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 […]

Responding to the Legislative Statement delivered by the First Minister to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, John Blackwood, Chief Executive of Scottish Association of Landlords, said: “SAL understands the pressure for legislative action to improve the current rental regime in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and has been working closely with Scottish Ministers, as well […]

I wish to sell a property owned by my husband and I as joint tenants in common, he has died some years ago, and I now wish to sell. Are there any legal restrictions? Many thanks Edna

I have chance of purchasing a reasonable property via an auction.The problem is that the tenant has been living there for many years and is on a regulated tenancy. I’m not sure how long this tenancy has been in place or the details about it. The rent is £3000 a year which is about 50% […]

here’s a theory that August is a quiet month of the year, particularly in the property world, with kids off school and people taking summer holidays. Not here at Landlord Action! We’ve had an extremely busy month, not only doing our every day job of helping landlords regain possession of their properties, but filming, advising […]

Am just starting out with a couple of non-mortgaged properties but plan to grow and as I am a HRT payer I have decided to create a limited company with me and the non-working wife. I have done lots of research and spoke to a few accountant friends and am reasonably confident that I have […]

I moved in a flat a month ago and these are the issues I have: 1. the close of the building and generally the whole building is very dirty. People have been leaving their garbage bags inside the close and the smell is coming into my flat and there are insects and flies that probably […]

I am in the process of purchasing a property to use as a small (C4 use class) HMO. The Title deeds includes the following Covenant by the Transferee, “Not to use the property except as a single private dwelling house”. That’s all it says in this respect. Does this covenant prevent the use of this […]

I am new to the Property 118 Forums and not really an active blogger or social media guru, but starting to get into it when I get the time. One of my weaknesses is being a little too wordy, so I’ll try and keep things short and concise because it would be really great to […]