Responding to today’s announcement from the Department of Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) on new regulations, due to come into force on 1 October, which 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 […]

Basically, I own a home in Nottingham which I used to live in for 5-6 years. Whilst living there I had two lodgers living with me, but then due to work reasons I had to move out and away from the area. The two tenants were happy and wanted to stay so I decided to […]

One in three of us don’t have a Will. That’s a surprising statistic when you consider the implications on those that we love. Not having a Will means that your next of kin will be faced with additional responsibilities after your death – the responsibility of obtaining the legal right to your estate, of deciding […]

The property, and particularly my room, started developing mold problems last January. I immediately contacted the agency that takes care of the property to inform them. An inquiry was made and it turned out that the whole building was having an issue. The council was involved but didn’t claim responsibility. The common areas were fixed […]

I have recently bought a flat outright and am hoping to rent it out. I currently stay with my long term partner in her mortgaged property and pay her rent. My personal income dips into the 40% bracket and any additional income from the property would be taxable at 40%. My partner is taxed at […]

Where do I stand and what should I do if my tenant has changed her mind and doesn’t want to stay at the property two days after moving in? The only reason she has given for the change of mind is that her grown up kids don’t like the house! Thank you for any help […]

I had a very interesting discussion with a man last weekend who describes himself as an Innkeeper. His establishment (three of them as he’s moderately successful) all sell beer, wines and spirtis as well as providing some letting accommodation. Therefore, he is ‘landlord’, albeit a different kind. He thought the restrictions on finance cost relief […]

Tenant One has not paid £4,450 rent , tenant two owes nothing. Both are business professionals they claim. Both have left the property, have not a clue where they are! Both are on Social media. I had sent constant emails, phone calls asking rent arrears to be paid, tenant one promised, tenant two is upset […]

In the last few weeks Property118 has received tax planning enquiries from nearly 200 landlords with combined property portfolio values well in excess of £1billion.  All enquirers have had at least two have two things in common; they are not Limited companies and they are extremely concerned about how the restrictions on finance cost relief for individual landlords […]

There is a special form of relief against CGT if you sell a property that is let out in which you lived prior to letting. This is supposed to be in addition to the principal private residence relief. The Inland Revenue states that the private letting relief can be used where · you sell a […]

I am a tenant under a fixed-tenancy contract which has been problematic since commencement. At current my occupancy is only at three weeks however, after numerous issues I proposed that the landlord agrees to surrender teancy. Ten days after this request, a proposition for surrender was placed by the estate agency. I have posted a […]

These remarks were given by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, at the Economic Policy Symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Recent developments in China can be assessed within this framework. “First, to the extent to which lower Chinese demand for commodities imparts a positive terms of trade and […]

Precise Mortgages have reduced their Buy to Let mortgage interest rates and increased the range of products to give landlords more choice. 5 year fixed products starting at 4.39% with a 2% lenders fee and a reversion rate on all 5 year fixed products of only 4.09% 2 year Tracker rates from 3.49% and Lifetime […]

Landlords with larger portfolio’s may find it cost effective to utilise a corporate structure and pay 20% tax on retained profits (reducing to 18%). Contrary to urban myths, structures do indeed exist to enable landlords to incorporate their businesses without needing to pay CGT and Stamp Duty. The structures and the tax breaks available are not new […]

I have a townhouse in 3 levels. The ground level can be easily converted into a stand-alone flat with its own entrance. I already have planning permission to install a 2nd kitchen on the ground floor and a bathroom is in place. The result of this would be a flat on the ground floor and […]

I am writing to see if anyone can advise on a very sad case. A lady I know, a Colombian immigrant with her husband and 11 year old son, have been living for a few years in a self-contained 3 bedroom flat in Haringey. (another tenant upstairs). They had an AST renewed every 6 months. […]

I’ve been a Landlord for a few years now. My hobbies include gaming and technology (can’t remember how many times I’ve been to the gadget show live!). I’m sure you’ve all seen that automated thermostats are now rapidly becoming a “thing”, a lot of this new technology seems to be gradually getting smarter. I’ve looked […]

I just bought my first buy to let and currently refurbing the bathroom. I am putting a shower over the bath but can’t decide on electric shower or one fed from the combi boiler on mains pressure. Electric shower pros/cons P – If boiler breaks tenant can still get a hot shower C – They […]

I had a young couple on a joint tenancy. The young man became very drunk (did have a tendency to drink too much according to some other tenants) and began rowing and hitting his girlfriend, another tenant became involved and police were called. He was arrested and held and is not allowed back to his […]

I purchased a second “holiday” home in 2004 for £250k and it has never been rented out. I am currently looking to sell it, but realistically it’s only worth £225-£230K, Ouch! It was also registered as my private residential property for some time to gain the relief when sold. Now the question, if I sell […]

I just received a Court Order which struck out my claim for possession. The reason given was: “Section 21 expired more than 12 months prior to the commencement of proceedings it cannot be relied upon”. I have done many cases with a section 21 notice which was older than 12 months without any problems. Is […]