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Landlord fined £5,000 after failing to get HMO licence

Landlord fined £5,000 after failing to get HMO licence

News

A landlord in Colchester has been handed a £5,000 civil penalty notice for failing to license his unsafe HMO.

Labour’s tax plans could drive landlords out of the market

Labour’s tax plans could drive landlords out of the market

News

Landlords face potential £90,000 capital gains tax hit under Labour's proposed reforms, prompting many to consider selling before new tax laws take effect.

Investment property is a steal - but there's a catch

Investment property is a steal - but there's a catch

News

Landlords with a burning ambition to take on a major project might consider bidding on this home in the Welsh valleys, priced £0.

EXPERT: Clarity needed over PBSA exemption from reforms

EXPERT: Clarity needed over PBSA exemption from reforms

News

There is confusion around whether Purpose-Built Student Accommodation will be exempt from changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Borough's HMO landlords trial new appeals portal

Borough's HMO landlords trial new appeals portal

News

Landlords in Barnet who are refused permission for change of use to an HMO can challenge the decision through a new online portal.

BTL mortgage rates fall despite interest rate hold

BTL mortgage rates fall despite interest rate hold

News

The Bank of England has resisted the temptation to cut interest rates, which remain at 5%.

REPORT: Scots law fails to significantly improve PRS

REPORT: Scots law fails to significantly improve PRS

News

Legislation in Scotland has done little to improve affordability in the PRS, according to new research.

Utilita Energy helps landlords winterproof against mould and damp

Utilita Energy helps landlords winterproof against mould and damp

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Times are hard for tenants and landlords alike and this coming winter is causing a worry for many.

Tenant lifestyle not always to blame for damp, says legal expert

Tenant lifestyle not always to blame for damp, says legal expert

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Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame on tenants for problems and instead use new tools to tackle issues.

Rental prices continue to climb at near-record rate

Rental prices continue to climb at near-record rate

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Average UK private rents increased by 8.4% in the 12 months to August, down from 8.6% in the 12 months to July.

Portfolio landlords buying more properties through companies

Portfolio landlords buying more properties through companies

News

Landlords who use limited company structures are incorporating a much larger proportion of their portfolios to mitigate tax changes.

Generous renters dip deep to help homeless youngsters

Generous renters dip deep to help homeless youngsters

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Kind-hearted mydeposits customers have donated more than £66,000 of interest earned on their deposits to the Centrepoint charity.

NRLA calls for clarity on new PRS standards and enforcement

NRLA calls for clarity on new PRS standards and enforcement

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Renters’ Rights Bill sets new Decent Homes Standard, digital PRS database, and stronger enforcement to improve rental property safety and quality.

Landlords urged to offer more tenant-friendly technology

Landlords urged to offer more tenant-friendly technology

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Nearly three-quarters of UK tenants (73%) who aren’t using digital tools in their rental properties would like to give them a try.

Edinburgh landlords win legal challenge over suspensions

Edinburgh landlords win legal challenge over suspensions

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Short-term let landlords in Edinburgh have won a third successful challenge against the council’s licensing scheme.

Proptech in focus at 2024 NRLA conference

Proptech in focus at 2024 NRLA conference

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Think digital—PropTech set for the spotlight at NRLA conference, shaping the future of rental management tools.

Renters' Rights Bill due back in Commons next month

Renters' Rights Bill due back in Commons next month

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The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to the Commons for its second reading next month, as the new government fast-tracks its shake up of the PRS.

Landlord fined for failing to improve cold and mouldy home

Landlord fined for failing to improve cold and mouldy home

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A rogue landlord who persistently ignored requests to carry out improvement works on her property has been ordered to pay £2,400.

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Report from council keen on rent controls warns of supply problems

Report from council keen on rent controls warns of supply problems

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A Bristol Council report has urged caution when introducing rent controls for the city. Councillors have been calling for central government to put the brakes on rent rises for months and set up the https://www.bristolonecity.com/one-city-bristol-living-rent-commission/

Quarter of landlord ads say 'no children' reveals BBC investigation

Quarter of landlord ads say 'no children' reveals BBC investigation

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The BBC has revealed that 24% of adverts it examined listed by landlords via online letting agency OpenRent showed said no families. Of some 8,000 adverts by landlords listed on the site over a recent four-day period, 1,800 said no families while 73% of the listings

PRS reform legislation to cost landlords just �10 a year, claim campaigners

PRS reform legislation to cost landlords just �10 a year, claim campaigners

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Pro-tenant campaigners have claimed that the Governments looming overhaul of the private rented sector will cost landlords a meagre �10 each per annum. The https://www.rentersreformcoalition.co.uk/" target="_blank" Renters Reform Coaliti

Government housing policies 'not working' for landlords or tenants, MPs are told

Government housing policies 'not working' for landlords or tenants, MPs are told

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Tax increases on private landlords are reducing supply but not increasing owner occupation, making it difficult for the PRS to be commercially viable, according to a housing sector academic. Giving evidence to the Pensions and Work Committee on benefit levels, Prof

Big council looks at selective licencing to clamp down on bad landlords

Big council looks at selective licencing to clamp down on bad landlords

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A major Midlands council is considering a selective licencing when its additional licencing scheme for HMOs finishes in 2025 as it seeks to answer critics who believe this type of property is damaging social cohesion in many areas. The Cabinet committee of West Northamptonshire

Locate rooftop solar panels on commercial buildings

Locate rooftop solar panels on commercial buildings

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Living in an era where the UK has concerns about the security of energy supply, rising energy costs, and the need to meet environmental considerations, looking to innovative energy back-up alternatives makes sense. Since the shock of the war in Ukraine, it has become increasingl

LATEST: Gove moves to reassure landlords ahead of reform bill changes

LATEST: Gove moves to reassure landlords ahead of reform bill changes

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Housing secretary Michael Gove has moved to reassure private landlords that the Government backs them, describing their work as vital to a functioning rented sector. His column for the https://www.nrla.org.uk/" target="_blank" NRLA </a

Landlord fined £44,000 over unsafe HMO during bizarre court proceedings

Landlord fined £44,000 over unsafe HMO during bizarre court proceedings

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Strange proceedings have been reported at Bristol Magistrates Court after a landlord was fined �44,000 over serious fire safety issues at an HMO he operates. Joe Sutera attended the court hearing but refused to identify himself saying he was a man and that Joe Sutera h

HOW is he still operating? 'Intolerable' landlord fined for second time

HOW is he still operating? 'Intolerable' landlord fined for second time

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A rogue landlord has been handed a hefty fine for renting out a dangerous and mouldy property his second in two years. Hazmar Fauz, of The Avenue in Welwyn, admitted several serious defects at the house in London Road, Luton, when he appeared before magistrates and was fined

The Dangers with Section 8 Possession Claims

The Dangers with Section 8 Possession Claims

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There are dangers with using the Section 8 possession claims process under the Housing Act 1988 which are not always apparent to landlords and agents.There is always a temptation to use section 8 because the shorter notice period (usually 2 weeks) is much quicker to court than the alternative - s

What is a Section 25 Notice

What is a Section 25 Notice

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What is a Section 25 Notice? My business lease is coming to an end and my landlord has served on me a Section 25 Notice.Commercial (Business) Tenancies in England &amp; Wales are regulated by the Landlord &amp; Tenant Act 1954 (Part 2).This means that when the fixed term ends (end of lease) the b

What is a Section 48 Notice?

What is a Section 48 Notice?

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Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 states that landlords of residential tenancies in England and Wales must furnish their tenants with an address in England &amp; Wales at which notices can be served. Failure to do so will mean that any claim for rent, rent arrears or service charges

Fixed-Term or Periodic Tenancy?

Fixed-Term or Periodic Tenancy?

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Should landlord insist on renewing fixed term tenancies or allow them to lapse into periodic tenancies?In essence a tenancy is the right to possess and occupy land belonging to another. A tenancy gives the occupier a legal interest in the land for a defined period of time.A relationship of landlo

What is a Section 213 Notice?

What is a Section 213 Notice?

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A section 213 notice is a prescribed form notice which must be served on your tenant, or another person, if they provided a deposit for a rental.If you have taken a deposit for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) in England &amp; Wales (the rules in Scotland &amp; Northern Ireland are similar but

A Check List for Serving a Valid Section 21 Notice

A Check List for Serving a Valid Section 21 Notice

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This is a handy check list for use to help you ensure you are serving a valid section 21 notice. Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended 1996 &amp; 2004) provides a means of re-gaining possession of a residential property in England &amp; Wales. Other UK jurisdictions are similar but there

Tenant's Notice to Quit

Tenant's Notice to Quit

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How can a tenant end a residential tenancy and stay within the law - usually with a Tenant's Notice to Quit?In practice most residential tenancies in England and Wales end (over 90 per cent of them) with tenants giving their landlord notice. These guidelines are based on English law and are not a

Agricultural Tenancies

Agricultural Tenancies

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Farm and Land Tenancies Approximately one-third of all agricultural land in England and Wales is covered by agricultural tenancies. Tenancies allow people to farm without being landowners. As agricultural land is expensive, and the acreage now needed to make a viable operati

How Can I Sell My Rental Property?

How Can I Sell My Rental Property?

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Landlords sometimes face a dilemma when they want to sell a rental property, or even a portfolio of their rental properties. Sometimes landlords have no choice but to sell as they are being forced to sell for financial reasons.Residential properties, unlike their commercial counterparts, always s

Assignment of a Residential Tenancy

Assignment of a Residential Tenancy

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Assignment is when an existing and ongoing tenancy is transferred from one tenant to another. The person who transfers the tenancy is the assignor� and the person who the tenancy is transferred to is the assignee�.The outgoing tenant transfers his rights and obligations under the tenanc

Basement flats are more secure than houses

Basement flats are more secure than houses

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Latest Research Suggests Basement Flats Are Safe As HousesBasement flats in West London have been found to be as secure from intruders as other types of apartments, according to research carried by Basement Flats, a newly-launched London publication.The magazine, which features news and informati

What is a Section 26 Notice

What is a Section 26 Notice

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Section 26 Notice - My Commercial (Business Tenancy) Lease Agreement is coming to an end soon and my tenant has served on me a Section 26 Notice. What is this and what should I do?Commercial (Business) Tenancies in England &amp; Wales are regulated by the Landlord &amp; Tenant Act 1954 (Part 2).T

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

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