Page 772 – Property118

Rental guarantor fraud

16th November 2014

Brief outline:  We rented a property to a working couple with children, they paid the deposit and provided a rental guarantor in the name of the father of the male tenant. They paid the rent direct into our bank account via internet banking. The tenancy started ok, then a payment went missing, I followed this […]

Hermay Ltd to be investigated

15th November 2014

A property investment fund operated by Hermay Ltd, claiming to have funds under management of £136 million and believed to be offering returns of 22% and upwards, is to be investigated following a complaint to PrivateProsecutions.org submitted by a Property118 reader.  A Google search revealed that others have raised concerns about Hermay Ltd. via the […]

How far would you travel to learn this…?

14th November 2014

Breaking News!  Due to continued demand for her highly informative and content-rich live event, the Property Success Accelerator, Author and Property Mentor Hazel de Kloe has added another must-attend date to the diary this November. For more information and to book your place, click here. Eager novice and experienced property investors alike are really appreciating […]

Bank of England

Low interest rates look like being the long term norm

14th November 2014

After the Bank of England quarterly inflation report, and attending the regional seminar, all the latest indicators have revised down any risk of a rise in the Bank Base Rate. I have been arguing for some time against the need to increase rates based on economic headwinds, but the latest figures all show a marked […]

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate – is an additional service now on the cards ?

14th November 2014

I have had contact from an agent I use occasionally, telling me that HSE are now recommending that landlords cannot be sure that their gas appliances are safe for tenants unless each appliance is serviced as well as having the LGSC inspection. I suggested this was her contractor looking for extra work…… and I asked […]

Do you recommend your tenants to buy insurance?

13th November 2014

I recommend all my tenants to buy contents insurance, and in this article I will explain why and where from. From your tenants perspective it’s a good idea if their deposit is important to them, and I have yet to find a tenant who doesn’t care about money! One glass of spilled red wine, a […]

Reader working hard on building a property business

13th November 2014

I am 30 years old and looking to lay the foundations now to better myself in years to come. I currently own a house that I am renovating and when finished will be worth roughly £210k. I owe £80k on the mortgage. I bought my first house back in 2009 for £94k with a mortgage […]

landlord action

Government move to issue accelerated possession claims online

13th November 2014

From today, the Government has launched a new service which enables landlords to start the process of evicting tenants using the Section 21 accelerated possession claims online. This was an idea which was first put forward by Landlord Action, as part of our role on a Government Think Tank to help speed up evictions. It […]

Milton Keynes Landlords Claim Second Victory Over Licensing Proposals

12th November 2014

Milton Keynes Private Landlords Association (MKPLA) is proud to announce that, during a meeting on 10 November, the Council’s Cabinet voted unanimously NOT to extend licensing of shared housing to smaller properties that are not currently within the scope of mandatory licensing established by the Housing Act 2004. MKPLA Chairman Alex Caravello said ……… “It’s […]

Tenancy referencing firm tells Theresa May of immigration checks concerns

12th November 2014

Home Secretary Theresa May has met with a tenancy referencing firm to hear concerns on the forthcoming immigration status checks which landlords or their agents will have to carry out.  FCC Paragon asked the minister to revisit the Government’s proposals ahead of its ‘Right to Rent’ pilot scheme, due to commence in the west midlands […]

Are you sure your speedy tenant eviction was legal?

12th November 2014

With the recent significant increase in the use of High Court enforcement officers evicting residential tenants it has become clear that not all of these evictions have been conducted legally. The potential cost implications for a landlord for incorrectly evicting a tenant can be huge as the claims for damages could not only come from […]

short term buy to let

Short term Buy to Let product with no interest payments until redeemed

12th November 2014

Castle Trust have introduced a new short term Buy to Let product called the Flexible Zero Mortgage, which is designed as an alternative for raising short/medium term finance from 1 to 5 years. The USP (unique selling point) is that there are no monthly payments, because the interest is accumulated and added to the principle […]

Change of Landlord and s21

12th November 2014

I have just bought a house with an existing tenant. The tenancy was for a fixed term of 1 year beginning on 13 February 2013, and so the tenant has been holding over since February this year. The original landlord served a s21(1)(b) at the start of the tenancy.  I am wondering if I can […]

Council want to inspect my property

12th November 2014

Just received a letter from the council saying they have been informed that the house I let out is in a state of disrepair and will need to be inspected. The tenants have just recently received an order to vacate using section 21. The tenants signed a form stating they had inspected the property and […]

Back to Back Terrace with Loft Conversion – Rentable?

12th November 2014

Im new to the BTL business and I’ve found a  back to Back terrace with a loft conversion at a very good price. I’m pretty certain the loft conversion doesn’t meet the regs as you have to come up more of a ladder than stairs. The room itself has 2 velux windows in and is done […]

Partner required to buy properties at Auction

12th November 2014

I’m looking for a like minded individual who, like me, wants to buy properties at Auction in the area where I live – Brighton  I’ve up to £100k cash, not enough to buy something outright but my plan is to buy at Auction, do it up and sell it on the open market within a […]

What would you do? Brilliant property strategy and planning (I hope…)

12th November 2014

Hi All I’m a landlord because I doubt that a pension alone will feed me in my dotage…  Anyhow…I generally know what I want to do and how, but the next decisions I make could be critical and I feel that some wiser heads than mine could be very useful. I may need to review […]

Sheffield Enterprise Zone to create strong capital growth and a low vacancy rate

11th November 2014

Sheffield City Enterprise Zone is set to double in size. Sheffield Chamber of commerce has helped 140 businesses with funding support. Investment in job creation is having positive spin offs for property investors. Companies such as Finch insurance brokers and XLN which supplies services such as phones, internet and energy to small businesses, chose to […]

How do you finance buying a new build show home?

11th November 2014

I am in early talks with a large Home builder. They will be putting up 350 units in a town where I currently have 3 properties. I like the town and I like the idea of a new build. I’m looking to buy 1 or 2 three bedroom houses from them. It was suggested by […]

Can I Reverse My Decision To Allow Pets?

11th November 2014

Some time ago my tenants asked if I would allow pets in the house.  At the time I agreed but now I would like to advise them that pets are no longer allowed in the property. Am I able to do this, and can I simply send them a letter stating this. Thanks Hendry