I have a tenant who first took my house in June 2013. First year was ok, then he told me he was going home to Slovakia for a short while but would return soon, meanwhile he would still pay the rent etc. – which he did.  Then he came back for a while and renewed […]

I am a relatively new landlord and have a tenant who wants to leave : she emailed me on the 19th Feb and wants to leave by the end of the month, 28th Feb.  The notice period is not explicit in the AST agreement but it does clearly state that the rent is payable monthly, […]

In one of my properties I have a gas boiler which needs replacing.  My tenant qualifies to have a new gas boiler fitted for free on a grant based scheme but feels uneasy about signing up for anything to do with the scheme. The alternative is for me to pay around £1,000 for a new conventional […]

Can anyone advise me where to source a Self Build Mortgage?  I am looking to split the grounds of my house and build another house to live in. Many thanks Hendry Robinson

I recently applied for a debtor with 4 months rent arrears to go to court to provide evidence of finances. It was not possible to serve paperwork at the address she gave at the Small Claims Court as the bailiffs were told she had moved. However, the address she gave at the court hearing was […]

I have been asked by Mark Alexander to put together a weekly column with examples of the enquiries I receive from Property118 readers and the solutions I have been able to offer them. Hope you find them inspiring 🙂  Case Study One BTL investor for just over one year. Currently between jobs. Has owned five […]

Bought these 14 flats approx. 8 years ago when the market was on the up with the idea of paying for the lease extensions through the increase in values over the following years. I paid around £80k each for them on interest only mortgages with a deposit of 15%. Now with only about 50 years […]

Hi everyone.  We are currently looking to invest in our first BTL and are considering purchasing via auction a leasehold house (992 years to run) via auction. The property has been repossessed and is being sold by the receiver without any “Guarantee of Title” I have been advised that this is not unusual for a […]

This question may well have been asked but; how do I find builders that I want to do simple handy work jobs that do not cost and arm and a leg? Are there any good websites?  I have tried a few builders but all of them have charged loads of money for a half baked job […]

I have been left a 1/4 share in a mortgage free property, my question is, how is this done legally and how do I get my name onto the deeds? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks Scott Richardson

We’ve been with our letting agent 5 years and without warning or notice they tell me they’ve sold our contract and the landlords contract too another letting agency. Could you tell me if this is legal as I or my landlord have not signed anything with the new agency? Thank you Scott

Hi there, I’m Chris from Benfleet, Essex. I’m relatively new to property investing and am seeking some advice if anyone out there can advise me. I have 3 BTL properties and 1 mixed commercial/residential property (a 2 bed flat and a shop below). I currently have this property on a repayment commercial mortgage.  I tried to […]

I understand the loan drawn from your principal home that is then used to finance 25% of the But to let Property (of which the remainder is funded by a BtL Loan 75%) is tax deductible. However, this loan amount is wrapped together with my other principal home mortgage. The interest calculated is based on […]

This one has gradually crept up on me…….  As I now have several properties the value of deposits held by my letting agent is starting to add up to quite a big number. He does my properties on a finding fee basis although is about to do one on a monthly fee, anyway this aside […]

Around 20% of my Consultancy clients come to me for advice about divorce. Perhaps unusually, every divorce case I have assisted clients with so far has been an amicable split. Maybe that is due to the fact that landlords are more worldly wise than to run up bills of £1,000’s over who takes custody of […]

The mortgage for the purchase of the leasehold of my ex-council flat will end after one month. Do I need a solicitor to finalise this for me?  Are there any legal things that I need to get done to make sure that I have all the rights to the lease and the mortgage lender has […]

I own a flat in an 18 flat development. I get a good rental and the service charge is very reasonable. The flat next to mine is coming up for sale and I am seriously thinking of buying it. However, the freeholder has decided to sell the freehold and has offered the leaseholders first refusal.  […]

Since council tax for empty properties became a landlord’s responsibility in April 2013 councils are trying every which way they can to get money in from the easiest target when a tenant absconds, the landlord. In fact if the tenant is on Benefits a demand for council tax is often the first a landlord knows […]

I live in house that I share with three other tenants. We all have locks on our bedroom doors.  The problem is that the bedroom upstairs is causing me problems with sleep at night. The floorboards have had ply-board laid on top but the constant creaking is unbearable. The landlord has been made aware of […]

We are considering a property for sale by modern method of auction, specifically by Great Northern Property Auctions.  The vendor has chosen the model whereby he pays nothing and the auction fees are collected via a 3.5% or £5,000 (whichever is greater) + VAT reservation fee which is non returnable and does not form any […]

Watch out. We bought 2 properties recently on really good terms with Woolwich & Natwest. The Mortgages were very good rates – and mortgages depending good financials to complete – found by our long-standing and trusted financial advisor. However, both houses cost £70k each and they state a requirement for a £140k re-build insurance costs […]