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Andy Marshall

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i'd agree with a first 3 month inspection. But as you get to know your tenant you can increase or decrease the amount of visits, dependent on the tenant. With this aggressive stance from Councils, as long as it is within the law, not a problem.

From: Andy Marshall 06 May 2021 15:27 PM

Hi Jim, you are the first person i've seen in print that has written exactly what I found to be true. The so called 'A' rated boiler made no difference to my heating bills on my 6 bed HMO. An extra 200mm of insulation in roof. No difference again. The property in question is detached and built between 1905-10. New boiler in a 70's house that I lived in. Vailant A rated boiler and again no difference in my heating bills. Theories don't always work in the real world!!

From: Andy Marshall 25 March 2021 11:39 AM

Completely agree, I also be write to my local MP explaining where I think they are going right and where they are going wrong. We need to engage wherever we can. I am aware of the risk that Mr Townsend points out and it will have to be a judgement call at the time. The voters certainly let their feelings be felt when it came to Brexit!

From: Andy Marshall 18 March 2021 19:32 PM

I had a similar problem with a company called Professional Lettings in Gosport. They didn't register the deposit and they with withheld in total 3 months rent. Liquidators were called in and insolvency meeting arranged. Through a little luck i obtained almost 100 landlords email addresses and tried to get an overview of the situation. Some landlords were owed around £5,000. In total it was around £250,000 plus deposits that this agency had secreted away. I was able to get the insolvency halted and had about 35 landlords onside to take action. I got the Police and trading standards involved. It was a lot of time and effort from me and another landlord who led the action. Trading standards pulled out stating not enough evidence, the Police tried to get a conviction but the prosecutors when they reviewed the case decided that it was too costly and not in the public interest. I was told that the chap I dealt with was just an employee of the company, though acted like he owned it. He set up a handy man and a gardener to be the directors. I believed them when they told me that they had not received much from the company. The man whom had been the mastermind behind this had disappeared, however the Police did tell me that he was banned from owning a Limited company due to questionable practices in the past. Though I cannot say all Agencies are like this I now self manage. The sting in the tail is though the deposit was handed to Professional Tenant Finders they are not liable and the Landlords had to pay the deposit that they had not received back to the tenants. Lesson learnt!

From: Andy Marshall 16 March 2021 18:44 PM

I agree with Shane. Rents are going up too much due to some privileged do gooders or ill informed academics. Government and Councils need to realise that the majority of Landlords and tenants enter into a good partnership and by putting financial pressure on the Landlord can only lead to one choice, increase in rents. Thus far this has been mitigated by low interest rates, this will change over the coming years. Tenants will move to cheaper rents, e.g move north. The ones that can will take advantage of the 95% mortgages. I'm selling my properties in the South as they become vacant. I will consider purchasing one further North but i also wish to bring down mortgages due to Section 24. Interesting times!

From: Andy Marshall 15 March 2021 10:24 AM

It is clear that Government and Councils want less private Landlords. IMHO they will get what they want. I have got notice to quit from a very good tenant, whom I have for 4 years. He is relocating his family due to a transfer at work. This property will be going up for sale. I hope that the lenders will be able to find enough persons to lend too with the Government backed 95% mortgages, otherwise they will find themselves in a pickle. I understand the comments above, but a limit to how much you can put up rent and with big business now coming to the market place, 'times are a changing'.

From: Andy Marshall 15 March 2021 09:59 AM

Labour have lost the plot. The 66% of homeowners whom bought with the help of the incentives would disagree with their comments.

From: Andy Marshall 05 March 2021 17:23 PM

The problem is that there are too many headlines , mainly derogatory, aimed at us ' The Landlord". At least in this we are popular. Most of us in the private category work with our tenants in a partnership. However this is not a head turning caption to grab the spotlight. In any case i'm sure the Unions will be happy tomorrow when the Chancellor will carve another slice from us in one format or another.

From: Andy Marshall 02 March 2021 14:05 PM

Interesting prediction and would not come as a shock if it were to happen. The other big point why has this taken 3 years to sort out. Something clearly needs to change, whether Council procedures or the system as a whole.

From: Andy Marshall 02 March 2021 13:49 PM

Our Courts, Prison and Probation Service all need a good overhaul. It's too much focused on the offender rather than the victim. Far, far, far too much leniency. I'm all for re-habilitation but they have to earn this right.

From: Andy Marshall 01 March 2021 11:32 AM

Maybe Council's should apply this philosophy as to how they manage the safety of residents in high rise flats. The lack of properly trained inspectors to inspect work carried out by trades persons would be a good place to start. Fines need to go to the Council as well as some to the tenant to pay for good regulation. In general i would support rogue landlords being fined, but it is all about balance.

From: Andy Marshall 25 February 2021 09:29 AM

The writing was on the wall as soon as the 6 month eviction notice was brought in. I'm sure this will become standard. I have no real problem with this as we all like to plan. A landlords only problem is if the tenant stops paying. Advice i've seen from other Landlords's on this website with using CCJ's will be a route that I take. Plus the credit rating soon to be including rent payments overtime will be a very useful tool. Change is always inevitable!

From: Andy Marshall 25 February 2021 09:25 AM

What a load of tosh. A bank advising on common sense....really. As for planning for tax changes that a government may make....where is my crystal ball!!!

From: Andy Marshall 25 February 2021 09:21 AM

Well done to this MP. Let's hope this is the start of a more balanced view coming from Parliament. Time will tell!!

From: Andy Marshall 24 February 2021 09:41 AM

I have to agree with the above 2 comments. Most Landlords are fed up with Landlord bashing, but whilst publications that are supposedly represent us use such terminology which suggests that we are only about the profit we will continue to suffer this stigma.

From: Andy Marshall 16 February 2021 11:35 AM

Of course this philanthropist is right, it gives everyone another chance to deride landlords. I mean we go to a lender and all but trip over £300,000 as soon as we walk through the door. That said, this is some merit in what has been stated but like all points of view it must be taken in context. Yes it will be easier for someone to borrow money if they are solvent with a good history. However, as that person gets older the attractiveness will lessen as the risk grows. The Section 24 negates a lot of this argument as the loan is now not a taxable allowance. This will have a considerable effect on landlords whom have several buy-to-let mortgages, myself included. With regret this will mean that I will have to review my rents, most of which I have either not increased or have done so marginally since 2008. Property has always had the possibility of a good return, however it is a double edged sword and many a person has been burned and this will continue. I completely agree about the stigma of renting, when I was younger I paid rent. You were certainly treated as a second class citizen. It was a case of how things were said to you rather than being repelled by society. I also had to put up with a couple of awful landlords, but i also had some decent ones as well, overall I am certain that there are more responsible landlords now than back in the 80's. Europe is different to UK over renting and have many different rules so impossible to compare. What I do know is that in Germany they have an ongoing property revolution and property prices are soaring where a lot of Germans are putting savings into property as they deem it a safe place, much like the UK. This ,however, is making rents competitive. Maybe the UK Government should look in that direction and instead of taxing the landlord into putting up rents and excessive legislation they should promote fair competition. Just a thought. IMHO the private landlord offers better competition in a market place that will keep rents at a fair rate. Nobody wants an empty property. Anyway to give context I am just behind the baby boomer generation and have made sacrifices to build my portfolio, as I am sure many of them would have done so also.

From: Andy Marshall 04 January 2021 10:59 AM

Interesting perspective from Michael Foley. The main issue here imho would be that lenders will not be happy to lend if the situation as Michael suggests becomes the norm!

From: Andy Marshall 23 December 2020 11:33 AM

These organisations that are intent on driving private landlords from the sector need to have a good look at the situation. Corporate landlords will not be a 'fix all' situation. Less competition will undoubtedly lead to higher rents. If section 21's are to be axed then a robust fair system to both tenants and landlords must be put in place. Lets's get this right now so that we are not fixing the next problem in a few years time.

From: Andy Marshall 23 December 2020 09:36 AM

Excellent news, how do i apply!

From: Andy Marshall 22 December 2020 12:01 PM

Whether we like it or not these changes are coming. If Labour were in, well this current lot, then we can all kiss our income from property goodbye. Technology is moving forward at an incredible rate. I am confident that we will have good alternative choices in the years ahead that will be cost effective. Mind you being an Arsenal supporter at the moment I am ever the optimist!!

From: Andy Marshall 14 December 2020 11:55 AM

Wow a few ruffled feathers today. Corona is real, but not the devastation that it has been made out to be. It has been a tough call all round balancing the need of the fragile few against economy. I would not like to be making these decisions and I think we all need some humility in out outlook. Climate change con....hmmm. Romans apparently were growing grapes on Hadrian's Wall. Must have been warm then i guess. Therefore nobody can win the temperature argument imho. However, air quality using up resources too quick etc etc... I think change needs to happen and i will play my part. The older I get and per chance slightly wiser I despair at some of our politicians. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised...I am listening to Brexit keenly. If the Europeans do not wish to play ball then I hope we as a nation refuse to buy their goods. My focus currently is encouraging my local MP to leave CGT alone. We contribute enough already. The argument that individuals are evading tax by having wages in shares is simple. Any wage no matter the form is a wage, tax it as such. Lastly Blair was wrong to encourage only Universities...we need skilled tradesmen and apprenticeships let's hope this lot do better

From: Andy Marshall 10 December 2020 12:00 PM

Pointless. A conciliation service! Landlords whom don't follow the rules will take no notice as will tenants that have similar views. We've had rules and laws to tighten legislation for Landlords, most I don't have a problem with as was adhering to most of it in the first place. What we do not have is a quick eviction system that evicts problem tenants. There is too much support for individuals that flout the rules. For clarity i'm not talking about individuals that have genuine hardships. Our only defence is to ensure we get the good tenant in the first place, not easy.

From: Andy Marshall 02 December 2020 10:10 AM

I'm with Mr Townsend, bought rundown property and learnt the skills to do them up and used tradesmen where required. Will not be buying more but paying off mortgages getting ready for retirement. Established landlords should not become unstuck, though can see people selling if the Government try to over legislate. That said do not take your eyes off the ball, Covid has had some devastating effects on up to now bullet proof jobs, so no room for complacency.

From: Andy Marshall 30 November 2020 10:54 AM

I'm glad that this has come up. I made a claim on a garden wall being blown over in strong winds, will not go into details but the neighbour lowering her garden next door had not helped this situation. Needless to say insurance company agreed that I was covered ,but I then found out that I was under insured on my house which meant that they would only pay 70% of my claim. I asked them to prove this. I went through demolition costs and build costs on my whole property and explained that my property was functional and not bespoke. In other words normal kitchen, not granite work tops or gold plated taps etc, same for the rest of the house. Eventually they had to agree that the house was adequately insured and fully paid for the cost of the replacement wall. Remember this is a business and as such they will try and undercut you and this is seen as good business for them. Therefore if you don't like what they inform you challenge it!

From: Andy Marshall 29 November 2020 17:19 PM

Hi Sue West, well said, i mean i've even heard that there are some businesses that sell food for a living . Outrageous, we all have the right to eat. Soon they will be selling us water! Hang on a minute, what's this bottle say Naive, ah no sorry evian. Without doubt there are useless idiotic cretinous (sorry love this word) landlords and lets hope that they get out of the business. I assume that you work somewhere that deals with complaints on housing, good for you. All I can say that you will never hear from one of my tenants, it's a partnership and I make sure that I hold up my end, I won't bore you with how many times that I have been let down though. Balance is the key. I would add that I am blown away with your confidence in the Politicians to sort out housing. I think it would be better if landlords were able to licence any half decent politician regardless of party. Anyway that's enough of my sentiment.

From: Andy Marshall 30 October 2020 19:08 PM

I strongly agree with comments by John Thompson. I have properties in 5 areas of the UK with very different interactions with the local councils. I no longer will take on Social paid tenants as a start point due to very poor communications with said Councils. That said I do of course support tenants whom find themselves in this situation before, after and during Covid. Being a Landlord, as well as being a business, means that sometimes you need to go that extra mile. Bring licensing on. Existing landlords should not pay for this, the Government have enough revenue from us since S24 to fund this. New landlords should budget for licensing. In the next phase of licensing then all should pay but it should be at a reasonable price. Currently tenants benefit from Landlords whom break the rules. This money should be shared with local authorities to off set high licensing fees. It is my belief that when the reports come back from inspections it will transform the image of landlords. The vast majority of us work hard, communicate well with our tenants and provide warm, desirable places to live and have a good relationship with tenants. The press will not report this as it's not good fodder for the papers, Shelter aren't interested as they would have to down size and lose their voice and so and so on. Reform needs to happen across the spectrum and licensing to me would be a good way to demonstrate how the greater number of good landlords operate.

From: Andy Marshall 30 October 2020 11:19 AM

If you wish to compare like for like look at the tax rules in other countries. If you let a property for more than 10 years you have no CGT to pay in many European Countries including Germany. In addition you have tax relief on your business loan. It is foolish to compare if you do not look at all the issues. One that the Landlord bashers would like is that you cannot evict in France in the Winter months, for any reason. That said if you owe rent money there it is a criminal offence and not civil so most people act with responsibility.

From: Andy Marshall 28 October 2020 15:09 PM

Completely agree with R Brown's comments. Regardless of your view on landlords/tenants this just demonstrates how the scales of justice are unbalanced. Most if not all this money should go to the public purse.

From: Andy Marshall 15 October 2020 09:41 AM

What is this 8 square metres they are referring to. I am licensing a HMO and it states single occupancy 6.51 square metres and double occupancy 10.22 square metres. Am I missing something?

From: Andy Marshall 19 November 2018 23:09 PM

Hmmmm this story does not make sense. If the Landlord followed correct procedure then this is trespass + criminal damage. I hope that this can be rectified swiftly for all concerned. I to am reluctant to let my properties to persons on benefits and currently the market is good so that I do not have to, however if it changes...... I completely agree that the Councils, on the benefit side, should have a more pro-active view with Landlords. However, I deal with Councils in several areas on other issues and found them to be very helpful.

From: Andy Marshall 08 November 2017 10:16 AM

What more changes in legislation what a surprise! One day maybe some legislation will be to assist the hard working, right thinking professional landlord.......nahh must be dreaming.

From: Andy Marshall 31 October 2017 02:17 AM

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