Page 792 – Property118

Evicting tenants just to break a contract with a letting agent

16th July 2014

I was talking to Tony Sheldon at LettingSupermarket.com this morning about the increasing number of landlords who are being forced into evicting perfect tenants as the only way to get out of a contract they have with their letting agents.  Tony explained that he has conversations with landlords on a daily basis who are so […]

I am just about to serve a section 21

15th July 2014

I am just about to serve a section 21 on my tenants who have gone from an AST, to a periodic tenancy. I changed the dates of payment for rent to the 1st day of each month; this was to give the tenants some breathing space with regards payment of rent. After giving them three […]

Inadvertent buy-to-let

14th July 2014

I’ve just bought a new property which we would like to make our personal residence but in the interim requires a large amount of work. As a result we are living elsewhere whilst the works are carried out.   During the works it is likely that we will rent out a portion of the house, […]

Smoke & heat detectors legislation for landlords in Scotland

14th July 2014

I have just been told that heat detectors are now a requirement in rental properties in Scotland and that smoke detectors are required in more rooms now.  I have been unable to find any new legislation on this matter. Could someone please advise me on the legality of this and where to find the said […]

Property Repair – while awaiting eviction

14th July 2014

After almost a year, I finally obtained a possession order, with the agreement of the tenant, that they will move out and hand the property back to me on 11th August. the property will require redecorating, and some minor repairs before the next tenant moves in. However, I do not expect the tenant to move […]

Leak into flat below

14th July 2014

The boiler in my flat leaked into the flat below in May. My tenant rang and told me the owner from downstairs that water was leaking into her flat. As he is in the building trade, he kindly mended it straight away.  Two weeks later another owner  downstairs sent photos of her mouldy ceiling. It looks like it […]

Lodger deposit

14th July 2014

I am fully aware that tenants that are under an AST have to have there deposit protected in a deposit protection scheme, but does the same procedure apply to lodgers living in rented accommodation?  In HMOS does the deposit need to be protected regardless of if he is a live in or live out landlord? […]

Furnished versus unfurnished?

14th July 2014

What are the advantages / disadvantages of furnished or unfurnished buy to let?  We have just sold our furnished buy to let and are considering reinvesting the money (what is left after CGT!) in a new buy to let in an area nearer home. We were initially a student let, which meant we provided everything, […]

Divorcing when you jointly own buy to let properties

14th July 2014

My husband and I are about to split up. We own a portfolio of buy-to let properties, with all of the houses in joint names.  I am looking for any advice regarding the pros and cons of divorce. My initial questions are: If we divorce, do we have to split the assets there and then, […]

Nightmare tenant above

11th July 2014

Please can someone give my advice, my boyfriend is living below a guy who is a nightmare.   The tenant above had a party from 10.00 pm to 6.00am and a environmental order was sent out, which my boyfriend received. He gave it to the guy upstairs and it has been down hill since then. […]

Very messy tenant wants me to replace old kitchen

11th July 2014

Hello Fellow Landlords  I have a tenant for over 4 years. He is a single dad with three teenage boys and has been a good paying tenant however; he has the house in a absolute tip. He has requested three times for me to replace the existing kitchen and I have ignored his plea, so […]

Tenancy Deposit Scheme- Landlord seeks advice

11th July 2014

The letting agent has registered the deposit with MyDeposits.  The assured shorthold tenancy agreement, with them, ends in September and will become a statutory periodic tenancy. I do not have a Deposit Protection Certificate as the agent took the deposit. How do I make a deduction from the deposit in the event of a dispute? […]

Time between N5B form and Court Case?

11th July 2014

Hi to my fellow members,  I have just sent my first ever N5B form today (fingers crossed!) and was wondering on average how long will it take for the court to send the claim to the tenants? Thanks Sanjay

Rental Deposit – Tenant Seeks Advice

10th July 2014

I was renting a property as we were renovating our own property. We took very good care of the house and had it professionally cleaned before we handed it back to the estate agency, who was happy but requested that the external drains be cleaned and the grass cut. Both were done.  After that began […]

Tenants house is a mess – help!

10th July 2014

My tenant has been in my property for over two years now. Never the tidiest of girls but has a good job and always paid rent on time but I arrange to access each year with gas engineer for annual service.   This year there were worrying signs of disorder. There’s obviously new man been […]

Subsidence of Neighbouring Property is Damaging My House

10th July 2014

BACKGROUND:  During a redevelopment about 20 years ago these terraced properties had an ‘outrigger’ extension added to the rear. Ownership of the outrigger itself is divided; the upper floor forms a dressing room in my ‘let’ property (I own the ‘flying freehold’). The ground floor forms a bathroom for the neighbouring property. Subsidence is causing […]

New legislation for tenant find?

10th July 2014

I recall reading something about some new legislation that was coming into force around October (though I cannot find it!) regarding anyone acting as an agent would need to register with a professional body (like The Property Ombudsman) and have Indemnity insurance.  Is this true? The reason why I am asking is that I rent […]

Manchester Buy to Let at it’s Best

10th July 2014

The second strongest performing area for buy-to-let investments in terms of rental returns, Manchester is quickly establishing itself as one of the UK’s most popular investment capitals. The city is already posting average annual rents of £8,316 and with year-on-year rental growth currently standing at 5% these returns are set to only further grow. Manchester […]

Ripped off by estate agent

10th July 2014

I have just found out, after signing a contract with an estate agent, that they have found someone to rent it for three years instead of a year. I was happy with a three year tenancy but unbeknown to me they taking their fees upfront fee so I wont receive any rent for 5 months! […]

Taking deposit and first months rent

10th July 2014

I can’t quite believe that I am asking what is the fairest way of taking the first month’s rent and deposit, as it seems so simple, but here goes.  Some tenants moved into my very nice flat last week, having only paid a holding fee (normally about a third of the rent), for which I […]

Damp and Mould Issues in Terraced Property

10th July 2014

I became a member today and, although I have read many articles, this is my first post. Can I say, in opening, what a valuable resource this is.  I have one BTL property near Barnsley which is an old (1885) terrace. I bought the property in November 2013 with tenants already in situ. The Home Buyers […]