Value of landlord portfolios in the UK may have peaked
The average market value of landlords’ investment property reached a record high of £1.70 million during the third quarter of 2018 which could prove to be a peak as landlords prepare for uncertainty. Landlords are expecting values to soften and overall optimism is subdued, according to the latest private rented sector trends survey report from […]
They’re nearly here – new S21 notices come into effect on Monday
Changes to the Section 21 Notice come into force for letting agents and landlords on Monday. This will require all Assured Shorthold Tenancies, regardless of their start date, to comply with guidelines as to when and how a landlord can serve a Section 21 Notice, which enables them to terminate a tenancy agreement. When issuing […]
Will house prices crash after Brexit? The experts answer your questions
If there is a British equivalent to the American Dream, it is buying a home to call your own, watching a bit of Changing Rooms or whatever, doing it up and then selling for a whopping fortune and buying a bigger one. Or, even better: buy a crappy one, rent it out to someone worse […]
Could Becoming a Landlord be a Lucrative Business?
The Dream of Property Ownership Becoming a property owner is one of the main aspirations in life for many people. Owning a home carries along with it a unique sense of pride, responsibility and achievement. In addition, property is generally considered to be a good long-term financial investment. However, high modern property prices often mean […]
Property manager landlord wins appeal against nine HMO convictions
A landlord and property manager has won his appeal against convictions relating to a House in Multiple Occupation. Cyril Thomas, director of Platinum Crown Investments in Colchester, was fined £20,000 by magistrates last December. The case was sparked by a tenant’s complaint to Colchester Council about heating and mould. This led to an investigation at […]
New eviction rules for buy-to-let landlords come into force next week
Strict new rules on evicting tenants will apply to landlords with older tenancy agreements from next week. The regulations affect tenancies in England that pre-date October 2015, and bring the eviction process for older contracts in line with those commenced more recently. Here, we explain how the new rules will work, offer advice on the […]
Deadline to register for self-assessment is next week
If as a landlord you are not yet in the self-assessment tax system then you need to register for tax self-assessment by the end of next week. People, including buy-to-let landlords, who need to register for self-assessment for the first-time, have until 5 October, to apply before the HMRC deadline kicks in. Although the actual […]
Labour sets out stall to scrap Section 21 and bring in rent controls
If it comes to power, Labour will scrap Section 21, give local authorities in cities the power to introduce rent controls, and back ‘renters unions’ to the tune of £20m – a move which critics are describing as buying the votes of Generation Rent. Shadow housing minister John Healey unveiled the proposals at the Labour […]
Fire Door Safety Week: Landlords must recognise their fire safety obligations
Less than one in five BTL landlords have contacted with their tenants regarding basic fire safety precautions since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, according to a fresh report by Mcilroy Smith. The research, released by the property consultancy in the run-up to Fire Door Safety Week – from September 24 to 30, found that a quarter […]
Confusion for landlords and agents as deadline for new Section 21 rules approaches
Confusion remains ahead of new Section 21 rules being introduced next month. Landlords and letting agents are being reminded about incoming changes to Section 21 notices next month for tenancies set up before October 2015. Currently, a landlord must provide two months’ notice when issuing a Section 21 eviction notice to any tenant on an […]