Page 779 – Property118

Rental taxation query

21st October 2014

I have six rental properties, three in the UK and one each in Australia, France and Spain, producing a net income of around £40,000. Does anyone know if there would be any tax advantages by setting up a company to operate these?  Regards Robert

Issue of electrical installation certificate + part P notification

21st October 2014

I’ve had a lot of problems with my electrician who was refusing to provide an invoice for the entire work ( labour + materials). I paid a deposit of £400, which he used to buy all the materials (smoke alarms, fuse box etc), which he never wanted to invoice for. Because I refused to pay […]

Switching from annual to rolling tenancy – RISKS?

21st October 2014

I’ve had a tenant for the last two years on a yearly tenancy. I have just issued another tenancy for another year because I have always felt more secure issuing a new tenancy every year. However the tenant has asked for a rolling tenancy.   Firstly, what are the implications of putting in a rolling […]

Section 20 renovation works rip off – HELP!

21st October 2014

I’m a leaseholder of a flat in a redbrick Victorian mansion block of six flats in London W6.  My management company has just started section 20 process for “renovation works” and after a short chat with appointed surveyor the costs are estimated to be £48,000 (£8k per flat for renovation works to include front and […]

Mortgage transactions on hold as Bank of England Chaps system fails today

20th October 2014

Currently UK mortgage borrowers are unable to complete on their house purchases as the Bank of England have found a routine maintenance problems that affects CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) payments. Managing director of CHAPS, Phil Kenworthy said: “CHAPS is currently unable to process payments. This is due to the Bank of England temporarily […]

Tenant Owes 6 Weeks Rent on room in HMO and has moved someone else in

20th October 2014

I have a tenant who hasn’t paid rent for over 6 weeks.  She is a single mother with a child under 4 years old, she rents one room (upstairs) in the house and shares facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom, and downstairs WC. She told me she can’t afford to pay rent as she only […]

Aldermore

Aldermore – Bridging finance and BTL remortgage based on open market value

20th October 2014

Challenger bank, Aldermore Mortgages, entered the bridging finance market this year although they only offered their proposition via one distribution company. Their USP’s include bridging rates from 0.64% but they also allow remortgages within 6 months on to their BTL product up to 80% LTV. Why is this great news for Readers? CASE STUDY EXAMPLES; […]

Should I redeem my Mortgage Express mortgage?

20th October 2014

Hi guys I currently have a mortgage on a London flat which I purchased 9 years. The flat is now worth about £160K – £170K and my outstanding mortgage is just below £100,000.  My lender is Mortgage Express and although I would like to re-mortgage with them to pull out equity from the property I […]

Pitfalls of more than 4 on a single AST?

20th October 2014

The other day a professional letting agent told me that if more than four people sharing a house are joint tenants on a single AST, the tenants after the fourth named person are not legally obliged to pay the rent! e.g. 6 people on the AST, this would apply to the people named 5th and […]

I think I’m being evicted unfairly

20th October 2014

After emailing our agent for months to fix issue in the flat, they have replied and it will be fixed and added at the end of their email to ask if we did receive the section 21. I have never been advised that we were been evicted and the section has never been received. I […]

Student Accommodation Investment – Experiences?

20th October 2014

I’m currently being bombarded with student accommodation investment opportunities.  Do they deliver the guaranteed returns promised and what risks come with the investment. Have heard of developers in this market leaving investors out of pocket, what safeguard are there. How many of you out there are already investing in student accommodation? Mike

International Student Wants to Surrender Tenancy

20th October 2014

Dear readers, I am a current tenant who is settling to terminate a 6 month contract with the landlord due to the property’s unsuitable conditions for myself. I have found a replacement tenant and will surrender my tenancy once the landlord approves the new tenant. I am aware there will be deductions made from my […]

Successfully enforcing for unpaid rent

20th October 2014

If you have obtained a CCJ against your tenant for rent arrears (either online or via your local county court) and they still haven’t paid, you can use High Court Enforcement Officers “HCEO’s” to enforce it.  This is done by transferring the County Court judgment up to the High Court for enforcement under a writ […]

AST rent reviews

20th October 2014

Probably a straightforward question about rent reviews when a property is let under the usual AST: 1. If the tenancy has moved into “periodic” mode after the initial lease period, is it possible to undertake a rent review without instigating a new lease? 2. When writing a new lease, is it possible to write in […]

HMO council goal posts?

20th October 2014

I own a 2 bed end of terrace house in south-east London, which in my opinion is ripe to convert into a HMO. The property currently achieves a gross rental yield ~7% with a single dwelling occupier but having spent a great deal of time researching local demand I think with a substantial investment (loft/side […]

Buying a property with tenant in situ

20th October 2014

Just in the process of buying a property where the tenant wishes to stay on.  The current agent has less than favourable terms so am wondering how easy it is to get the tenants current deposit moved to a new deposit scheme of my choice. With regards to the AST I am not so worried about, […]

Halloween House 2014 – Music and Light Show

18th October 2014

Hells Bells!  The effort that went into this video is incredible and is a “must watch” for any AC/DC fan and anybody who’s into property, music, lighting or just the Halloween spirit. The owners of the house do this for fun, it’s not a business. They don’t annoy the neighbours by screaming the music out, […]

Bank of England Chief Economist thinks interest rates should stay low

17th October 2014

Andrew Haldane. the Chief Economist for the Bank of England, has caused concern in markets today with his pessimistic outlook on the world economy and how it could slow the UK’s recovery. Sterling has dropped 0.5% against the US Dollar and share trading has been volatile. Mr Haldane said, “Let me now add three flies […]

Tenant leaving before notice period expires

16th October 2014

Our tenant of 11 years has given one months notice which is up soon.  Apart from some clothes and other personal belongings she has removed all her furniture to the new cottage she has purchased. She told us she would be moving her stuff out gradually and we were fine with that as she had […]