Date

Library

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Tribunal publishes decision in dispute between tenant and agent

Tribunal publishes decision in dispute between tenant and agent

News

A letting agent investigated by the BBC following complaints about the management of a student HMO in Salford has lost his appeal against expulsion from his industry’s trade association.

Councils issue record number of HMO licences

Councils issue record number of HMO licences

News

An increase in licensing schemes pushed the number of HMO licences issued in England up to a record-breaking 27,177 last year.

Dismay as renting reforms finally hit the buffers

Dismay as renting reforms finally hit the buffers

News

The Renters (Reform) Bill has been abandoned and must now go back to the drawing board after years of uncertainty and political wrangling.

South West properties see strongest tenant demand

South West properties see strongest tenant demand

News

Eight in 10 landlords are reporting strong levels of tenant demand, Paragon Bank research has revealed.

All for nothing? General election 'death knell for Tories' renting reforms'

All for nothing? General election 'death knell for Tories' renting reforms'

News

The Renters (Reform) Bill is almost dead in the water following the announcement of a 4th July general election which probably won’t leave time for it to become law before Parliament is dissolved next Thursday.

Comment: The Labour Party is at odds with itself over rent controls, just how effective are they?

Comment: The Labour Party is at odds with itself over rent controls, just how effective are they?

News

The threat of rent control still lingers, despite Labour claiming the party policy goes against it, landlords still leaving...

Experts pour cold water on Welsh rent controls plans

Experts pour cold water on Welsh rent controls plans

News

The Welsh Government should reinforce existing legislation, remove barriers to building more adequate homes and improve how it collects data instead of bringing rent controls into the housing debate, according to Propertymark.

Northern Mayor vows to seize properties from rogue landlords

Northern Mayor vows to seize properties from rogue landlords

News

New North East mayor Kim McGuinness has vowed to seize properties from irresponsible landlords as part of her plan to stand up for renters.

Right to Rent rules relaxed to help landlords and agents

Right to Rent rules relaxed to help landlords and agents

News

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme mean tenants granted pre-settled status can continue to prove their right to rent easily while landlords will be better able to check their immigration status.

Sunak names date for election as 55% of landlords revealed 'undecided'

Sunak names date for election as 55% of landlords revealed 'undecided'

News

Landlords are likely to be targeted heavily by political parties as new research shows most remain undecided following Rishi Sunak’s decision to go for a July 4th General Election.

Council to 'educate' renters in person if they live within new licencing areas

Council to 'educate' renters in person if they live within new licencing areas

News

Gateshead plans to include a third of its private rented properties in a selective licencing scheme that also aims to improve tenants’ wellbeing and prompt landlords to boost energy efficiency.

Housing minister slammed over failure to weed out rogue letting agents

Housing minister slammed over failure to weed out rogue letting agents

News

A cross-party group of peers has attacked the government for sidestepping its proposals to clamp down on rogue letting agents.

Tenants should face consequences if they don't pay the rent, say landlords

Tenants should face consequences if they don't pay the rent, say landlords

News

Landlords are less worried by the Government’s looming Renters (Reform) Bill and more concerned about the financial squeeze they face including tenants who don’t pay their rent, a new poll reveals.

160,000 rented homes 'disappear' from rental market

160,000 rented homes 'disappear' from rental market

News

At least 163,000 privately rented properties disappeared from the market between 2019 and the end of 2023 as the number of landlords selling up outstripped purchases.

Legal Matters: Your Section 21 notice – is it valid?

Legal Matters: Your Section 21 notice – is it valid?

Information

Serving a Section 21 notice - you need to be meticulous in your preparation, making sure you have complied faultlessly with all the regulations

Ending fixed-term tenancies 'doesn't make sense' says Foxtons

Ending fixed-term tenancies 'doesn't make sense' says Foxtons

News

A big lettings agency has questioned why the government is set on pursuing the end to fixed term tenancies, while ignoring the needs of landlords and tenants.

Labour report says tenants should be given 'rights charter'

Labour report says tenants should be given 'rights charter'

News

A Labour-commissioned review of the private rented sector has called for a new renters’ charter to strengthen tenants’ rights and a mandatory National Landlords Register to help enforce compliance.

London landlords to repay tenants £45,000 after Tribunal decisions

London landlords to repay tenants £45,000 after Tribunal decisions

News

Three London landlords are to pay over £45,000 in rent back to their tenants following separate Tribunal decisions, highlighting the increasing risks of Rent Repayment Orders as renters become more aware of the huge sums that are often involved.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

HMO landlords warned not to over-charge 'all inclusive' tenants as energy bills soar

HMO landlords warned not to over-charge 'all inclusive' tenants as energy bills soar

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Following energy regulator Ofgems decision to https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/price-cap-increase-ps693-april" raise the price cap by nearly £700 a year per household, HMO landlords have been warned to observe the maximum resale value

Awards scheme for HMO landlords launched to highlight best operators

Awards scheme for HMO landlords launched to highlight best operators

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new property awards has launched that aims to celebrate good landlords in the previously neglected HMO sector. The HMO Awards is dedicated to highlighting good practice and will hand out gongs to HMO agents, operators and investors at a ceremony with a difference that aims to

LATEST: Greenwich agrees £2.6m selective licensing scheme after Covid delay

LATEST: Greenwich agrees £2.6m selective licensing scheme after Covid delay

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The London borough of Greenwich has re-started its planned roll-out of selective licensing across three of its key areas Woolwich, Plumstead and Shooters Hill. Expected to go live at the beginning of July following its Cabinet committee decision, this means nearly a fifth of

Company linked to high profile investor put into liquidation owing �1.5m

Company linked to high profile investor put into liquidation owing �1.5m

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A high-profile property investor hailed as a rent-to-rent success story has put his company StayBC Ltd into liquidation, owing creditors nearly �1.5 million.<br><br>Newport-based Ben Brand charted his rapid rise on social media, describing his introduction to the property sector after atte

How can landlords afford to upgrade their properties to EPC band C by 2025?

How can landlords afford to upgrade their properties to EPC band C by 2025?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Like almost all industries the housing market is increasing its efforts to tackle climate change. Households account for 40% of the UKs carbon footprint and the government has forced landlords to move more quickly than others, and from 2025, all properties in the private rent

How can landlords make their properties more energy efficient?

How can landlords make their properties more energy efficient?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Practical ways landlords can boost property energy efficiency, cut costs, and meet EPC rules.

Barrister warns landlords over pitfalls of offering Ukrainian refugees whole properties

Barrister warns landlords over pitfalls of offering Ukrainian refugees whole properties

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords have been warned about the legal pitfalls of offering a home to Ukrainians fleeing the war. The governments newly launched Homes for Ukraine scheme lets individuals and businesses �360 a month to provide a spare room or separate self-contained accommodation for ref

It's time to consider challenging your business rates calculation, says RVA Surveyors

It's time to consider challenging your business rates calculation, says RVA Surveyors

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Business rates or non-domestic rates are a variant of a 500-year-old tax, the current version of which was introduced in 1990 to fund local services based on property values, raising approximately �25 billion a year. RVA Surveyors are business rates reduction specialists who ha

LATEST: Arguments over social problems linked to HMOs hot up in Hartlepool

LATEST: Arguments over social problems linked to HMOs hot up in Hartlepool

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Labour councillors in Hartlepool campaigning to restrict HMOs in the town have been told to find evidence of problems caused by shared properties. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63bef2f3c329ef

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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 ?

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Amongst the thorny issues in the relationship between landlord and tenant is the building insurance premium. Unlike residential property where the landlord has a vested interest in making sure the premium is competitive, because more than likely the premium would not be recoverable from the tenan

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Theres recently been a spate of press reports and political wrangling about the existence of Zero-Hour Contracts. This has become something of a hot political issue as we approach a general election, and one surprising development is recent attempts to embroil landlords in the issue, as if the

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Traditionally, with commercial (business) leases, a contractual provision within the lease specifies the use, or uses to which a property may be put and the uses which are prohibited.The formal classification of Uses� are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as a

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

As most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) are by definition, short, there is usually no need for landlords to get involved in processing a rent increase.However, some ASTs run for long periods after the fixed term has ended, i.e., when the tenancy becomes a statutory periodic tenancy, hence there

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The ideal for any landlord is for the tenant to have a guarantor and provide a rent deposit. But which is better when the landlord has to choose?The starting point is the status of the tenant. With a tenant that is one person (an individual) the likelihood of that person being of independent fina

Checking Tenants In and Out

Checking Tenants In and Out

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

When you rent out a property two vital stages in the process are when you check-in your tenants at the start of the tenancy and check-out at the end.Preparation is the key to a trouble free let. When you prepare properly you are carrying out management processes so that nothing is left to chance

s.25 and s.26 notices - the landlord's perspective

s.25 and s.26 notices - the landlord's perspective

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Elsewhere on LandlordZONE (at https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-25-notice" https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-25-notice and https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-26-notice-2 ) you can find out about sec