POSSESSION CLAIM ONLINE LAUNCHED

www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk

08 06 30 October 2006

POSSESSION CLAIM ONLINE LAUNCHED

As part of the modernisation of court services, claims for possession of residential property can be made online from today.

Possession Claim Online has been launched by Her Majesty’s Courts Service to enable property owners, such as landlords, local authorities and mortgage lenders, to apply electronically for repossession for non-payment of rent or mortgages.

More than 260,000 possession claims were issued in the county courts in England and Wales last year. The 24 hour service allows small and infrequent users, such as private landlords, to fill out their claim online, while frequent users, such as local authorities or mortgage lenders, can link their data system directly into the Possession Claim Online interface to automatically start new claims. Court fees are paid electronically either by credit/debit card or direct debit. Claims are issued straightaway and court hearing dates, to hear the claim, are scheduled automatically. Claimants and defendants can also track their claim online and once a possession order has been granted by a court, claimants can arrange for warrants to be issued via the online service. Currently the whole claim process must be done on paper direct with the court.

Launching the new service for England and Wales, HMCS Chief Executive Sir Ron De Witt said:
“Possession Claim Online is putting the needs of courts users first - it’s about accessing justice in a more efficient and convenient manner. The service is more convenient for users as it means that they can make their claim online and it is issued immediately, with a court date automatically scheduled. Those using PCOL no longer have to fill out a lengthy paper claim. And they can keep track of their claim at all stages, instead of having to contact the court.â€?

The new service follows on the back of the success of a similar service for small claims – Money Claim Online – which allows people to make small claims online. That service has been running since 2002 and has processed over 200,000 claims since then.

Possession Claim Online has been successfully piloted in courts in South Wales before its roll-out. Possession Claim Online is available at www.possessionclaim.gov.uk/pcol/

NOTE
Possession Claim Online was piloted at Aberdare, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath, Pontypridd and Swansea county courts.

LandlordZONE Newsletter - More Landlord Involvement…

November 2006 – Issue 13

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Increasingly, the emphasis behind reviews of landlord-tenant legislation and codes of conduct is one of supplier-customer or supplier-client.

In future the landlord will have to treat the relationship as less of the traditional adversarial one—more as a business or consumer partnership.

The landlord is likely to have to become much more pro-active in the way properties are managed, with implications for his time involvement and cost.

The landlord will have the choice of doing more, or paying professional property managers to do it.

This involvement is particularly highlighted in the co-operation needed between the parties with, for example, the new asbestos and fire regulations where responsibility for safety is shared, land and lease registration and the burgeoning environmental and other measures coming along.

Environmental concerns are prompting a considerable amount of new work for landlords.

This newsletter highlights some of the more pressing landlord management issues. Future newsletters will look into each one of these and others in much more detail.

Tom Entwistle, Editor.

This issue is wholly sponsored by Coverlet – one of the leading providers of insurance for the rental property market.

Landlord’s Insurance from Coverlet

Landlord’s Insurance from Coverlet

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Fusion Property issues guidelines for buy-to-let investors

Fusion Property Investment Services has issued an 18-point guide for would be buy-to-let purchasers. Fusion provides clients with a one-stop-shop solution to residential property investment, but recognises that some investors prefer a more hands-on approach. For this category it gives the following advice:

Make a rational, rather than an emotive decision. Buying a property for investment purposes is totally different than buying a home. Tenants have different criteria for choosing a property than a purchaser.

Do the maths. Divide the net annual rent by the value of the property and if the figure is less than 6-7% walk away. Capital growth is all well and good, but you should be earning a decent income too. Fusion investors typically reap 12% yields.

Don’t over stretch yourself and don’t assume 100% occupancy. Aim to breakeven on a 60% occupancy level and budget for 80%.

Location is everything. Look for regeneration areas with potential for substantial capital growth. Fusion has identified the Chatham area in Kent as on such “hot spot�, but they exist throughout the country. These may not be areas where you would chose to live – but you will not be living there. Key factors are amenities: transport, shops and employment. Tenants are usually single, without children. They are more interested in things like convenience stores than good schools.

Check the locality on websites such as www.upmystreet.co.uk to ascertain the frequency of property sales and price trends. If there has been a high percentage of sales and flat prices, there may be a problem with the locality. Local publicans and newsagents are often a vital source of local information.

Continue reading Fusion Property issues guidelines for buy-to-let investors…