More and more local authorities are introducing selective licensing (SL), claiming a correlation with anti social behaviour (ASB) and/or low rental demand – these are currently the only reasons that councils are allowed to use to introduce selective licensing. The Local Government Association (LGA) are simultaneously campaigning for the right for local authorities to be […]

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 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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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? […]

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, […]

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, […]

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. […]

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 […]

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? […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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! […]

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 […]