Page 725 – Property118

Model assured shorthold tenancy agreement

6th October 2015

I’m just about to let a property to Tenants. The Government Model Agreement contains a landlord’s break clause. However, there is a potential problem to it. The break clause must be exercised by not less than two months notice expiring exactly on six months – not before and not after. However, to get possession by […]

Deposit Protection for a company let

6th October 2015

Does anyone know if there is a requirement to protect deposits taken for a company let? All the literature that I have come across refers only to ASTs. Thanks regards Chris

Investing in property with friends is it best to set up as a limited company

5th October 2015

I am currently in the early stages of buying to let with 2 friends, we are still learning the ropes and educating ourselves before we start. We intend to put in equal amounts of deposits and due to our differing financial and employment situations, have been advised that the best way forward is to set […]

Extension on top of the flat

4th October 2015

I own a flat in Ealing, West London. There are total of 47 flats in my block. Flats 1-45 are in the main block and Flat 46 & 47 are at the back of main block. Flat 46 is on Ground Floor (separate door) & Flat 47 (my 2 bedroom flat-approx.63sq.mtrs) is on First floor […]

My Meeting With George Freeman MP

2nd October 2015

The one thing that struck me is that my MP did not understand how Restrictions on Finance Cost Relief for Individual Landlords works in practice.  It was only when he understood that, after I gave him a very simple and relevant example, that he could begin to comprehend the unintended consequences. When I explained that […]

Centralised PrePay Electricity Submetering

2nd October 2015

Our latest sponsors “Buylec” provide landlords with the ability to offer unrivaled independence and control over power budgeting to their tenants, leaving you content in the knowledge that payments are assured whilst enabling The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 compliance without breaking the bank. For more information and to download their explainer PDF […]

Crossrail turmoil

2nd October 2015

I’m in real turmoil and would appreciate any words of wisdom from someone with your property experience! I own a 3-bed house in London, W7 within a one-mile walk of a Crossrail station, Hanwell. I am selling it to move the family to a bigger house, but in a cheaper area outside of London (Hook, […]

New regulations due 1st October – Update from readers questions

2nd October 2015

The Department of Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) new regulations are due to come into force on the 1st of October. They introduce new obligations on landlords to provide specific information to their tenants, and restrictions on the use of the section 21 notice no fault possession procedure if they fail to do so. The […]

CRAR – what needs changing?

1st October 2015

In July, the British Property Federation (BPF) put forward its views on CRAR. CRAR – or Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery to give it its full title – was introduced in April 2014 as part of the enactment of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. It replaced distress for rent as the means for commercial […]

Unregistered Estate agent will not pass on my offer?

1st October 2015

I am looking to buy a property from an Estate Agent. They will not pass our offer onto the buyer despite this being the law to do so. They do not appear to be registered with any of the 3 schemes as quoted on GOV.UK (The Property Ombudsman, The Ombudsman Service, Property Redress Scheme). I […]

Three bed homes see fastest rent rises in the UK

1st October 2015

UK rents are increasing at a rate of 4.6% year on year for three bedroom homes, according to a new index. This is higher than the rise experienced by all other UK properties, which averages 3.3%. Areas located within a commutable distance of London are experiencing the highest rental growth for three bedroom properties. In […]

landlord action

New regulations and retaliation eviction – can the councils cope?

1st October 2015

Today (Thursday 1st October), as part of The Deregulation Act 2015, a whole range of changes come into force which affect whether or not a landlord can serve a Section 21 notice on an assured shorthold tenancy (in England) as well as changes to the form itself. However, following lengthy consultation, leading tenant eviction firm, […]

Legionella Risk Assessment – I wasn’t aware!

30th September 2015

How many of us is aware of this new regulation? I have to say I was totally unaware until I received this email from my LA. The safety of my tenants are paramount to me, but I feel dumb that I never read about this on any of the forums Re: LEGAL WATER HYGIENE CONTROL […]

Using a Ltd Co for Buying New Property and managing existing ones

30th September 2015

I have large Portfolio of property in the NE and I am looking at a number of avenues to avoid this tax regime from the summer budget. I have no income other than from property, have a very good cashflow and pay high rate tax now, Yes I could move half of my BTLs to […]

Potential separation and 99% to 1% Declaration of trust

29th September 2015

I have read some of the articles that sound similar to mine but not sure they answer my specific question! In 2010 I sold a business and raised a nice amount of cash. With this I paid off my wife’s mortgage on her house we rented out and over time we purchased some more BTL […]

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell anti Buy to Let but said very little

29th September 2015

During his first speech as Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell hinted at his views on introducing rent controls and stopping tax breaks for Buy to Let landlords without actually giving much away in detail. The Labour party have estimated that tax breaks to Buy to Let investors are worth £13billion per annum and it is understood […]

Is purchase of freehold fair value?

28th September 2015

I’d really appreciate some help on whether or not I should buy the freehold of my flat which has recently become available. The property is a converted house consisting of an upstairs flat which I own and a downstairs flat which the freeholder currently owns. The lease has 74 years to run, the ground rent […]

Does a cellar count towards a floor making an HMO?

28th September 2015

In a unlicensed HMO I understand that a cellar counts as a story. If however a lock was fitted to the cellar so no access for tenants, would it then be ruled out as a story? Making just the 2 story/5 tenant or less not requiring licence, or is there some law to saying otherwise. […]