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.

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

Information

Tenancy Deposits: According to TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) less than 1% (0.85%) of tenancies they handle have resulted in a deposit dispute in the year to March 2018, nevertheless its important to get it right when dealing with tenants' deposits.Cleaning was the most com

The Condensation Conundrum

The Condensation Conundrum

News

Viewpoint by Tom Entwistle As winter approaches outside temperatures drop and the perennial landlords problem of winter condensation and black mould rear their ugly heads again.The question is, how do you know if this is caused by the building or the tenant, or is it a co

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Information

Landlords' Tax: Internet sites, such as AirBnB, have increased the number of landlords letting to lodgers and to guests on short stays. There are specific tax benefits to this type of letting business which are expanded upon below.Furnished holiday letting</st

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Information

Section 21: Most tenancies will never require the service of a Section 21, Housing Act 1988, (eviction) notice. However, on those occasions when it does become necessary, and you just never know, landlords (and agents) will thank their lucky starts they complied with the rul

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Information

Asbestos:Asbestos regulations were last updated in 2012 , bringing the UK in line with EU regulations, which means the current regulations have been in place long enough for most

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

Information

The Application Form You should always use a comprehensive Tenancy Application Form when taking on a new tenant. You need a completed application for each adult tenant in the property.The Tenancy application form is a very important starting point for any residential or comm

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Information

End of an AST: Questions: What happens when an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) comes to an end? Will the tenant have to leave or does she need to sign a new agreement? What if a tenant wants to leave early? How long can a periodic tenancy last?When the fixed term (minimum of

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Information

Landlords often buy flats which are either Leasehold or Shared Freehold. What are these tenures and what should landlords look out for in these different forms of ownership?Leasehold is one of three forms of tenure (property/land ownership) almost exclusively peculiar to the United Kingdom, thoug

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

Information

Landlord's Access to Property: Many landlords will have experienced a tenant denying them access to a property - whether for an inspection, viewings or legal duties. Its easy to understand the view of Its my property, I can enter when I want, but unfortunately th

New Section 21 Rules

New Section 21 Rules

Information

New Rules for Section 21 :Landlords and Agents need to be aware of the changes affecting Section 21 rules and Notices and other changes for the letting of residential properties in England (and in many cases Wales) introduced during 2015 . This article explains the new rules

New algorithms to calculate EPC ratings

New algorithms to calculate EPC ratings

News

Many landlords have long suspected that the DCLG approved national calculation methodologies and software programs were seriously flawed when they produced EPC ratings for buildings following energy assessments.So news that new software is being introduced which is claimed to be more accurate is

How you serve a Notice can be just as important as what you serve'�

How you serve a Notice can be just as important as what you serve'�

Information

Serving Notices: Landlords and agents often get confused as to how they should serve Notices on their tenants.Ordinarily it wouldnt matter what method is used, but if you end up in court with a possession or money claim, or some such court action, then what and how you se

Consumer Protection - implications for Landlords & Agents

Consumer Protection - implications for Landlords & Agents

Information

Tenant are Consumers: The UK Consumer Protection law applies to letting agents and landlords alike when they advertise a property to let or create a new tenancy. It also applies to most private landlords when they deal with letting agents, unless they operate as a company.

Section 21 Notices

Section 21 Notices

Information

Obtaining Possession Using Section 21 Notices Updated October 2016This article explains how to gain possession of your residential rental property in the most efficient way possible. You may just want your property back for your own use, or to sell, or you may be having prob

Condensation, the Landlord's Curse...

Condensation, the Landlord's Curse...

Information

Winter Condensation: Its that time of year again, a time when tenants are most likely to complain about the mould appearing in those corners of the property where the walls and ceilings are really cold, and hot air with moisture always rises to the top. If its black mo

Tax Returns 'mortgage interest' relief

Tax Returns 'mortgage interest' relief

Information

Tax Relief: Starting from 6th April 2017, those landlords with mortgages will have tax relief on their buy-to-let mortgage costs gradually reduce over a 4-year period.Many landlords dont have a mortgage (up to 50% it is said), so this change does not affect them, but many

Debt Collection for Landlords

Debt Collection for Landlords

Information

Rent Arrears: At this time of year, soon after the Christmas spending spree, inevitably rent payments begin to suffer. If you are having problems with rent arrears, this article should help.As in most areas of life,prevention is better than cure . To re

What expenses can I actually claim?

What expenses can I actually claim?

Information

Tax Return 2016-2017: As a general rule, and as outlined in the previous articles in this series on tax returns, landlords can claim the expenses of running and maintaining their rental properties.If the rent you charge includes additional services like water, or council tax

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

Rent Review

Rent Review

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

Tenants warned to know their rights after Chancellor announces more new homes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenants have been warned to know their rights following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of a £2billion investment in 18,000 new social and affordable homes.

Scottish landlords weigh rent hikes against void risks

Scottish landlords weigh rent hikes against void risks

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Scottish landlords advised to balance rent increases with potential void periods post-cap removal; market conditions and tenant challenges considered.

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

Concerns raised about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address housing shortage

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Concerns about whether new planning reforms go far enough to address the country’s housing shortage have been raised by estate agents.

Labour pressured to remove guarantor rights for landlords

Labour pressured to remove guarantor rights for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Homelessness charities are requesting amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill that would severely limit landlords’ right to use guarantor agreements

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

Inflation dips to 2.8%, boosting hopes of interest rate cuts

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Inflation has dipped, boosting mortgage borrowers’ hopes of more interest rate cuts.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Average asking rents have risen to £557 a week, new Foxton figures have revealed.

Flat sales stall amid lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents warn

Flat sales stall amid lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents warn

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Many flat sales are stalling due to a lack of meaningful progress on unsafe cladding repairs, estate agents have warned.

Landlords invited to boost business at training day

Landlords invited to boost business at training day

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are being invited to a “five-star training day” to help them navigate the biggest changes in the rental market for 30 years.

Single-Family Housing market attracts attention amid surge in demand

Single-Family Housing market attracts attention amid surge in demand

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Investors are targeting the Single-Family Housing (SFH) market as the booming sector aims to help fill the PRS shortfall.

Landlord fails in bid to increase tenant’s rent, tribunal rules

Landlord fails in bid to increase tenant’s rent, tribunal rules

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord company has failed in its bid to increase a tenant’s rent by 25% after a First Tier Property Tribunal heard that poor standards would lower the market rent.

NRLA on the road: New events programme to bring the association to you

NRLA on the road: New events programme to bring the association to you

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

NRLA launches on-the-road events programme to bring landlord support and training locally.

Landlords turn to HMOs as higher mortgage costs steer them towards larger properties for better returns

Landlords turn to HMOs as higher mortgage costs steer them towards larger properties for better returns

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

More landlords are investing in HMOs as higher mortgage costs prompt them to turn to larger properties with better returns.

Landlords' legal action halts licensing scheme

Landlords' legal action halts licensing scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A group of disgruntled landlords in Scunthorpe has succeeded in halting its new selective licensing scheme.

New “crackdown on bad landlords” launched by London council

New “crackdown on bad landlords” launched by London council

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new “crackdown on bad landlords” has been introduced by a London council.

Tenants are paying £2,195 more on their annual housing costs, says Savills

Tenants are paying £2,195 more on their annual housing costs, says Savills

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Private tenants are paying £2,195 more on their annual housing costs than in 2022, according to Savills’ latest research.

The Renters' Rights Bill moves a step closer to Royal Ascent

The Renters' Rights Bill moves a step closer to Royal Ascent

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The controversial Renters' Rights Bill has moved a step closer to Royal Ascent

Tenancies will “change overnight’ once Renters’ Rights Bill comes in

Tenancies will “change overnight’ once Renters’ Rights Bill comes in

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Tenancies will “change overnight’ once the Renters’ Rights Bill comes into force, Sean Hooker, of the Property Redress Scheme, has warned.

Portfolio landlord takes on £3.67M loan to consolidate 22 properties in London and Birmingham

Portfolio landlord takes on £3.67M loan to consolidate 22 properties in London and Birmingham

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A portfolio landlord has taken on a huge loan to consolidate 22 properties across London and Birmingham.

Avoid discrimination laws pitfalls in property rentals

Avoid discrimination laws pitfalls in property rentals

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the Renters’ Rights Bill to avoid unlawful discrimination in tenant selection and property management.

Landlord Action celebrates 25 years of helping private landlords recover their properties

Landlord Action celebrates 25 years of helping private landlords recover their properties

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlord Action is celebrating 25 years of successfully helping private landlords recover their properties.

Tax expert explains how to avoid being landed with a big BTL tax bill

Tax expert explains how to avoid being landed with a big BTL tax bill

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A tax expert has urged BTL investors to use or lose their annual capital gains tax (CGT) exemption to avoid being landed with a big tax bill.

Bank of England keeps interest rates at 4.5% amid inflation concerns

Bank of England keeps interest rates at 4.5% amid inflation concerns

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Bank of England kept interest rates at 4.5% today amid fears that inflation is still a threat.

Newly qualified nurses struggle to afford to rent privately, Shelter claims

Newly qualified nurses struggle to afford to rent privately, Shelter claims

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Newly qualified nurses can’t afford to rent privately in almost half - 45% - of local authorities in England, according to new analysis from Shelter.

Landlords must not drag their heals over EPC ratings, warns bank director

Landlords must not drag their heals over EPC ratings, warns bank director

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords must not to drag their heels when it comes to improving properties’ energy efficiency rating - or face potential issues with finding tradespeople and working with letting agents, a financial expert has warned.

More tenants are using alternative deposit schemes, new data reveals

More tenants are using alternative deposit schemes, new data reveals

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A growing number of tenants in the build-to-rent (BTR) sector are using deposit alternative products as many opt to invest a lump sum instead of locking it away in a traditional cash scheme.