TENANT DEPOSIT SCHEME READY OR NOT?

In April 2007 the Tenant Deposit Scheme (TDS) will come into effect in England and Wales, overseeing deposits equating to an amount worth £1.2 billion, according to Communities.gov.uk.

The TDS will provide protection to both tenants and landlords entering into assured short hold tenancy agreements by offering an independent and regulated means of dispute resolution.

The National Landlords Association (NLA), the sponsors of one of the two insurance schemes, will principally concern landlords and agents not belonging to RICS, ARLA or the NAEA. David Salusbury, chairman of the NLA, hopes the TDS can help to “nurture and encourage a professional private-rented sector”, a sector that continues to grow.

Continue reading TENANT DEPOSIT SCHEME READY OR NOT?…

LandlordZONE Newsletter - How to Survive the Tough Times in Letting

February 2007 - Issue 16

==========================================================
Download the Newsletter

Landlording is not an armchair investment, unless you have the capital behind you to sit back and not worry about interest rates, and to pay someone else to have all the management problems.

Some of those who have been “shunted”? into an “oven ready”? investment package may be about to find this out.

With only a small uplift in interest rates the auction houses are already seeing a surge in failed investment buy-to-let properties coming under the hammer.

What’s going to happen if things get really tough?

Continue reading LandlordZONE Newsletter - How to Survive the Tough Times in Letting…

Tenancy Deposit Protection Service (The DPS)

We have today 8/2/07 been advised that the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) are advising local authorities about the Tenancy Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) that runs the custodial scheme for tenancy deposits.

The DPS - the only free deposit protection scheme – is open to all Landlords and Letting Agents. The service is funded entirely from the interest earned from deposits held. Landlords and Letting Agents will be able to register and make transactions online. Paper forms will also be available should internet access be an issue. The scheme will be supported by a dedicated call centre and an independent dispute resolution service.

For more information please see their website: www.depositprotection.com

Landlord Rights within the UK? Knowing Where You Stand?

Being a landlord can be lucrative and it can give you a sense of pride in knowing that you actually own a property. However it can also be extremely stressful and expensive if any problems do arise and it is more than likely that they will!

Poor tenants? Rent not being paid on time? Pets ruining the home. There are so many problems that can occur and often landlords do not know their rights so they are unable to do anything about it. So, if you do own a home and you are not sure what rights you have as a landlord, here you will find the information that you need in order to make the best decision on what to do if a problem does arise.

You Have to Know What You Are Responsible For

In order to know your rights you have to first understand what you are actually responsible for. Every landlord within the UK has to:

Continue reading Landlord Rights within the UK? Knowing Where You Stand?…