. The extent of the challenges facing the UK economy were set in perspective with the news that take home pay for the average British household fell last year for the first time since 1981. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), actual disposable household income slipped by 0.8 per cent in 2010. This […]
Read MoreThe number of new tenants registering for rental accommodation exceeded 200,000 last year as demand reached record levels in 2010, reported the UK’s largest lettings agent Countrywide. According to Countrywide’s latest figures, the overall volume of new tenant applications increased by 37% in 2010 compared to 2009, with demand peaking between July and September. In […]
Read MoreCannabis farming is a growing menace for landlords as police seized a record number of plants in raids mainly on buy to let homes. Police grabbed more than 750,000 plants from criminal gangs growing drugs last year – up 18% on the year before. Now insurers are urging landlords to grass up tenants they suspect […]
Read MoreFirst-time buyers are a vanishing breed, according to two new surveys. According to one, nearly two-fifths (38%) of aspiring first-time buyers expect to be 40 or older when they buy their first home. And a further one in 12 believe they will never buy their own home. Research from property website Globrix, based on a […]
Read MoreInteresting article we came across from Rightmove Stubborn sellers refusing to drop prices and rigid mortgage lenders with a stranglehold on funds for buyers are paralysing the housing market, according top property portal Rightmove. The online property listing site claims property asking prices are rising with owners demanding a 3% increase from buyers in January […]
Read MoreA landlord who failed to safety check and look after gas appliances in a buy to let house rented to a tenant has to pay £1,400 fines and costs. Property investor Michael Smith was reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by his tenant for failing to provide a valid gas safety certificate. This […]
Read MoreAccording to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), three-quarters of a million people will see some of their earnings lifted into the 40p in the pound tax band come 6 April. The threshold at which workers start to pay the 40 per cent tax rate is to drop from £43,875 to £42,475 from that date. […]
Read MoreWhat you should know about renting your property out part 2 Your responsibilities as a landlord include: repairs to the structure and exterior of the property repairs to heating and hot water installations repairs to sinks, baths and other sanitary installations safety of gas and electrical appliances that you supply fire safety of furniture and […]
Read More