Page 851 – Property118

Tenant gave us notice but now refuses to move out!

19th August 2013

Our tenant sent a message by text on 16 July to say she had found another property and wanted to move in about a months time.  I started viewings on the property and the current tenant suggested a moving date of 25 August. Our new tenants were due to move in 1 September and have […]

Is the section 21 notice now a risk?

19th August 2013

Under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, once an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement has come to an end, a landlord has the legal right to recover possession of their property should they wish.  A landlord wishing to re-gain possession of a property is required to serve a Section 21 Notice to tenants. They […]

Rightmove house price index

Rightmove report holiday season price drop

19th August 2013

Rightmove report a drop in August of 1.8% (-£4,459) in new sellers’ asking prices, which is the first monthly fall recorded in 2013. However the recovering market means the traditional holiday season price dip is less pronounced than usual as the underlying recovery in the housing market continues, with the price of property coming to […]

Reclaiming Vat on refurbished property

17th August 2013

I have been absorbing VAT on my refurbished property, about 18 so far over the last four years.  I’m considering a very large building to convert into flats and houses so the VAT will be considerable amount of money. My accountant has said it maybe possible to register for VAT but I will also have to […]

Planning deferred s106 until CIL came in

17th August 2013

I own a block of flats, in Borough of Brent. In June 2012 I got a planning consent to add one more floor (2 flats) in the block of flats, conditional on signing a legal agreement (Section 106 agreement) . My Solicitors requested the Brent Legal Department, to forward them a draft S106 agreement. After […]

Ex-girlfriend refusing to move out

16th August 2013

I am the tenant of a one-bedroom flat. I moved in almost two years ago. I have a one-year fixed term tenancy which was renewed about ten months ago. My girlfriend who I have now broken up with moved in with me. She didn’t pay towards the rent and bills for almost a year due […]

Problem with freehold management company

16th August 2013

We’ve got a problem with the Freeholder re Ground Rent and Service charge on a rental property we have in Docklands. Any advice much appreciated!  They allegedly sent an invoice a few months ago. We didn’t receive this, but did receive a letter from a debt collection agency, together with Interest Charges and other fees. […]

Financial help with living costs whilst building up a property business

16th August 2013

I resigned from my job a few months ago to concentrate on renovating property with my partner. Our existing handful of rental properties generate enough income to pay their mortgages plus our residential mortgage. My partner also runs an online retail business but is finding it hard to cover all of our living costs.  I […]

Switching Letting Agents

16th August 2013

We currently rent our property through a letting agency; however the service provided has been nothing short of appalling.  We have no issues with the current tenants but we want to understand whether we can switch letting agents and retain the current Tenants? The Tenants have signed the letting agreement with the current Agency but […]

Joint tenants or single tenant plus lodger?

16th August 2013

I am buying an apartment to rent to my daughter and her friend.  Is it better to have them as joint tenants or have my daughter as my sole tenant with her friend being her lodger? Would the advice be any different if my daughter advertised for someone to share the apartment rather than sharing […]

How ADR works in tenancy deposit disputes

15th August 2013

After sharing in discussions on two separate threads (links below) I realise that there is some misunderstanding about how Tenancy Deposit legislation works when there is a tenancy deposit dispute.  Buy to let anguish – landlord being repossessed – rent paid 6 months up front! Tenant Disappeared In the first discussion the tenant is concerned […]

Tenant Disappeared

15th August 2013

Hi, hope I am in the correct place!!  I rent out a flat using a letting Agent. I should just like to know the legal position regarding the tenant’s deposit? Tenant left owing 1 months rent, and had removed existing vertical blinds. Tenant does not respond to emails, phone calls, etc. Can I now claim […]

First time buy to let – North West

14th August 2013

Okay readers. I’m a buy to let newcomer looking to spend approx £25k, hopefully on two BTL properties priced up to £50k, thus 25% deposit.  I have considered Bootle in Merseyside and Rochdale/Oldham area with the new metro link. Any thoughts as to where to find the best priced properties as I hear there are […]

CAMPARI – old school lenders underwriting

14th August 2013

CAMPARI stands for Character, Ability, Means, Purpose, Amount, Repayment, Interest and Insurance  It was also a popular drink in the late 70’s and early 80’s but that’s not what this article is about LOL If you are applying for a commercial mortgage facility, chances are the person making the decision will be trained to use the […]

I have been asked for a 12 months rent in advance

14th August 2013

I am a student that will be studying in the United Kingdom soon. I really need some advice on whether I should rent the property that I found through a website. The agent to that property is insisting on 12 months rent in advance and an extra 1 month rent as deposit. They also charge […]

Bedroom Tax affecting private landlords?!!!

14th August 2013

As everyone knows bedroom tax is not  tax, but the above is a handy way to refer to it.  Earlier this year I received a simple very clear brief about this, written by the chief housing officer of Purbeck District Council..  The essential features of the measure are: It only applies to people of working […]

Question – can landlords claim for use of home as office?

13th August 2013

I am employed full time and have one buy to let property managed by a letting agent.  I have claimed £4 per week for using my home as office but the tax man is telling me that I cannot claim this. Can somebody tell what the correct position is please? Thanks in advance James Cunningham

Retaliatory eviction – possibility of civil litigation?

12th August 2013

We’re a professional couple with a limited company which provides a technology solution to the NHS. It suits our circumstances to rent at this moment in time.  We had a 4-year rental of a lovely apartment until last Summer, when the owner decided to downsize and move back into the property. It was a good […]

Prohibitive Covenant restricts occupancy

12th August 2013

OK This is a complex one for all you experts out there. I rented a property on an AST contract. The property ‘cottage’ is a relatively large property by UK standards. Separate structure, fully self contained, kitchen, reception room(s) bed(s) bath(s). A superior property with a substantial rent and substantial deposit prepaid!  Let me start by […]