Recent Articles in Buy to Let

OMG! Government announces major changes to property
Jul 1, 2019

Last week the Government announced a huge number of changes to the way we buy, sell and lease property. These changes have either been in consultation for some time and we are now finding out the results, or they are new consultations for future changes. Read my article to find out about the future of property.

Will 2019 continue to stagnate or see a rebound?
Jun 12, 2019

In my latest price report, a recent survey by Zoopla says that “Confident homeowners predict 4.8% house price growth”. Fortunately, not everyone thinks this will happen or the market could grind to a halt even more than it already has in some areas! Find out which areas people think prices will rise by 5% or fall by nearly 7% - what do you think will happen?

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.

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.