Page 749 – Property118

Nasty Estate Agent Fees and Terms and Conditions

14th May 2015

I have asked an estate agent to help me to find tenant for a flat in London. Initially I was looking to pay for full management as we are not from London, so negotiated rate 8% inc VAT with no additional charges (ie. finders fees, inventory etc) which I understood would be deducted from the […]

Tenants claiming for noise from upstairs

14th May 2015

I have a victorian house that has been converted into 2 flats. The issue I have is that the tenants I have in the lower property are moving out due to the noise from above. But they are saying that its not from the fact the the property isnt sound proofed (standard with these types […]

A place in the sun

14th May 2015

Do any members have advice on buying a property abroad?  I’m interested in Spain – finding a property to let as a holiday home. Anticipated returns, management options, dealing with banks/buying process etc. Any advice would be great. Thanks Rob

Interest charges on loan used for BTL properties

14th May 2015

Back in 2005 I remortgaged my residential home and bought 2 BTL properties, the amount remortgaged was £130,000 and the interest rate was 5.95%. Therefore there was an additional annual cost to me of £7,735.  I have since sold my residential house and moved, in fact moved twice since and now have a residential mortgage […]

Transfer of Tenancy agreement

14th May 2015

I am buying a flat from my parents. It has a tenant who has been there for around 5 years. I would like the tenant to stay but am a little unsure how I go about the transfer of the contract from my father to me, and who does it?  My father used an agency […]

The Sheriffs Office release new video guide to evictions

14th May 2015

The Sheriffs Office has released a short video aimed to encourage private landlords to consider using High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) when they need to remove tenants quickly to prevent further rental income loss, damage to their property or antisocial behaviour. Evicting tenants from residential property or trying to recover overdue rent from an unwilling […]

What is RGI – Rent Guarantee Insurance?

13th May 2015

Rent Guarantee Insurance, commonly abbreviated to “RGI”, is a form of insurance generally provided by organisation who provide highly sophisticated and systematised professional tenant referencing services.  The insurance is generally offered where the tenant(s) are considered to be low risk in terms of their ability to pay their rent. Such things as credit status, credit […]

Landlords in for an ‘easier ride’ with the Conservatives

13th May 2015

The Conservative Party has shown minimal intent to further regulate the private rental sector, as opposed to Labour who had proposed many changes including rent controls and a national landlord register. However there are some fears that relaxed regulations will not only make things easier for good landlords but also for ‘rogues.’ Rogue landlords can […]

Easy Property Management

13th May 2015

Just wondered if anyone has used the Easy group to manage their property and if they were any good?  At 3.6% of the rent per month it looks pretty good to me Thanks Lee

It wasn’t damp after all

13th May 2015

A few weeks ago we were contacted by a landlord who wanted to know whether we could help him make an insurance claim for damp. He described the problem to us and what he had been doing for the last few years to attempt to cure the problem but something just didn’t add up.  We […]

RIP Shaun Green

12th May 2015

Shaun Green had a major impact on my life and the lives of countless others. I will name just a few in this tributary blog. He was one of the key people who helped us to build one of the most successful mortgage brokerages the UK has ever seen – The Money Centre (UK) Plc. […]

Mortgage Express – UKAR – end of term on buy to let mortgage

12th May 2015

My mum has come to the end of the term of her mortgage with Mortgage Express. The loan is £100,000 and realistically the property would only sell for about £75,000 max. The term ended in March 2015.  Has anyone any experience with a buy to let mortgage coming to the end of the term with […]

Renting in UK on Asylum

12th May 2015

I have just received this message from my letting agents and would be interested in members opinions.  “Hi Ray I Have a problem with the new tenant.He is a student and in the UK on asylum so he doesn’t have a valid visa.He has a court appearance in september to decide whether he can stay […]

Taking First Steps into Landlord-dom

12th May 2015

I have been browsing Property118 for a while before taking my first steps into Landlord-dom, and find the information here invaluable – thanks. I am considering buying a 2 bedroom flat in an ex-council block in Romford, Essex. The block is well maintained and secure with door entry phones. The property is currently let to […]

My Tenant who’s a single mum wants her partner to move in with her

11th May 2015

Hi, I have a Tenant who’s only been in my property for about 2 months and now wants her partner to move in with her, but not to add him on the Tenancy. She has been good and up to date with rent, however she has suggested that she keeps the tenancy agreement in her […]

Forced to live in a house after my fixed term tenancy expires

11th May 2015

I recently split up with my partner and the fixed term contract will go onto a statutory periodic basis after the 15th of May 2015. Ive given my notice, now been told by the estate agent that I cannot give notice unless my ex gives notice as well, does this mean I’m stuck to live […]

Buying freehold, we own 3 of 4 leaseholds

11th May 2015

In 2012 we bought brand new flats in a brand new building of 4 flats. Out of the blue we were able to purchase a third flat in the building which we did. Obviously the management charges are for us to be responsible for x3.  We don’t know how to go about the possibility of […]

Loft insulation advice required

11th May 2015

I’m looking into topping up loft insulation in a couple of BTL properties in Essex. The current tenants would not qualify for any grant, as they are not in receipt of qualifying benefits, are of working age, and currently have at least 100mm of insulation. Both properties are 2 bed terraced built approx. mid-1990’s.  Does […]

Tenants say they should have been told house was in a bad area

11th May 2015

New tenants asked to be released from an agreement after 1 month because of anti-social problems, via the letting agents I agreed. They accepted in an email that they had to pay rent until a new tenant was found and also pay their setting up fee. However, they refused to pay citing that the agent lied […]

Developers Solicitor Continues to Delay Completion for 5 Months

11th May 2015

Hi, I purchased a 1 bedroom flat in a small converted office block in November 2014, which dates back to the late 1800s. At the time of purchase, the conversion was nearly complete and I was told it would be finished by Christmas 2014.  As usual, I encountered delay after delay but my flat was […]