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Watch out for 'secret' compliance fee clauses in agency contracts, landlords told

Watch out for 'secret' compliance fee clauses in agency contracts, landlords told

News

A leading housing lawyer has questioned the use of property regulation compliance fees which appear to absolve letting agents of their responsibilities to ensure a landlord's

LATEST: Big council reveals £20m plan to buy rented homes off exiting landlords

LATEST: Big council reveals £20m plan to buy rented homes off exiting landlords

News

Newham Council has approved a radical new plan to buy up properties where tenants have been threatened with eviction because their landlord no longer wants to let the property

Government issues damp and mould warning within new landlord guidance

Government issues damp and mould warning within new landlord guidance

News

Private landlords are to be held accountable for damp and mould in their homes including unlimited fines for those who flout the rules, new guidance from the Government has ma

Minister says landlords will evict tenants who get 'green grants' to upgrade homes

Minister says landlords will evict tenants who get 'green grants' to upgrade homes

News

The government has promised to focus on promoting grants to make PRS homes more energy efficient and ensure that tenants won't be penalised for demanding green improvements.

Mortgage rate rises to see huge surge in limited company landlords - claim

Mortgage rate rises to see huge surge in limited company landlords - claim

News

Three-quarters of landlords who plan to buy a new rental property in the next year will use a

Climate change will hugely increase demand for greener short lets, says expert

Climate change will hugely increase demand for greener short lets, says expert

Opinion

A leading energy efficiency consultant has called for a transformation in the way landlords operate short-let holiday accommodation, saying this housing sector needs to reduce

Scottish leader reveals rent controls plan

Scottish leader reveals rent controls plan

News

The Scottish Government has pledged to introduce long-term rent controls and measures to enhance tenants’ rights and protections.

Disability group says hoarding and other mental health issues 'not reason to evict'

Disability group says hoarding and other mental health issues 'not reason to evict'

News

A disability rights group has vowed to push for stronger regulations in the Renters Reform Bill so disabled tenants don't face discrimination from their landlords.

Shelter claims landlords evicting older tenants via Section 21 'for no reason'

Shelter claims landlords evicting older tenants via Section 21 'for no reason'

News

Shelter has claimed that the renting reform bill's slow progress through parliament is harming the health of older tenants, saying its research shows nearly a third live in

Research shows big city council doing 'very little' to police bad landlords

Research shows big city council doing 'very little' to police bad landlords

News

Councils across Greater Manchester are failing to enforce disrepair in the PRS, putting tenants at the mercy of a potential postcode lottery - and highlighting the huge gap in

'Stop landlord bashing' says renting sector chief as conference season starts

'Stop landlord bashing' says renting sector chief as conference season starts

News

Politicians should stop landlord bashing to prevent further damage to the private rented sector, says one property body boss.

WATCH: The five main ways to evict a tenant after reform bill becomes law

WATCH: The five main ways to evict a tenant after reform bill becomes law

Opinion

Two experts have spelled out the challenges landlords will face when evicting tenants once the Government's plans to reform the private rented sector become law, most likely

New net zero minister urged to give landlords clarity on EPC changes

New net zero minister urged to give landlords clarity on EPC changes

News

New Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho (main picture) has been encouraged to focus on driving through new EPC rules as the green debate be

NRLA wants you to run your properties better and avoid 'red tape' fines

NRLA wants you to run your properties better and avoid 'red tape' fines

News

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has launched two new initiatives that will help members manage their properties better and also be compliant with the myr

Landlords are not evil says buy-to-let mortgage lender, Paragon Bank’s chief

Landlords are not evil says buy-to-let mortgage lender, Paragon Bank’s chief

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In a recent interview conducted for The Sunday Times, Nigel Terrington, the chief executive of Paragon Bank for the last 28 years, says he has witnessed the growth an

Private rented sector 'a failure' says tenant union lobbying for radical restructure

Private rented sector 'a failure' says tenant union lobbying for radical restructure

News

Tenants' union Acorn has admitted it is out to shake up the structure of property ownership � as well as taking on rogue agents and landlords.

REVEALED: Is it worth upgrading rental properties to meet new EPC rules?

REVEALED: Is it worth upgrading rental properties to meet new EPC rules?

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Landlords updating their properties to meet imminent Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) changes could make more in lifetime energy savings than they pay out for green improv

AGENT: Landlords 'must support local communities and provide for social tenants'

AGENT: Landlords 'must support local communities and provide for social tenants'

Opinion

A leading property management firm has called on private landlords to support the social tenant sector following yesterday's report from London Councils tha

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Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

Tribunal slams councils for 'cash cow' licencing schemes that aren't needed

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A First Tier Property Tribunal has slammed Nottingham Council for covering large swathes of the city with licensing schemes rather than targeting rogue landlords, a 'temptation' it says is faced by other local authorities. Justice for Tenants brought a case on behalf of a tenant

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

Shrinking buy-to-let could see a buy-to-let mortgage drought

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As landlords continue to exit the buy-to-let market, to the detriment of their tenants, could this rout also lead to buy-to-let mortgage lenders following their lead? This is a question posed by Chloe Cheung writing for the FT this last weekend. Its a serious question, a deve

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

Letting agents back HMO council tax re-banding reform proposals

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Letting agents have backed the Governments decision to reform the way HMO properties are banded for council tax. Propertymark, which represents the estate agency sector, says in its submission to a consultation by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that p

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

LATEST: Greens say 'immediate' rent freeze is only answer to housing crisis

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Landlords wanting to back the eco movement may want to pause for thought after the Green Party today vowed to bring in an immediate rent freeze and no-fault eviction ban to tackle the housing crisis. During an election campaign visit to Suffolk, party co-leaders Carla Denyer and

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

Landlord jailed after ignoring court order to improve rat-infested property

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A rogue landlord has been jailed for 10 months after he failed to comply with conditions set by a court concerning his rat-infested property. Martin Ambler admitted four counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order in May 2022 but sentencing was deferred so that he could instr

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

Have you been hit by the 'cost of landlording' crisis? Here's some help

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There is a lot of talk at the moment about how rents are up by 11% across the UK and although I know its tough on renters, landlord costs have, in many cases, doubled. This includes mortgage premium payments following interest rates rises from 0.5% to 4% in just 12 months, an

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

Tory think-tank and Shelter push for three-year tenancies for PRS

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The government should introduce three-year tenancies to protect tenants from uncertainty and rising rents, according to a liberal conservative think tank report. The Bright Blue group has teamed up with Shelter to publish, <strong id

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

NEW: Coalition slams Scots Government over rent cap and evictions freeze

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Landlords have heavily criticised the Scottish governments decision to implement its evictions freeze and rent cap without a proper consultation. The measures, which were widely criticised earlier this year for being rushed through, are now being fought by a coalition of orga

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

Mortgage provider sets up £50 million fund to help landlords upgrade EPCs

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A BTL mortgage provider has pledged to invest £50 million in a fund to help landlords enhance their property's energy efficiency.

Short-Term letting, not without its problems'�

Short-Term letting, not without its problems'�

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Holiday Lets : With the changes tothe tax rules many buy-to-let landlords are thinking of creative waysto overcome the loss of income. Their inability to claim tax reliefon their mortgage interest and the removal of their wear and tearallowance has made a

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (Part II)

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (Part II)

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The Landlord &amp; Tenant Act 1954 Part II deals with the leasing of Commercial (Business) Premises in England &amp; Wales.Commercial (Business Tenancies) Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, Part II The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the Act) is an important piece of legislation in

Would you like to be on Channel 5's Nightmare Tenants Slum Landlords programme?

Would you like to be on Channel 5's Nightmare Tenants Slum Landlords programme?

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Its producers are looking for landlords who need help with a nightmare tenant or letting agent and are happy to feature in the show. Are you one of the millions of landlords who tune in to watch Channel 5s regular Nightmare Tenants Slum L

LATEST: Abolishing Section 21 notices will take at least until late 2021 to become law

LATEST: Abolishing Section 21 notices will take at least until late 2021 to become law

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LandlordZONE understands that the huge task of sifting through 1,000's responses to the governments consultation on evictions reform, and the likely long process of getting the law through Parliament, will take at least 18 months. Landlo

Property expert David Lawrenson looks back on the 2010s...

Property expert David Lawrenson looks back on the 2010s...

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Private Rented Sector Consultant a private rented sector consultant at letting focus and tenants renting guide David Lawrenson

Birmingham introduces city-wide HMO restrictions

Birmingham introduces city-wide HMO restrictions

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News
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Article 4 direction : Birmingham CityCouncil is introducing a city-wide direction for houses in multipleoccupation (HMOs) from 8 June 2020. An Article 4planning direction means that planning approval will be required forthe conversion of a famil

Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

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News
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Capital Gains Tax: Owners of second homes and buy-to-lets that they have previously lived in should be aware that as from April 2020 the tax relief period allowed against capital against tax (CGT) will be reduced. As it is a present,when you se

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

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Letting Agent Contracts: One common question asked by landlords is, "how do I terminate my relationship with my letting agent?"For one reason or another, landlords sometimes wish to end their relationship with their letting agent and want to know how to go about it.Requests

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

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General Election: Part of Laboursbid to be elected on 12th December is a raft of taxraising measures aimed at buy-to-let landlords and second homeowners. Jeremy CorbynsLabour party manifesto launch last week outlined a n

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

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Condensation andmould : This time of year,as the temperature drops, both new homes and old homes aresusceptible to the formation of condensation and unsightly mould: newhomes because they are effectively a sealed box, and old homesbecause they often lack ef

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

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The colder weather is here again, its that time of year coming; you feel that cold chill in the air, the snow and ice will soon arrive, and you know its time to get out that winter coat, scarf and gloves.You also know that cold wet weather on the way will test your rental properties and tenant

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

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Portfolio Landlords: Buy to let lender Paragons recent research shows that professionaland larger-scale landlords are still investing and are increasing the size oftheir portfolios through more targeted investments. With an average portfolio

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

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New rules that came into force in March allow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/landlords-sue-cold-damp-homes-law-tenants-renting-housing-a8776671.html" tenants to sue landlords for issues like cold and damp. A broken heating system or poor ventilation that

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

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Commercial Property : A recent High Court decision in Co-Operative Group Food Ltdv. A&amp;A Shah Properties Ltd (2019) relates to an authorised guaranteeagreement (AGA) dispute, in this case an agreement involving a guarantor of theoutgoing tenant. <p id

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

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The Government has announced its intention to scrap Section 21 notices for eviction in an effort to offer tenants more long-term security.

New service charges rules in commercial property

New service charges rules in commercial property

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Commercial: A new set of mandatory rules introduced from 1stApril 2019 and though the document itself is titled a first edition, itsupersedes 3 previous editions published as codes of practice. The RICS (Royal Institution of Ch

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

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Security: Renovating a buy-to-let property can be a great way for landlords to increase the rental income

My tenant left without telling me...

My tenant left without telling me...

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Abandonment: When times get hard the instances of tenants leaving without notice are known to increase. Doing a runner�, skipping� moonlight flitting� walking away� or gone away� and in the words of the immortal song;

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

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Tenancy Deposits: According to TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) less than 1% (0.85%) of tenancies they handle have resulted in a deposit dispute in the year to March 2018, nevertheless its important to get it right when dealing with tenants' deposits.Cleaning was the most com

The Condensation Conundrum

The Condensation Conundrum

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Viewpoint by Tom Entwistle As winter approaches outside temperatures drop and the perennial landlords problem of winter condensation and black mould rear their ugly heads again.The question is, how do you know if this is caused by the building or the tenant, or is it a co

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

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Landlords' Tax: Internet sites, such as AirBnB, have increased the number of landlords letting to lodgers and to guests on short stays. There are specific tax benefits to this type of letting business which are expanded upon below.Furnished holiday letting</st

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

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Section 21: Most tenancies will never require the service of a Section 21, Housing Act 1988, (eviction) notice. However, on those occasions when it does become necessary, and you just never know, landlords (and agents) will thank their lucky starts they complied with the rul

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

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Asbestos:Asbestos regulations were last updated in 2012 , bringing the UK in line with EU regulations, which means the current regulations have been in place long enough for most

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

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The Application Form You should always use a comprehensive Tenancy Application Form when taking on a new tenant. You need a completed application for each adult tenant in the property.The Tenancy application form is a very important starting point for any residential or comm

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

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End of an AST: Questions: What happens when an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) comes to an end? Will the tenant have to leave or does she need to sign a new agreement? What if a tenant wants to leave early? How long can a periodic tenancy last?When the fixed term (minimum of