Page 762 – Property118

Can my letting agency sell my contract to another letting agency?

18th February 2015

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

Title splitting on freehold property

18th February 2015

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 […]

Documentation/Evidence for deductible interest

18th February 2015

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 […]

TDS and deposits held by agent

17th February 2015

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 […]

Collaborative Divorce for Landlords

17th February 2015

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 […]

End of mortgage for Leasehold flat. Do I need a solicitor?

16th February 2015

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 […]

Benefits of owning a share of a freehold?

16th February 2015

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.  […]

Council Tax for absconding LHA tenant?

16th February 2015

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 […]

Noise in shared house

16th February 2015

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 […]

Modern Method of Auction – does reservation fee count towards mortgage value

16th February 2015

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 – Best Mortgages But With a Catch!

16th February 2015

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 […]

Inheritance planning need advice

16th February 2015

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 […]

Assigning part of an AST

16th February 2015

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 […]

Raising a deposit for a buy to let

15th February 2015

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, […]

What’s your Vote? Strategy Options for 15 yr Plan

15th February 2015

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 […]

Sellers Property Information Form

15th February 2015

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 […]

My Agent is quoting Data Protection at me!

15th February 2015

My agent is refusing to provide details of an absconded tenant under the Data Protection Act. As the tenant is my client, I believe the agent holds the information on my behalf, and I am entitled to access.   Thoughts please Bill Williams

Structural survey was OK but tenants report damp after just two weeks

15th February 2015

I recently posted the ‘Newbie‘ thread so I haven’t been a landlords for very long. I bought a mid-terrace in December 2014 which, before I bought it, I had a full buildings survey done as I wanted to try, as best I could, to highlight any major things wrong with the property in order to […]

Capital Gains Tax in Divorce – Deal or No Deal?

15th February 2015

I am just hoping for a little bit of advice as my solicitor has my head in a spin and has suggested looking at getting advice elsewhere.  I am currently in the process of splitting with my wife,  I moved out of the marital home in April last year. We have a buy to let […]

Running cost of bio mass boiler

15th February 2015

I have been a tenant on a farm on an AST for nearly three years. I have always had trouble with a dodgy oil fired boiler and at times had several days without heating. The owner has now installed a bio mass boiler fuelled by wood pellets to serve my property, two other cottages, his […]