A targeted campaign by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to get property agents to register under the Data Protection Act has seen a dramatic rise in compliance across the sector. Since the ICO’s campaign began in September 2010, an additional 2,500 property agents have signed up, with 5,057 estate agents and 2,669 letting agents currently […]

Half of all students find their first venture into living away from home a stressful experience. That’s according to a recent NUS survey into student mental health, called Breaking the Silence, which reported that 49% of students said they found paying rent and bills reasonably or very stressful. No wonder then that sharing tenants increasingly […]

Just before the 1st annual check on a newly installed combi boiler my tenant reported a smell of gas when she showered. At first we thought it was incomplete combustion and a leaky flue, which is exposed in the bathroom ceiling.  On opening up, the inlet duct was not fully on the gas valve seating. […]

We have a no pet policy in our properties and we always make it clear to tenants. Our tenants have been with us for three years (two different properties) and now have two dogs with FIVE puppies. They don’t know we know yet as we’re really not sure how to deal with it. Any advice would […]

I have recently purchased a one bed flat and have a professional couple renting it. The property consists of 7 flats, we all own a share of the freehold and we self manage the property. Shortly after purchasing the property I was sent the demand for my share of the service charge on the property, […]

Did you know that landlords can now get free loft, cavity and solid wall insulation and more, especially if your tenants are in receipt of benefits? The procedure to find out whether your properties qualify for free insulation is simple; it costs just £100 for a survey and if the works go ahead the survey […]

Terry Lucking of Belvoir Lettings Cambridge and Peterborough I have been trading in lettings since 1999 with our offices in Cambridge and Peterborough managing just over 1000 properties. The offices have 16 trained and qualified staff, are ARLA licensed with fully audited and bonded client accounts.  We are members of Safe Agent, NALS and The […]

I have a property (on a buy-to-let mortgage) which has been let to a couple for the last six years. Both names appear on the tenancy agreement. Over the years there have been a couple of instances of minor arrears however during the last two years these arrears have increased and despite several agreements, payment […]

I think everyone who has had to organise new utility supplies for a flat conversion will agree that getting new gas, electric and water supplies to a property is not a trivial task, especially when you need 8 for a flat conversion project. For those of you who have achieved this I would be interested […]

The National Landlord Association are carrying out an online survey of landlords asking which is the best property forum. You do not need to be a member of the NLA to complete the survey. I am delighted that Property118 has been included in the NLA’s list of candidates and I would be incredibly grateful if […]

Is this a case of implied surrender and is it safe for me to go and change the locks, asks Landlord Karen Southworth. “My tenant gave notice on the 6th march by text message. The AST was due to run out on the 9th April and I also had issued a Section 21 notice for the […]

I am currently looking to buy a (probably) new property for the sole purposes of letting it out. I currently own my own home and do not have a mortgage on it, n or do I have any other debt. I plan to use a Buy to Let mortgage (60 LTV) to buy this rental […]

UK Tax and Working Tax Credit question regarding Peppercorn Rent and Rental Property Swap. The lady that I employ part time as my bookkeeper and manager has put a proposal to me. She wishes to live in a particular house in my portfolio that I purchased on a buy-to-let mortgage. It is a big property with a […]

Forget streets with the X-factor, living on a street with a name beginning with the letter ‘U’  could mean your property is worth a lot more, according to new research from property website Zoopla.co.uk. Average property prices on streets that start with a ‘U’ currently stand at £251,307 – the highest of any letter in […]

Antony Gilbert of Gilbert Properties Bury St Edmunds My wife and I have been renting property for fifteen years and have a portfolio of 40 properties based in East Anglia and the North-East. We manage most of the local properties and (by process of elimination!) have good agents managing the more distant properties. We are […]

Did you know that if you carry waste in the course of your business (property letting) for profit, then you are likely to require a Waste Carriers License? If you use contractors, they must have one. Do you think that it may not apply? Well, guidance states that it includes all these items:

For the first time in England and Wales, landlords and letting agents can now choose which deposit protection method they use – either custodial or insured – from the same place. From April 2 The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) has become the only provider to offer both services at the same time.

Imagine my horror whilst watching the local news on Sunday evening, seeing a row of 4 terraced houses in Norwich on fire and the end one being one of my rental properties! I would be keen to see if other landlords have experienced a fire and what happened in the following weeks. Luckily my tenant […]

Within walking distance of three renowned Manchester universities and located in an area of huge regeneration, Chapel Street is one of the most exciting student accommodation projects to hit the market.  Offering investors assured NET yields of 8% for the first three years, and the reassurance that the development will be managed and let by […]

Mark Garner of Garner Homes Maidstone I have been a full time landlord since 1996 with property in Maidstone, Ashford and Gravesend, the ‘Gateway to Europe’. After graduating from Cranfield University 1987 I was a commodity trader working for a subsidiary of Cargill until I left to become a landlord and property developer. I now […]

I have to confess to not being the author of this piece, I found it on Facebook, but I do think it is very worthy of sharing here. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to £100… If they paid their bill the way we […]