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With 5 applications to every 1 place at the University of Bolton, this Greater Manchester suburb is in urgent need of purpose-built student accommodation, something which Trinity Church is uniquely designed for. Comprised of 82 individual flats, this former church and Grade II listed building will undergo an extensive refurbishment to convert it into high-end,... Read more

The post Student Flats Investment Opportunity – University of Bolton appeared first on Property118.com.

As an official Google News publisher we are always keen to publish guest articles which our readership (predominantly UK based landlords and letting agents) would consider to be informative.  We have a very long list of topics for new articles so if you are interested and would like to know more please complete the form below. There... Read more

The post Google News publisher (UK property sector) seeks guest articles appeared first on Property118.com.

Bill Loryman of HMOTAX Ltd Northampton I am not a landlord, however I do want to support The GOOD Landlords Campaign and welcome the opportunity to network with members. All business property owners including HMO’s, multi-lets and holiday lets are entitled to claim the Capital Allowances that are in the fabric of every commercial property.... Read more

The post Bill Loryman of HMOTAX Ltd Northampton appeared first on Property118.com.

Here is a question for the blog clinic from Colin (not his real name) who is a landlord:

I am the unfortunate landlord of some ‘tenants from hell’. I have received numerous complaints about their behaviour, which has ranged from excessive noise to criminal damage. There are also suspicions of drug-taking on the premises.

The council recommended that I serve notice on them, which I did. The tenants have responded by saying that they will not leave, quoting protection from eviction and claiming victimization.

Finally a couple of weeks ago the police attended an incident and arrested one of the tenants but they were released with only a caution. The local anti-social behaviour unit have now told me that if the tenants do not leave then the property will be boarded up by the police – at my expense!

I may be wrong but this doesn’t sound right to me, especially as I have already applied for a (very expensive) court order. Can they actually enforce this or is it just hot air?

Police powers are not an area I know much about, so I put this question up to see what others have to say about it.

If they do have the power to board up the property though (and they may have), then I don’t think they can actually send you a bill and require you to pay for this work while the property is let to someone else – if anyone is liable for the cost it will be the tenants.

However you will ultimately be out of pocket as when the property reverts to you, you will have to remove the boarding before you can re-let to another tenant.

You will of course be able to deduct the cost from the tenants deposit, but I suspect that this will just be one of many items and that the deposit will not cover them all. (You may want to see what your insurances covers though).

A letter to the Council

I suggest you write back to the Council saying that you are bringing proceedings for possession but that you are unable to do anything else to hasten the tenants departure as this will put you in breach of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

You could then add maybe, that the Protection from Eviction Act makes it a criminal act to deprive any residential occupier of  their occupation of the premises and that you trust they are not suggesting that you should put yourself in breach of the law by doing this.  As if so you will wish to make a formal complaint about it.

Go on to say that you are unaware of any legal power to charge you for boarding up the property where tenants exhibit anti social behaviour and can they please let you know their precise legal authority for saying this so you can take legal advice.

Breach of natural justice?

My understanding of the law is that landlords cannot be held legally liable for the acts of their tenants – none of us are liable for things that are done by someone else (save possibly our children and employees acting in the course of their employment).

I know that there is a move towards making landlords liable for their tenants though, and it looks as if some local authorities are taking this view.

Hopefully at some stage there will be a legal challenge to this – perhaps from the landlords associations.

For example I would have thought that there is an argument that any law making someone legally liable for the acts of another human being over whom they have no control, would be in breach of natural justice or maybe ultra vires.

Although it does not, on a quick glance, seem to be strictly in breach of the Human Rights Act.

Five hundred firms have expressed interest in the new property portal which would be run by agents for agents. Ian Springett, the former boss of PrimeLocation, has been brought in by top firms – Knight Frank, Douglas & Gordon, Strutt & Parker, Savills, Glentree Estates and Chesterton Humberts – to draw up a...

Foxtons’ plans to launch on the stock market have been described as “disturbing” by a top City commentator. Alex Brummer, veteran City editor of the Daily Mail, said that Sir Mervyn King’s farewell warnings about the dangers of the Help to Buy scheme, which could sent house prices shooting upwards, should...

Inquiries through property portals have gone down, a leading agent has said. The claim has come from Ed Mead of London agents Douglas & Gordon, which has 14 offices in the capital. He said: “Interestingly, inquiries through property portals were down in May as some buyers are losing confidence in them and...

Around 4,000 people have reserved a new home using the Help to Buy scheme in the two months since it was launched. Help to Buy currently offers purchasers of new-build homes access to 95% mortgages, with taxpayers funding a 20% share. According to the Home Builders Federation, demand for the shared equity...

Almost one in five ‘second steppers’ are considering going back to the bank of mum and dad to help with their next move. The price differential between a typical first-buyer home and a second property is £43,000 – rising to £93,500 in the South-East. Over half (55%) of second steppers believe...

A major lender is today upping the minimum amount it will lend first-time buyers from £300,000 to £500,000. The move, by Skipton Building Society, is to take account of booming house prices in London and parts of the South-East. The Loan to Value remains a maximum of 90%. William Gill, Skipton senior products...

Rupert Bates
‏@rupertbates

59s

Great U20 match as Boks bt Eng 31-24. England back-row outstanding as were Chiefs contingent. Great yardage Cowan Dickie #rugby #jwc2013

Source Article from http://twitter.com/rupertbates/statuses/343768218659340288

Rupert Bates
‏@rupertbates

45m

Baby Boks – some nursery. Jacques du Plessis not small. Sinatla not slow, but England U20 battling hard 28-17 to Boks after 50. #rugby #JWC

Source Article from http://twitter.com/rupertbates/statuses/343757094111027201

RightmoveVerified account
‏@rightmove

34m

Looking for the best schools near your next home? Try http://schoolguide.co.uk  @rightmove #homes #property #schools

Source Article from http://twitter.com/rightmove/statuses/343752238776340480

Graham Norwood
‏@PropertyJourn

53m

Thanks to the late Iain Banks for many hours reading his fine books. A great legacy.

Source Article from http://twitter.com/PropertyJourn/statuses/343747423916654593

Our Landlords Toolbar sits at the top of your internet browser and gives to instant access to the most popular areas of the Property118 website. It’s free to download from Amazon. Just click the image and follow the simple instructions. There’s an added bonus too. There is a little icon on the right of the... Read more

The post Landlords Toolbar – FREE Download appeared first on Property118.com.

Felicity Young
‏@Felicityyoung

6h

@PropertyJourn waking up here this morning,I can see why you do it! Devon, &the UK at it’s best #britishsummertime pic.twitter.com/mLxkMgTwnd

Source Article from http://twitter.com/PropertyJourn/statuses/343733532117569536

Javier Valiente
‏@JavierValiente

6 Jun

US Property Prices up 10.9% – http://eepurl.com/AsPu5 

Source Article from http://twitter.com/John_Corey/statuses/343725961973485568

Tessa Shepperson
‏@TessaShepperson

2h

Incorporating charges into your tenancy agreement http://buff.ly/11zCk6S 

Source Article from http://twitter.com/TessaShepperson/statuses/343708782825721857

Tracy Kellett
‏@buyingagent

55m

“@danieljowen: I’d take part in a naked cycling protest, but I’ve got a flat tyre.” < I have a spare one

Source Article from http://twitter.com/buyingagent/statuses/343689071635345409

Just Landlords
‏@JustLandlords

1h

It’s only one week until Father’s Day so enter our competition to win a 14 Piece BBQ Set now! Follow and RT #JLBBQ http://ow.ly/lNuP3 

Source Article from http://twitter.com/JustLandlords/statuses/343675235331108864