Residential Landlord gives rental property investment advice to UK landlords and property investors http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:42:56 -0500 30 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3196 Longstanding tenant recently gone onto benefits due to baby. House has gas heating down stairs but no permanent heating in bedrooms. Council insist that I am not complying with law unless i put permanant heating upstairs. They have threatened prosecution. Can they do this? Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:42:28 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3196 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3203
Which Tenancy Agreement do I need bearing in mind that I am living in one of the flats in the building e.g. Assured Shorthold, etc?

Thanks]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:22:44 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3203 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3193
I have a problem. I took a tennant on who is on HB, and his bond is covered by a local authority bond scheme (Solas Right Move Bond Guarantee Scheme from the Welsh assembly, not sure what the English equivalent is?), therefore he did not have to pay a single penny to move in. The reason I did this was I wanted to help a homeless person and thought I would feel good about myself (and save me from advertising the flat for new tennants).

Initially our relationship was good, and he told me the date that his HB would be paid and arranged for me to call up and collect it. This was to cover the first 4 weeks and I received it in week 7. I knew that he would always be in arrears by a few weeks due to the way the benefit system works, but decided that it would be ok as I will get any outstanding amount after he leaves.

I have not received any rent since this initial payment (now in week 14 so 10 weeks in arrears). Our relationship had been good and he has been letting me know about the due dates for his benefits etc...but is now ignoring any phone calls and letters.

So, four things...

1, Be nice to your tennants and get bitten on the as$, keep it business-like at all times.
2, HB and Bond Schemes are more hassle than the worth and guarantee nothing.
3, If tennants don't have to pay out of their own pocket, they have nothing to loose.
4, I will not let my flat to another person on benefits ever ever ever again!

I now have to get a solicitor and the courts involved (incurring costs that I can do without since being made redundant) unless anyone can advise on a quick (and cheap) and legal way to get him out?

Thanks for listening,

Alun]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:05:55 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3193 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3194
Whos responsibility is it to get a Land Registry compliant lease plan. This is the plan with the OS location plan and the building plans with a colour outlining the leased area.

Many Thanks

Mike]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:01:33 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3194 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3199
My tennant has left the property owing 2 months rent, I have his parents forwarding address and have spoken to them via phone (the forwarding address was on his orginal tennacny application to the agents)

they gave me some guff about him living elsewhere and they would get him to contact me - which of course he hasn't.

What are my options - If I go for a CCJ how does this get served - do I have to prove he lives somewhere or can it be served at his parents address, if so how have others done this. The rent totals £900 - is it worth the time and effort.

Have others used debt recovery agencies - any reccomendations ?, are they worth it..

I have tried searching the forum here butt haven't had much luck - any help greatly appreciated.


thanks
]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:28:33 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3199 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3204 for renting. Who you use and how much you pay for the service ?

Or if you don't use anyone how do you find tennants and the best way to do this.
Is it cards in shop windows, Internet, local papers or agents ?

Thanks
Warren]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:26:41 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3204 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3198 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:20:07 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3198 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3192 Does anyone know of a lender that hasnt got this rule? Im only looking to borrow about 60% ltv. Also what do you think the charges and interest might be?
Thanks in advance.]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:47:05 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3192 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3188
If in the event of a tragedy it turned out the check hadn't been done, who is legally responsible? I hope the answer is the letting agent otherwise there's no peace of mind with some agents in this matter.]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:31:02 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3188 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3197 BBC1 faith and ethics debate show The Big Questions is looking for landlords and property owners who for a variety of reasons are struggling to rent out their empty homes. We will be asking "Should our empty homes be given to the homeless?" If you have strong views on this and would like to appear on our live debate programme this Sunday, 22^nd November from Croydon please call me Sarah Brodbin on 01865 811 161 or email me at sbrodbin@mentorn.tv.

Many thanks, Sarah Brodbin

www.mentorn.tv]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:03:22 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3197 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3195
I would like some advice on how to best to approach the LA who rented out my flat. Being naive I signed the contract once the LA rented out my apt. Unfortunately this included a 8% fee which is similar to the scenario to the case of Foxton's v's the OFT.

The tenants have now moved on after which the LA sent a letter to me requesting the 8% fee which I havent paid them. However there was maintainence charges which I submitted to my LA which they did eventually obtain from the tenants.

I have requested the maintainence charges from the LA but they refuse until I clear the 8% annual fee which is acutally higher than the maintainence charges.

What would be the best approach in getting the LA to quash the 8% fee in light of the foxton ruling, thats if I have a valid case.

Can the LA actually withold the maintainence charges until I pay the 8%(which i am not prepared to do)

Would I have to bring the LA through a small claims court or another legal process and how likely would I be successfull.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rgds,]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:43:02 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3195 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3187 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:05:17 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3187 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3191
Please help I am at the edge of sanity due to having to endure the 'tenant' from hell for FAR tooooooo long]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:01:46 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3191 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3190
Can any help me, if I were to claim benefits i.e. disability would any rent I get have to be taken into account even if the rent is just coving the mortgage.

Any advice welcome.

Cheers

Richard]]> Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:22 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3190 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3186
When I bought the flat I let out it was let almost immediately. My letting agent told me, when the subject of insurance came up, that there was no need for buildings insurance on an individual flat in a house split into many flats. The owner of the block covered all eventualities with his insurance.

Within a year there was a minor catastrophe when my tenant flooded the flat below. Indeed it was bad enough to affect the flat 2 floors down. With the cost of renting humidifiers it all came to more fifteen hundred pounds. The cost was partly covered by the block's insurance and the rest was paid for by the block's management kitty, so it was equally shared by the eleven flat owners.

As a result of only having to pay my one-eleventh share I have (naively?) assumed that my letting agent was right and that there's no need for building insurance on an individual flat.

Have I been an idiot? If so, what sort of things do I need cover for?]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:52:04 -0500 http://residentiallandlord.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=3186