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
Theres recently been a spate of press reports and political wrangling about the existence of Zero-Hour Contracts. This has become something of a hot political issue as we approach a general election, and one surprising development is recent attempts to embroil landlords in the issue, as if the
Traditionally, with commercial (business) leases, a contractual provision within the lease specifies the use, or uses to which a property may be put and the uses which are prohibited.The formal classification of Uses� are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as a
Landlords in Wirral might not welcome yet another selective licensing scheme, but a reduced £fee will make it one of the cheapest in UK.
A landlord in Aberdeen has been banned for failing to repair dangerous electrics in his rental property.
Growing numbers of young people in the UK now prefer to invest in rental properties than buy their own home, an estate agency has claimed.
Despite the sometimes hostile environment endured by current landlords, a third of UK adults aspire to invest in buy-to-let to build their long-term prosperity.
The first independent report into the build-to-rent (BTR) sector has tracked huge growth in urban areas and city centres where it’s taking up the slack from traditional landlords.
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a minimum EPC level for rented homes.
Landlords seeking to recoup money from tenants now have an alternative to a lengthy and expensive battle through the courts.
Paragon Bank’s latest financial results show that buy to let is not in terminal decline, but the industry is going through structural change
Two leading proeprty industry figures give their views on when landlords will face the new Renters' Rights Bill.
The Renters’ Rights Bill is expected to fuel a surge in tenancy disputes following a 20% rise last year.
Walsall Council plans to implement an Article 4 Direction to restrict HMOs, despite acknowledging no strong evidence linking HMOs to crime.
Lawyers have warned that an underfunded justice system will hinder any progress made in strengthening renters’ rights.
The biggest news to hit the private rental sector in 25 years is here: the Renters' Rights Bill. Scheduled for its second reading today, 9 October, this Bill is poised to reshape the landscape for landlords and tenants alike.
Here’s an initial reaction to the Renters’ Rights Bill, thoughts that could change as it progresses through parliament - the second reading is today.
Government announces funding for EPC upgrades in low-income rental homes, but questions remain about coverage and affordability for landlords.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will become law ‘as soon as possible’ housing secretary Angela Rayner has promised as parliament debates her legislation for the first time.
A judge has massively increased the fines given to two HMO landlords who have failed in a legal challenge against their sentence.
Removing fixed-term tenancies will drive up rents as landlords switch to short-term lets, warns Propertymark.
A landlord with multiple properties in Bootle has been ordered to pay £22,630 for ignoring safety risks that left his tenants facing imminent danger.
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.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has backed calls for better funding of councils’ housing enforcement and stronger selective licensing.
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.
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.
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.
Auctioneers have urged the government not to increase Capital Gains Tax at a time when confidence is returning to the housing market.
A landlord struggling with an eviction has spoken out against the system which he says is heavily skewed in favour of tenants.
Almost half of landlords have sold a property in the last year or plan to do so, according to the latest sobering industry survey.
Tenants’ groups want the government to also introduce longer protected periods.
Property refurbishments are becoming increasingly important for landlords as the Government prepares to force the sector to upgrade properties to minimum levels of energy performance by 2030.
The majority of landlords (75%) are very concerned about plans to abolish no-fault evictions, labelling it “a catastrophe”.
A fed-up landlord wants the government to legislate for more stringent referencing after being hit by rent dodging and criminal tenants.
Landlords and agents could face fines of up to £40,000 for breaching new rules set to be introduced as part of the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill.
Nottingham Council has been told to hand back more than £2,800 to landlord Mick Roberts after a court ruled it had overcharged for lease extension surveys.
