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.

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Information

Letting Agent Contracts: One common question asked by landlords is, "how do I terminate my relationship with my letting agent?"For one reason or another, landlords sometimes wish to end their relationship with their letting agent and want to know how to go about it.Requests

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

News

General Election: Part of Laboursbid to be elected on 12th December is a raft of taxraising measures aimed at buy-to-let landlords and second homeowners. Jeremy CorbynsLabour party manifesto launch last week outlined a n

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Information

Condensation andmould : This time of year,as the temperature drops, both new homes and old homes aresusceptible to the formation of condensation and unsightly mould: newhomes because they are effectively a sealed box, and old homesbecause they often lack ef

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

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

Major national park moves to restrict holiday lets

Major national park moves to restrict holiday lets

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

One of the UK’s larger national parks is planning to stop any new homes that are built within it being used as holiday/short lets or second homes.

Legal Matters: Serving notices, don’t fall foul of the law

Legal Matters: Serving notices, don’t fall foul of the law

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A crucial task for landlords and agents is to correctly serve statutory notices and other documents

What should the new rental contracts be called? Have your say!

What should the new rental contracts be called? Have your say!

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Property experts are pondering what the government might name new tenancies created by the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Council takes unusual approach to signing off HMOs

Council takes unusual approach to signing off HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A district council has come up with a set of exceptional circumstances to help decide when to give the go-ahead to new HMOs.

Student landlord lands £2.3 million refinancing deal

Student landlord lands £2.3 million refinancing deal

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord in Liverpool has secured £2.3 million to refinance eight student HMOs within the city and unusually has gone public about the deal.

Letting agent slams police over 'lack of justice'

Letting agent slams police over 'lack of justice'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A letting agent has criticised police who failed to act when vandals threw a brick through one of his tenant’s windows.

Landlords, Fed Up with the Labour Government? Sell your Portfolio NOW

Landlords, Fed Up with the Labour Government? Sell your Portfolio NOW

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The never-ending onslaught of landlords, including the abolition of Section 21, tough EPC rules, and changes to stamp duty, have left landlords fed up and thinking of throwing in the towel.

Energy firms called out over HMO tenant utility bill problems

Energy firms called out over HMO tenant utility bill problems

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A tenants’ champion has slammed energy companies for failing to help renters with energy bill problems at HMOs.

Landlords fume after letting agency shuts down owing money

Landlords fume after letting agency shuts down owing money

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Northwood letting agency in Romford has gone bust, leaving angry landlords out of pocket.

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

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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

Minister's controversial eviction 'will not be possible under her own rental reforms'

Minister's controversial eviction 'will not be possible under her own rental reforms'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

TV star Paul Shamplina has pointed out the difficult position homeless minister Rushanara Ali has put herself into.

Landlord pays VERY heavy price for ignoring licensing scheme

Landlord pays VERY heavy price for ignoring licensing scheme

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rogue operator Shamsua Huda has been handed a whopping £33,698 fine for ignoring orders to license his HMO.

Landlord money moving 'out of homes and into offices'

Landlord money moving 'out of homes and into offices'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Some residential landlords quitting the PRS appear to have moved their investments into the commercial sector, particularly offices.

Base interest rate cut by Bank of England monetary committee

Base interest rate cut by Bank of England monetary committee

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Monetary Policy Committee decides time is to take the breaks off the economy.

Welsh Government to go ahead with HMO council tax changes

Welsh Government to go ahead with HMO council tax changes

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Comments following 12-week consultation show, despite some reservations, HMOs will be counted as one property.

Unwanted residents that don’t pay any rent… 

Unwanted residents that don’t pay any rent… 

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Rats and other vermin can cause endless damage to your property, give you legal nightmares and trash your reputation as a responsible landlord

EXCLUSIVE: Fergus Wilson says he's a fair landlord, not 'Britain's worst'

EXCLUSIVE: Fergus Wilson says he's a fair landlord, not 'Britain's worst'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlord Fergus Wilson has rejected his label as the ‘most hated landlord’ in Britain and insists his policy of vetting tenants has always been fair.

EXPERT: Why landlords and agents must now check every tenant's identity

EXPERT: Why landlords and agents must now check every tenant's identity

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords and letting agents now face substantial fines if they don't check prospective tenants' identities before they move in.

Shock survey of letting agents reveals smaller landlords quitting in droves

Shock survey of letting agents reveals smaller landlords quitting in droves

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Letting agents have warned that the Renters’ Rights Bill could gut the private rental sector of one- and two-property landlords.

Landlords advertising HMO rooms 'far in advance of start date'

Landlords advertising HMO rooms 'far in advance of start date'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

HMO landlords are increasingly advertising rooms to rent way in advance of tenants moving out, new research shows.

Demand spikes for freehold houses from first time buyers - Landlords cash in before the crash

Demand spikes for freehold houses from first time buyers - Landlords cash in before the crash

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords are cashing out fast as demand from first-time buyers spikes. Freehold homes are hot—now’s the time to sell.

'Law gives too much protection to rogue tenants', says landlord of trashed property

'Law gives too much protection to rogue tenants', says landlord of trashed property

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A fed-up landlord has slammed the legal system for unfairly favouring poorly-behaved tenants after a brutal eviction.

Big seaside town goes live with more HMO planning restrictions

Big seaside town goes live with more HMO planning restrictions

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords in Eastbourne now need to get planning permission for HMO conversions in parts of the town centre after councillors approved new rules.

Landlord faces £60,000 repair bill after cannabis farms discovery

Landlord faces £60,000 repair bill after cannabis farms discovery

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Controversial landlord Fergus Wilson faces a £60,000 repair bill after three of his rental properties were turned into cannabis factories.

'Heavily vetting tenants before they move in will soon be essential, not optional'

'Heavily vetting tenants before they move in will soon be essential, not optional'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords who fail to factor in inflation, interest rates, and pressure on household budgets when vetting tenants could end up with rent arrears.

Landlords told to 'get ready' for next April's Making Tax Digital switchover

Landlords told to 'get ready' for next April's Making Tax Digital switchover

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords have been warned by the Government to begin researching available software before tax returns begin to go digital next April.

UK's first 'tourist tax' goes live for Scots holiday lets landlords

UK's first 'tourist tax' goes live for Scots holiday lets landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Edinburgh’s landlords and letting agents have been urged to start preparing for the city’s 5% ‘tourist levy’.

Selective Licensing and Anti-Social Behaviour – are landlords to blame?

Selective Licensing and Anti-Social Behaviour – are landlords to blame?

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Are remote landlords fuelling local problems? Are these purchases simply causing misery for local populations? Is selective licensing up to the job?

BBC reveals 'widespread' black market in unlicensed HMOs

BBC reveals 'widespread' black market in unlicensed HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A reporter who responded to adverts in shop windows in east London for a ‘bedspace’ in shared rooms found unsanitary and overcrowded unlicensed homes.

The cost of ignoring an improvement notice? £16,000 says council

The cost of ignoring an improvement notice? £16,000 says council

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord who left her tenants in a damp and mouldy flat has been ordered to pay a whopping £16,267 by magistrates.

Welsh student landlord 'to quit' as renting reforms loom

Welsh student landlord 'to quit' as renting reforms loom

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Marcel Price is considering converting his properties into short-term holiday lets due to fears over the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Legal expert reveals when each part of renting reforms to go live

Legal expert reveals when each part of renting reforms to go live

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Lawyer David Smith casts an expert eye over the legislation and divines when its different parts will become law.