I am always astounded by how much more the real market rents are compared to the LHA (Local Housing Allowance) rates. It appears to me that the LHA rates must currently be based on unreal very low rents, because when I look on Rightmove or other lettings websites at the rental figures, there is perhaps […]

I am completing on a property next week. Some rooms need re-plastering. One of the plasterers whom I have been recommended has asked if he can stay over so that he can work into the night. He has been recommended by a friend of a relative. I was quite surprised to be asked this. I […]

Less than a month before moving into a one year rental property, the landlady changed her mind and only wanted to offer a holiday rental of 2 months. I had paid £400 holding deposit to the agent for the one year rental and all the references had been completed. As I had nowhere else to […]

I have had numerous rented accomodation over the years (~10), and I have always been lucky enough to have a positive experience. It appears, however, my luck has run out and I am unsure of my tenancy rights as per contract items and the ability to control heating. Facts/information that may help – we are […]

Why might a landlord want to incorporate?  When building a rental property portfolio, profit is often retained for reinvestment into buying more property or paying down debt. However, these profits are taxed heavily for individuals. Companies only pay 20% tax, which is scheduled to reduce to just 18% by 2020. There is even talk of […]

65% of tenants in Wales are unaware of new laws to register and license landlords and letting agents in the country, according to new findings from the National Landlords Association (NLA). Rent Smart Wales, which launched today, is the name of Wales’ new mandatory registration and licensing scheme for landlords and agents. The scheme will […]

The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) have published their eight top tips for avoiding damp and mould in properties: Make sure vents remain uncovered and extractor fans are working Keep windows open when you can to allow good ventilation Put lids on pans to stop steam escaping Don’t leave your kettle boiling continuously Dry clothes outside […]

I was looking at renting out property in Hounslow. One of the agents says a great deal of confusion has been created by Hounslow’s own licensing scheme which came into force in 2014. The government defines large HMO’s as follows: You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO. Your property is […]

The couple (Joint Tenants) in my flat have parted. The principal wage earning tenant wants to change the tenancy (periodic) into his sole name. Do I simply rip up the existing agreement and start with a new Short Term Assured Tenancy (6 months?). What should happen with the existing deposit? Thanks Norman

I own a one bed flat in a block of eight in East Sussex. I have owned it and let it since 2000. The Freeholder also manages the block and in my view very badly. We pay £150 per year each for management which I appreciate is very little and on top of that we […]

I was horrified to read a prediction on the highly credible Accounting Web that s162 tax relief used to mitigate CGT when incorporating a property letting businesses could be a victim of George Osborne’s Autumn statement next Wednesday (25th November).  If the Chancellor does make such an announcement those landlords currently looking to incorporate can but hope […]

Tenants are willing to pay more if they are allowed to decorate their homes, according to new research. Tenants would be willing to pay an additional £149.52 a year, on average, if their landlords would allow them to personalise the property. The research calculated that there is an extra £530 million in revenue to be […]

Councils are going to be on the front line of this complete disaster and we should all make this clear to them. I don’t just mean detailing our own financial predicament and explaining the mathematics behind it. I mean making clear what we are going to do (be forced to increase rents and/or sell-up) because […]

A little advice requested on if Section 21 is legal regarding the date. The original AST commencement date was the 2nd of April 2000 and expiration date 2nd April 2001. However the rent due date is the 8th of each month. Question is can the S21 be served on the 3rd of expiration date or […]

Many years ago I, and a group of other shareholders, bought a holiday cottage and unlike a timeshare we each owned a piece of the company assets/building and contents. I essentially set up the company and remained as a director until 2010 when my ex-wife decided to take the lead role (I had somewhat lost […]

I have been granted an eviction order on my property for breeches of contract all relating to non payment. Tenants are a couple with two young children however he is the only name on contract and she is a named tenant. Five days to go until the vacation date and I sent them both a […]

18th November 2015 may well be marked in history as the beginning of the end for most private buy-to-let landlords.  Restrictions on the amount of financing costs which can be deducted by individuals, partnerships, trusts and personal representatives when calculating their income from a property business are included in the Act (s 24). The amount of […]

I have found a BMV property which am buying soon. I want to do a redecoration and to sell straight away. I have heard that if I do not wait 6 months nobody will buy as the mortgage lenders won’t give them mortgage . Is there a way I go around that problem excluding cash […]

I have a small limited company (only directors being my wife and myself) within which are the Freeholds of 2 small blocks of flats (10 flats in total). I just own the Freeholds and receive a nominal ground rent. Properties managed by a non related third party company. Have owned for many years, now closing […]

Can form N5b be submitted online or does it have to be posted/hand delivered? Do you just state “County court” on top right of page 1 or name the specific court? How do you decide or know which court to use? First one I’ve had to do, so any advice is appreciated. Many thanks Rob

Over half of tenants who sublet their property do so without their landlord’s consent, according to new findings from the National Landlords Association (NLA). The findings come as the government recently announced proposals to introduce minimum room sizes in order to crack down on problems with private rented accommodation such as unauthorised subletting, which often […]