Page 788 – Property118

Estate Agent Blogs

10th February 2015

We are looking for Estate Agents to explain to Property118 readers (nearly 200,000 subscribers) why their area is a good place to invest into property.  What is in demand and why? What are other buy to let landlords buying and why? What are the areas to avoid? The blogs themselves are to be for information […]

Lease Extension – Nightmare Freeholder

9th February 2015

I have a 2 bedroom flat on a lease with 77 years remaining. I have it up for sale (and its in excellent condition) but the problem seems to be the duration of the lease (feedback from estate agent). I would like to extend back to the original term of 99 years, and the nightmare […]

Freehold to Split Lease Issues

8th February 2015

Are there any issues I should be aware of as I plan to split the freehold of a shop and flat (separate entrance) into two leases. The aim is to immediately remortgage the flat as a B2L and get it rented out. I complete the purchase on 25th Feb and need to get loans paid […]

Continuity of Periodic Tenancy

8th February 2015

I have a periodic tenancy in a property that is currently managed by a Letting Agent.  Should I wish to terminate my contract with the agent and manage the property myself, would I be able to retain the tenant on the same periodic agreement? I have read the terms and conditions of the Letting Agent […]

Liability of brick falling onto Neighbour

8th February 2015

My tenant has advised me that his neighbour came around to say that a tile has fallen from my house and damaged the neighbours shed.  Please can someone clarify whose liability and what the best course of action would be. I live in London, my property is in Wales What shall I do? Am I […]

Putting a property in my husbands name for tax relief?

8th February 2015

Hi all Your help would be greatly appreciated. I am currently an owner occupier and own one property only which I have owned for almost 3 years. I bought the property when I was single and I have since become married. I still own the property in my own name. My spouse and I put […]

Local Authority Lets, No need to take a chance!

8th February 2015

Letting a property on a 3 of even 5 year contract to the local authority may seem like an attractive idea for some landlords. As well as helping to ease the chronic public sector housing shortage, the landlord benefits from a guaranteed rent paid into their account every month without fail for the period of […]

Permitted development – front extension?

6th February 2015

Under permitted development rules there are clear defined guidelines for side and rear extensions. Front extensions are normally NOT allowed, except where the dwelling does not front a highway or is a substantial distance from the highway. Our local planning dept has refused our application quoting in their opinion we are not a substantial distance […]

Can a Company be my tenant’s Guarantor?

6th February 2015

I have a tenant who has just moved into my property. When I agreed to let her have the house, she said that her boss would act as guarantor. I sent her boss the guarantor paperwork to sign and he has asked that the paperwork be addressed to his company and that his name should […]

#WestBromTracker – Mortgage Advisers Face Mis-Selling Claims

5th February 2015

Nooooo, here we go again! Not another mis-selling scandal aimed at Mortgage Advisers!!! Following the loss of a case in the High Court against West Bromwich Mortgage Company it appears that it is now perfectly legal for mortgage lenders to increase their Tracker Mortgage margins, despite Offer Letters and KFI’s stating the margin applies “to […]

Commercial property fire safety responsibilities.

4th February 2015

I’m about to rent a commercial property to run an out of school club. Who is responsible for the fire safety equipment, eg, fire alarm, fire exits and smoke alarms. There is a rented flat over the premises that someone else rents at present. Any answers or where to go for answers would be much […]

Am I converting my new property into an HMO?

4th February 2015

I have just purchased a 2-bed terrace house with a tenant in place. There is one bathroom on the first floor and a kitchen on the ground floor. The tenant needs just the ground floor. Can I put a shower room in ground floor and rent this to him and fit a small kitchenette on […]

Crystal Ball anyone ?

4th February 2015

My flat in 2001 cost £190k. It has been rented most of the last 12 years and yields about £900pcm. I still owe £40k on a variable rate interest-only mortgage which is due in August 2015. Market value is £300k. Keeping the flat was meant to provide retirement income instead of committing to a pension […]

Deposit Dilemma with tenant asking to stay longer?

3rd February 2015

I have a tenant who has handed in her notice and is due to leave this Friday. She has now informed the managing agent that she can’t move out as the house she is moving into is not available until 16 Feb. Rent has always been paid on time. She is willing to pay rent […]

Help dealing with dog owner that leaves excrement outside my flats

3rd February 2015

I currently own 2 small flats in a block of 8. The block of flats is at the head of a cul-de-sac of semi detached, detached houses and bungalows. Built approx 30 years ago. Two of my properties are ground floor at the front of the property. There are communal grounds at the front directly […]

Can I start by getting on the property ladder in the North?

3rd February 2015

I’m currently renting in an expensive area down South where I will never be able to afford to buy a place for myself. Obviously I am not hugely enjoying spending so much on rent when there is the potential to buy property instead. I was thinking of buying somewhere near my hometown in the North […]

landlord action

“Buy to Let Pitfalls” featured on BBC Inside Out

2nd February 2015

On Monday 2nd February at 7.30pm, the BBC’s Inside Out programme featured “Buy to Let Pitfalls”, with the focus on landlords that have entered into the sector to provide a pension for themselves, but run into difficulties. The show featured a landlord whose portfolio of housing benefit tenants is causing him to scale back his […]

Modernisation of Lease extensions

2nd February 2015

I have a 75 year lease on a flat which is being run as a buy to let. I have entered into negotiations with the landlord to try and achieve a lease extension.  The landlord has a supplied a completly new draft lease for consideration. My old lease lease does not require me to get […]

Accidental landlord cautious about prospective tenant

1st February 2015

I recently moved home and am looking to rent out my previous property. Given that I have moved over 200 miles away it was not a viable option for me to manage the property myself, so I joined a highly-recommended online letting agency. After a short while, a couple (both in their late 20’s) expressed […]