A Government technical consultation on improvements to compulsory purchase processes has just closed (9th June 2015). These are proposals to make the process clearer, faster and fairer and the aim is to bring forward more brownfield land for development.  Section One: Improving guidance The guidance will be improved and provided online. It will be divided […]

I own a 1st floor London flat in a 2 story purpose built maisonette in a residential street where the majority of flats are let out. It is share of freehold with a shared garden.  Recently the ground floor flat was sold and the new owner wanted me to exclude my tenants (4 people) from […]

I am trying to get advice about selling a property when there is a restriction by an ex partner. Scenario is this; I own a home, bought in my sole name and mortgage has always been in my sole name. An ex partner lived there for a few years and took me to Tribunal in […]

I live in a detached house with a 1 bedroom annexe attached. I am looking to let it out. I have access to the annexe through an adjoining door which remains locked but only I have a key and access. It is not a separate address and all mail would come to the main house. […]

Hello We are expats currently living in Australia and use an estate agent in London W11 to property manage our BTL portfolio and collect the rent. Last week said Agent was declared bankrupt by HMRC.  What is my position re. the rent now due by tenants – can I have them pay it direct to […]

I am a non-resident landlord. The agent currently acting on my behalf is not the agent I originally signed up with (company was taken over last year). Recently they found me new tenants, but they never provided me with a copy of the tenancy agreement. After chasing it I discovered it only had the signature […]

I am a new Landlord having recently inherited some properties from my father. My dad passed away suddenly without handing over to me, so I am having to learn quickly. I have read a lot of books and have done lots of research, but have little real experience. I am hoping someone can help me […]

We have a commercial building which we retail from and after 2.5 years we have finally received full planning to build 6 new flats and convert 2 above our commercial building. It’s basically an extension on the current commercial building with parking at the rear. Retail is a business we no longer want to be […]

Up to 81% of UK tenants are satisfied with their current landlord while 70% believe their rent is value for money, according to new research. A survey carried out by Paragon Mortgages, revealed that 25% of the respondents aim to buy their own home in the long term, whereas 35% of renters expect to stay […]

Firstly, a big thank you to Neil Patterson, for some timely advice on this deal earlier. This is a commercial 3 story building. We plan to keep the ground floor as a carpet shop and get Planning Permission  to revert the upper levels to residential. The trouble is, the vendor pulled out on Friday, having […]

Rent controls and similar policies which are thought to work well in other countries cannot be easily replicated in the UK’s private rented sector, according to findings from a new interim report by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The interim report, published on the day that Labour leadership hopefuls gather for […]

Fashionable city studios are available from under £70,000 with assured rental yields of 8% in the “Soho” of Sheffield. Sheffield is the best city to invest in with the highest rental yields according to statistical research carried out by Totallymoney.com in late 2014. With a population of 551,800 in mid-2011, the City of Sheffield is […]

My elderly aunt and uncle have rented a property for 12 years with no tenancy agreement and paid the landlord £500 cash each month, no receipts. (£72,000!!) He has now asked them to leave them with 2 months’ notice in order to sell the property. They asked for a reference in order to find alternative […]

Due to personal reasons we’ve had to inform a long term tenant that we need to take possession back of the property. The gentleman is getting on in years and is understandably upset about this. He’s always paid his rent on time and over the years we’ve become quiet good friends, which makes this situation […]

I have a BTL property in which three tenants (a couple and a cousin) have resided since July 2012, so it is currently periodic. I need to regain possession of the property for my recently married son and his wife.  The tenants’ deposit is protected via My Deposits. The cousin left several months ago as […]

If you find that you need to recover rent arrears from a tenant, whether commercial or residential, the more you know about them, the more likely your action is to be successful. Do your checks before they sign any agreements.  It is always good practice to do reference checks on prospective tenants. There are several […]

North Point has something to offer every investor. Being a mixed-use development it will consist of spacious studios, gorgeous 1 2 and 3 beds, unique Live/Work Units, dual level Duplexes, and luxury Penthouse Apartments. The vision of North Point Global will bring about the most exciting, mixed-use project seen in Liverpool for years. Ideally situated […]

As we all know, your main residence is free form CGT if you live in it as your main or only residence. I am trying to determine the CGT status if my wife and myself let let a couple of bedroooms to foreign language students or young people who come to the UK and require […]

I have had to serve a S21 on my tenants due to property damage and anti social behaviour.   They are now in arrears and have ignored my rent demand letter. Is there a standard format for a rent request letter to the guarantor? I am an NLA member but can’t see one on their […]

I currently have a portfolio of 12 houses (which is increasing) and visit them every every 3 months.  I also manage each property and attend when tradesmen carry out any maintenance or checks. My questions is whether or not I can put costs for the lease car I have against my business? I don’t use […]

We regularly come across cases where tenants have fallen on hard times and rather than communicate with their landlord for fear of losing their home, they instead choose to avoid paying the rent until the landlord reaches breaking point and the end result is eviction. This is why we always try to encourage landlords that […]