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Using a Guarantor: how to minimise your losses if things go wrong.

Using a Guarantor: how to minimise your losses if things go wrong.

Information

The guarantor is the landlord's insurance policy against tenant default. The guarantor pays the landlord the rent if the tenant defaults, he pays the landlord all his losses, expenses or damages where the tenant fails to carry out his of her full obligations under the lease.This article

Wirral latest council to attack HMOs as 'tomorrow's slums'

Wirral latest council to attack HMOs as 'tomorrow's slums'

News

As councils across the UK rail against the spread of HMOs, the NRLA says it's not landlords' fault that there is such high demand for this kind of rental property. </h3>Wirral councillors have railed against HMOs whilerejecting one highly criti

Exclusive: Brighton says new HMO rules will be among the 'toughest in the UK'

Exclusive: Brighton says new HMO rules will be among the 'toughest in the UK'

News

After a consultation and a green light from the Secretary of State, the city's new property licensing net is set to get much tighter on June 6th. </h2>Brighton and Hove Council isset to hit landlords with some of the toughest licensing rules in

Can't rent out your property? We'll pay you if you help the homeless, says council

Can't rent out your property? We'll pay you if you help the homeless, says council

News

A large local authority in Cumbria is calling on landlords who own empty properties they can't rent out during the Coronavirus crisis to open them up to the council's guaranteed rent scheme, and help homeless people. </h3>Private landlords in C

Renting in 2030 – Deposits

Renting in 2030 – Deposits

Opinion

Exploring the future of rental deposits, including lifetime deposit schemes and tenant-managed custodial options, to enhance affordability and flexibility.

Only “serious and urgent repairs” should be attempted, says new government guidance

Only “serious and urgent repairs” should be attempted, says new government guidance

Information

Repairs and Maintenance: Residential landlords (private and social landlords) are being advised by

Short lets industry launches property website for NHS staff

Short lets industry launches property website for NHS staff

News

Short-termlet landlords and property agents are being encouraged to offer NHS staff afree place to stay during the pandemic. A new industry initiative - https://www.nhshomes.co.uk" target="_blank" nhshomes.co.uk - is hooking up medical

Want to return to live in your rented-out property?

Want to return to live in your rented-out property?

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Re-possession: During the presenthealth crisis, with everyone on virtual lock-down, new lettings areon hold, but when normality resumes, as it surely will, people willwant to let out their own homes on a temporary basis. Whether

BREAKING: Direct Line confirms doors closed to all new rent guarantee policy claims

BREAKING: Direct Line confirms doors closed to all new rent guarantee policy claims

News

One of the UK's largest insurance companies says there is no legal framework available to it that would enable the insurance giant to pay claims now that evictions have been suspended for three months by the government. One of the UKs lar

How can you support your tenant's mental wellbeing, as well as your own?

How can you support your tenant's mental wellbeing, as well as your own?

Information

Today (Wednesday 18 March) is https://mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/" Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) shttps://mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/" MyWhole Self Day , which is all about encouraging employees andcolleagues to embrace and share their identitie

Enforcement – a thankless task

Enforcement – a thankless task

Opinion

The other week, I had the opportunity to shadow the Harrow Council Housing Enforcement Officers, who feature with me on for Channel 5's Nightmare Tenants Slum

Exclusive: landlords warned over new WhatsApp business usage rules

Exclusive: landlords warned over new WhatsApp business usage rules

News

Landlords who use WhatsApp to communicate with tenants are exposing themselves to legal action from the global communications giant, which is owned by Facebook and in the UK is the most popular way to text friends and family. The free-to-use service has quietly ushered in new te

RENT TO RENT: '�Why landlords should read my horror story, so they don't get ripped off like me'

RENT TO RENT: '�Why landlords should read my horror story, so they don't get ripped off like me'

News

Read our interview with a London landlord who is significantly out of pocket after signing up to a three-year guaranteed rent scheme recommended to her by a reputable letting agent. A landlord is urging othersto be wary of letting their pro

LATEST: Landlords do not have to return deposits for ongoing tenancies signed BEFORE June 1st last year

LATEST: Landlords do not have to return deposits for ongoing tenancies signed BEFORE June 1st last year

News

The tenant fees ban and its five-week cap on deposits does not come in fully for all tenancies until later this year, landlords should note. Government authorised tenancy deposit protectionprovider https://www.mydeposits.co.uk" id=

Break Clauses in Residential & Commercial Leases

Break Clauses in Residential & Commercial Leases

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Tenant &amp; Landlord Breaks: A break clause is common in both private residential tenancy agreements and commercial leases, therefore it is highly advisable that both landlords and tenants are familiar with the nature of break clauses in their lease and understand their rig

Exclusive: Rob Moore of Progressive Property reveals views on property academy regulation

Exclusive: Rob Moore of Progressive Property reveals views on property academy regulation

News

Following our recent article on property investment academies and the questionable activities of some operators, we asked the leading player in the market what should happen next. Last monthLandlordZONE shone a light into the famously Wild W

LandlordZONE investigates: the unregulated world of rent-free 'in exchange for' tenancies

LandlordZONE investigates: the unregulated world of rent-free 'in exchange for' tenancies

Information

Thousands of people in the UK live rent free in return for providing services and sometimes, just companionship. But the sector is unregulated and such tenancies are a huge risk for both tenant and landlord alike. An investigation by Landlo

Flooding '� both a landlord's and a tenant's nightmare...

Flooding '� both a landlord's and a tenant's nightmare...

News

Storms &amp; Floods : Given the severityof the bad weather and floods in some areas of the country recently,the past weeks have been an extremely anxious time for some tenantsand landlords. Unfortunately itappears that these worries are not goi

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Paragon Bank paints optimistic picture for private rented sector

Paragon Bank paints optimistic picture for private rented sector

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News
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Opinion
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The bank puts a positive spin on buy-to-let, despite others regularly asking, “should I give up on buy-to-let?” And Savills reveals a secret market segment that heralds growth.

Heat pumps costing landlords £5,800 each AFTER grant

Heat pumps costing landlords £5,800 each AFTER grant

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News
Podcast
Opinion
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Landlords and homeowners are paying an average of £5,787 to buy and fit a heat pump after deducting the £7,500 government grant.

Lawyer says some landlords 'in cahoots' with cannabis growing tenants

Lawyer says some landlords 'in cahoots' with cannabis growing tenants

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News
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More landlords are working together with tenants to commit fraud while running illegal cannabis farms, according to one property lawyer.

Furious investor slams 'anti landlord' Keir Starmer

Furious investor slams 'anti landlord' Keir Starmer

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News
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A furious landlord has criticised Keir Starmer for claiming landlords are ripping off tenants and making a fortune from huge deposits.

Does it still make sense to be a landlord? Or should we be looking to exit?

Does it still make sense to be a landlord? Or should we be looking to exit?

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News
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It’s time to cut to the chase. We’ve all been thinking it: is property becoming more hassle than it’s worth? If you’re questioning your property portfolios, you’re not alone.

Scots Government waters down holiday let regulations

Scots Government waters down holiday let regulations

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News
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All eyes are on Scotland where a scheme to regulate the holiday lets sector has caused a storm after the new licences, which cost between £260 and £520 per property, were introduced.

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals how tenant's actions made him homeless

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals how tenant's actions made him homeless

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News
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A despairing landlord has resorted to protesting on his roof after failing to evict a rogue tenant for the last 25 years.

So much for Gove's 'landlord crackdown' as just 5% of tenants say they will vote Tory!

So much for Gove's 'landlord crackdown' as just 5% of tenants say they will vote Tory!

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News
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The Conservatives’ anti-landlord policies have failed to win much favour among tenants who are most likely to vote Labour in the general election, it has been revealed.

London woman banned from PRS after 'egregious' sub-letting case

London woman banned from PRS after 'egregious' sub-letting case

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News
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A council in London has taken the unusual step of banning a woman from renting homes in the private sector for three years after she illegally sub-let a property in a case that is one of the worst LandlordZONE has ever reported on.

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

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News
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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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News
Podcast
Opinion
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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 &amp; 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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Podcast
Opinion
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Understand how to assess tenant covenant strength and why it’s key to commercial property investment decisions.

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

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Opinion
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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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A clear explanation of ITZA and rent review zoning — why old ITZA measurements may not always apply in new rent reviews.

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

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Podcast
Opinion
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Learn how a Calderbank offer can help landlords settle disputes and avoid costly rent review referrals.

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

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Opinion
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According to research from the NLA, 4 in 10 landlords are either seriously considering forming a limited company or looking into the option in the coming months.Can you - and more importantly should you - set up a company to pay less tax? Heres my complete guide on becoming incorporated.<stron

What heating system for Rental Property?

What heating system for Rental Property?

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News
Podcast
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What heating system should you use in your rental property? Is there a heating system that could solve landlords condensation claims problems?Its one of the most important questions to ask when letting a property for the first time. Whatever system you choose carries implications for the ef

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

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News
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The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) and the National Landlords Association (NLA) have called on the classified online listings service Gumtree to issue clear guidance over possible scams involving bogus letting scams.The warning has been issued to Gumtree by the NLA and the RLA after f

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

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At rent review, the phrase 'going to arbitration' is often bandied about during negotiations as a means for one party to get its own way. Whether or not the parties can agree the rent without involving the dispute resolution procedure, it is common for a represented or experienced party to inv

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

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News
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From the 1st of October 2015 it became a statutory requirement that landlords issue all new tenants after that date with the latest edition of a Government publication The How to Rent Guide�, along with a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a current Gas Safety

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

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From 1st February 2016 all new tenants in England must be given Right-to-Rent (Immigration) Checks to determine their "right-to-rent" or "right-to-reside" in the country, BEFORE they can be given a tenancy. Landlords or letting agents must do the checks - letting agents where the

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

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This is a Guide to Tax Deductible Letting Expenses for Landlords under the new tax rules following the Summer Budget 2015. These may be subject to change and you are advised to consult a tax specialist before making any decisions.From April 2016 landlords will no longer be able to automatically d

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

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News
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An Edinburgh landlord set-up hidden cameras in the bedroom and bathroom of his flat, to film people in bed and in the shower.The cameras were discovered by a young couple, friends of the landlord who allowed them to use the accommodation. The couple found a box on the living room table with a cam

Comparable Evidence

Comparable Evidence

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Amongst the ways to agree or ascertain the (open) market rent at rent review or on renewal of a lease, (per s.34-s35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), is the use of comparable evidence.At rent review, the market rent for the premises is not what rent the actual tenant would agree or could afford, bu

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

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There are two instances of section 20 notices in property in England:(1) is the notice served in relation to early shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, and the other,(2) refers to section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act (CLR

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

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Who pays for maintenance and repairs in a residential letting, landlord or tenant?Is it, for example, a tenants responsibility once they occupy my building to look after most of the regular house maintenance items? If the fridge stops working does the tenant or the landlord need to repair it?Y

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

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With commercial property, rent reviews are generally to the open market rent, but sometimes the rent would be adjusted to the Retail Price Index (RPI). RPI is generally considered more favourable to landlords than CPI or other methodologies.There is no link between open market rent and inflatio