council’s planing department for more info and got the following answer: […]

Private housing providers (buy-to-let landlords) often lack the experience and finances to defend their rights. Membership of Property118 Action Group offers them a unique and powerful umbrella at a very reasonable price. Founder Member Benefits If you pledge £600 you will automatically become a Founder Member. Founder Members will never be required to pay any more money […]

It is now proven that the Financial Ombudsman Service monumentally screwed up when they found in favour of West Bromwich Mortgage Company being in the right to add a premium to their tracker mortgage margins and to issue veiled threats to call in mortgages with just 30 days notice. Were they afraid of creating another […]

Literally hundreds of media groups ran the story about the Property118 Action Group win handed down at the Court of Appeal yesterday. In fact, I cannot think of a major National or Regional Newspaper that didn’t cover the story. List HERE Later this month, another legal action will come to trial which has been organised by Property118. […]

I am ending my Tenancy in a few weeks after giving notice. I have received a letter from the Landlord stating what repairs are required. ie. Electrical check, Cleaning / Painting etc to be completed before the tenancy ends at the end of the month. However, I have received an email today demanding the Electrical […]