Recent Articles in Buy to let property checklists

Latest rental market update - June 2019
Jun 4, 2019

2019 will prove a decisive year for the direction of the private rented sector. The government has increased the costs to let for both landlords and agents and increased the number of hoops they have to jump through to let legally. On top of this, they have increased the chance and the level of fines with Local Authorities able to charge up to £30,000 for serious breaches. And, although the government may be 'patting itself on the back' for reducing the percentage of households in the PRS versus home ownership, the loss of homes to rent is likely to be one of the main causes of any increases in homelessness and evictions, especially as our population is still rising.  This continued 'attack' on those operating in the Private Rented Sector is set to continue. 

Kate's views on the latest news: New PM, Brexit battles, property market
May 28, 2019

It's a little tricky just now to know exactly where the property market is heading.  We know from past evidence that typically the level of uncertainty we currently have with a new PM pending, Brexit in 'no mans land' and a parliament and politicians seemingly at a 'loss' to know how to get us out of the mess Mr Cameron kindly got us into in the first place, that this would slow the property market.  Buyers and sellers don't like uncertainty.

Property market no longer a game of two halves
May 16, 2019

Normally around this time of year the market is buoyant, in fact looking back over past reports, I was often saying post the credit crunch the market was a ‘game of two halves’ with the first half of the year rising, and the second half of the year falling back. So far this year, prices have pretty much ‘limped along’ from one month to the next showing little growth. 

New legal decision to impact flat owners?
Apr 24, 2019

The Upper Tribunal has handed tenants an important victory concerning ‘common parts’ including roof spaces and airspace leases in leasehold enfranchisement. The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has held that a lease of the airspace above, and the subsoil below a leasehold block of flats must be classed as "common parts" of the building when deciding if they were to be acquired, in a decision that could potentially have a profound impact on the property sector. This means that freeholders may not able to sell 'air space' to people who wish to develop on top or below an existing block of flats. This is particularly important if it remains law as the Government is relaxing planning rules on building on rooftops, for example, to help create more homes in London.

Abolishing Section 21
Apr 16, 2019

Yesterday (15th April 2019), the government outlined plans to consult on new legislation to abolish Section 21 in a bid to end so called ‘no-fault’ evictions. Although this is not a surprise move, it is one that, if goes ahead as suggested (i.e. full abolition of Section 21), will be game-changing for the private rented sector.