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Do HMOs still stack up as an investment?

Do HMOs still stack up as an investment?

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Over the last 15 years, the HMO market has been transformed and there has been a boom. The reason for the boom  was, quite simply, that HMOs could generate far better returns than single home lets.   But as the market grew, regulations tightened. On top of the extra du

LATEST: Section 21 evictions increasing as landlords quit sector, says Citizens Advice

LATEST: Section 21 evictions increasing as landlords quit sector, says Citizens Advice

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Nearly half of all Section 21 eviction notices have been prompted by landlords selling their properties, Citizens Advice has revealed. It also says that its seen a ramping up of evictions by landlords using Section 21 notices, handling some 2,000 cases last month. <p id=""

Guaranteed rent firm takes down website after LandlordZONE probe

Guaranteed rent firm takes down website after LandlordZONE probe

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A guaranteed rent firm has taken down its website after being exposed for using spurious claims about its connections with reputable bodies. London-based UK Housing Group Ltd, which boasts of being, the largest social housing agency in London and the Midlands featured out-

Historic Article 4 used to limit short‑term holiday lets

Historic Article 4 used to limit short‑term holiday lets

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Gwynedd Council introduces Article 4 Direction to regulate second homes and short-term holiday lets, requiring planning permission for change of use.

Extra costs and red tape hitting landlords hard, mortgage chief warns

Extra costs and red tape hitting landlords hard, mortgage chief warns

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Politicians and lobby groups are likely to continue blaming private landlords for the housing shortage largely created by the hostile regulatory environment imposed by the same politicians who want even more draconian laws, finds a new report. One of the most bizarre aspects of

Council cracks down on illegal HMOs with surprise inspections

Council cracks down on illegal HMOs with surprise inspections

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Two unlicensed HMOs have been discovered during unannounced inspections by a council in the North, which says more 'surprise visits' are on the cards. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c3

BREAKING: Landlords tell housing minister face-to-face that sector needs support

BREAKING: Landlords tell housing minister face-to-face that sector needs support

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Landlords in Wales have called for the countrys government to make more effort to encourage private investment in the sector during a face-to-face meeting with housing minister Julie James. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has asked her government to exem

Less that 20% of PRS homes within LHA rates reveals shocking research

Less that 20% of PRS homes within LHA rates reveals shocking research

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Fewer than one in five private rental properties in England were within the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates last year, according to new joint research by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Shelter . The groups say the average

Leading property figure calls for 'tenancy register' in England and Wales

Leading property figure calls for 'tenancy register' in England and Wales

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The government has missed a trick by not introducing a tenancy register instead of an anti-landlord landlord register, one property consultant has claimed. Blackbird Real Estate founder https://www.richard-berridge.co.uk/" target="_blank" Richa

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Landlord fighting licensing 'overeach' urges YOU to get behind new petition

Landlord fighting licensing 'overeach' urges YOU to get behind new petition

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A Portsmouth landlord has launched an online petition in a bid to stop councils using heavy-handed criteria when designing selective licensing schemes.

Is this councillor offering Britain's most generous landlord deal?

Is this councillor offering Britain's most generous landlord deal?

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Private landlords are being offered attractive letting and leasing deals by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in a bid to tackle its housing crisis.

Landlords to get access to 'expanded boiler upgrade scheme'

Landlords to get access to 'expanded boiler upgrade scheme'

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Landlords could get more choice about what type of energy efficient upgrades they fit in their properties under the government’s Warm Homes Plan.

HMRC warns landlords off CGT avoidance schemes and closes loopholes

HMRC warns landlords off CGT avoidance schemes and closes loopholes

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HMRC has made the unusual step of warning landlords not to use widely-routed tax avoidance schemes which it says are being marketed to buy-to-let investors as a way to save Capital Gains Tax.

Seven out of ten tenants haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Seven out of ten tenants haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill

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A whopping 69% of renters haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill and 75% don’t understand how it might impact them, a new survey has revealed.

Bailiffs under pressure: The ripple effects of the Renters’ Rights Bill

Bailiffs under pressure: The ripple effects of the Renters’ Rights Bill

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The Renters' Rights Bill is set to to overhaul the eviction process, with bailiffs increasingly under pressure.

House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty

House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty

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House prices dropped in April as buyers paid thousands more in stamp duty, it has been revealed.

Courts aren't ready for Renters’ Rights Bill, Lords told this week

Courts aren't ready for Renters’ Rights Bill, Lords told this week

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The court system isn’t ready for the Renters’ Rights Bill, it was declared in the House of Lords this week.

Two out of five landlords to leave the market, survey predicts

Two out of five landlords to leave the market, survey predicts

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A worrying 39% of landlords will probably exit the market within the next five years, according to the latest poll.

Uninhabitable Premises

Uninhabitable Premises

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Uninhabitable Premises. My tenanted property is flooded. What are my legal obligations in this situation? Am I obliged to re-house my tenant? Must my tenant continue to pay rent?Landlords are under a general obligation to supply property in tenant able condition for the tenant to i

Tenant Blacklist

Tenant Blacklist

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Question: Tenant Blacklists. I've had a very bad experience with a tenant and would like to put him on a black list so that other landlords don't have the same experience that I've had. How do I go about this?Answer: We often get asked this question.Although there have been several attempts by di

Sub-letting Leasehold

Sub-letting Leasehold

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Sub-letting leasehold - I want to rent out my leasehold flat but the managing agent says the freeholder wont allow it. I know that other flats in the block are rented out, so what can I do? Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting to safeguard the interest.Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting

Renting to a 17 year old

Renting to a 17 year old

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What are the implications of renting to a 17 year old or someone who is under the age of 18? We have an application from a 17-year old that is keen to rent but Im not sure this would be legal?</h2> Many landlords and housing providers would be concerned and therefore refuse to let to

Rent Review

Rent Review

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Question - Rent Review - my landlord is asking for far more rent than I expected on review. Am I obliged to pay this?Answer - Commercial leases are contractual - the parties agree to and are bound by its clauses and that includes rent review provisions.The rent review process is a way of periodic

Re-selling Energy

Re-selling Energy

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Re-selling Energy - As a landlord am I able to make a profit by re-selling electricity or gas?</h2>Resale of Gas and ElectricityThe maximum amount that Residential Landlords or resellers� are permitted to charge for gas or electricity is the amount they

Providing a Reference

Providing a Reference

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Providing a Reference - I have been asked to provide a reference for one of my tenants who is moving on. What is my legal position in this and am I putting myself at risk if I say he was a bad tenant?</h2> Referencing (seeking verification of a tenants past performance) is an increasi

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

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Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles - is it legal to have these tiles in the kitchen of a rental property?</h2> There are currently no regulations specifically banning the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles in existing rented property.However, it is unlikely that local authority fire officers and en

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation

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Misrepresentation - We recently rented out our rural cottage to a couple. As they wanted to use their computers I said it was possible to get high-speed broad-band. I thought this would be possible but it seems it is not at this time. The couple are now claiming that I misled them and that

Mail for Previous Tenants

Mail for Previous Tenants

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I'm receiving mail for previous tenants and some of them are from debt collectors. Will this get my property black listed and cause problems for my current tenants and myself in the future?</h2> It's fairly common to have mail arriving for months and even years after residents have left,

Long Term AST

Long Term AST

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Long Term AST - My prospective tenant has asked for a tenancy term of 6 years. Can I use the usual Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement for this?</h2> The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the default tenancy for residential lettings and since October 2010 this applies to rents up to �100,000

Lodgers Limits

Lodgers Limits

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Lodgers Limits - Is there any limit to the number of rooms I can rent out to lodgers, and are there any planning implications ?</h2> There are several parts of legislation in England and Wales that affect this question. Perhaps four main ones apply: Health &amp; Safety (HHSRS), HMO, Over

How long should accounts be kept

How long should accounts be kept

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Question: How long should accounts be kept to satisfy the authorities, things like accounting files, invoices and tax records, as a property landlord?Answer: You must keep your records for 6 years after the tax year to which they apply, whether or not you complete a tax return.It's a good idea, a

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

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Expiry of Section 21 Notice - I have served a Section 21 (s21) Notice on my tenant but don't wish to start proceedings immediately. Can I wait without the notice expiring?Once a Section 21 notice has been served correctly it continues indefinitely, until such time as the tenancy is ended, either

Covenant and Covenant Strength

Covenant and Covenant Strength

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Covenant and Covenant Strength - What is a legal covenant and what is the significance of the terms in relation to rental property and lettings ?</h2>The term covenant can have several meanings and has biblical origins but it is of particulalry significance

10 year lease

10 year lease

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2 years ago I purchased a company with a 10 year lease from my ex boss, on a 10 year lease, the lease was set up by a solicitor. After 2 years the business is struggling and is not viable. I feel that my solicitor ill advised me as there was no break clause mentioned. Where do I stand on t

Uncollected Goods

Uncollected Goods

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Good Left in the Premises or Uncollected GoodsFrequently, tenants leave goods after their tenancy has concluded or when they have abandon the premises during a tenancy. Uncollected goods and possessions left or abandoned in premises by tenants can pose a real problem for landlords.

Standing Order

Standing Order

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<h1 Standing Order</h1>What are Bankers' Standing Orders?</h3><ul <li Standing Orders allow landlords to automate the process of collecting rents</li> <li They safeguard tenants in that the landlord cannot change the payment amount, as is the case with direct debit

Section 8 Procedure

Section 8 Procedure

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The Possession Procedure - 1988 Housing ActThe possession procedure under Section 8 of the Housing Acts 1988 &amp; 1996 is known as the Section 8 Route and is available to landlords where the tenant is in breach of one or more terms of

Renting Business Premises

Renting Business Premises

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Renting or Leasing Commercial Property Renting commercial property usually represents a major part of the operating costs involved in running any business. If you include surveyor's and solicitor's fees, rent, business rates, insurance,

License Agreement

License Agreement

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Types of Tenure: A tenancy gives the tenant a legal interest in the land and property - in effect, legal ownership for the period of the tenancy. Tenancies can take several forms: <ul <li Rent Act or Regulated Tenancies - pre </li> <li

Joint or Single Tenancies

Joint or Single Tenancies

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<h1 Joint or Single Shared Tenancies</h1>Shared House (Joint Tenants) or Individual Rooms (Single Tenants)? Where a landlord lets to multiple and usually unrelated tenants there are two main ways of doing this:(1) As a Joint Tenancyng

Common Law Tenancies

Common Law Tenancies

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These are tenancies that fall outside the scope of the Housing Acts (1988, 1996, 2004), including the Regulated Tenancies, Assured Tenancies (AT) and Assured Shorthold Tenancies ASTs.In the case of a common law residential tenancy , the tenant's rights and obligations are ma

Business Tenancies

Business Tenancies

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What are Business Tenancies ?A tenancy is an "estate in land", granted for a determined period of time (term of years or fixed term - 6 months,1 year, 21 years, 99 years etc) or a specific period (a periodic tenancy - yearly, monthly, weekly, even daily).In return for the "time lim

Gas Safety

Gas Safety

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Landlord's Duty to Ensure Installations are SafeAll Landlords have a common law duty to ensure that gas installations and appliances supplied with their properties are safe. Tenants also have certain legal obligations when it comes to gas safety - see below.I