Author : Russell Bowyer

Due to the introduction of Section 24 Tax or the Tenant Tax, as of April 2020, you are no longer able to deduct any of your mortgage expenses from rental income to reduce your tax bill. Instead of a deduction from your rental income, you’ll receive a tax-credit. This tax credit is based on 20% of your mortgage interest payments. So whether you’re an accidental landlord or had the intention of buying your rental properties, these Section 24 (also known as Tenant Tax) rules will affect you. How much the rules affect you will depend on the level of rental income you have and how much mortgage interest you pay.

If you mean you want to sell your house in 5 days but subject to contract, then you need to find yourself a good local estate agent. Also, prepare your house for sale and fix up any low cost repairs, plus de-clutter each room in your house. But if your intention is to sell your house and complete within 5 days, then you may need to take a hit on the price you accept of 25-30% discount. Or you need to be willing to accept alternative creative methods of sale. These creative methods are completely legal, plus you may end up with the full asking price for your house or close to it.

Whilst there are risks associated with exchanging and completing on the same day, it is worth considering how these compere to the risks of a delay between exchange and completion during the Coronavirus pandemic. The main risk is from someone in the chain contracting Coronavirus Covid-19, which could delay or prevent the move. This could be you or one of the other people in the chain. But equally it could be your solicitor or another solicitor in the chain. If this were to happen it could cause a delay to the completion date and may have serious financial implications to you or to others in the chain.