My partner and I are undertaking an extensive refurbishment on our primary home which we have lived in since buying it a couple of years ago. In the meantime we have just bought a small flat which we intend to live in while the refurbishment takes place, and rent it out after moving back to […]

I currently have two properties rented out, one of which is unencumbered and I want to leave it that way, the other which has a secured loan against it but enough equity for me to raise a deposit for another purchase.  I’ve been reading about gearing and wondered if I should put down 25% or […]

Hi, please would members share their views on managing rent increases. We have a small portfolio of 8 properties all tenanted with good tenants. Some have been with us for 2-3 years and we have always made small increases to the rents on an annual basis to try to keep up with local rental values.  […]

David Cameron announced a number of proposals to be tabled in a new immigration bill. The details of the Bill, which will be a central part of the new Government programme to be announced in the Queen’s speech, next week, include: New powers for councils to crack down on unscrupulous landlords To allow landlords to […]

I haven’t posted before although I have been reading for some time and discovered all sorts of very useful stuff – great site! My wife and I intend to invest in a BTL property shortly but are unsure of whether to put it in joint names. As my wife is a non-taxpayer we have always […]

The Heaton Group is a family business that started four generations ago. They have specialised in developing multi-let property in and around the Greater Manchester area with a proven track record for maximising yields through increased quality and desirability for tenants. Over 20 development opportunities are assessed per week in high demand areas and then […]

Have you seen our home page recently?  If you are looking to buy or sell investment property then you really must take a look, just click the Property118 logo top left of your screen. Check out the Premium Listings on our home page or search a specific area. If you can’t find the property investment […]

I’m a tenant, student in Newcastle. I’m due to move out of my property in a few months and I’ve been recommended by my student union to review my landlord. In general, he was okay, although he took ages to replace a fridge and our house was constantly cold. I’d be honest, so I’m not […]

My very close friend has asked if they could put me down on their BTL mortgage application for better interest rates apparently. I have no financial interest in the project at all and won’t be contributing anything towards the deposit. It’s literally just my name on the mortgage. I have no doubt about my friend’s […]

I have a question about making signed AST’s available after end of tenancy and the tenant has vacated the property. I’ve had a tenant come back to me nearly a year after leaving the property and demand a copy of the AST she signed. 1. Do I have to hunt this out and give her […]

Sefton Park Studios are located in a conservation area and overlooking the idyllic and tranquil Sefton Park close to Liverpool. They are situated on their own private secluded grounds with 15 private parking spaces available. Prices start from £59,950 with Net Assured Yields from 8.16% for the first two years from completion.     Investment […]

I have 2 HMOs that I rent out to ‘professional Tenants’ I took one tenant who is on a very low income but had her rent paid 5 months in advance by her parents who have moved overseas. Her fixed term ends in June and I have requested on-going 2 months rent in advance since […]

I am being messed about by a young HB tenant. I said never again to young HB tenants, but this time her mum lives on the same road and was happy to be a guarantor, so i accepted her. After one year she has missed 6 weeks rent due to a HB issue when she […]

I have been renting my flat for 18years without any need for a deed of covenant. I with other owners have a share of the Freehold of the building. All of a sudden company directors(owners who have put themselves forward as directors) are asking for a £150.00 +VAT for deed of covenant for each new […]

I received a letter from Mortgage express today explaining that they are selling part of their portfolio to Rose Mortgages ltd. and that the ‘day to day’ admin of the mortgage will be managed by Pepper UK LTD, trading as Engage credit. It also says that if I have other mortgages with them (I have […]

I would appreciate advice from someone who follows the strategy of adding value to flats by changing the layout in order to create more rooms.  I have recently purchased a big one bed flat in a block of flats with the intention to create second bedroom. It is my home, not an investment project. The […]

I have a residential offset mortgage with Intelligent Finance (IF).  I took this specific mortgage out as it had specific features that appealed. The offset worked from money held within your bank accounts Throughout the term of the mortgage you could apply to draw down on the equity built up (subject to some affordability rules) […]

We received a bundle of keys from Estate Agency after completion. None of the keys were identified by labels. We expected to receive a key for freehold flat and three keys for the leasehold garages which form flying freehold, clearly identified.  We arranged to meet garage leaseholders to introduce ourselves and also inspect the garages. […]

Take a look at The Housing Enforcer programme on BBC iPlayer which relates to private property lets. It’s an eye opener and you’ll know what I mean when you see it with the landlord there to obey. Is it any wonder this country’s nearly bankrupt! Link >>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05whhs3/the-housing-enforcers-series-2-episode-11 Thoughts? Regards Jack Editor note: All links added […]

I have a leasehold/freehold question and appreciate the input and thoughts of the many here.  I own a 2 bed first floor flat, the 3 bed flat below is owned by another landlord but is significantly larger therefore of a higher value than mine. There is 85 years left on the lease and the freeholder […]

For months now I have been fending off veiled and not so veiled threats from ill-informed letting agents about the consequences of not shelling out for legionella tests. I have directly engaged several letting agents on their attempts to make landlords feel as though they are committing a crime against humanity unless immediately cave and […]