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 […]

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 […]

In the month of May this year,I received my quarterly gas bills ,which was shocking as it was around 420 pounds for one quarter period. This couldn’t have been caused by my use as I am single occupant, in office 9-5 on weekdays . Anyways, coincidentally at that time boiler check was scheduled and the […]

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 […]

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; […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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, […]

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 […]

I have a property, which I rent out, most of the tenants have moved out, however there is one left, she has a small child as well. She has a AST contract with me for 6 months, there is 4 months left on it. She owes some arrears (a months worth)  I want to repair […]

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 […]

Having moved into new build properties I now have to use agents for letting as the usual route – spare room etc do not cover the high rent I am now charging (do not have the tenants to pay the higher value).  I’ve seen a number agents and it’s just dawned on me that my […]

I’m sure you’re all already aware, but there’s a bit crack down at the moment on CO alarms and it’s currently up for discussion whether landlords should be providing these to tenants by law.  For those of you who don’t know, every year in the UK, more than 200 people go to hospital with suspected […]

If your mortgage is with any of the following lenders you may be in a position to increase your gearing to 85% LTV ……….. and best of all, WITHOUT refinancing!  The Mortgage Works BM Solutions Leeds Building Society Godiva Platform Mortgage Trust Kent Reliance Keystone Virgin Money Shawbrook Bank Woolwich Nat West Kensington There may […]