From the 1st of October 2015 it became a statutory requirement that landlords issue all new tenants after that date with the latest edition of a Government publication The How to Rent Guide�, along with a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a current Gas Safety
From 1st February 2016 all new tenants in England must be given Right-to-Rent (Immigration) Checks to determine their "right-to-rent" or "right-to-reside" in the country, BEFORE they can be given a tenancy. Landlords or letting agents must do the checks - letting agents where the
This is a Guide to Tax Deductible Letting Expenses for Landlords under the new tax rules following the Summer Budget 2015. These may be subject to change and you are advised to consult a tax specialist before making any decisions.From April 2016 landlords will no longer be able to automatically d
An Edinburgh landlord set-up hidden cameras in the bedroom and bathroom of his flat, to film people in bed and in the shower.The cameras were discovered by a young couple, friends of the landlord who allowed them to use the accommodation. The couple found a box on the living room table with a cam
Amongst the ways to agree or ascertain the (open) market rent at rent review or on renewal of a lease, (per s.34-s35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), is the use of comparable evidence.At rent review, the market rent for the premises is not what rent the actual tenant would agree or could afford, bu
There are two instances of section 20 notices in property in England:(1) is the notice served in relation to early shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, and the other,(2) refers to section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act (CLR
Who pays for maintenance and repairs in a residential letting, landlord or tenant?Is it, for example, a tenants responsibility once they occupy my building to look after most of the regular house maintenance items? If the fridge stops working does the tenant or the landlord need to repair it?Y
With commercial property, rent reviews are generally to the open market rent, but sometimes the rent would be adjusted to the Retail Price Index (RPI). RPI is generally considered more favourable to landlords than CPI or other methodologies.There is no link between open market rent and inflatio
Amongst the thorny issues in the relationship between landlord and tenant is the building insurance premium. Unlike residential property where the landlord has a vested interest in making sure the premium is competitive, because more than likely the premium would not be recoverable from the tenan
The government is considering a further crackdown on short-term lets in a bid to free up more homes for local people.
Landlords and letting agents aren’t carrying out inventory inspections on nearly a third of tenancies, leaving themselves open to disputes.
Landlords have been warned that cutting maintenance budgets could jeopardise their ability to rent out properties and puts renters at risk.
A landlord has successfully overturned a rent repayment order after he argued he wasn’t responsible for an unlicensed HMO.
It’s that time of year again. The first signs of the UK’s autumn cold arrives as we see more cooling rain and wind, and a noticeable drop in temperature
A Hastings landlord is counting the cost after failing to provide their local authority with an essential safety certificate – a timely reminder to make sure you’re up-to-date with all your safety certificates.
The Renters’ Reform Coalition has called for more radical renter reforms including longer eviction notice periods, longer protected periods free from eviction when a tenancy starts and limits on rent increases during a tenancy.
A Capital Gains Tax rate change could be the final nail in the PRS coffin as investors ditch bricks and mortar, according to one big financial analyst.
A portfolio landlord group has urged the government to voice support for the sector and work with it on finding a solution to the country’s housing crisis.
A landlord who asked his tenants to only shower once a week and limit cooking to light meals has been landed with a £17,574 Rent Repayment Order.
The private rented sector now has a new champion for their sector in the form of James Cleverly, who has been appointed shadow secretary for housing.
Comments made by Conservative housing spokesperson in Lords as Renters' Rights Bill nears becoming law.
Luton Council is to face yet another legal challenge in its attempt to introduce a long-delayed selective licensing scheme.
Benefits landlord Mick Roberts has slammed Nottingham Council for its inflexible stance on licensing fees for homes he’s trying to sell.
The government is to hand councils the power to carry out secret inspections on private rental properties
Tenants in Scotland have been told to fight back against private landlords by urging MSPs to keep their commitment to robust rent controls.
Generation Rent has called for a complete overhaul of the deposit system amid claims that it is failing renters and lining landlords’ pockets.
One councillor's 'slum' comments have spurred several industry figures to fight back against poor perception of HMOs.
Law Society chief and evictions expert say reforms are too late, too little and won't reduce evictions case backlog.
A council-run scheme to help people facing homelessness access private rented homes is proving a success.
Total Property sponsored the Landlord Investment Show, highlighting landlord concerns over the government's removal of pet protections in rental laws,
Scotland’s new Housing Secretary has been warned not to push rent controls over housing growth.
Landlords in the North East are being urged to sign up for charity boxing event, Rumble with the Agents.
Commercial landlords thought they had escaped the kind of tenant empowering measures being meted out to residential landlords - not so fast
The Renters’ Rights Bill won’t receive Royal Assent until after the parliamentary summer break.
Landlords celebrated 40 years of Portsmouth & District Private Landlords Association (PDPLA) with a garden party for old and new members.
Local authorities will be able to enter private rented properties without informing landlords in advance.
Landlords could get caught out by tougher rules around discrimination unless they evidence legitimate reasons.
"Landlord Whales”: the Super–Landlords quietly exiting the sector for big cheques
Planning red tape has caused a slowdown in build-to-rent (BTR) schemes that risks undermining investor confidence, according to the new Build to Rent
The government risks creating uncertainty and conflict between landlords and tenants unless rules are clarified soon.
Many tenants are staying put for much longer due to their struggle to find rentals and the prospect of paying higher rents for a new property.
