Due to events outside of our control we exchanged on an off-plan new build apartment on 1st December 2015. Our Developer has now delayed to a new estimated completion date of May/start of June 2016. I called HMRC and they said we must pay the additional stamp duty. Our BTL interest-only mortgage was also booked […]

My fundamental question is “what property investment strategy would you recommend for a 55 year old starting out today?” The desired end state is to allow me or both of us to become self-employed in the property business and boost pension income. My wife and I are amateur landlords – two flats with mortgages being […]

Property118 is calling for Government to give UK landlords the same tax treatment as other major countries in order to increase the supply of homes. Towards the end of this article you will find a link to a NEW Government Petition to “Increase Housing Supply” In the UK there has been a housing shortage for […]

Does anyone have a template letter warning tenants? Our tenants are manly students and we don’t have many problems with them, but some of late have been disturbing neighbours and other tenants with late and usual drunk behaviour. They had admitted to it and take responsibility for it by apologising in writing and pacifying the […]

I am creating my first HMO. I am installing a Hive thermostat to control heating and water remotely, replacing all light bulbs with LED and I am attaching a coin timer to the tumble dryer. Should I attach a timer to the washing machine? how much should I charge for an hours usage for each […]

I am looking for some advice. I’m a 21 year old who is in full time employment earning £21,000pa + bonuses. I am currently saving to invest in a buy to let property, but I really don’t know too much about the risks. I would be looking to start off with a small property, I […]

Scottish Government is calling for Evidence in relation to its proposal to impose a 3% Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) levy on buy to let and second home purchases. Here is a link to the information on the Scottish Government website. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/95263.aspx The deadline for evidence is Friday 29 January. Responses should be sent […]

Help, my tenant is causing damage to the property and have been there just over 2 years now on periodic tenancy. I have been letting below market value as I knew them and was trying to do them a favour. Now they have complained to council about condensation and mold! I have spoken to council […]

Today the electrician came to do a 5 year routine test. Twas rewired 5 years ago, brand new plastic fuse board, “it’s safer mate”. Now “it should be metal, fire risk!, or you could just put in RCBOs, but 4 of those will be about the same cost. Must be done in bathrooms, you have […]

With the proposed increase in stamp duty (additional 3%), restriction of tax relief on interest payments and changes to the wear & tear allowance; 2016 has never been a more important time to have your portfolio professionally reviewed. Whether it be via moving your property into a limited company structure, making new purchases before the […]

In most eviction cases tenants and squatters remove everything they own from the property – and sometimes plenty of items they don’t own! But there are instances where the occupant has disappeared and left belongings behind. So where does that leave the landlord – can he dispose of them or does he have a legal […]

I am in the process of buying a second property (eighth actually) and will be “Completing” prior to 1st April 2016. I understood that this would mean avoiding the additional stamp duty tax BUT I was advised last night by a fellow landlord that NOT ONLY has a second property to be “Completed” by 1st […]

We are about to start building 8 flats, it is in fact an extension on to the rear of an existing commercial unit in a town centre. Conversion of 2 flats above the commercial unit and 6 flats on a new build extension at the rear. My architect told us a while ago that law […]

For the first time since 2012, London has slipped out of the top 10 best cities in Europe for property investment to 15th place as a result of high prices and a crunch on yields. Berlin and Hamburg came out on top in 1st and 2nd place, while Birmingham was 6th according to the Emerging […]

I have 4 BTL’s and have decided against buying any more, but I have a niggling feeling that I shouldn’t give up so easily on property. There are people out there making a living using many different strategies, so I am thinking of trying something different – buying refurbishing and selling. Nothing too ambitious to […]

It is still very rare to meet a property investor who has sufficient life cover to protect the level of their property related debt. Even more surprising is that there are still a large number of people that haven’t even considered taking life cover for this purpose. The need for life cover is something that […]

Chris Cooper and Steve Bolton have provided this official update on the Judicial Review of Clause 24 – “Alice in Wonderland Tax Grab”. Please share. The story so far  The initial phase of funding for our Judicial Review of Clause 24 “Alice in Wonderland” Tax Grab was completed in a matter of days. We hit […]

I remember an agent explaining there is a difference in a valuation if the property is tenanted or vacant at the time, but I can’t remember which yielded the higher and lower valuation. Can anyone please advise, thanks in advance Stamples

Our tenants owes us in excess of £5000 in unpaid rent. Is 11 months from possession date too long to instruct bailiffs? We used the accelerated possession procedure to get a possession order, which was granted January 2015. The tenant then attempted to start paying the rent, so we held off instructing the bailiffs in […]

Tenant on periodic after an initial 6 months AST. Rent has been spasmodic resulting in nearly £2000 in arrears on a £520 monthly rent! She is always quick to go to the CAB if I mention notice. I’m going to serve Section 8 (10, 11) and 21, but although I know 21 needs 2 months […]

As it’s my birthday today I thought a bit of self indulgence might be forgivable.  I’ve been visiting my in-laws in Yelets in Russia since 27th December and return to the UK this weekend. This is what I’ve been up to. Our little studio apartment – Svetlana’s project for the last three months … Here’s what […]