News - Grace Charles Investment

New BTL and commercial mortgage products launched

Foundation Home Loans has introduced five new limited edition buy to let mortgage products tailored for landlords seeking larger loans.
These offerings focus on expat landlords, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), and multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFBs)

City Hall Conservatives challenge landlord stereotypes and blame Sadiq Khan for London’s housing crisis

It’s easier for London Mayor Sadiq Khan to paint a picture of greedy landlords than to solve London’s housing crisis, claims a member of the London Assembly.
In an exclusive video interview with Property118, deputy leader of the City Hall Conservative…

Modern PRS homes in England carry an 18% rent premium

Tenants seeking a modern home in England face a substantial rent premium of up to 18%, with monthly rents for these properties averaging £1,578, compared to £1,419 for standard rentals.
That’s according to FCC Paragon’s latest findings whic…

Scottish rent rises are slowing down

Rent price growth in Scotland’s private rented sector (PRS) has started to ease, reaching its lowest level since November 2022, research reveals.
According to DJ Alexander Ltd, the Scotland’s largest lettings and estate agency, the average …

Property Magic Podcast: Freehold to Leasehold Title Splitting

This is how you can create equity from thin air, using specialist knowledge.
In this week’s episode of the Property Magic Podcast, I share one of the advanced strategies which I normally only teach with delegates on my three-day residential Mastermind …

Commercial landlords eye growth opportunities outside of London

The commercial property market sees a boost outside of London as investment continues to grow.
Research by Together reveals Manchester is a key hotspot and achieves high yields for BTL landlords.
The property lender also reveals there is a growing app…

Local Authority landlord licensing forcing homelessness?

We have a conversion property with full planning permission for three two-bedroomed flats.
Now, because of being forced to obtain a Licence to let the flats have been downgraded to one-bedroom flats ie. Only two people are allowed to live in each flat.

BTL lenders are already gearing up for tighter EPC standards

Buy to let lenders are adapting to meet proposed energy performance certificate (EPC) regulations by focusing on properties that already have higher energy efficiency ratings.
Representatives from lenders and valuation firms at a recent industry event…

Councillor slams landlords for city’s HMO supply

A councillor has raised the alarm over the proliferation of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), warning they could unravel the city’s community bonds.
The council’s cabinet member for housing, told the BBC that in some areas

Advice on Docusigning a tenancy agreement?

Hi there, Does anyone have any advice on the legality of a tenancy agreement being signed in advance of the tenancy starting?
I have a new tenancy scheduled to begin on Saturday but the guarantor will not be present to sign at the time as they are abro…

Scottish landlords warn new EPC regulations will deepen housing crisis

New Scottish government environmental regulations will exacerbate the ongoing housing shortage in Scotland and prolong stays in emergency homeless accommodation for tenants.
The warning is being made by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) which…

Your chance to help design a new Serco style BTL mortgage product and strategy

Many property investors and BTL landlords have had to negotiate costly reviews over the last few years, and we have worked with many property business owners who are pursuing other rental strategies to maximise their asset growth, viability and profita…

Contract where Renters’ Rights Bill will not apply?

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) only applies to assured and assured shorthold ASTs. If the contract type is not one of these, it won’t apply.
Of the list of tenancy agreements types that are not assured or assured shortholds is for example

Property Redress boots out 48 agents over consumer disputes

Between May and October 2024, Property Redress removed 48 letting and estate agents from its scheme due to persistent non-compliance.
The expulsions stemmed from unresolved consumer grievances, unpaid compensation awards and failure to cooperate with …

Landlords face soaring costs and EPC downgrades under new rules

Landlords face “death by a thousand clipboard checks” over new EPC rules that have come into force.
The government announced the biggest changes in the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are assessed in more than a decade