Tuns

Hi Armin I'm a landlord and I am in the Responsible Landlord Scheme although I know there have been changes to the council department running the scheme so I am not sure what shape it takes at the moment. Re the insurance. Are you talking about rent guarantee insurance as opposed to buildings insurance? I have used different organisations for credit and reference checks ranging from about £10 for a credit check to around £25 for a full reference check. Rent guarantee insurance (which I don't take on all properties) would require they pass the check before the company will take the risk. However they will usually accept a guarantor who themselves would need to pass the reference checks. You may find (as I have) that taking HB tenants can increase your buildings insurance and double check with your mortgage provider that you have permissions to let and to which type of tenants. Most of my tenants are professionals but in a couple of properties I have taken HB tenants but only under a council scheme where I get the rent paid directly to me. Some landlords specialise in HB tenants and know the system inside out and obviously make decent margins on it as they may have paid less for the property in the first place. Other landlords find the whole HB thing more hassle than it is worth! Whichever route do your homework - as you obviously are and consider joining one of the landlord associations so you have access to expert help and legal forms etc. You can also do your references through them and sometimes get a discount on the deposit schemes. In my experience finding the right tenant is the key, set things up properly and being a good landlord generally means low void periods. Good luck!

If you decide to go down the self managed route then you may consider joining one of the landlord associations - eg NLA, RLA. Both have decent websites. Costs around £80 per year and for that you can also use their forms and contracts etc and also use their legal advice line any time.

Hi Jeffrey My understanding is the tenant can leave without giving notice if they leave on the last day of the fixed term (something that surprises many landlords who think T must give notice). But if the tenant is still in the property the next day then it automatically moves on to a periodic and the one month notice in line with usual requirements is needed. In my experience many tenants and many landlords are not fully up to speed with notice requirements sometimes to their cost.

It depends if your initial fixed term contract period has ended or not. Contractually you are liable for the rent for the initial fixed term (with a few exceptions in special circumstances) which is usually 6 or 12 months. So for example you can't give one month's notice three months into a six month contract. But you can give one month's notice after 7 months of a 6 month contract - provided the notice you give runs to a rent day - should be explained in your contract. Cheers

I may have some in next few days. Can you confirm the dimensions of the bricks you are after and how many? If I have some I'm not looking for any money for them. Cheers Tuns

The third one at Cherry Tree Court is easily the best and priced below market value and with no agency fees! Great flat and superb landlord (me!) but unfortunatley it went to the first person who saw it and I haven't cancelled the advert yet as I'm just awaiting the references to complete. Good luck in your search though - it's a really nice spot round there and there's some nice flats as you can see. Cheers

Hi Just to help clarify this if the Section 21 is served before the end of your fixed term (as in Shaky's case 7 days before) - then it does not have to tie in with the rent date. It needs to be a Section 21 (1) (b) and give at least 2 months notice. If it is served after your fixed term has ended and you are on a rolling (statutory periodic) contract then the notice does have to tie in with a rent date and a Section 21 (4) (a) must be served. Maybe seems like a small difference but you'd be amazed how many times landlords get the dates and technicalities mixed up on S21s only to find they can't get possession and must start the process again! Cheers Tuns

Unless it's changed in the last few weeks you can get an appointment at Dore even if you live in the Carterknowle catchment area. I think you didn't used to be able to but now you can but maybe they don't advertise it is as they don't want us scruffs going up there!! You can also choose Dore or Carterknowle on their online booking system.

Have used this practice loads of times (unfortunately!). I can't really compare it to other practices as it's the only one I've really had much dealings with but I would say: It annoys me a little that they have an 0844 number - don't think you should have to pay to make appointments/order prescriptions and they charge £25 to stamp a Westfield form. Having said all that I have a superb GP there who has helped me immensely over the years and I guess that's worth payihng for! The trick is finding the doctor there that you are comfortable with as their approaches do differ. Appointments for the more popular ones tend to be 2 or 3 weeks or more in advance and as someone has said getting an appointment on the day can be a bit of an early morning lottery.

Thanks Rich

Anyone? Thanks

I've lived in Woodseats for a bout 10 years and overall it's a great place to live. The roads around Homhirst are very nice and there isn't a major traffic problem there. Some pros: Fantastic range of ameneties within a short walk including massive Graves Park and more shops than you can handle. Still a community spirit/feel about living here. Very friendly compared to some places Far more Blades than the other lot. Decent schools (not the best but far from the worst). Low crime - obviously it has its problems but it's always felt very safe to me and my family. Never short of curry or Chinese options Some cons: Pretty poor pubs in Woodseats itself - though this is always going to be down to personal taste, it's a view shared by quite a few people I know. Poor choice of restaurants if you like eating out. Not good getting home if you're trying to get down MEadowhead though they've recently changed the traffic system again so that may improve a little

Hi Can anyone recommend a good company with realistic prices to fit a communal digital aerial and communal satellite dish to a small block of flats in Sheffield? Many thanks

Thanks very much.

Hi I am considering purchasing a 4 bed property as a possible student let - possibly as 5 rooms. It needs a fair bit of work - double glazing, a rewire, fire alrams, fire doors etc. Can anyone recommend a builder that can 'HMO-ise' the house - ie do the lot, at a decent price and up to all the relevant standards. I'm looking for a builder with a bit of experiene in HMOs - the ones I use have not. Any tips appreciated. Tuns