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  2. If you manage at least 3-5 properties PMS (property management system) must be used for sure, best in that class are Guesty, Roomspilot, Cloudbeds.
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  4. Thanks for this. I've been reading up on CGT, to be honest I find it all quite confusing but I know someone here who can help me with the form thankfully.
  5. If it sells......don't forget to pay your taxes. CGT would be due in England & Wales, payable within 60 days of sale....I don't know what the set up is in IOM.
  6. Thanks so much for taking the time to write all the above. Some great tips there that I hadn't considered and will definitely act upon. I live in the Isle of Man so can't check on the property but will definitely ask a couple of the neighbours to keep an eye on it.
  7. * I always left the electric switched on so I could set up a couple of table lamps on timers in the evenings, the last thing you need is a break in. It's also an advantage to be able to switch lights on when people are viewing the property on dark, overcast days. * Contact all the utilities and get the bills transferred into your name. * Don't forget to check your council tax situation and pay it if necessary. * Make sure you take all the meter readings. * I'd turn the central heating off as it's the end of March.....unlikely to get any very low temperatures now we are in spring. * Make sure the hot water controls are off. * Inform your insurers it's now empty. * Don't forget to lock all doors & windows. * I always made sure I visited the property every 2 or 3 days to check all is ok. Good idea to have a next door neighbour keep an eye on it for you.......give your contact details in case of emergencies. * Above all else NEVER ASSUME your agents will keep an eye on things for you......they wont.....they just want their sales commission. Good luck.
  8. Gas off Water off. Electric off...... if nothing electric is going to be affected within the property. No need to drain down CH systems in Summer. If you do, it can produce troublesome pipe / system airlocks when you come to the refill and system test. You will need to inform your insurance company as it will be vacant for more than 30 days. Essential to do this IMO.
  9. Thanks for your reply. I live in the Isle of Man so wasn't sure if I could join other providers but I will certainly try this. It's currently under British Gas and they do have a standing charge. Trying to ring them is impossible, I managed to chat online to an advisor but they were basically copying and pasting stuff I had read on the internet! If the house isn't sold by October I will possibly put it back for rent but if not I'll get the CH system drained.
  10. If it was me I'd change the utility suppliers to ones don't have a standing charge, also drain down the central heating if it's winter.
  11. The big problem, which I have never understood, is why people just can't bring themselves to say the 'N' word. It not difficult, you just take a deep breath and say NO. The buying process has been honed over hundreds of years by millions of buyers and sellers. It's designed to afford some protection and guarantees around what, for many, is the biggest financial outlay of their lives. Why private individuals who have little or no experience of the conveyancing process think they know better and want to change the system is a total mystery to me. Unless a property has an overriding advantage for e.g. development, opportunity potential or price then why take the risk ? There are plenty of other properties around.
  12. The request for a deposit before exchange of contracts can seem unusual, but it's not unheard of. It's essentially a way for both parties to demonstrate commitment and reduce the risk of either side pulling out. However, it's crucial to clarify the terms and ensure everything is properly documented to protect your interests.If you're feeling uncertain, it might be helpful to consult with your solicitor for guidance. Hang in there, and I hope everything works out smoothly for you! By the way, have you heard of Cash Giraffe? It's a platform worth checking out for managing finances.
  13. It's hardly surprising the powers to be are trying force in digital currency if easy to track
  14. Discovery Village at Westchase is the premiere choice for Assisted Living & Memory Care in Tampa, FL. We offer exclusive senior living programs that come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, a Sensations Dining program, and rent protection. Our luxury suites as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments include complimentary housekeeping, security, maintenance, transportation, and concierge-level services. Schedule a tour with us today! Visit our website to learn more about memory care and assisted living in Tampa, as well as complete amenities, activities, floor plans, and other information about retirement community in Tampa FL. Email: InfoDVWC@discoveryvillages.com Phone Number: (813) 820-6131 Website: www.discoveryvillages.com/discovery-village-at-westchase
  15. Maybe I'm just guilty of being nieve but I'm still suffering from shock at the news.......it will likely take me some time to get over it. Of course I knew that the numbers were high, but nowhere in my wildest dreams did I expect it to be 9 million (16-64 year olds). That 9 million presumably will include the following......mature students, early retirees, prisoners (80,000), drug takers (0.5 million), long term sick (2.5 million), mums/homemakers, Prince Andrew and the idle rich etc. I used to consider myself one of the 9 million because I was fortunate to retire at 53 but now I much prefer to call myself a member of the idle rich.
  16. Hello, I have one rental property which will be empty for the first time at the end of this month. What is best practice whilst waiting to sell the property? Do I have water, gas, electric turned off? If I keep the utilities on are there any tariffs that will be cost effective? I've read different approaches regarding utilities, some people have their central heating system drained and turn the water off. I'm hoping for a quick sale and if I can't sell within six months I will let it out again. Any advice with experienced landlords would be greatly appreciated. Best regards Anita
  17. Made too easy to get benefits without enough follow-up interviews. Doctors too readerly sign people off with bad backs and mental health issues. I remember 25 years ago interviewing 40/50 year old guy for a job who straight up said he didn't want the job but only came to the interview to be able to keep receiving his benefits and he could tell the job centre he had been for an interview. The odd thing was his young son was already working for this company and was a cracking good hard worker. Personally I think anyone out of work receiving benefits is not actively searching for work 40 hours per week so should be required to do 15-20 hours work pw for their community such as litter picking to continue to receive their benefits and also cut back on the on-line applications for benefits and go back to more face to face regular interviews at the benefit office. A few more single mum hostels with communal kitchens opposed to giving out nice one bed flats to every work shy female who just chooses to bash out a kid to get a nice flat then later knock out another one to upgrade to a bigger property. But maybe I'm being to harsh?
  18. My Sister in Law is a senior manager in the local DWP and she would tell you in a private conversation that the benefit system of social payments is so high now that for a lot of people and families it doesn't pay to work and pay taxes etc. Not only that the Black Market of working for cash in hand is now the choice for may people receiving social payments. You have all read in the national press about benefit fraud and the people who commit this and in some cases the amounts are staggering and the punishment fairly light if caught out. Meanwhile the working population pay for this through taxes and NI.
  19. 1 in 5 working age adults are economically inactive ie. not working.....that's 9 million people + another 1 million are unemployed. We have 900,000 job vacancies in the UK......what's going on ! Where the hell are they all living ? How do they pay their rent ?
  20. Richlist

    Mice

    Your best bet is to ensure there are no gaps in the building for the mice to enter. Explain to the tenant where your responsibility ends and theirs begins and that they need to set traps or poison. Get the ball rolling by buying some proprietary items that'll cost you less than £20 just to get them started and tell them to get on with buying their own. If there is any food lying around that is not in a container, fridge or cupboard the mice will eat it and they'll keep returning. We had a lot of success with poison. It acts as a coagulant and dehydrates the mice very quickly so they die of thirst. Obviously care needs to be taken if there are pet's around.
  21. kanrent

    Mice

    If it's a terrace or semi property they could be entering from the neibours property
  22. Richlist

    Mice

    Whenever I have had mice in rental property, it's as a result of having gaps/holes in the fabric of the building. Those buildings often had some form of cladding e.g. timber with small gaps in the wood or sealer. I accepted those gaps as my responsibility to fix and the mice my responsibility to eradicate. If your property is brick built without cladding or any gaps in the outside walls then the mice (and the damage they cause)are not your responsibility. However, it's probably in your best interest to help your tenant in any way you can and it doesn't cost much as there are lots of excellent products available. The only time we had nice in our own home was due to an integral garage. Garages have gaps especially around doors and if you leave food (pet food, bird food etc) in bags then the mice will get in and eat it. So we just made sure any food stored in the garage was in metal containers.
  23. Melboy

    Mice

    You need to set mouse traps to catch them and dispose of them. Mice reproduce every 6-8 weeks so it doesn't take long to be over-run with them. You cannot expect the tenant to pay for vermin damage under the sink. Mice are not concerned whether your property is clean or dirty as they will infest in either condition. You have to inform the tenant that detailed cleaning is required if, upon your property inspection, it is not up to standard. There is no easy way of doing this. Just inform them.
  24. kesm

    Mice

    We rent our house to a family for 6 years now. They are saying that they have mice. There are no holes outside the property or the brick work (which is my legal responsibility). The situation got to a point that the mice ate the plastic under the sink which i paid to replace. The plumber that replaced it said that the property is very dirty. I keep saying to the tenant that she needs to clean and pretends that she cleans every night with bleach. How can I ensure that she does clean properly? Can I ask her to pay the bill for the damage under the sink that the mice caused? Help, really don’t know how to put it to her or what to do so the property is crystal clean as it was upon move in.
  25. I can't answer your questions in full but........It's important to remember that the freeholders will view the management of your development as a business and will expect to make a profit. In fact they will do what any business will do and go out of their way, wherever possible, to maximise any potential profit. I don't believe you have a right to have them send you copies of orders, receipts, invoices etc. However I think legislation permits you to visit their offices, by prior arrangement, once a year, to view the documents & accounts. You should always pay the fees every year, never, ever fail to pay as that could result in serious problems. It's always best to pay and then take action where necessary, afterwards.
  26. Hello! The freehold for our building was purchased a couple years ago and the new management company has been an absolute nightmare. Service fees have more than doubled. They create lots of charges for work that are right under the threshold for requiring a consultation, but there is never any evidence that the work was needed or completed. We are currently in the process of getting RTM. In the meantime, we have just received the summary of last years fees and the bill for next year. In last years items there are lots of clearly fake charges. For example, charges for gas line work when our building doesn't have gas, etc. I have asked for invoices and proof of work but have not heard back yet. I know I have to at least pay the ground rent, but my questions are: 1. If I don't hear back about invoices, do I have to pay the service fees for next year? 2. We will likely have to take them to FTT (again) for the charges from last year. Do I have to pay the fees before filing or does filing 'freeze' the process? The management company are very quick to threaten repossession and send debt collectors so I am afraid of not following the exact right process. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
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