3 Thriving Buy To Let Property Hotspots in Birmingham

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Value Investments:

Named most improved UK city to live and work and ranked higher than London in a list of most popular cities in Europe to invest in 2017, Birmingham is flourishing. With a string of high profile development and infrastructure projects underway or in the pipeline, notably HS2 and the major Paradise development, investors are flocking to the city.

Big ticket businesses, such as HSBC, PwC and HMRC are relocating offices from London and with its recent confirmation as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a devo deal securing further funding for transport and infrastructure, the popularity of the UK’s second city is certainly showing no sign of abating, seeing growth of 7.3%* over the last 12 months making it England’s fastest growing city.

With its excellent connectivity, educational establishments and world-class leisure, retail and entertainment offering continuing to attract both businesses and visitors to the city, Birmingham is certainly booming.

Full details on properties to buy in Birmingham can we found on the Seven Capital website.

Edgbaston – B15

Edgbaston is an affluent suburban area of central Birmingham, curved around the southwest of the city centre. The picturesque suburb plays host to the world-renowned Edgbaston Cricket Ground, a Test match venue, as well as Edgbaston Golf Club and the Priory Club. The B15 postcode has always held prestige and appeal. Now with further development into its already popular offering, Edgbaston is only set to become even more exclusive.

Selling fast near this high-end location are the developments Broadway Residences and The Tower of Broadway, both also situated just a 5-minute walk from HSBC’s new head offices in Arena Central.

Prices from £179,950 with just 10% deposit with projected yields of 7%.

Jewellery Quarter – B3 & B18

The centre of the UK’s jewellery making sector, this area is historically home to one of Europe’s largest concentration of manufacturing jewellers. But it is much more than just the place to buy diamonds and high-end designer watches.

This historic part of the city has in recent years become a very popular and trendy place to live. And being still classed as ‘up and coming’, there are plenty of relatively affordable places to rent or buy. An area with more than 200 listed buildings, the Jewellery Quarter has undergone a transformation over the past ten years, becoming a place that is appealing to not only work, but live and play too.

The Quadrant Development by SevenCapital is set in a prime city centre location just a 10-minute walk either way to the popular Jewellery Quarter and Brindleyplace areas of the city, and a 17-minute walk to Birmingham’s Colmore Business District. The Quadrant is also located conveniently close to the city’s most significant development in a generation – Paradise. When fully completed in 2026, Paradise will be an incredible 1.8 million square foot of commercial, retail, leisure and hotel space.

Prices from £199,950 with just 10% deposit with projected yields of 6%.

Erdington – B23

Erdington is a Birmingham suburb located just 12 minutes from the city centre. The focal point for the town itself is its bustling High Street, a thriving retail centre with around 280 local businesses providing it’s 23,000* residents with everything they need. However, its attraction as a location is much built on its close proximity to the centre of Birmingham and its transport links and many amenities. Combine this with its position near to the M6, Birmingham International Airport and the affluent neighbourhood of Sutton Coldfield, it’s easy to see why growth is forecast to be strong in this area.

The latest SevenCapital development Nexus Point Development is situated just 200 meters away from the high street and 400 meters away from Erdington train station.

Prices from £131,950 with projected yields of 6%. The average property price in Erdington is £140,054 with Erdington being ranked 5th in the Zoopla Top 10 Hipster Hot Spots.

To see all the latest Birmingham developments, visit the SevenCapital website.

*Hometrack report

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – 3 Thriving Buy To Let Property Hotspots in Birmingham | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: 3 Thriving Buy To Let Property Hotspots in Birmingham

Reasons for not selecting tenant and claims of discrimination?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

I have had an enquiry from a disabled gentleman who has two dogs to help him with his disability and has disability benefits as his only income. He has claimed that Citizens Advice and the local council have both told him that it is illegal for a landlord to refuse to let him a property on the grounds that he is disabled or that his income is disability related.

The post Reasons for not selecting tenant and claims of discrimination? appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Reasons for not selecting tenant and claims of discrimination?

80% Buy to Let LTV now offered by Ipswich BS

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Ipswich Building Society now offer 80% Loan To Value on their Buy to Let mortgage range for a minimum loan of £75,000.

There is a 2 year Discounted rate available at 2.95% (variable rate currently 5.49% with a discount of 2.54% until 2 years from completion date).

The post 80% Buy to Let LTV now offered by Ipswich BS appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: 80% Buy to Let LTV now offered by Ipswich BS

Snow delayed form 6A?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

I have sent a form 6A to my Tenants dated the 28 Feb with the notice expiring the 1st May.

However, the tenant did not receive the notice until the 5 March and is complaining that she will have less than the 2 months notice as per contract.

The post Snow delayed form 6A? appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Snow delayed form 6A?

Statutory requirement to give new landlord’s name and address?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

I have read that under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Section 3 there is a statutory requirement for BOTH the vendor landlord and purchaser landlord to advise a tenant of a change and the new landlord’s actual address, max fine £2500.

The post Statutory requirement to give new landlord’s name and address? appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Statutory requirement to give new landlord’s name and address?

Government seeks Private Landlords’ Views

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Landlord Survey:

The new government department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is to survey private landlords, asking selected PRS landlords about their experiences operating a rentals business, and providing homes for their tenants.

The “English Private Landlord Survey” of more than 100,000 landlords and agents, is to be conducted by the independent social research agency NatCen. It aims to create “the most authoritative evidence source on the profile and views of private landlords and their agents in England”.

The survey will run for six weeks, March to April, and the invitation-only survey will ask landlords and agents chosen at random from those using Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes to take part.

The RLA says,

“This is the first time the Government has approached landlords directly and asked them to share their experiences in almost 10 years – so if you get an invitation to participate we would urge you to accept it.”

With more people than ever before living in rented housing in the UK, the government recognises the importance of the sector and wants to understand more about small-scale private landlords and and how the PRS operates.

The survey will ask questions about practicing landlords, their agents, what kind of properties they let, the tenants they are letting to, what problems they come up against most, and how the recent tax and regulations changes are impacting on their businesses.

The aim of the exercise is to more accurately understand the sector and inform future government policy.

The English Private Landlord Survey

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Government seeks Private Landlords’ Views | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Government seeks Private Landlords’ Views

Sweat Assets?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

My question is would it be better to release equity from your rental portfolio whenever the opportunity may arise or to leave it where it is?

If it is the latter then I guess there is a real risk that should the market crash

The post Sweat Assets? appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Sweat Assets?

Stamp duty refund via Limited Company?

admin    Uncategorized     agents

My hubby and I were unable to sell our residential property (1) before buying our new residential home (2) so we therefore paid an extra £11k in stamp duty because of the second home rule.

In the meantime we’ve rented out property (1).

The post Stamp duty refund via Limited Company? appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Stamp duty refund via Limited Company?

My Tenant Won’t Allow Access!

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Landlord’s Access to Property:

Many landlords will have experienced a tenant denying them access to a property – whether for an inspection, viewings or legal duties. It’s easy to understand the view of ‘It’s my property, I can enter when I want’, but unfortunately that’s just not the case.

When a tenant moves into your buy-to-let, they gain a fundamental right in English property law, what’s known as ‘quiet enjoyment’. This effectively means that they can deny access to anyone, including the landlord owner, the have what’s known as exclusive possession whilst they reside there.

Quiet enjoyment gives tenants the legal right to live in a property without interference from the landlord, or their representatives such as a letting agent. So, although you own the property, you cannot behave as a property owner with full access rights once a tenancy is granted.

As a landlord you’ll also need to be wary when attempting to gain access, as the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 protects tenants from harassment and unlawful eviction. Always ensure you give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice and receive written (email or text would be valid) confirmation from your tenant that they agree to the access, especially if they are not going to be present.

Many landlords and letting agents write into their tenancy agreements that access must be given, as long as they give 24 hours’ notice to the tenant. Whilst the minimum 24 hours’ is correct, this stipulation is unlawful.

Stating that access must be allowed for viewings or inspections directly contradicts a tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment. They can prohibit entry to the property. Another area to be wary of is prior permission for access. If a tenant has previously allowed a landlord or agent access, you could assume that this will always be the case. However, it’s not worth the risk if a tenant later objects to access so always ensure you are giving the required notice.

Tenants have busy lives too and it’s best to be considerate of their availability. Rather than stating that you will be visiting at a certain time, ask for a few dates and times that suit both of you. This shows respect to their home whilst allowing you to maintain your property.

If a tenant denies access for a legal requirement, such as a gas safety check or serious maintenance issue, there are ways to gain entrance. Firstly, explain to the tenant that you need access for legal reasons and this is for their protection as well.

If your tenant still denies access, you’ll need to get in touch with your local authority who will be able to serve an order on your tenant to allow access. Because of this potential scenario, it’s best to arrange and notify your tenant as early as possible when it comes to legal obligations.

This issue could become much more important going forward as any landlord needing to serve a section 21 notice may be stymied if access for gas checks and EPC re-assessments is denied – a valid Section 21 cannot be served without these current certificate being in place.

Viewings are a sore point. It’s important to a landlord to show a property to prospective tenants when the current tenant is leaving, but the tenant in situ is not legally required to allow this. This could lead to a dreaded void period if you are made to wait for the current tenant to leave.

Unless there’s been a severe communication breakdown, talk with your tenant to explain that the quicker you can get new tenants signed up, the quicker you’ll be out of their hair, to let them finish their tenancy and get their deposit back.

The most important thing to remember about access is that whilst this is your buy-to-let property, to a tenant it’s their home. Think how you would feel if someone wanted to access your property to carry out an inspection or bring viewers round?

Be respectful, communicate and be flexible when arranging access. Explain why you need access and don’t assume that you can enter whenever you please, you must have the tenant’s confirmation to avoid any tricky legal situations.

If you’re having difficulties with a tenant denying access, you can join the Upad Landlord Club and access free legal advice.

This article has been supplied to LandlordZONE® by online letting agents Upad

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – My Tenant Won’t Allow Access! | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: My Tenant Won’t Allow Access!

Nottingham Council follow up letter – Making 350 homeless

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Follow up letter to Nottingham City Councillors regarding disastrous Selective Licensing that will force me into making 350 people homeless

Dear Rav & John,

Regarding your letter dated 2 March 2018.

You say you are not sure if I’m aware

The post Nottingham Council follow up letter – Making 350 homeless appeared first on Property118.

View Full Article: Nottingham Council follow up letter – Making 350 homeless