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Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Information

The colder weather is here again, its that time of year coming; you feel that cold chill in the air, the snow and ice will soon arrive, and you know its time to get out that winter coat, scarf and gloves.You also know that cold wet weather on the way will test your rental properties and tenant

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

News

Portfolio Landlords: Buy to let lender Paragons recent research shows that professionaland larger-scale landlords are still investing and are increasing the size oftheir portfolios through more targeted investments. With an average portfolio

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

News

New rules that came into force in March allow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/landlords-sue-cold-damp-homes-law-tenants-renting-housing-a8776671.html" tenants to sue landlords for issues like cold and damp. A broken heating system or poor ventilation that

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Information

Commercial Property : A recent High Court decision in Co-Operative Group Food Ltdv. A&amp;A Shah Properties Ltd (2019) relates to an authorised guaranteeagreement (AGA) dispute, in this case an agreement involving a guarantor of theoutgoing tenant. <p id

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Opinion

The Government has announced its intention to scrap Section 21 notices for eviction in an effort to offer tenants more long-term security.

New service charges rules in commercial property

New service charges rules in commercial property

News

Commercial: A new set of mandatory rules introduced from 1stApril 2019 and though the document itself is titled a first edition, itsupersedes 3 previous editions published as codes of practice. The RICS (Royal Institution of Ch

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Information

Security: Renovating a buy-to-let property can be a great way for landlords to increase the rental income

My tenant left without telling me...

My tenant left without telling me...

Information

Abandonment: When times get hard the instances of tenants leaving without notice are known to increase. Doing a runner�, skipping� moonlight flitting� walking away� or gone away� and in the words of the immortal song;

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

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Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

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News
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Labour’s housing minister Matthew Pennycook is said to be planning a “hardship test”

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

New minister says transfer from housing benefit to Universal Credit 'smooth' but expert disagrees

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News
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Claims by the new Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) minister of state Stephen Timms that the transfer of remaining housing benefit claimants to Universal Credit is being done ‘as smoothly as possible’ have been questioned by a leading expert.

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

Landlord fined £10,000 over failure to do £169 safety check

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News
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Booking in a five-yearly Electrical Safety Installation Certificate (ESIC) check for your rented property often seems like one of the plethora of minor tasks on the ‘to do’ list.

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

Higher BTL repossessions making rental shortage worse says Law Society

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News
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An increase in buy-to-let repossessions is exacerbating the rental supply shortage and leaving evicted families without legal aid needed to fight their case.

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

'We're seeing mostly older landlords selling up' says agency boss

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News
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An exodus of older landlords is paving the way for build-to-rent investors and younger landlords looking to capitalise on higher yield properties, according to a big estate agency boss.

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

Landlord property repossessions continue upward trajectory

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News
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At least 710 buy-to-let mortgaged properties were repossessed in the second quarter of the year, 13% up on the previous quarter and 51% up year-on-year.

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

OpenRent and Rightmove's 'war of words' ends with new deal

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News
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Online lettings firm OpenRent and Rightmove have signed a new property listings deal after several weeks of corporate brinkmanship over fees.

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

COURTS: Time to evict a tenant jumps 15% to 25 weeks

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News
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The average time from claim to landlord repossession has jumped to 25.4 weeks, up from 22.1 weeks in the same period in 2023, according to the latest government figures.

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

'Supply of rented property thinning out, and Labour's not helping'

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News
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Gloomy letting agents have reported a fall-off in private rentals coming onto the market around the country.

Shelter ignores landlord eviction pain as it condemns 'ruthless rental market'

Shelter ignores landlord eviction pain as it condemns 'ruthless rental market'

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News
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Shelter warns that nearly 1,000 households are to be “marched out of their homes” by bailiffs every month.

Landlords shun flats as leasehold and management issues bite

Landlords shun flats as leasehold and management issues bite

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News
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More than a third of landlords now avoid investing in flats because of leasehold-related issues or complex building management.

Tenant evictions now taking nearly seven months, latest stats show

Tenant evictions now taking nearly seven months, latest stats show

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News
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Latest official figures show that despite fewer landlords evicting overall across the nation, 'time to evict' continues to take longer and longer.

Landlords say smaller student lets must be excluded from renting reforms

Landlords say smaller student lets must be excluded from renting reforms

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News
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Landlords have urged the government to amend the Renters’ Rights Bill to protect vital student housing.

'Majority of tenants get most or all of their deposit back'

'Majority of tenants get most or all of their deposit back'

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News
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The majority of tenants in England and Wales get most or all of their deposit back when they move out, new data shows.

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals real story behind minister's resignation

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord reveals real story behind minister's resignation

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Prafula Kopp, who lives in the same development where Rushanara Ali owns an HMO, says the real story has not been told.

Activists call for total overhaul of tenant deposits system

Activists call for total overhaul of tenant deposits system

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Deposits should be lodged with a single, not-for-profit organisation, the campaigning group has claimed.

RICS reveals big slowdown in rental properties available to rent

RICS reveals big slowdown in rental properties available to rent

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News
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Surveying trade organisation says its estate agent members have reported weakest supply of rented homes since 2020.

River Island escapes administration at landlords’ expense

River Island escapes administration at landlords’ expense

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News
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Landlord pain, tenant gain scenario where a High Court ruling has allowed River Island to impose a restructuring plan

Campaigner: Renting reforms amendment will allow 'more unfair evictions'

Campaigner: Renting reforms amendment will allow 'more unfair evictions'

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News
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Tom Darling says landlords should not be able to evict tenants to sell a property under any circumstance.

Landlords urged to join mould campaign backed by the King

Landlords urged to join mould campaign backed by the King

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News
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MPs have been urged to help get landlords involved in a campaign to raise awareness about damp and mould.

Landlord profits rises despite costs of maintenance, evictions and arrears

Landlord profits rises despite costs of maintenance, evictions and arrears

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News
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A new poll of landlords has found that 87% make a profit on their properties despite spending a fifth of their gross rental income on property repairs

'Housing minister's resignation proves Labour's renting reforms not rational'

'Housing minister's resignation proves Labour's renting reforms not rational'

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News
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A thinktank director has said Labour's renting reforms will put many landlords off investing in the private rented sector.

'Landlords should be free to set their own rents', says leading Tory figure

'Landlords should be free to set their own rents', says leading Tory figure

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News
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Senior Tory figure David Gauke says Government should be concentrating on building more homes to rent, and ignore calls for rent controls.

New spate of 'fake landlord' scams revealed by Trading Standards

New spate of 'fake landlord' scams revealed by Trading Standards

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News
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Criminals presenting as landlords are conning would-be tenants across London out of thousands of pounds a day.

Total Landlord launches pet damage protection insurance

Total Landlord launches pet damage protection insurance

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A pet damage insurance policy has launched for landlords offering a unique dual coverage.

Landlord launches petition over 'unfair and ineffective' EPC upgrade rules

Landlord launches petition over 'unfair and ineffective' EPC upgrade rules

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News
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Landlords have been urged to sign a petition calling for the government to play fair when raising energy efficiency standards in the PRS.

Landlords 'must be given right to ask for pet damage insurance'

Landlords 'must be given right to ask for pet damage insurance'

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News
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Campaign mounted to reverse Labour's strange pet damage insurance omission.

Landlord duo to pay huge fine over dangerous properties in Midlands

Landlord duo to pay huge fine over dangerous properties in Midlands

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News
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A landlord couple in Nottinghamshire have been given one of this year’s largest fines for operating unsafe rental properties.

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant’s rent

UPDATED: consider these things before you increase your tenant’s rent

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With costs increasing, landlords are being forced to contemplate rent increases. If you go down this road you need to be aware and follow the rules.

COMMENT: when a minister acts like a landlord, the house comes tumbling down

COMMENT: when a minister acts like a landlord, the house comes tumbling down

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News
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What does Rushanara Ali’s tale tell us about the current state of landlording, about buy-to-let ethics, evictions and the Renters’ Rights Bill?

Welsh holiday lets landlords face huge 'retrospective' tax bills

Welsh holiday lets landlords face huge 'retrospective' tax bills

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News
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Owners of holiday lets in North Wales have been handed huge council tax demands after failing to realise the country’s new occupancy targets were retr

Professional landlords 'the future of privated rented sector' claims tech boss

Professional landlords 'the future of privated rented sector' claims tech boss

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Larger, professional landlords are best placed to take the private rented sector says Sam Humphreys.

Million rented homes won't pass upgraded Decent Homes Standard

Million rented homes won't pass upgraded Decent Homes Standard

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More than one in five private rented homes in England would be illegal to rent once proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard take effect.

Minister resigns after controversial eviction but says she did 'nothing wrong'

Minister resigns after controversial eviction but says she did 'nothing wrong'

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After a barrage of criticism over the way she evicted tenants from her property, Rushanar Ali has stepped down.