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Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

Another big council looks at forcing selective licencing on private landlords

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A big South East counciil hopes to introduce a big selective licencing scheme for private landlords which would cover all PRS homes. Medway, which is a unitary authority covering a large swathe of Kent including Rochester and Gillingham, has seen those renting in the private ren

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

Official report backs binning leasehold but some owners 'still worried'

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Ditching leaseholds is 'entirely possible' although some flat owners still arent convinced about moving across to commonhold, a government report has concluded. It explains that while reaching a point at which most existing flats are owned without a third-party landlord or ar

Landlords given five months to join enlarged �800 London licencing scheme

Landlords given five months to join enlarged �800 London licencing scheme

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More than 5,400 homes in Islington now need a licence under Islington Councils new selective licensing scheme.  Landlords in Finsbury Park, Tollington and Hillrise wards are affected, where properties are blighted with poor conditions, according to council enforcement of

Gove consults landlords on looser rules for commercial to residential conversions

Gove consults landlords on looser rules for commercial to residential conversions

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Landlords are being encouraged to share their thoughts on government plans to make it easier to convert larger department stores, space above shops and offices.  As part of Housing Secretary Michael Goves announcement on https://www.landlo

UK Property Market Summary and Predictions for 2023

UK Property Market Summary and Predictions for 2023

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The UK property market has undoubtedly seen a tumultuous period since the end of 2022. Fluctuating statistics, record-breaking demand, falling supply, and concerning economic projections have left many scratching their heads and wondering: https://www.rw-inv

Need a hoover in a hurry? High-tech kiosk lends renters essentials

Need a hoover in a hurry? High-tech kiosk lends renters essentials

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Residents of East Village's Build-to-Rent blocks can rent household essentials like vacuums and game consoles via TULU's smart kiosks.

Government targets cities and relaxes planning in bid to solve housing crisis

Government targets cities and relaxes planning in bid to solve housing crisis

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A new https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/government-housing-policies-not-working-for-landlords-or-tenants-mps-are-told/" housing plan would allow shops, takeaways and betting shops to be turned into homes while homeowners would have greater freedoms to carry out property

Gove calls for EPC deadline reprieve to give landlords a break

Gove calls for EPC deadline reprieve to give landlords a break

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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has suggested a delay in bringing in energy efficiency plans for the private renter sector. Citing financial pressures on landlords, he told The Telegraph that the government should relax the pace of changes to

Landlord with OBE to pay £300,000 fine over 'appalling conditions' at properties

Landlord with OBE to pay £300,000 fine over 'appalling conditions' at properties

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A veteran landlord with an OBE has been handed a whopping �300,000 fine after two decades of managing illegally converted houses. Nirpaul Riat was given one of the largest ever fines in Hounslow for managing 22 properties where vulnerable tenants lived in appalling conditions.<

Under-cooked Renters (Reform) Bill could be just 'much ado about nothing'

Under-cooked Renters (Reform) Bill could be just 'much ado about nothing'

News

One of the drawbacks of being labelled an expert is you are in demand for your expertise. It becomes your product and when stocks are running low, like we have all experienced when trying to find an egg in the supermarket at the end of the week for your Saturday morning cooked breakfast, th

PRS reforms make evicting rogue tenants more difficult

PRS reforms make evicting rogue tenants more difficult

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After years of campaigning and lobbying by tenant groups the Government has committed to huge changes for landlords when evicting tenants.

Huge London selective licencing scheme given green light by Gove

Huge London selective licencing scheme given green light by Gove

News

Southwark Council has been given the green light for one of the UKs largest selective licencing schemes. It got approval from Housing Secretary Michael Gove following the introduction last year of a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for HMOs and a small, selective lic

Extra stamp duty clobbering Welsh landlords with �92 million extra tax take

Extra stamp duty clobbering Welsh landlords with �92 million extra tax take

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Landlords and holiday homeowners continue to be clobbered by a tax grab from the Welsh Revenue Authority. The latest figures show revenue from the higher rate of stamp duty - Land Transaction Tax (LTT) - increased by 50% from �61 million in 2020/21 to �92 million in 2022/23 -

Some landlords and letting agents treating migrants 'heartlessly' say campaigners

Some landlords and letting agents treating migrants 'heartlessly' say campaigners

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Migrant communities face discrimination while navigating the private rental market, according to new research by Generation Rent and Migrant Organise. Their poll of 126 migrant private renters found that 42% had struggled to find a landlord or letting agent to rent to them as a

OPINION: Inflation cut bodes well for property, but we're not out of the woods yet!

OPINION: Inflation cut bodes well for property, but we're not out of the woods yet!

Opinion

The FT reports a surge in property stocks as inflation falls, and bricks and mortar property values could soon follow stocks? The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) measure of inflation and prices, which includes consumer price inflation, producer price i

Landlord who 'ignored responsibilities' given criminal conviction and �18,000 fine

Landlord who 'ignored responsibilities' given criminal conviction and �18,000 fine

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A landlord who failed to licence her six properties has ended up with a criminal conviction and hefty fines totalling nearly �18,000. London Land Holdings Ltd, London Land Holdings 1 Ltd and sole director of both companies, Susannah Meisner , were charged

Khan calls for short-lets licencing in London as Airbnbs hit 80,000

Khan calls for short-lets licencing in London as Airbnbs hit 80,000

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called on the government to bring in a licensing system for short-term lets in a bid to protect the capitals housing supply. More than 80,000 properties are listed on https://www.airbnb.co.uk/london-united-kingdom/stays" target="_blank"

LANDLORD: This is how much my BTL flat cost to upgrade from EPC 'D' to a 'C'

LANDLORD: This is how much my BTL flat cost to upgrade from EPC 'D' to a 'C'

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<figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329eff8e3a4af45/64cb9a643c7c4a123ad31709_image-5.png" alt="" id="" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div></figure>There has been much in the pres

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Comment: fears over the future of private rental market in the regions mount

Comment: fears over the future of private rental market in the regions mount

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While in England the housing minister Eddie Hughes has just https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/breaking-minister-confirms-government-will-not-consider-rent-controls-in-england/" target="_blank" ruled out rent controls , in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Irish R

Legal case '� can there be a reasonable excuse for not licensing an HMO?

Legal case '� can there be a reasonable excuse for not licensing an HMO?

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Weve all heard the expression, ignorance of the law is no excuse� and this applies without question in all areas of the law. But in some rare instances it seems the courts and tribunals are open to accepting a defence of what is termed reasonable excuse even when the regulatio

Landlord says protecting tenants during portfolio sale will cost him �500,000

Landlord says protecting tenants during portfolio sale will cost him �500,000

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Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts (main picture) has made another bid to sell 40 of his properties by offering to cut the sale price by a tenth if a landlord buyer keeps his existing tenants on. The regular LandlordZONE contributor has previously suggested https

LATEST: Guidance issued for landlords with tenants hoping to take in Ukrainian refugees

LATEST: Guidance issued for landlords with tenants hoping to take in Ukrainian refugees

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Landlords have been warned to check a propertys potential status if their tenant wants to offer Ukrainian refugees a spare room. Updated guidance on the rules around the Homes for Ukraine scheme outlines that where a private tenant is paying rent for their accommodation, the

BREAKING: Wales delays introduction of controversial Renting Homes Act

BREAKING: Wales delays introduction of controversial Renting Homes Act

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The Welsh government has announced a five-and-a-half-month delay to the introduction of its controversial Renting Homes Act which had been due to go live on 15th July this year. Now postponed until 1st December, housing minister Julie James says

Latest changes to Part L of the Building Regulations

Latest changes to Part L of the Building Regulations

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Landlords are required to conform to the safety and environmental rules set-out in these regulations so its important you understand the law regarding the building regulations. The rules are in place to ensure that buildings meet a certain standard of safety to protect residents and memb

Welsh government clamps down on holiday let landlords with tougher council tax rules

Welsh government clamps down on holiday let landlords with tougher council tax rules

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Landlords in Wales who rent out self-catering accommodation will no longer be able to dodge council tax under new and tighter rules announced by the Welsh government. In its bid to crack down on the impact many holiday lets and second homes are having on communities and the Wels

REVEALED: Shocking but true data behind landlord rent arrears and evictions

REVEALED: Shocking but true data behind landlord rent arrears and evictions

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A staggering 71% of all landlords reported having at least one tenant in arrears due to the pandemic, according to the latest English Private Landlord Survey . Nearly a third (29%) were lucky not to have any, but landlords with one property most commonly ha

Amended rules for landlords on fitting carbon monoxide alarms

Amended rules for landlords on fitting carbon monoxide alarms

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Landlords in England have since October 2015 been required to install carbon monoxide alarms in their residential rented accommodation where a solid fuel solid fuel heating appliance was fitted. This would include all open fireplaces that were available to be used, that is where

LATEST: Pet-owning resident in legal clash with freeholder over 'permission'

LATEST: Pet-owning resident in legal clash with freeholder over 'permission'

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A dog-owning tenant has launched a legal challenge against her freeholder which could result in parting with her pets or the leasehold. The womans partner moved into her property five years ago with three small dogs and admitted this to the freeholder. It then sent her a

PetScore referencing service for landlords officially launches

PetScore referencing service for landlords officially launches

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A tech professional who is also a landlord has launched what she believes to be the ideal solution to the impasse between landlords who won’t take tenants with pets, and the estimated 7.6 million tenants in the UK who want to live with their cats or dogs.

Throuple trouble? Modern relationships making HMO compliance tricky, warns top lawyer

Throuple trouble? Modern relationships making HMO compliance tricky, warns top lawyer

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Landlords and agents must make sure they dont come a cropper deciding what constitutes a single household when vetting HMO tenants in an age of polyamorous relationships, warns a top property lawyer. While the legal definition of a household can be explained quickly, re

HMRC claws back �254 MILLION from landlords via Let Property campaign

HMRC claws back �254 MILLION from landlords via Let Property campaign

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Just over a quarter of a billion pounds has been clawed back from landlords since HMRC's Let Property campaign began eight years ago, it has been revealed. The latest figure for the campaign were revealed by Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman in response to a writt

UK landlords could reap rich rewards from Afghan crisis

UK landlords could reap rich rewards from Afghan crisis

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With private rentals and holiday homes in high demand, many due to Covid and holiday staycations, some councils are offering landlords some very attractive incentives, dubbed golden hellos� of up to �3,500. Some councils have been offering private landlords and second home

HMO landlord hit hard by Scotland's tough licensing regulations

HMO landlord hit hard by Scotland's tough licensing regulations

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A landlord who was hauled up on minor maintenance issues has been refused an HMO licence by Glasgow City Council. Khurshid Begum told its licensing and regulatory committee that he had sorted all the problems at his property in Grant Street, Hillhead, but councillors would still

Explained: Major upcoming EPC Regulation changes for Buy-To-Let landlords

Explained: Major upcoming EPC Regulation changes for Buy-To-Let landlords

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The UK Government has identified that homes across the UK contribute about 1/5 of all carbon emissions from the country. In order for the UK to reach its ambitious carbon neut

Why technology can give your business a big break

Why technology can give your business a big break

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As a landlord, your life is far from idle as you work hard to find new tenants, manage your current ones, do the admin, find reliable tradespeople and much more.<br>Faced with

SNEAK PEEK: Barratt reveals micro flat concept being built in London

SNEAK PEEK: Barratt reveals micro flat concept being built in London

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House building giant Barratt has revealed what it claims to be the future of UK housing a 37 sq metre one-bedroom apartment for sale at �285,000. The 160 initial Smrt homes are within the companys huge Eastman Village development in Harrow, North London where event

A national rogue tenant database would be 'open to abuse' says industry expert

A national rogue tenant database would be 'open to abuse' says industry expert

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A national rogue tenant register to combat the issue of renters trashing properties and leaving landlords out of pocket could be open to abuse, a leading expert has warned. Sean Hooker, head of redress at the https://www.theprs.co.uk/" target="_blank" <strong id="

As the weather warms up, the risk of subsidence rises '� are you covered?

As the weather warms up, the risk of subsidence rises '� are you covered?

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August got off to an unsettled and changeable start this year, with heavy rain and flooding in many parts of the UK. But the long-range weather forecast is now predicting warmer than usual conditions in late August, and potentially even a heat wave, with temperatures set to soar across some

Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

Summer retainer fees charged to students by landlords are 'unlawful'

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Rent Smart Wales is challenging letting agents and landlords over the widespread practice of charging student tenants summer retainer fees which it claims are unlawful under Welsh legislation. It says a retainer is an additional fee which is unlawful under the Renting Home

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

What is the difference: Lease, Licence or Tenancy-at-Will?

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Owners (landlords) of commercial (business) premises and sometimes residential premises want to let to a tenant on a short term basis, but are fearful of creating a long-term arrangement such that the tenant cannot be removed if the landlord wants it.Basically, there are three ways to do that whi

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

As the regulations mount up, should landlords self-manage or not?

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When it comes to owning a buy-to� let property, the decision as to whether to use an agent or not is a big one. It is estimated that more than half of landlords self-manage their rental properties, believing it to be the best way to maintain control over who lives there and how

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

Commercial property offers three times greater yield than residential, says research

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Commercial investments produce an average yield of 10.7% while residential properties offer just 3.7%, new research has claimed. Scotland is home to the highest commercial yield at 20.4%, along with the South West (13.7%), while Scotland is also where investors can find the high

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

Yes minister, there’s already a ‘lifetime deposit’ to offer tenants

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While the cost of renting continues to increase across the UK, the Government continues to grapple with the issue of making renting more accessible and secure, especially for

Bold action needed to save the PRS

Bold action needed to save the PRS

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NRLA calls for urgent government support to address rent arrears and court backlogs, proposing interest-free loans and grants to sustain tenancies.

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

What are 'Deemed Contracts' and how do they affect Landlords?

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Especially at a time like this, in the middle of a pandemic, when good commercial tenants are hard to find, landlords dread the time when a lease comes to an end, or their tenant goes into administration. When a commercial landlord loses a tenant, not only do they lose regular r

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

Government to spend �13 million helping prison leavers rent from private landlords

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The government is pouring �13m into a homelessness reduction initiative to fund long-term accommodation for prison leavers in the private rented sector. More than 140 councils across England will share out the cash to pay for landlord incentives and loans for rent deposits, spe

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

ANALYSIS: Are heat pumps a viable option for rental properties?

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We know that households across the UK will need to adopt a low carbon alternative to traditional heating solutions such as oil, gas, coal or wood burning in the future. Air source or geothermal ground source heat pumps are being touted as just such an alternative to help the UK

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

A legal case that took vacant possession a step too far'�

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During these difficult times many tenants have found themselves in the position of wanting to divest themselves of surplus property, to reduce rental commitments by ending a lease agreement before it full term has expired. Perhaps the only way of doing this from the tenants p

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

BREAKING: Thousands of landlords released from 'cladding hell' after EWS1 forms scrapped

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Landlords who own leasehold properties in low and medium-rise apartment blocks affected by the cladding scandal will no longer have to supply an EWS1 form when selling or remortgaging their properties, the government has announced. Thousands of landlords who have been unable to

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

BREAKING: Housing benefit fraud and overpayments now 'rife' says National Audit Office

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Spiralling fraud and overpayments in the benefits system now stand at the highest rate ever recorded, admits the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), as it identifies housing payments as an area of concern. Housing benefit fraud is particularly rife after the pandemic resulted

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

Private rented properties cost on average �7,600 to upgrade to EPC Band C - official

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The private rented sector wont meet new energy efficiency targets unless the government stumps up more cash for any replacement to the Green Homes Grant, it has been claimed. Latest https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2019-to-2020-private-

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

LATEST: Another council brings in big fines for landlords who ignore electrical safety standards

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Bury Council in Manchester has adopted new measures to fine landlords up to �30,000 if their properties dont meet the recently-introduced electrical safety standards. Although the standards came into force in June 2020, they had not been adopted and implemented by the counci