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Article by Asmi and Calum, Mortgage Advisors, Excaliber Associates – 01752 340183
Pandemic, inflation and conflict. 2022 is shaping up to be another challenging year for us all, with the cost of living climbing, you may be worried: so where does this put you?
We’re already feeling a squeeze on the market. With the cost of energy having risen, and set to rise further in April, this only adds to the inflation that impacts upon us all. This is no different to the mortgage market, where we have already seen slight increases in the base rate of interest, with the expectation of further rises in the coming year to combat its effect.
With 2022 set to be the year of the remortgage, even by conservative estimates, now is the time to assess your finances to meet the coming year head on. Beat the rising rates, lower your rising costs.
The time to seek independent financial advice is now, not only to save on one of your largest burdens, but to protect yourself against any future changes.
Excaliber Associates mortgage team welcome calls from SWLA members with mortgage queries.
Article by GoSimpleTax
You were still required to send HMRC your 2020/21 Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed by 31 January. However, due to coronavirus they announced they will waive late filing/payment penalties for tax returns submitted before midnight on 28 February if you can’t.
Tax returns treated as being received late have the following downsides:
So, the deadline has been and gone – you have not yet completed your tax return, let alone paid it. GoSimpleTax suggest you complete your self-assessment to know your tax liability and at least pay what you owe as soon as you can. You do not have to submit it, however, if you have done it why wait?
I have filed, but I am struggling to pay
If you cannot pay as your income has been affected by coronavirus you may be able to pay your self-assessment tax bill via a payment plan. HMRC have an online application for Time to Pay.
You can spread the cost of your latest self-assessment bill if
You can see if you are eligible and apply for a payment plan online, you do not need to phone HMRC.
If you cannot access the online service or are not eligible you should call HMRC at your earliest convenience to discuss your situation. The self-assessment payment helpline is 0300 200 3822.
Think ahead for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
With MTD for income tax over the horizon, it is mandated for 2024, begin converting to digital software. HMRC’s portal can be confusing – now is the perfect time to switch.
Digital software allows you to calculate your tax liability in real time if you chose to use it from April 2022 and update your finances weekly, monthly or quarterly. You can be one step ahead, plan your finances and spend more time concentrating on your business.
GoSimpleTax suggest submitting your 21/22 tax return on 6th April and then utilising software to stay up to date with your finances. Updating your tax return in real time. You will always be one step ahead and with the uncertainty of the pandemic it pays to be, as you are likely to be ready to claim any future help the government may offer.
To conclude, if you are yet to file or pay your 20/21 tax return, we advise you take action soon, whether that is to file and pay or to seek help from HMRC through the Time to Pay. Delaying is just putting off the inevitable – seek help if you need it.
Our software submits directly to HMRC and is the digital solution for Landlords to record income, expenses and file their self-assessment giving hints on savings along the way. Covering all self-assessment pages, not just property, GoSimpleTax does all the calculations for you saving you ££’s on accountancy fees.
Available on desktop or mobile application.
Use the tax year through to record income, expenses and submit your return for just £49.00 £36.75 (SWLA Member Discount)
The UK’s animal health industry representative, NOAH, has launched a survey for landlords on the topic of renting with pets. Article by NOAH (National Office of Animal Health)
Please complete the survey if you have 5 minutes to spare – landlords can put forward ideas and experiences that may impact future policy around pets in rented accommodation;
NOAH launched its campaign, ‘Securing the Right to Rent with Pets’ in 2021, seeking to improve access to pets for responsible owners in rented accommodation. As part of its campaign, NOAH is seeking the real-life experiences of property owners that do rent to pet owners, and exploring why others choose not to, and what changes might persuade them to change their policy.
NOAH is working to help change the rental market by improving access to pets for responsible owners. Sharing our lives and homes with companion animals significantly benefits people and animals; with people enjoying extensive health and wellbeing benefits, and animals enjoying the security and care of a loving home. NOAH is keen that these benefits are available to all – not just homeowners.
However, despite these clear benefits, NOAH understands that improving access to pets in private rented accommodation will only be achieved if a solution can be identified that gives appropriate protection to property owners. For some property owners, there are perceived fears about pets in properties, and a belief there is not enough protection in place to encourage them to remove restrictive tenancy agreements and ‘no pets’ clauses – this is something NOAH is actively working to tackle, so property owners can open up to pet-owning tenants with complete peace or mind.
As part of this mission, NOAH is engaging with property owners direct, to better understand the concerns around renting to tenants with pets; past experiences of having pets in their rental properties; and what (if any) policies they believe would enable them to confidently open up their homes to responsible tenants with pets.
NOAH’s Landlord Survey launched in early February 2022 and will run for a 3-month period. The data and insights collected as part of the Landlord Survey will be analysed alongside the results collected as part of NOAH’s Tenant Survey, which launched in November 2021 and came to a close earlier this month. The final ambition will be to produce a policy report containing NOAH’s recommendations to the Government on how access to pets in rented accommodation can be improved in a way that ensures property owners and tenants are fully protected.
All responses received as part of the Landlord Survey are anonymous, unless participants choose to share their contact details, and it should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.
Plymouth City Council is seeking to engage positively with landlords to improve homes without the need for enforcement.
Landlord Survey – Please complete if you have 5 minutes spare.
A pilot project is being run in five local authority areas (including Plymouth) across England and Wales. The purpose of the pilot is to raise awareness with private rented sector landlords on the possible advantages of adapting their properties and in raising awareness of grant funding opportunities such as the Disabled Facilities Grant if they have a tenant who requires adaptations currently in their property.
The aim is to improve understanding of some of the barriers landlords face in adapting their properties in your local area. Therefore, we would be extremely grateful if you could complete this short survey. The survey should only take five minutes to complete, all data is kept anonymous and will only be used for statistical purposes.
The survey information is being collated by the NRLA.
Landlord Survey – Local Authority Pilot Scheme (qualtrics.com)
https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state-minister-for-housing–2
The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew was appointed as a Minister of State (Minister for Housing) in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 8 February 2022.
He was previously Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip) from 13 February 2020 to 8 February 2022.
He was previously Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) from 28 July 2019 to 13 February 2020. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence from July 2018 to July 2019.
He was an Assistant Government Whip from 15 June 2017 to 19 July 2018 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Wales Office on 9 January 2018 and 19 July 2018.
Stuart became MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough in 2010. In 2012, he was made Parliamentary Private Secretary to Francis Maude MP.
In the 2015 general election, Stuart was re-elected and took on the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to Patrick McLoughlin MP.
See the full document here; Levelling Up the United Kingdom: Executive Summary (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Levelling up is a moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government. The Levelling Up White Paper is a flagship document that sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally across the UK. It comprises a bold programme of systems change, including 12 UK-wide missions to anchor the agenda to 2030, alongside specific policy interventions that build on the 2021 Spending Review to deliver change now.
”By 2030, renters will have a secure path to ownership with
the number of first-time buyers increasing in all areas; and
the government’s ambition is for the number of non-decent
rented homes to have fallen by 50%, with the biggest
improvements in the lowest performing areas.”
”We will also regenerate 20 of our towns and cities by assembling and
remediating brownfield land and working with the private sector to bring
about transformational developments combining housing, retail and business in
sustainable, walkable, beautiful new neighbourhoods. These new
developments amongst others will be supported by an Office for Place which
will pioneer design and beauty, promoting better architectural aesthetics to
ensure they enhance existing settlements, gladden the eye and lift the heart.”
”Our aim with these reforms is to improve pride in place in every area of the UK,
with the gap between top performing and other areas narrowing (Mission Nine).
Poor housing quality, overcrowding and a reliance on temporary accommodation
for vulnerable families also contribute to unnecessarily poor health and quality
of life for many. We will take action on two fronts. First, building more housing in
England, including more genuinely affordable social housing. Second, we will
launch a new drive on housing quality to make sure homes are ft for the
21st century.”
”To deliver our mission to improve housing conditions, we will introduce new
legislation to improve the quality and regulation of social housing, give
residents performance information so that they can hold their landlord to
account and ensure that when residents make a complaint, landlords take quick
and effective action to put things right. And we will publish a landmark White
Paper in the spring to consult on introducing a legally binding Decent Homes
Standard in the Private Rented Sector for the first time ever, explore a
National Landlord Register and bring forward other measures to reset the
relationship between landlords and tenants, including through ending section
21 “no fault evictions”.
This will all help to ensure that by 2030, renters will have a secure path to
ownership with the number of frst-time buyers increasing in all areas; and our
ambition is for the number of non-decent rented homes to have fallen by 50%
with the biggest improvements in the lowest performing areas (Mission Ten).”
Key messages
Article from gov.uk; Government calls on landlords to help national effort to house Afghan families – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The government is calling on landlords with suitable properties to submit offers through a relaunched housing portal.
Landlords are being urged to offer homes for families evacuated from Afghanistan to help the national effort to get them settled in the UK.
The government is calling on landlords with suitable properties to submit offers through a relaunched housing portal.
The portal allows private landlords to put forward offers of accommodation so councils can match them to families.
More offers are urgently needed to help move families from temporary bridging accommodation and into their own homes – so they have the stability they need to rebuild their lives in the UK.
Landlords will be supporting the more than 300 councils who have already pledged places. This is backed by £5 million in government funding.
Minister for Afghan Resettlement Victoria Atkins said:
I’ve seen first-hand the incredible support available and am so proud of the way communities across the country have thrown their arms around these families, many of whom put themselves at risk to help the UK and our allies in Afghanistan.
We know these families need a place of their own so they can truly build a life in the UK, but we recognise that finding settled accommodation for so many people is a challenge.
That is why today I am urging landlords to join our efforts and come forward with offers of housing so we can help these people settle and thrive.
Ensuring people have a home to call their own is a vital part of our programme of support to help those who worked closely with UK forces in Afghanistan, risking their lives in the process, so that they are able to begin rebuilding their lives here.
Homes have been provided to more than 4,000 evacuees but more offers are required to ensure that no family is left without an appropriate housing match.
Accommodation must be self-contained with no shared facilities, available for at least 12 months, and meet safety regulations and landlord responsibilities. To support as many families as possible, properties should be as close to the Local Housing Allowance Rate as possible. There is a particular need for larger properties and properties that are in a close proximity to one another.
The government is working alongside councils and other partners to ensure those currently accommodated in bridging accommodation are receiving vital support to help them rebuild their lives, find work, pursue education, and integrate into their local communities.
SWLA TradePoint Members get an additional 10% off.
Landlord Accreditation Training Course – ONLINE
Monday 25th April 2022 – 9:00 – 4:30pm
Venue – Online
Price – £65 for members of SWLA, £75 for non – members for one day course.
Course covers ASTs, Deposits, Section 21s, Section 8s, HMOs, Gas and Electrical Safety, Inventories and much more.
The course will provide you with all the skills to start, manage and finish a tenancy.
Places still available. Contact the office on 01752 510913 or info@landlordssouthwest.co.uk to book your place, places only secured on receipt of payment.
Over 1060 landlords have already completed this course since September 2011.
Course can lead to Accreditation, if required.
We are proud to announce Landlord Accreditation South West (LASW) are founder members of the West of England Rental Standard.
**PLEASE NOTE – THIS IS NOT AN SWLA WEBINAR – PLEASE SIGN UP BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND**
Martyn Taylor of Ashley Taylors Legal invites all SWLA members to the following free landlord webinar;
When – 11am Wednesday 2nd February 2022
Subject– ‘Notices Seeking Possession; Section 8 & Section 21 – getting notices correct, common problems in court & how to avoid them’
Where– Zoom
If you would like to sign up, please click the following registration link to register in advance;
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LfWhNy43S-SZEM5oCEH11g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Any questions in advance please email to events@ashleytaylors.co.uk
The webinar is limited to 1000 attendees on a first come, first served basis.
Don’t miss the Self Assessment filing deadline – and five other last-minute tips for landlords
Article by GoSimpleTax
Time is running out for landlords and other Income Tax payers, with the Self Assessment online filing deadline of midnight on the 31 January fast approaching. Miss it and straight away you’ll have to pay a Self Assessment late-filing penalty of £100.
The message for landlords is clear: it’s far better and cheaper to make sure you don’t miss the 31 January Self Assessment online filing deadline. If you haven’t yet started to complete your Self Assessment tax return, you really need to get a wiggle on. To help you, here are five last-minute tips for landlords who need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.
1 Register now if necessary
If the 2020/21tax year was the first year you’ve received taxable income from renting out property, you must register for Self-Assessment online and file an SA100 tax return.
In the supplementary SA105 form, which you submit with the SA100, you detail your rental income and allowable costs/expenses (see below) for that tax year, so that HMRC can calculate your Income Tax and National Insurance liability, which is based on your net profit (ie rental income minus allowable costs), accounting for any income from other sources. HMRC will then send you a bill, which you pay directly. If you need to register, get it done ASAP, so you can get on with completing and filing your Self Assessment tax return.
Need to know!
2 Claim all of your allowable expenses
Many costs can be deducted from your rental income to help minimise your tax bill. These are called “allowable expenses” and can include:
Replacing baths, washbasins and toilets is allowable as building repairs, but only if the quality is comparable – it can’t be better. If your rental property is furnished or part-furnished, you may be able to claim a tax relief for replacing worn, damaged or faulty domestic items such as sofas, beds, carpets, curtains, fridges, washing machines, sofas, crockery, cutlery, etc, again, again, as long as the quality isn’t higher.
Need to know!
3 Don’t claim for “disallowable expenses”
You can’t claim for property improvements, such as converting a loft or building an extension, but keep a record of all associated costs, as you may be able to take them away from the sale price to reduce any capital gains tax liability if you decide to sell the property.
As a general rule, costs must be created “wholly and exclusively” generated by renting out your property, if HMRC is to allow them. So, you cannot claim for personal mobile phone bills or vehicle use, as examples.
Need to know!
4 Include all rent-related income
As well as rent, some landlords charge tenants for additional services, which can include renting furniture, cleaning communal areas, gardening services, in some cases, heating, hot water, etc. This income must also be included within your Self Assessment tax return, as does any money you keep from a tenant’s deposit.
5 Manage your losses
If you already need to file a Self Assessment tax return, for example, because you’re a sole trader (ie self-employed) or you earn taxable income from other sources, you must detail all taxable income and any losses made when renting property, even if you make a loss.
A loss happens when your allowable expenses are higher than your rental income, so that you make no rental profit during the tax year. If this happens and you don’t otherwise need to report any taxable income, you don’t need to complete a Self Assessment tax return, if you only rent out one property.
If you rent out more than one property, the income and expenses of them all will be added together to provide an overall profit or loss for the tax year and you’ll be taxed accordingly.
Need to know!
If you’re really pushed for time or simply don’t relish having to complete your Self Assessment tax return, services providers can do it for you or give you additional peace of mind by checking a tax return you’ve completed. Moreover, there are apps that can also take the pain out of filling out Self Assessment tax returns.
More information
Income, Expenses and tax submission all in one. GoSimpleTax will provide you with tips that could save you money on allowances and expenses you might have missed.
Our software submits directly to HMRC and is the digital solution for Landlords to record income, expenses and file their self-assessment giving hints on savings along the way. Covering all self-assessment pages, not just property, GoSimpleTax does all the calculations for you saving you ££’s on accountancy fees.
Available on desktop or mobile application.
Sharing on behalf of Plymouth City Council https://www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/
Maybe your tenants are asking you for advice, or struggling to make ends meet, if so – you could share this with your tenants – an excellent opportunity for them to access free help and advice if they would like it.
**PLEASE NOTE – THIS IS NOT AN SWLA WEBINAR – PLEASE SIGN UP BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND**
Martyn Taylor of Ashley Taylors Legal invites all SWLA members to the following free landlord webinar;
When – 11am Wednesday 19th January 2022
Subject- ‘It’s 2022 – Let’s be aware of the changes coming.’
Where- Zoom
Martyn will be updating attendees on making sure Section 8 notices are correct and ensuring landlords do not double up accidently on notices which might already be served and still valid. Also a general look into common possession pitfalls.
In addition there will be a “standard update” on any recent developments in practice affecting the procedures that need to be carried out by landlords – and any cases that merit attention and reaction! i.e. the little things that we need to be aware of and take note in our actions to get things right.
If you would like to sign up, please click the following registration link to register in advance; https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4JetXiXISN2fmbV64UeKVg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Any questions in advance please email to events@ashleytaylors.co.uk.
The webinar is limited to 500 attendees on a first come, first served basis.
The proposals for Additional Licensing of Private Rented Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield wards and Selective licensing scheme of all other privately rented properties in Bedminster and Brislington West wards were approved by the Cabinet and the scheme will come into force on 6 April 2022. The scheme will be in operation for five years.
Most privately rented properties (including HMOs) in Bedminster and Brislington West wards, and HMOs only in Horfield ward, will require a licence from 6 April 2022 and each property will be inspected at least once during the lifetime of the scheme to ensure that they meet licensing standards.
An HMO is a property where three or more persons who are not related, occupy the accommodation and share some facilities such as bathroom and/or kitchen.
It is a legal requirement for landlords to make a licence application for each property that they let in the area that needs a licence. Failure to do so could result in enforcement action and prosecution. A fee is charged for each licence, payable in two stages, the first on application, the second part before the licence is issued.
Landlords with properties with Mandatory Licences do not need to make a further application under this scheme.
Further details on how to make a licence application will be sent in due course and will be included on our website https://www.bristol.gov.uk/licences-permits/property-licences where you can also find out more information about property licensing.
The Property Licensing scheme was approved by the Mayor at the council’s Cabinet meeting. All comments, observations or queries concerning this decision should be directed to your elected representative (ward councillor) and not through the council’s complaint procedure.
Information from Bristol City Council
Meeting; AGM –
Date; Wednesday 19th January 19:30 –
Venue; Future Inn Plymouth –
SWLA Members Only
The government has published a call for evidence on Income Tax Self Assessment registration for the self-employed and landlords. You can find it at: Open consultation overview: Call for evidence: Income Tax Self Assessment registration for the self-employed and landlords – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This will run for 12 weeks from 30 November 2021, ending on 22 February 2022.
They are keen to hear from a wide range of respondents and are planning a series of themed online discussion workshops in January and February. If you would be interested in attending please contact itsaregistrationconsultation@hmrc.gov.uk
A new scheme is being launched in Cornwall to help renters who are facing eviction to stay in their homes. Cornwall Council has set aside £700,000 to assist landlords and tenants in preventing homelessness, with up to £5,000 available for each instance.
The tenancy sustainment and rescue project will help tenants of privately-owned properties who have fallen behind with their rent and are therefore threatened with being made homeless.
It is hoped that landlords thinking about serving notice due to rent arrears will feel that this is a ‘much needed lifeline’ and get in touch. Citizens’ Advice Cornwall will work with tenants and landlords on a case-by-case basis, looking at the reason for the arrears, and provide advice and assistance. They will also work with landlords to maintain the tenancy for a minimum period of 12 months.
For more information; New scheme to help those threatened with eviction from privately rented homes – Cornwall Council
A note from SWLA – most Local Authorities have access to funding to rescue tenancies and prevent homelessness.
If you are evicting your tenant due to rent arrears, contact the tenant’s Local Authority and query if the tenancy can be saved. The tenant can also contact their Local Authority, Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Article by GoSimpleTax
More than 12m people file a Self Assessment tax return each year, which is almost a fifth of the UK population. They include sole-trader bricklayers, plumbers and plasterers, as well as hairdressers, cake makers and chefs, and self-employed tutors, translators and tattoo artists. People of all occupations, trades and backgrounds work for themselves.
Sole traders are key to the UK economy. They’re the unsung heroes who make up about 59% (3.5m) of the total UK business population of 5.9m and they of course include many freelancers, contractors and agency workers.
Many other people also need to fill out and file a Self Assessment tax return to report taxable income and in recent years, many UK sole traders have received taxable COVID-19 grants and support payments from government and other sources that must also be reported via Self Assessment. This guide provides an overview of who must sign up to Self Assessment and how they should report COVID-19 grants and support payments.
Here’s what we’ll cover
Who must file a Self Assessment tax return?
Self Assessment is the system the UK tax authority HMRC uses to collect Income Tax. You need to register for Self Assessment and file an SA100 tax return if you:
• If you’re still not sure, HMRC provides an online tool that you can use to check whether you need to file a Self Assessment tax return.
Need to know!
How to register for Self Assessment
It’s simple and relatively quick to register online for Self Assessment. When registering you’ll need to give your:
You’ll also be asked for basic information about your new sole trader business, if that what you’re doing. After you’ve completed the questions, HMRC will create an account for you. You’ll then receive a letter with your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number within 10 days (21 if you’re based overseas). You’ll need your UTR to file your Self Assessment tax return. You’ll also then receive another letter with an account activation code. Once activated, you can file your tax return online at any time before the deadline.
Need to know!
Reporting COVID-19 grants and support payments
To help some self-employed people to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic when they couldn’t work, the government introduced a range of business-support measures, including SEISS (the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme), which began in May 2020. Five rounds of SEISS grants were awarded and the application deadline date for the last one was 30 September 2021.
Other COVID-19 grants and support payments included:
As a sole trader or member of an ordinary business partnership, you may have received COVID-19 grant funding and/or support payments, which you now need to tell HMRC about if it is taxable. Thankfully, it’s straightforward.
If you’re self-employed, HMRC has published guidance on reporting COVID-19 grants and support payments (choose from short or full notes). Short and full guidance is also available online for members of ordinary partnerships who need to report COVID-19 grants and support payments via Self Assessment.
Sources of support
About GoSimpleTax
Income, expenses and tax submission all in one.
GoSimpleTax will provide you with tips that could save you money on allowances and expenses you might have missed.
The software submits directly to HMRC and is the solution for the self-employed, sole traders and anyone with income outside of PAYE to file their self-assessment giving hints and tips on savings along the way.
GoSimpleTax does all the calculations for you saving you ££’s on an accountant. Available on desktop or mobile application.
The Bank of England has raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years, in response to calls to tackle surging inflation.
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 in favour of the increase to 0.25%.
Rates were cut to a record low of 0.1% in March last year in response to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The increase came despite fears that the Omicron variant of Covid could slow the UK economy by causing people to spend less.
The Bank said global asset prices had initially fallen in response to news of the new variant, but had since largely recovered.
The committee also voted unanimously to maintain the Bank’s asset purchase scheme at £875bn.
The last time the Bank raised interest rates was in August 2018, when they reached 0.75%.
They were then cut twice in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
Figures issued on Thursday showed the cost of living surged by 5.1% in the 12 months to November, up from 4.2% the month before, and its highest level since September 2011.
Article from BBC News
Homelessness prevention grants are available, click on the bullet point text below for further information;