When I first heard that The Mortgage Works were offering a 2.39% buy to let mortgage rates I thought to myself; “yeah, yeah, yeah … here we go again … more headline rates for brokers to hook in more newbies”  Sure enough it comes with a 2.5% arrangement fee, it’s restricted to 60% LTV and […]

I recently wrote to my local council (Herefordshire) requesting a list of the empty properties listed on their books.  I had read the Council Strategy document regarding the need to bring empty/unused and deteriorating properties back in to use as a useful housing resource. Within the document there are plenty of ways of reporting such […]

Leverage is a topic that I spend a great deal of time thinking about. In my humble opinion a lot of writers/’gurus’ that are incredibly well respected pay little attention to how much leverage one should take on. Of course the real answer to this question is very specific depending on ones individual circumstances but […]

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has expressed concerns over the Scottish Government’s consultation on tenancy reform. This is the first in-depth look at tenancy legislation for 25 years. The NLA is concerned that if implemented as proposed, there is a significant risk of undermining the private rented sector (PRS), and of exacerbating the housing crisis […]

** Editors Note – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED DISCUSSION THREAD ** At retirement, what is the best financial strategy to draw income, and why?   Continue to remortgage to release tax free equity? ( bearing in mind age restrictions by lenders and fees at each remortgage stage ) Reduce overall debt by sales and paying down, in […]

I have recently signed for a property (completing next week), and the estate agent (with whom I have had a long business relationship) indicated that the previous owners would be interested in renting it back from me.  I must point out that the property was a repossessed house and therefore sold by the bank as […]

The Bank of England, under its Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), has proposed that by July 2015 a maximum of £1million in savings with an individual bank will be protected for a term of six months. This is of particular interest to property investors and developers who may have large sums deposited for short periods of […]

My partner and I moved into a privately rented flat 2 months ago. We really get on with our landlady and are good tenants. The property is always spotless, bills are always paid on time and we really do look after our home.  When we moved, we were asked by the letting agent if we […]

I have new tenants and am trying to help them recover their deposit from their previous tenancy. The tenancy agreement clearly states that the deposit of £425 is to be paid in to the DPS. The agent has not done this – the DPS have confirmed this. I know that ultimately it is the landlord’s […]

I intend to team up with a friend to purchase a 5 bedroom house for £400K because each of us have a budget of £200K for a house which is not available any more. Our intention is to split the house into two after purchase but my concern is that with this explanation of our […]

We bought a flat (to let out) in 2012 and for 6 months our solicitors could not get hold of the freeholder, so finally gave up and declared them “uncontactable”. Early in 2013 the freeholder resurfaced claiming ground rent, building insurance and money for emergency works 6 back to 2007, just by sending a letter […]

I am in a process of purchasing an ex-council property with aim to rent it out as multi-let. The vendor purchased this property from Council about 14 years ago.  The TP1 document received from solicitor shows the following clause in the Third Schedule “Not carry out any trade business or profession in or upon the […]

After being concerned about Universal Credit “UC”, I have just spent nine weeks going back and forth with housing benefit and the UC helpline What a nightmare!  When you phone the UC the message at beginning is blunt – “if you are not the tenant or their appointed representative we cannot speak to you.” Obviously […]

I have 10 investment properties in London which I started purchasing in 2008. I cannot decide whether I should start selling some as the value has increased very much in the last 18 months. For example, I purchased a 3 bed terraced house in N17 for £230k and have rented it since for £18,460 per […]

I am in the process of buying a ground floor/basement floor flat off a vendor that had bought the property at auction as a single dwelling & turned into 2 flats over the process of a few years. I have subsequently discovered that she (the vendor) obtained retrospective planning permission but never got any building […]

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts or advice on the advantages or disadvantages of installing solar panels onto the houses we rent out. We have a small portfolio of seven properties and are wondering whether it would be worthwhile investing in solar. I’m not sure how it works in terms of the electricity supply […]

Is there a time limit between the exchange of contracts and completion? I understand it is usually a couple of weeks but are there any rules regarding timescale. I have agreed a sale for my house and I intend to move into rented accommodation.  There was no point looking for rental property prior to the […]

My wife and I jointly own a detached house.  We have planning permission to convert the property to two semi’s and intend to sell one of the houses and retain the other as our own residence. What is the best way to structure the sale to enable Capital Gains Tax to be avoided? Thanks Ray […]

Breaking News from Enfield High Court  I just got off the phone and I’m delighted to report that Mr Constantinos Regas was successful in getting permission to proceed to with his Judicial Review at the Royal Courts of Justice this morning. Though not everything went his way, the judge didn’t accept his application in full, however […]

I am currently looking into the possibility of buying a small piece of land (around 15m2) from my next door neighbour. I have spoke to them about the purchase and they are happy in principle and just want to agree a price which suits both of us. The problem I have is how I go […]

I let my property in 2007 for £700 pcm (mates rates).  I didn’t bother to update the rental agreement and only raised rent by £75 in 7 years. When my tenant left due to a flood three months ago the loss of rent insurance kicked in at £700 pcm, even though I eventually rented for […]