We are using a letting agent to rent out our property. The tenants have been in for around a year and we pay for full management of the property which suits us. However the tenants are not happy with the letting agency – they have specifically asked to deal with ourselves as they have been […]

I have a protected tenant and “Southend’s Private Sector Housing Enforcement Office” are trying to get me to install fixed heating. My feeling is that this was not a requirement when the “Protected tenancy” was agreed some 30 years ago and it did not form part of the original contract. Contract Law states that they […]

I am just in the process of agreeing a mortgage on a BTL property, and had been heading for a 5 year fixed rate, as these seem such incredibly good value at the moment. But thinking of the principle of frequent refinancing to release equity, I wonder if this is a false move to fix […]

Hi all This is a problem which occurs quite regularly; we do some work in a house and the tenants ask for a rent reduction while it is going on. The current scenario is this: We are changing a 4-bed, 1 bathroom house into a 6-bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Phase 1 is converting a large, […]

If you have a website or a blog which uses WordPress I would really appreciate you getting in touch.  We have already developed one plugin – the UK Property Research Tool and we’re looking into two others; 1) A Stamp Duty Calculator based on recent changes 2) A Buy to Let Mortgage Quotation plugin. If […]

We are delighted to announce a new joint venture with Hawkins Ryan Solicitors.  Lots of the questions posted on Property118 are about buying, selling and owning properties in the most tax efficient manner. It appears to be quite rare for conveyancing solicitors to advise their clients on the most tax efficient property ownership structure and […]

I’ve worked out that if I’d have had the Platinum version of Landlord Emergency Cover I’ve just taken out on two of my properties over the last 12 months it would have cost me £139.98 and saved me £1,100 and a whole load of stress. The Housing Charity “Shelter” seem to believe that whenever a […]

I currently own a Buy-to-Let house in which I have a tenant. This property has a BTL mortgage on it. I have just been offered the option to purchase a more attractive property in the same village and wish to do this, also on a BTL basis. However, I will need to sell the current […]

I have registered the same contract with MyDeposits for several years. It’s four sharers in a jointly & severally liable 12 month contract. Each year I pay to renew the deposit registration covering four named sharers for 12 months in line with the contract even though no sharer moves out at this point. During the […]

HMRC has released proposals detailing the Capital Gains Tax on non-residents expected to be confirmed during tomorrow’s Autumn Statement. Initially announced in 2013’s Finance Bill to apply from April 2015, the changes will be introduced in a spirit of ‘fairness’, while providing a much needed tax boost to the Exchequer. The Government are also cracking […]

What if………… An individual buys one property, tidies it up and lets it. Then, after only about a year decides they need to sell the property. The property has increased in value, lets say +40%, mostly due to the work done to prepare it for letting. Would HMRC be satisfied that it was simply a […]

The Scottish Government is in the process of consulting on a new Private Rented Sector (PRS) tenancy system, which also canvasses opinion on whether a system of rent controls is necessary, whilst Labour argue that a system of rent controls are necessary to remove excessive rises. The trade membership body for letting agents in Scotland, […]

I moved into my current (rented) home 4 months ago. I recently contacted the agent I rent from to report the presence of mould (as required by the agreement) and to ask for help. The initial response was “not our problem. If you don’t like it then move”. The next day (Saturday) a section 21 […]

Although I am a private landlord, I now find myself with the boot on the other foot. I have been asked to be a guarantor for my daughter who is trying to rent a house with two friends. The contract is for 12 months with a break clause at any point after 6 months. Two […]

I run and HMO, I have to it’s the only way I can pay my mortgage. I have been told that as my wife myself and my son live there we count as three people for the purposes of occupancy so that the change from C3 to C4 occupancy occurs with three people to give […]

I’m a landlord with two BTL, which are well maintained and let at £20 less than market rent. House number two has been let to a couple with a young child since day 1 back in May 2012. They are long term tenants who have maintained the house and generally open to communication. Rent has […]

I am new to this forum and wanted some collective wisdom please. I am due to purchase a house with sitting tenants. The estate agent involved in the purchase is also involved with the let and currently takes a monthly fee from the existing owner for the privilege. Once I own the house can I […]

I completed on a BTL studio flat in London on the 22 August with tenant already in place and I am still struggling to get hold of a deposit from her, which apparently is lodged with DPS I assume with old owners details. The flat was managed by a local estate agent on behalf of […]

I currently have a small portfolio of rental properties, three HMO’s and a residential flat. I have been pondering purchasing a further property by releasing some equity from my rented residential flat which is currently at a 38% LTV outstanding mortgage. I am getting rather confused by the options. I would prefer a straight residential […]

My son has a couple of rental properties. The tenant of one of them has finally quit following expiry of the Section 21 Notice. He is about £1,000 behind with the rent. The property was left in a disgusting state with litter everywhere and a child’s scrawlings on some walls. The flat needs to be […]

I am getting my first property ready to rent out. I am wanting to manage it myself in conjunction with the local council who apparently has a very good scheme that will do some of the leg work for me. I am just needing a little advice on where to start with the legal side […]