I might have to sell my house because Newham council won’t let me let it to a group of professional sharers. It’s too expensive and large for most families (agents suggest 2k pcm) and Newham council have said they are not granting any more planning permission for change of use, which I have to have […]

It has been announced that the Nat West and RBS group will be tightening their Buy to Let mortgage criteria even further. They will be limiting their loan to income ratio to 4.99. The move became effective as from the 14th July and this criteria change follows on the heels of a recent reduction in […]

My tenant has a serious drink problem and has damaged the flat so badly it has caused a serious Health and Safety issue. The power points are hanging off the wall, the kitchen has evidence of a messy hob top fire and there is mold everywhere from lack of ventilation. On top of this I […]

I have a vague idea at the back of my mind that the council will give me more information about my LHA tenants if I get the to fill in and sign a form. Anyone know what its called – or am I dreaming? Cheers Allan

There comes a time for all parents to think “When are they going to leave home?” There also comes a time when all offspring think “When could I leave home?” and “Will bank of mum and dad help me?” The obvious answer for the Buy to Let Portfolio owner is “I’ll buy them a property […]

The historic city of Chester is the perfect location for our next student accommodation development Chronicle House and offers circa 8.52% assured NET rental returns for 2 years. Each self-contained studio apartment is fully furnished to the highest of standards. Students will also have access to a range of communal facilities including a fully-equipped gymnasium, […]

If you are buying a commercial property to house your business it can be a difficult to know what is the best way of purchasing it. Do you buy it yourself and rent to the company, or buy it in your business or pension scheme? Which ever way you purchase the property you would think […]

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