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Landlords' relief at new rent in advance rule

Landlords' relief at new rent in advance rule

News

Landlords with existing tenancy agreements which have rent payable in advance can continue collecting it until the tenancy ends.

Tenants' dismay at likely rental reform delay

Tenants' dismay at likely rental reform delay

News

The Renters’ Rights Bill is being held up and isn’t expected to become law until at least the autumn, according to reports.

EPC rules will force scores of tenants to move out

EPC rules will force scores of tenants to move out

News

Nearly a quarter of tenants face being moved out of their homes when landlords start energy efficiency improvements.

Landlords 'betrayed' by government U-turn over pets

Landlords 'betrayed' by government U-turn over pets

News

Landlords will need to foot the bill for damage caused by pets under a last-minute amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill.

UK Landlords urged to prepare for change at National Landlord Investment Show summer spectacular

UK Landlords urged to prepare for change at National Landlord Investment Show summer spectacular

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The National Landlord Investment Show’s free Summer Spectacular on July 9th in London offers UK landlords and property professionals essential expert-

Another surge in shop closures comes due to mounting pressures on retail

Another surge in shop closures comes due to mounting pressures on retail

News

Death by a thousand National Insurance contributions - the fate of retailers since the October 2024 budget which imposed higher employment costs

Property licensing system needs big overhaul says leading landlord

Property licensing system needs big overhaul says leading landlord

News

A high-profile landlord has called the property licensing system ‘clunky’ and in need of simplification.

Sceptical landlord joins pioneering green rental homes scheme

Sceptical landlord joins pioneering green rental homes scheme

News

A sceptical landlord has become a ‘guinea pig’ and spent considerable sums on making her Victorian four-bedroom rental property 'Let Zero'.

Northern city launches plan to begin selective licensing

Northern city launches plan to begin selective licensing

News

Preston in Lancashire has become the latest city to launch plans to introduce selective licensing within its borders.

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City-wide landlord accreditation scheme launched with fees sweetener

City-wide landlord accreditation scheme launched with fees sweetener

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Nottingham council has launched a city-wide ‘good landlord’ accreditation scheme and offered those who join the scheme a 10% reduction on fees for its private sector licencing schemes.

High profile tenant given six months in jail for rental fraud

High profile tenant given six months in jail for rental fraud

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A director of the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) who defrauded her elderly landlord out of £30,000 has been jailed for six months.

UPDATE: NW council approves bigger selective licencing scheme

UPDATE: NW council approves bigger selective licencing scheme

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Two selective licencing schemes operated by Wirral Council in and around Birkenhead have been renewed with a further two schemes about to be launched following a consultation.

Southcoast city latest to charge landlords £500 for improvement notices

Southcoast city latest to charge landlords £500 for improvement notices

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Landlords in Brighton and Hove face a £500 charge if they are handed an improvement notice, as part of a council crackdown on failing properties.

How bad is the rental crisis? Latest figures reveal reality not the hype

How bad is the rental crisis? Latest figures reveal reality not the hype

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One of the key arguments used by housing campaigners to criticise the private rented sector and its landlords has been contradicted by the latest English Housing Survey.

Nightmare tenant sentenced after stealing landlord's furnishings

Nightmare tenant sentenced after stealing landlord's furnishings

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A tenant who stole almost £2,000 of furnishings from his elderly landlord has been handed a suspended jail sentence

MPs warn renting reforms could make PRS worse, not better

MPs warn renting reforms could make PRS worse, not better

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A cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned that the government needs to get its Renters Reform Bill right if it is to avoid exacerbating the housing crisis.

The US CoStar Group has completed a takeover of UK property portal OnTheMarket.com

The US CoStar Group has completed a takeover of UK property portal OnTheMarket.com

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US based CoStar, a force to be reckoned with in property, has completed a takeover of UK property portal, OnTheMarket.com

Lettings firm accused of breaking evictions ban

Lettings firm accused of breaking evictions ban

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Three students have threatened to take their landlord to tribunal for allegedly flouting eviction ban regulations which meant they were forced out of their flat while studying for exams.

Fire Safety in Rented Premises

Fire Safety in Rented Premises

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Fire Regulations in Rentals: There are several regulations relating to fire safety within rental dwellings; some affect all dwellings whereas others apply mainly to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).This looks complicated, but fire safety management in reality boils down t

Rising Damp - how to deal with it

Rising Damp - how to deal with it

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Damp & Mould: You may have seen or heard of the 1970s TV series Rising Damp, which featured a landlord and his tenants (lodgers in this case) which rather implies that all rental properties are troubled with this kind of damp.Far from the case, but some are. In fact the

How Much Should Landlords Spend on Renovating?

How Much Should Landlords Spend on Renovating?

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Renting Standards: Specialist residential property solicitor Amanda Sutcliffe of Bray & Bray looks at the importance of keeping a rental property in good condition.Research conducted by Endsleigh Insurance and TrustMark claimed that over 75% of landlords s

Sub-letting fees should not be more than 40

Sub-letting fees should not be more than 40

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Sub-Letting Licenses: (SOLITAIRE) LIMITED Appellant and CHERRY LILIAN NORTON and other cases [2012]Landlords of leasehold buy-to-let flats are often asked to pay a fee (sub-letting licence or registration fee) to the freeholder when seeking permission to sub-let their flat,

Section 21 Notice and Deposit Protection rules

Section 21 Notice and Deposit Protection rules

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Validity of Section 21 Notice: Amak Property Investments v Laura Sonny [2016]This case was an appeal by the tenant following a county court judgement relating to the validity of a s21 notice on the basis that the landlord had not complied with the deposit protection (MyDepo

How to do a rent review - Part 2

How to do a rent review - Part 2

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Essential guide to rent reviews: why reading the lease is crucial for landlords and tenants to navigate rent adjustments effectively.

More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

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Tenant Agreement: The Law of Property Act 1925 talks about having a maximum of 4 tenants on an agreement. So what to do when you have 5, 6 or more tenants sharing a house?There is a common misunderstanding of the rules here. Landlords and agents sometimes think or have heard

Is rent in advance a deposit?

Is rent in advance a deposit?

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Advance Rent: Piggot v Slaven and Johnson v. OldThere are two important cases which clarify (though not necessarily decisively) the position on landlords accepting rent payments in advance. One concerns the accepting of the final two months rent in advance, a common devi

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

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Following some confusion and debate about a deferral for the new standards following the MEES* deadline in April 2018, the new government has confirmed that changes to the EPC rules, preventing landlords from renting out homes below rating E, will definitely be introduced from April 2018.Accordin

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

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Responsibility for Repairs: Who is responsible and who is obliged to pay for repairs to leasehold blocks and flats? What is the procedure if repairs are unnecessarily delayed or not carried out to the leaseholders satisfaction? What is the Section 20 procedure?T

How to do a rent review - Part 1

How to do a rent review - Part 1

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Essential guide on how to conduct a rent review, covering key clauses and best practices to protect landlord and tenant interests.

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

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Test Case Yeomans v Newell [2016]:When a landlord is in breach of the tenancy deposit rules he or she is prevented from serving a valid s21 notice for possession proceedings. Despite the fact that the tenancy deposit legislation has been in force since April 2007, landlords

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

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Test Case: Superstrike Ltd v Marino. RodriguesThe case involved a landlord who had taken a deposit from the tenant before the deposit protection rules came into force in April 2007, since changed by the Deregulation Act 2015 see below. When the tenancy later became a st

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

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Test Case: Leeds City Council v Broadley [2016]This case and the subsequent High Court ruling has brought some clarification about who is liable to pay council tax, tenant or landlord, when a rental property is vacant due to a tenant vacating early, that is, before the tena

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

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Ending a Tenancy: What are the rules governing the ending of a statutory periodic tenancy (SPT) by the tenant, especially when the periods of the tenancy are not the standard 1 month?The answer to this question is not easily defined as it is not covered by one rule or a sing

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

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Deposit Scheme Scam: Mydeposits says it is aware of a new scam being used by a fraudulent company imitating mydeposits and targeting landlords and letting agent members of the mydeposits Custodial scheme in England & Wales.The scam uses an email which imitates one from m

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

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Freezing Pipes: This time of year, as we head towards colder weather and freezing conditions, buy-to-let properties and indeed all rental properties are vulnerable to potentially expensive winter water damageIn this article digital inventory app developer Imfuna Le

Rent-free period

Rent-free period

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Guide to commercial tenancy rent-free periods and full repairing leases, explaining tenant obligations on lease expiry or termination.

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

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Landlords and letting agents should by now be conversant with the 2014 regulations on blinds and curtains and the measures necessary to prevent accidents with children. It is particularly important to ensure that blinds and curtains supplied in rental properties meet these regulations, otherwise,

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

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Changes to the law on Section 21 and in particular how landlords deal with reported repair issues is now of crucial importance if section 21 claims for possession are to be successful. Careful pre-planning is now essential at the time of setting-up Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST).The Section 21

Assessing Covenant Strength

Assessing Covenant Strength

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Assuming a commercial property is let already, the proposition an income-producing investment, the investor would be buying the building/property, not the tenant's business. Since the purchase price is geared to the passing and reversionary rent, it is normal to assess the tenant's ability to per

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

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I have always found the holding deposit (an initial retainer paid to the landlord or agent to reserve a tenancy) is a very useful device to commit the tenant to your letting. But is it legal to withhold the advance deposit you take from a prospective tenant if they back out?In my experience a pro

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

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What do I need to do when I protect my tenant/s deposit? If you take a deposit from your tenant/s you MUST protect the deposit and serve your tenants with the correct documentation within 30 days or face having to pay a fine and the prospect that you cannot use the s21 evict

ITZA revisited

ITZA revisited

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I am revisiting ITZA in the light of an experience I am enduring concerning some tenants that are inexperienced of rent review. Tenant contention is that an ITZA adopted/agreed for a previous review should be used again for a current review.Unless the ITZA is documented in a binding agreement, th

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

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Basically, what is known as a Calderbank offer is a 'without prejudice;' offer to settle a dispute to avoid the extra costs and associated risks of a full referral.From Calderbank v Calderbank [1976] and originally confined mainly to family property disputes, an offer of settlement made before th