Carryon Regardless

Wether it be road fund, N.I. or whatever it all goes into the treasury pot. Where it goes from there can be very questionable, especially with the near open corruption MP's are enjoying due to covid. But what is this right wing Gov't you speak of, I don't see it. There are ever increasing policies to relieve any Gov't of responsibility, that can no longer be afforded anyway (aside from covid rescue packages that are going to burden the working classes (whatever that means these days) for longer than I could calculate). The likes of us, but far from only, are the new entities to carry the responsibilities. Gov't's have generally been moving more central. The intelligence there is that when you look at what Labour stands for it no longer has the same meaning or value. Can you say that Blair was left wing? I can't. Corbyn failed trying to be, and now we have that nice Starmer who doesn't seem to have anywhere to place himself. In my view the only right wing aspect of today's Gov't is the looking after your mates bit. But Labour have a similar style. Btw, my comment about the lesser able (or willing) relates to policies that cause us to carry more responsibility for them. The CGT bit is a recognition that it was really a bonus for the well shod, as they were the traditional investors that could afford to. Policies that didn't tax their revenues was historically Tory style and favoured their mates. Every man and his dog can invest in stuff these days, often with a little reprioritizing of outgoings (ok not every man some are hand to mouth), but the Tory / Labour or rich / poor demarcation lines are pretty vague nowadays.

The Welsh council of clowns are so well organised even the people living in Wales are having trouble finding out where they stand with covid restrictions. The web site bounces you from link to link and when you think you've landed on relevant info it is only relevant to last year. As far as hoofing T's, I came to the conclusion that none of us are in a position to do it. 'Leave them alone' policies that are continually extended are just the 1st hurdle. Waiting for a court date is long winded. Then will a T claim to be at high risk and defer? We need to understand what financial impact covid may have had on a T. Pretty easy for a defendant to make something up there I would have thought, so case to the bin. By the time we get anywhere with our repossession hopes the out of pocket effect will be scary. In truth, so far and with fingers crossed touching wood, I've not lost a great amount due to covid. Bur one has totally stopped paying his top up (that came vis g'tor anyway). Another ran up significant arrears but is now paying enough to greatly reduce them growing. He now wants info from me to support a gov't loan application to address rent arrears, but he said that in august last as well. To tie in with t'other thread. I feel an ongoing threat to LL's, and Wales are well ahead in this. Early next year I need to redeem 4 mortgages relevant to Welsh properties, selling our home for its equity is one way. But I question the intelligence in putting my money into Wales when I could stash the cash and design to appear in court with mt pockets. Not only due to covid but the future is far from reliable, the Welsh council can't be trusted for an intelligent design of the Welsh economy. As soon as I can get to it the Yacht goes, as I believe investors in anything to do with Welsh leisure will be hit in the attempt at covid economic recovery. The English are prime targets there.

In truth RL why it feels ridiculous because we have become used to CGT being so lenient. Over the last decade or two the leniency has been gradually eroded. There used to be taper relief, and another one I forget the name of now. A sort of demonstration that whichever flavour of Gov't we have become more an more socialist. The continual attack on the LL (to favour the lesser able and / or willing) supports that in my view. I am discussing with Mrs Me if this could be an opportunity to off load these ever increasing units of responsibility (that are questionable as to if they will still be viewed as assets in a few years). Our situation is far and away different from most of you fortunate persons, but the damn things (for now) still seem to offer possibility of a pension. And where in the world to live and replace (or create) that is a difficult one. All Western economies will have to tax the Plebs heavily in the recovery post covid. Asian countries (as a vague general) are less affected, but their infrastructure is less reliable. Although I have viewed our infrastructure protections are more artificial than real. "We've been broken into." "Here is a crime number for your insurance claim." "Can I have an Ambulance." "We're very busy, sometime tomorrow." "Some one has emptied my bank account." "I think you will find that that will be your own fault."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56218952 With the extension of the stamp duty holiday (the only holidays available at the moment). This could encourage buyers to buy, but with CGT hits not so much 'us' sellers to sell. It seems some are considering a sale here or there. Gifting the 5% would mean 100% funds for a buyer, and upping the price a tad could compensate that some.

get a yacht Grampa, your free time will be well and truly consumed.

As an unrealistic suggestion, and this assumes post sale the solicitor pays revenue into your account rather than paying the tax on your behalf as with stamp duty. But as they aren't an accountant to calculate such I would imagine it's the tax payers responsibility. Withdraw cash, if we're able to do such. B*gger off to Ecuador. You will be made bankrupt in your absence, any remaining assets would be confiscated.

Shows how lazy I've become, pay CGT and never see it again. Reinvesting is no longer a benefit toward CGT deferral. https://finance.zacks.com/tax-benefits-reinvesting-capital-gains-9608.html This essentially refers to share CGT, but I'm assuming there is no difference.

I've been meaning to research some. It used to be that reinvesting a capital return would defer the CGT payable. An incentive to continue investing ones dosh and aid the economy. reasonably so in my view. If that can still be done it was would seem that the CGT is paid and an attempt to reclaim it in what ever period may be allowed for later, post the investment in another venture. Not good for cash flow even if that is allowed. Of course if not allowed it then means our CGT is paid as it is realised, closer to income tax really. Either way it reduces incentive to carry the CGT forward and that must have a negative impact on income tax. Less personal annual profit, less use of contractors, less purchasing of raw materials....... A short term win for whichever parliament enjoys the windfall.

I'm not surprised Grampa. Many LL's have a choice of me or them if they are likely to go down themselves. Of course harassment is much the same thing but may not carry the same threat of police action. Then if a LL is charged, how long before a court hearing? By then you expect said T to be relocated so at no significant detriment, or homeless so a no show at court. I don't believe Shelter are active at the moment, they were certainly as good as closed in Rhyl during the 1st lock down. I would guess Citizens Rights to be similar.

Totally agree with that. The difficulty is finding an A that is as knowledgeable and as up to date as you Grampa. If the A gets it wrong the LL suffers the fallout. Tbh I used to be able to quote legislation, nowadays I don't know where I stand with it. On RL's point of the Govt not being able to supply housing if the private sector reduces supply. My view is that the houses will still be there, put that together with the local authorities imposing greater penalties on mt stock and those houses will be lived in by someone. It won't cause any more of a housing crisis than we have, the properties will merely change hands at what ever market value dictates. To digress a little, High St's are now full of mt shops, more so due to covid. Surely many are destined to become solely residential instead of just flats above. Lost council tax yes but what's the option? By imposing ever increasing responsibilities on us the private industry will either provide an ever increasing improvement in housing or reduce our involvement. Either way the state wins. Any reduction of BTL ownership at worst (or best for those ftb's) will cause a fall in values . As yet I only see a very gentle kick back from the private rental industry. what are the NLA doing to protect? I don't see a sympathy for us that will slow the onslaught of politicians using us as an easy target.

The removal of S21 is still in consultation isn't it? That is aside for the action plan Grampa put up, that nigh on makes a S21 useless anyway. Isn't the repossession possibility returned to us at the end of March, so far? If that's still the case we then have the problem of when we can get a court hearing to get an official 'out' date. At that point are we still able to instruct a Bailiff w/o further court involvement? As above I would take pro active steps against the G'tor and hope they put pressure on the T's, and not bury their heads. So many changes, so much to protect the poor t's, my 'ead gets a bit confused.

Is anyone charged with monitoring the property in their absence? If no contact it's unlikely you would know. But I wonder how you are aware that they are abroad and absent for months. Personally I would inform in writing that that you intend to inspect 24 hrs later (each time). No denied access, so let your self in and satisfy yourself the property is in good order and prepared for the absence, water off, heating set sort of thing.

I wasn't aware there was 'the vaccine'. Surely its down to luck which is administered, but the 2nd dose being imminent would point to AZ. Are we in a police state or can you reply that you consider the information to be personal? Are all NHS managers suitably authorised to request details of your health status and prescription drugs taken. But to add to your recognition of the NHS lack of info sharing, even for those with authority. Chesterfield infirmary request me to get a blood test at my local surgery. I am then asked to obtain the results so I can let the specialist know the results at Chesterfield. "It's a different area so I can't find out through NHS records." Sort of leaves you wondering how a distant hospital would know of possible allergies come emergency treatment following an accident. But I experienced similar when I took Mum to Blackpool infirmary. Passed round 3 departments and each needed to request the same information.

I suppose what I have failed to appreciate is that many here will be experiencing greater numbers of covid examples close to them. If follows that those coming from say Slough might get a "not even a viewing sorry", while those from South Derbyshire (but not Derby) may will be invited in with a smile "but no hug Duck (Derbyshire expression, quakers I know)". Here in the High Peak our numbers are good but not fantastic. But does that mean we are merely behind with natural immunity? Will Slough prove to be covid safe before we are? But don't forget to reject anyone coming down from Glasgee, as you won't understand them. We do miss the pub for topping up our anti bodies.

But as and when the population are vaccinated to the herd immunity critical level the need for others to be proven immune (and many will have natural immunity from exposure) will be less important. It varies from expert to expert but say the said 60% immunity is reached the virus becomes far less prevalent as there are far less contagious carriers. While Covid is now here for good it has then become managed, much like the threat that still exists from many other viruses. Just another little aside. It is too early to be sure that side affects of various vaccines are not going to present other health issues. There may be a desire to reject those if they are likely to be a less reliable T due to such, if such becomes apparent in the future. Many are showing allergic reactions. Naturally developed immunity alongside vaccine introduced immunity are our best hope to overcome the pandemic and get to whatever a new normal will be, but it wouldn't amaze me if we see some health downsides.

Yes I saw the vaccine card on Google last eve. As yet I haven't seen that the vaccine offers immunity advantage over natural immunity. In the UK at least we aren't offered opportunity to take the anti body test. Other countries use this to decide not only if the vaccine should be used but to prioritise the use of the limited supplies of it. People could make a more informed decision on taking the vaccine after an anti body test. For private bodies, such as us and pubs and restaurants for instance I see it as free will to reject those considered undesirable. But it may get close to or become bigoted. Should a vaccine denier wear an 'L for leper' so to be identified? With so many vaccines available and actually a few Pharma's have fallen by the wayside in their attempts to produce a vaccine, it is only a matter of time before there will be a league table of vaccine efficacy (provided by the media no doubt). Will the winning vaccines be the ones acceptable? With (which ever) vaccine efficacy and even the long term affects (of which ever vaccine)being unknown, and with so many acting in panic (eu at the moment being one) I think it is far too early to be making defined decisions around this. We will all be 'a little' better informed by summer.

I wasn't aware that proof of vaccination was being provided, but I'm learning. But if a potential T replied that they would rather provide proof of anti body immunity would that suffice as an alternative. Then when a T replies that they are under 70, 60 ,50 ,not in the at risk category so haven't been offered a vaccination, would that mean they should return when older or vaccinations are given to the younger? Those poor eu citizens would have no chance of getting accom' in the UK. But I suppose that saves us checking on their right to reside anyway. For me as long as they are willing to provide a replacement smoke detector (no need for a carbon monoxide jobbo), and they don't possess a long brush I'll be happy.

She's only 5ft and a bit, I suppose I could always fit them lower. Fancy putting ceilings so high anyway .

you might be ignoring where the tool boxes go, where the left over materials off the job will be stored (always to good to get rid of). Tins of paint, half bags of plaster, mucky dust sheets. At least the McDonalds wrappers will be left down the country lane. As for the IQ test, like Diane Abbott "I've just got the test results back, negative, hooray."

Just to digress. I was in Wales doing a couple of pre electrical inspections last week. A lady who enjoys a drink pointed to the ceiling and told me it wasn't possible for her to find a bulb to fit the recessed downlighter. It was the remains of a smoke detector. Another T had already told me she belted one off the ceiling with a brush because it wouldn't stop bleeping (low battery bleep). Nah, I'll fit minimum as it's still too much and too complicated for 'em.

Aren't these part of the annual Gas Cert now? That being if it gets a cert then detector requirements are met.

As far as I'm aware we must use a court appointed Bailiff, happy to learn different. Your having a locksmith onsite is personal choice. Once a Bailiff approves access (that may follow negotiation with the T) how you get in is your choice, as it's your property. But a Bailiff may not hang around as long for you to DIY as he may hang around for a T to gather their stuff.

I was of the impression that you can give lodgers more rights than they would otherwise have by creating a contract but Grampa is more knowledgeable than I. If you're in the RoI the laws will likely differ though, but I'm not sure which way round you lived and commuted to.

As lodgers you had no need of a contractual agreement. But as you created one it becomes likely that you will be bound by some of the terms within. To now say you did this wrongly as you didn't know any better isn't likely to work in your favour imho. W/o sight of the contract it isn't possible for us here to comment really, and tbh our legal knowledge is limited anyway. To my mind their solicitor isn't acting with expert knowledge on housing law, but he only needs to read up some. Where a deposit isn't protected and dealt with correctly the penalty is 'up to' 3 times deposit and return of deposit (so 4 times) as would be decided by a court. Consider settlement as it may be far easier and cheaper in the long run, but be sure that this is a full and final settlement. Shelter would take on their claim for free and attempt to claim legal costs from you. A Landlord friend (with far greater experience than I) challenged Shelter in court over an Agents mishandling of deposit. The final cost to him was £16K.

Thanks again Grampa, now you've put that up I do have some limited recollection of it. If I remember my summary was that as and when we wish to recover a property we will be in hope that a court will allow it. The making easier and faster for the LL I didn't see, and w/o deep reading I still don't. Our S21 tool was always our release from a bad tenancy, it being no fault. It has gone during covid and I would be surprised to see its return even if they don't extend the March 31st no eviction protection in place now, but you know I have been v cynical for years. I've read of moves to increase controls of who and how we choose T's, to include benefit claimants, animals (a human right apparently), single mothers....well the direction is clear and w/o training we might well become a long term half way house for ex cons. Following the action to remove our choice of how to terminate a tenancy we then are wholly a gov't agent, local or national same / same. Has my cynicism gone too far