News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the November / December 2002 issue RPI news archive

In brief - November / December 2002

Shorthold Tenancy agreement is now available. The agreement has been revised in accordance with the latest Office of Fair Trading guidelines and has the Crystal mark of the Plain English Campaign.

In August 14,600 dwellings were started in Great Britain and 12,700 completed, compared with 15,000 and 12,600 in August 2001, according to Government figures. Over the last three months there has been a 5 per cent decline in the number of starts when compared with the same part of last year.

The Inland Revenue has put its hand in landlords' pockets again. Landlords' expenses, such as furbishment costs, tradesmen's bills, void periods and travel to and from the property, cannot be set against tax, even though income from rents is taxable ­ and neither can void periods. Landlords may also suffer if they are fed up and sell the property, especially if it has been bought within the last three years or so, as most landlords would have to pay 40 per cent tax on any profits on sales of their properties.
 

other artilces from the November / December 2002 issue

• Making representations
• Tenancy gains for unmarried couples
• Queen's speech
• In brief
• Inheritance tax clamp down
• House price inflation lower
• Housing benefit pilots
• Household debt management