I have been asked by Mark Alexander to put together a weekly column with examples of the enquiries I receive from Property118 readers and the solutions I have been able to offer them. Hope you find them inspiring 🙂  Case Study One BTL investor for just over one year. Currently between jobs. Has owned five […]

Bought these 14 flats approx. 8 years ago when the market was on the up with the idea of paying for the lease extensions through the increase in values over the following years. I paid around £80k each for them on interest only mortgages with a deposit of 15%. Now with only about 50 years […]

Hi everyone.  We are currently looking to invest in our first BTL and are considering purchasing via auction a leasehold house (992 years to run) via auction. The property has been repossessed and is being sold by the receiver without any “Guarantee of Title” I have been advised that this is not unusual for a […]

This question may well have been asked but; how do I find builders that I want to do simple handy work jobs that do not cost and arm and a leg? Are there any good websites?  I have tried a few builders but all of them have charged loads of money for a half baked job […]

I have been left a 1/4 share in a mortgage free property, my question is, how is this done legally and how do I get my name onto the deeds? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks Scott Richardson

We’ve been with our letting agent 5 years and without warning or notice they tell me they’ve sold our contract and the landlords contract too another letting agency. Could you tell me if this is legal as I or my landlord have not signed anything with the new agency? Thank you Scott

Hi there, I’m Chris from Benfleet, Essex. I’m relatively new to property investing and am seeking some advice if anyone out there can advise me. I have 3 BTL properties and 1 mixed commercial/residential property (a 2 bed flat and a shop below). I currently have this property on a repayment commercial mortgage.  I tried to […]

I understand the loan drawn from your principal home that is then used to finance 25% of the But to let Property (of which the remainder is funded by a BtL Loan 75%) is tax deductible. However, this loan amount is wrapped together with my other principal home mortgage. The interest calculated is based on […]

This one has gradually crept up on me…….  As I now have several properties the value of deposits held by my letting agent is starting to add up to quite a big number. He does my properties on a finding fee basis although is about to do one on a monthly fee, anyway this aside […]

Around 20% of my Consultancy clients come to me for advice about divorce. Perhaps unusually, every divorce case I have assisted clients with so far has been an amicable split. Maybe that is due to the fact that landlords are more worldly wise than to run up bills of £1,000’s over who takes custody of […]

The mortgage for the purchase of the leasehold of my ex-council flat will end after one month. Do I need a solicitor to finalise this for me?  Are there any legal things that I need to get done to make sure that I have all the rights to the lease and the mortgage lender has […]

I own a flat in an 18 flat development. I get a good rental and the service charge is very reasonable. The flat next to mine is coming up for sale and I am seriously thinking of buying it. However, the freeholder has decided to sell the freehold and has offered the leaseholders first refusal.  […]

Since council tax for empty properties became a landlord’s responsibility in April 2013 councils are trying every which way they can to get money in from the easiest target when a tenant absconds, the landlord. In fact if the tenant is on Benefits a demand for council tax is often the first a landlord knows […]

I live in house that I share with three other tenants. We all have locks on our bedroom doors.  The problem is that the bedroom upstairs is causing me problems with sleep at night. The floorboards have had ply-board laid on top but the constant creaking is unbearable. The landlord has been made aware of […]

We are considering a property for sale by modern method of auction, specifically by Great Northern Property Auctions.  The vendor has chosen the model whereby he pays nothing and the auction fees are collected via a 3.5% or £5,000 (whichever is greater) + VAT reservation fee which is non returnable and does not form any […]

Watch out. We bought 2 properties recently on really good terms with Woolwich & Natwest. The Mortgages were very good rates – and mortgages depending good financials to complete – found by our long-standing and trusted financial advisor. However, both houses cost £70k each and they state a requirement for a £140k re-build insurance costs […]

Looking for some advice on what’s best to do in our current situation. My mother has a BTL portfolio of seven houses, all have mortgages on except for her property which is worth around £300,000. She does not have any life insurance and has recently been diagnosed with cancer so I am planning for the […]

My property has 4 students. One is dropping out of Uni. In the AST, he’s allowed to find a replacement provided the other 3 students approve the choice and I agree.  However, what are the practicalities? What’s the best way to deal with the deposit? I intend to claim deductions from the person leaving as […]

I own a house worth £320,000 with no mortgage or loans.  I want to buy a ‘buy-to-let’ property for £180,000 1: Can I get a’ buy to let’ mortgage at my age (69) without declaring my income? I understand that providing I can demonstrate that the rent will easily cover the mortgage and running costs, […]

Firstly, can I say what a great website this is – full of really useful content and discussion, especially for us newbie’s. Over the last two years I have read most of the articles at least twice! I am really keen to hear your views on our current situation and get your best advice…  Our […]

I bought a new house but the the builder did not declare that there was an outstanding/incomplete planning issue that was not signed off the by the local planning authority. Solicitor who carried out conveyancing does not appear interested in pursuing the matter on my behalf as I hold her responsible for not asking the […]