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REVEALED: Why not all EPCs are created equally

REVEALED: Why not all EPCs are created equally

News

Getting a good EPC rating is important for rentals to meet the MEES regulations, and in future even higher ratings will be demanded, but this can be a challenge for some landlords� Since October 2008, rental properties in England and Wales have been required to

How safe are classified sites? Another tenant scammed by fake landlord

How safe are classified sites? Another tenant scammed by fake landlord

News

A tenant has been scammed by a Gumtree advertiser who stole more than �2,000, leaving her facing homelessness. Mum-of-four, Shirley Jones, from Coventry, fell for the flat rental scam after answering the advert for a three-bedroom home in Nuneaton that was available to rent on

LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

News

The government is expecting to spend and eye-watering �30 billion on housing benefit for tenants this year, DWP minister Will Quince has told parliament. This figure is �8-10 billion more than the Office for Budget Responsibility https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/tax-

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

News

Half of all tenants who want to rent a home with their pet would be prepared to take out specialist insurance to cover their landlord against damage, a leading campaigner has revealed. Jennifer Berezai of AdvoCATS has researched an in-depth report into whether there is an appeti

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

News

Legislation has been passed in Wales that extends the amount of notice landlords must give to their tenants, from the two month s21 period, to six months. The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill means (because notice cannot be served within the initial term) that the minimum

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

News

One of Britains biggest private landlords is encouraging others to follow his lead by shifting property from their own name into a company structure. In what is thought to be the countrys largest ever mortgage transaction, Alastair Kerr (pictured) has transferred ownership

Regaining possession of a commercial property

Regaining possession of a commercial property

News

Landlords of commercial premises may consider it necessary to bring the lease to an end or to refuse to renew a lease. This course of action might be for a number of reasons: A tenant for example might not have a statutory right to a lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, the

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

Information

The big changes are in the submission frequency and digital submission process. Firstly, you will need to complete not one but five tax submissions per year � one every quar

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

News

Landlords have been warned not to expect a grace period or extension to the deadline for properties to confirm to the new electrical safety standards. Originally, an https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guid

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Many tenants are becoming 'unrentable' says leading figure

Many tenants are becoming 'unrentable' says leading figure

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A significant number of people seeking properties to rent are finding themselves excluded and forced to live in temporary accommodation, it has been claimed, as landlords be become more risk averse.

Environmental health officers call for stronger landlord licencing

Environmental health officers call for stronger landlord licencing

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has backed calls for better funding of councils’ housing enforcement and stronger selective licensing.

Landlords slam Labour's plan to tighten arrears eviction rules

Landlords slam Labour's plan to tighten arrears eviction rules

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Landlords have criticised the Government’s plan to raise the minimum period of rent arrears from two to three months before they can be served notice to repossess.

'Lease us your rented homes', Welsh Government urges landlords

'Lease us your rented homes', Welsh Government urges landlords

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The Welsh Government wants landlords to lease their empty properties to local councils in a bid to boost the number of affordable homes within its private rented sector.

New housing committee chair promises to 'hold Government to account'

New housing committee chair promises to 'hold Government to account'

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Labour MP Florence Eshalomi has promised to hold the government to account in her new role as chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.

Don't increase CGT for landlords, auctioneers urge Chancellor

Don't increase CGT for landlords, auctioneers urge Chancellor

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Auctioneers have urged the government not to increase Capital Gains Tax at a time when confidence is returning to the housing market.

'System is skewed in favour of tenants, not landlords'

'System is skewed in favour of tenants, not landlords'

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A landlord struggling with an eviction has spoken out against the system which he says is heavily skewed in favour of tenants.

Number of landlords selling up gathers pace, says sobering report

Number of landlords selling up gathers pace, says sobering report

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Almost half of landlords have sold a property in the last year or plan to do so, according to the latest sobering industry survey.

Tenant campaigners call for landlords to pay compensation for evictions

Tenant campaigners call for landlords to pay compensation for evictions

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Tenants’ groups want the government to also introduce longer protected periods.

Former housing watchdog chief says build-to-rent 'the future'

Former housing watchdog chief says build-to-rent 'the future'

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Long-standing MP Clive Betts is banging the drum for build-to-rent (BTR) through a taskforce that aims to boost the number of properties in the sector

Council leader says HMOs 'change the character of neighbourhoods'

Council leader says HMOs 'change the character of neighbourhoods'

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Warrington leader makes comments as council launches plan to rein-in HMO numbers within town.

Solicitor highlights 'holes' in Labour's renting reforms

Solicitor highlights 'holes' in Labour's renting reforms

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Bethen Abraham highlights two areas of the Renters' Rights Bill that have yet to be clarified by Ministers.

Student landlords STILL being forgotten by Labour - expert

Student landlords STILL being forgotten by Labour - expert

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Paddy Jackman says sector's needs 'falling between' cracks as Government pushes ahead with renting reforms.

Judge highlights  unregulated eviction 'solicitors' problem

Judge highlights  unregulated eviction 'solicitors' problem

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News
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Court case highlights ongoing problem of legal firms that claim to be 'authorised' to help landlords evict tenants when they are not.

Generous property 'leasing scheme' for landlords goes national

Generous property 'leasing scheme' for landlords goes national

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Landlords across Wales can now take advantage of a scheme that lets them lease their property to the local council for up to 20 years.

'Cut stamp duty if you want to help end housing crisis'

'Cut stamp duty if you want to help end housing crisis'

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Scotland’s landlords have urged its government to pause additional stamp duty payments in a bid to alleviate its housing emergency.

Big NE of England town latest to reign-in HMO numbers

Big NE of England town latest to reign-in HMO numbers

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Darlington looks set to be the latest council bringing in tougher rules to control the growth of small HMOs.

Minister explains why pet damage insurance 'not needed'

Minister explains why pet damage insurance 'not needed'

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Minister explains why pet damage insurance will not be mandated, and says current deposit of five weeks 'enough'.

Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

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A gang of cannabis farm operators, drug dealers and people smugglers have been jailed.

Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

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Wigan council says rise in number of smaller HMOs within its borders means new powers to scrutinise new applications are needed.

Flipping now 'tricky' as higher taxes and lower price rises bite

Flipping now 'tricky' as higher taxes and lower price rises bite

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News
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The practice of property flipping to make a profit is under serious threat from both higher tax and lower house price rises.

OPINION: Awaab’s Law is coming – be warned, it has serious implications for you!

OPINION: Awaab’s Law is coming – be warned, it has serious implications for you!

Opinion
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Awaab’s Law: What it means for private landlords and the future of property standards

MPs in race to pass rental reforms before recess

MPs in race to pass rental reforms before recess

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The Renters' Rights Bill now looks more likely to be passed before the summer recess.

London council hikes HMO licensing fees

London council hikes HMO licensing fees

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News
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HMO landlords face paying out £1,570 for a licence when Camden Council renews its additional scheme in December.

England to get its own 'rent service' says housing minister

England to get its own 'rent service' says housing minister

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A new body will help decide rents in a bid to prevent over-loading the tribunal service with rent disputes.

Landlord fined £75K for illegally letting properties

Landlord fined £75K for illegally letting properties

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A landlord has been found guilty of illegally letting two ‘party flats’ after neighbours complained about excessive noise.

Tenant piles pressure on Labour to adopt rent controls

Tenant piles pressure on Labour to adopt rent controls

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Lobbying group says tenant Bridget Chapman's experiences of a sudden rent rise is proof controls are needed.

Minister gifts solicitors £20m pay rise to help tenants fight evictions

Minister gifts solicitors £20m pay rise to help tenants fight evictions

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News
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The Government has increased its support for tenants who face eviction as its looming reforms bring in greater rights for private

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring requests to license property

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring requests to license property

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A landlord who thought he could ignore council warnings over his property has been fined £10,000.

LATEST: New Decent Homes Standard consultation launched

LATEST: New Decent Homes Standard consultation launched

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Labour has revealed more details of the new minimum standards private landlords will have to meet.

Campaign launched to reverse 'bonkers' pet insurance decision

Campaign launched to reverse 'bonkers' pet insurance decision

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News
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AdvoCATS has launched initiative after Labour decided inexplicably not to allow landlords to require tenants to take out pet insurance.

Labour 'not listening to sense' on renting reforms says peer

Labour 'not listening to sense' on renting reforms says peer

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Lord Hacking tells housing minister Government is 'plain wrong' in its insistence on banning fixed-term tenancies.

Decent Homes Standard for private rented sector 'soon' says Labour

Decent Homes Standard for private rented sector 'soon' says Labour

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Government reveals it is about to consult on a new Decent Homes Standard that will apply to private as well as social landlords.

Minister refuses to budge on ending 'tenancies in advance' for students

Minister refuses to budge on ending 'tenancies in advance' for students

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Housing minister says asking students to commit before Christmas to a tenancy the next year is unfair.