Tax Return 2016-17: With some costs its very easy to decide: a repair to a drain, downspout or roof tile are all allowable expenses, but what about replacing a broken single glazed window with a new plastic frame and double glazing, what about decorating and installing a
Penetrating damp, just as its name implies, is where water leaks into a building from outside the structure, through the walls or roof. Less common is where an internal leak from a water or drain pipe leaks into the structure of the building.Common causes of penetrating damp are: <ul <l
Fire Regulations in Rentals: There are several regulations relating to fire safety within rental dwellings; some affect all dwellings whereas others apply mainly to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).This looks complicated, but fire safety management in reality boils down t
Damp & Mould: You may have seen or heard of the 1970s TV series Rising Damp, which featured a landlord and his tenants (lodgers in this case) which rather implies that all rental properties are troubled with this kind of damp.Far from the case, but some are. In fact the
Renting Standards: Specialist residential property solicitor Amanda Sutcliffe of Bray & Bray looks at the importance of keeping a rental property in good condition.Research conducted by Endsleigh Insurance and TrustMark claimed that over 75% of landlords s
Sub-Letting Licenses: (SOLITAIRE) LIMITED Appellant and CHERRY LILIAN NORTON and other cases [2012]Landlords of leasehold buy-to-let flats are often asked to pay a fee (sub-letting licence or registration fee) to the freeholder when seeking permission to sub-let their flat,
Validity of Section 21 Notice: Amak Property Investments v Laura Sonny [2016]This case was an appeal by the tenant following a county court judgement relating to the validity of a s21 notice on the basis that the landlord had not complied with the deposit protection (MyDepo
Essential guide to rent reviews: why reading the lease is crucial for landlords and tenants to navigate rent adjustments effectively.
Tenant Agreement: The Law of Property Act 1925 talks about having a maximum of 4 tenants on an agreement. So what to do when you have 5, 6 or more tenants sharing a house?There is a common misunderstanding of the rules here. Landlords and agents sometimes think or have heard
Advance Rent: Piggot v Slaven and Johnson v. OldThere are two important cases which clarify (though not necessarily decisively) the position on landlords accepting rent payments in advance. One concerns the accepting of the final two months rent in advance, a common devi
Following some confusion and debate about a deferral for the new standards following the MEES* deadline in April 2018, the new government has confirmed that changes to the EPC rules, preventing landlords from renting out homes below rating E, will definitely be introduced from April 2018.Accordin
Responsibility for Repairs: Who is responsible and who is obliged to pay for repairs to leasehold blocks and flats? What is the procedure if repairs are unnecessarily delayed or not carried out to the leaseholders satisfaction? What is the Section 20 procedure?T
Essential guide on how to conduct a rent review, covering key clauses and best practices to protect landlord and tenant interests.
Test Case Yeomans v Newell [2016]:When a landlord is in breach of the tenancy deposit rules he or she is prevented from serving a valid s21 notice for possession proceedings. Despite the fact that the tenancy deposit legislation has been in force since April 2007, landlords
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
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
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
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 & Wales.The scam uses an email which imitates one from m
There is confusion around whether Purpose-Built Student Accommodation will be exempt from changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Landlords in Barnet who are refused permission for change of use to an HMO can challenge the decision through a new online portal.
The Bank of England has resisted the temptation to cut interest rates, which remain at 5%.
Legislation in Scotland has done little to improve affordability in the PRS, according to new research.
Times are hard for tenants and landlords alike and this coming winter is causing a worry for many.
Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame on tenants for problems and instead use new tools to tackle issues.
Average UK private rents increased by 8.4% in the 12 months to August, down from 8.6% in the 12 months to July.
Landlords who use limited company structures are incorporating a much larger proportion of their portfolios to mitigate tax changes.
Kind-hearted mydeposits customers have donated more than £66,000 of interest earned on their deposits to the Centrepoint charity.
The rental sector risks being saddled with unworkable reforms unless the Government backs amendments proposed by peers, the NRLA has warned.
An increasing number of properties are being sold by landlords, new databy TwentyEA reveals.
Labour have vowed to make it easier for tenants to rent with pets - The Renters’ Rights Bill will give tenants greater pets rights
Landlord groups continue to have pulling power despite a backdrop of smaller players quitting the market, insists the founder of GB Landlords.
Landlords could charge a premium on HMO rooms by helping to ensure tenants will get on with their housemates, a new survey reveals.
Landbay has become the latest buy-to-let lender to reduce rates in the wake of President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs.
Properties for sale in England and Wales spend just over a month on the market on average, new data reveals.
LLAS and rent provider Elliot Leigh have teamed up to raise standards and strengthen landlord support in the private rented sector.
Despite the potential to strengthen their rights, younger tenants are often reluctant to support greater regulation in the private rental sector.
Tenant groups raise concerns that peers with property interests are working to delay the Renters’ Rights Bill and push for concessions from the Govern
Rightmove reports that average asking prices have increased by over £5,000 this month, bringing the typical UK listing to £377,182.
Unauthorized subletting is on the rise, leaving landlords exposed to financial loss and legal issues. Tools like Title Guardian can help monitor properties and alert landlords to suspicious activity. Stay informed and protect your investments.
Questions have been raised about whether Trump’s tariffs will be a help or a hindrance to landlords.
Property demand in Bedford set to rise after Universal theme park announcement
The typical price of renting a luxury property edged up marginally at the beginning of this year, new figures suggest.
Commercial to residential conversions are creating lots of new investment opportunities for landlords / developers
Being a landlord means you can sometimes find yourself dealing with challenging tenancy issues.
Renters’ Rights Bill amendments aim to protect landlords’ possession rights
A member of the tenants’ union Acorn has accused landlords of being “subsidised” by public money.
The rental hotspots in England have been revealed, with West Sussex leading the way.
Room rents in London have fallen by 1% in the last year and now average £982 per month, as many tenants opt to live outside the capital.
Landlords and councils need to work together on tackling anti-social behaviour and protecting vulnerable tenants, MPs have been told.
Law firms have reported a significant rise in the number of landlords looking to end rent-to-rent agreements with councils or companies who sublet to local authorities.
Properties with bills included appear to be falling out of favour as cost-of-living rises mean landlords can lose money on them despite the 20% rent premium.
A third of private tenants in Scotland find it hard to pay their rent each month, according to a new poll.
