Melboy

I have a tenant who has been with me for 17 years. I know it is unbelievable. He is an absolute model tenant and keeps the property in excellent condition and is no bother to me so it is always difficult to present him with a rent rise but this week he has to have one but I do keep it low and his rent is well under the rate I should be receiving. Horses for courses I guess and in this particular instance I wouldn't do it any other way.

News to me I have to say. As long as they are functioning and the battery back up is tested then that should be it. Hard wired alarms are part of the 5 year Electrical certification. As mentioned where did this LA get the information from and would he like to share it with us all perhaps.

I have only really had one situation similar to the one you are talking about Acura and that was years ago and I remember clearly that I just wanted them gone as soon as possible irrespective of who was right or wrong on the matter. Once the relationship between landlord and tenant breaks down then you have very little options open to you.

The simply answer from me is no I wouldn't change the taps providing they are shiny and not crusty with limescale and in working order. Potential tenants must accept the fact that what they are viewing as their new home is what they are getting. As Richlist has stated that very high end properties commanding high end rents these sort of requests for changes are often carried out but I suspect your property does not fall into this category. I also agree and it is a fact that in the current climate it's Landlords that are holding the cards and not tenants right now. My own Son is a heating engineer (and Plumber for me) and he has just changed a pair of almost knackered basin taps last week and he only fits quality named brands and not the cheap Chinese crap that you can buy off auction sites for £15 (trust me they do not last and he will not fit them) and that cost me £95 to supply and for him to fit a pair of quality Peglar basin taps. Your invoice will be much higher if you decided to go ahead with their request. £200 ish?

Good to see, as you are an accountant, that you took the time to thoroughly read and digest this topic before submitting your reply. 😄

I'll have your fish COR. 😃 Is it me? What a ridiculous, poorly thought out, hand-out by Rishi Sunak. You are given a £200 loan that you have not asked for and have to pay it back at £40 a year. Sounds like a Mafia deal to me.

Interesting comment RL especially when you consider that the Government announced today that they are sending £88 Million of taxpayers money to the Ukraine to fight ...........corruption. The big question is of course is why. Is it the magic money tree of Rishi Sunak and BJ bursting forth again. I would suggest that the money would be better spent here to help the very people and causes you mention.

Tony said: "Seems very wrong to me that you can't roll over a CGT liability if you are re-investing all of that money into another rental property, especially as it could be argued that you are doing it for the reasons of improving your properties and thus the tenants living conditions". I was trying to remember when the HMRC stopped this roll-over of CGT? I know I did this about 25 years ago or more, whereby I sold a property and put the existing tenants into a much better property but I have to say I did it because it favoured me to do this at the time. I know, I'm all heart. 😀 No CGT to pay back in those days then.

Is it Jones RL? 😂

I am of Welsh descent through my Grandfather. My name is 100% Welsh, no, not Jones 😀 I have spent many holidays in Wales over many years and I did look to buy a property in Pembrokeshire as my holiday home. I am so glad I didn't now..... or any other property. I am amazed that the Welsh people continue to back Labour and Drakeford but there you are, it is their choice at the ballot box.

The Government website has comprehensive information on the Party Wall Act and the requirements for both parties to agree with construction work etc.. Google for info.

There are YouTube video's on insulating cold walls and ceilings. 👍 .........and you can buy DIY kits do this as well.

The stats are no surprise to me and I shall ignore them all. 😁 Much too random and lacking any detail. Right now in my location you could let out a large shed due to the lack of rental properties available.

I am in agreement with this new policy. I actually know of a person who pays no CT on their Devon holiday home and never lets the property out except to one or two close family members which should not really count as holiday let terms imo.

Yes, picking up on RL's point what can you do to obtain the extra points to gain a C Class? (Sounds like the old O Level gradings) 😀 Energy saving light bulbs added perhaps? There must be someway around this problem surely.

For me 2021 was an expensive year for upgrades. New boilers, Electrical upgrades and certification and all new EPC's which I can get for £50 a property but I agree with RL that you have to keep going with improvements and that overall if you want to sell the property on at anytime then you can command a higher sale value. The only planned upgrade I have for this year is the installation of a new bathroom suite for one of the houses. I am in no doubt other things will appear that need to be done..... unplanned. 😀

Well, one can only hope, 😅 Interesting article in Money Mail which you may also find to be interesting as well. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/buytolet/article-10350255/UK-landlords-face-slower-house-price-growth-tighter-regulations-2022.html

Good to hear the outcome was successful. 👍 Do not let this destructive tenant get away with anything though. Take out a small claims court order against him. It's cheap, it's not too much hassle to set up and more importantly he will get a CCJ against him which will mess up his credit and personal life and warn other organisations that this particular nasty person is not to be trusted. Be very careful who you choose to be your next tenant and If you do this yourself then follow Richlists comprehensive selection guide before allowing anyone to have the keys to your property.

A solicitor, of all people, questioning the high charges.

Yes we are well aware of this and the article comments section probably reflects the majority of the views on here. Laughable when you think that Shelter and this Conservative government have done more damage to the Buy To Let business and private landlord with their constant law changes etc. etc. and now they they are issuing warnings which we said would happen on this forum (and other forums) 5 or more years ago. The queue at the local housing office will only get longer and the supply list of available rental property will get shorter. .....................and by the way.........have you bought any building materials lately? Jeez! the prices for nearly everything has quadrupled. This is going to lead to a huge increase in the next 2 years for new build property and pre-loved property will follow.

Have you ever thought about Counselling as a career RL 😂 I only listen the once to R4 which is for the weather and 7am news report until about 7.30 and that's it but I take your point.

I never buy leasehold. It's a Melboy thing. I have to admit that I am considering buying another quality 2 bed house but as I have mentioned I am getting a bit ancient now and should be put out to grass really and call it a day but on hearing the inflation figures in excess of 5% today on R4 I am thinking that holding cash is a waste of time these days and it will only get worse over the next 3 years. I clearly remember the inflation debacle of the 1970's and how personal cash savings were wiped out very quickly from those lucky enough to have a pile of cash.

I am with the DPS Insured scheme where you pay £22 to protect the tenants deposit and hold their deposit. Once the 6 month period reaches it's end you are sent an email by the DPS that this is about to happen and you have to inform the DPS and the tenant that they are now rolling over onto a periodic contract. There is no requirement to issue, legal or otherwise, to provide the tenant with "prescribed information" again having provided that information initially with their tenancy contract.

I supply everything mentioned above except for washing machines. A long story but years ago I had so much trouble with tenants and washing machines I vowed I would not supply them anymore. Summed up in one word, abuse. It's worked out fine for me ever since and that has been for about 15 years or so now. If I did ever supply a washing machine it would have to reflect in a slightly higher monthly rental charge.

I believe they will. The government aided by local councils are looking at ways to raise even more revenue and landlords are the soft money touch for their cash cow. The only glimmer of hope is the fact the Landlords Association have argued strongly against the Local Council proposals that have already been put forward which temporarily have stopped the new proposals going forward.