Stamp duty changes apply from today

The new rate of stamp duty on buy-to-let property and second homes comes into force today 1st April. There are exemptions however to this change in property tax, buying a property for less than £40,000, caravan or houseboat will not be included. Home movers who buy their next property before selling the one they are…

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Another new rule for Landlords in Wales

New rules coming into effect in Wales from the end of February will mean landlords will require planning permission to convert a house from use as a single household to a shared rental property of 3 to 6 unrelated people, commonly known as Homes for Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Landlords will need to pay a fee…

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Property prices in Wales to outpace London

According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS),  Wales will be one of the strongest areas of the UK for transaction levels in the coming year, alongside the North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Analysts at the RICS  indicate that house prices in Wales will rise by 6%, while London will see just a…

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Rent Smart Wales now launched

With around one in seven homes in Wales now privately rented, the Welsh Government housing minister Lesley Griffiths today launches the “Rent Smart Wales Scheme”, this scheme is meant to uphold standards in the private rented sector. The aim of the licensing scheme is to improve the image of the private rented sector, all private…

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Rents hit record High

Rents increased by 4.6% in April compared with the previous year, marking the fastest annual increase recorded since November 2010, according to estate agents Your Move and Reeds Rains. On a monthly basis, rents grew by 0.8% between March and April according to the study, which started in January 2008 and is based on rents…

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VTUK’s guide to getting licensed: The Housing (Wales) Act 2014

We aim to assist every agent in Wales as the introduction of the Housing (Wales) Act is introduced. From last Friday (19th September 2014) every agent in Wales must know be licensed. The legislation requires agents to register with an approved body such as ARLA or NALS. The agent and the landlords must commit to…

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