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Beware using WhatsApp to discuss rental contracts, warns lawyer

Beware using WhatsApp to discuss rental contracts, warns lawyer

News

A property lawyer has warned that landlords might fail to realise their tenant has given notice after a court ruled that a WhatsApp exchange was sufficient to create a contract.

CLAIM: Fees ban has saved tenants £1bn and 'didn't push up rents'

CLAIM: Fees ban has saved tenants £1bn and 'didn't push up rents'

News

Private renters in England have saved nearly £1 billion in letting agent fees since the 2019 Tenant Fees Act, research by Generation Rent has found.

Student HMO landlords face tenancies-in-advance 'crunch' this November

Student HMO landlords face tenancies-in-advance 'crunch' this November

News

One of the UK’s leading student lettings agencies has pointed out a huge ‘crunch point’ for HMO landlords when the Renters’ Rights Bill goes live later this year.

Landlords to raise rents when reform restrictions go live

Landlords to raise rents when reform restrictions go live

News

New poll shows landlords are planning to raise rents in response to new restrictions within the looming Renters' Rights Bil.

BLOG: 'Tenants and landlords will see harder times when section 21 is abolished'

BLOG: 'Tenants and landlords will see harder times when section 21 is abolished'

News

Property lawyer Ian Narbeth takes a detailed but scathing look at Labour's looming Renters' Rights Bill and predicts there is trouble ahead.

London politician calls for action against rogue landlords

London politician calls for action against rogue landlords

News

Comments have been made after residents at a property that was illegally converted into 11 bedsit flats remain worried about its condition.

Landlord trio sell portfolio for £22m citing 'complex renting environment'

Landlord trio sell portfolio for £22m citing 'complex renting environment'

News

Three landlord brothers have had a whopping £22 million pay day after selling their property portfolio to an investment trust.

EXPERT: Renting reforms will make 'horrendous housing crisis' worse

EXPERT: Renting reforms will make 'horrendous housing crisis' worse

News

A leading property expert says the UK is heading for a “horrendous housing crisis” that could worsen with the advent of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Social housing in crisis as tenants’ complaints go through the roof

Social housing in crisis as tenants’ complaints go through the roof

News

New report from the Housing Ombudsman shows complaints about substandard living conditions in social housing in England are five times higher than they were five years ago

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Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

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Basically, what is known as a Calderbank offer is a 'without prejudice;' offer to settle a dispute to avoid the extra costs and associated risks of a full referral.From Calderbank v Calderbank [1976] and originally confined mainly to family property disputes, an offer of settlement made before th

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

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According to research from the NLA, 4 in 10 landlords are either seriously considering forming a limited company or looking into the option in the coming months.Can you - and more importantly should you - set up a company to pay less tax? Heres my complete guide on becoming incorporated.<stron

What heating system for Rental Property?

What heating system for Rental Property?

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What heating system should you use in your rental property? Is there a heating system that could solve landlords condensation claims problems?Its one of the most important questions to ask when letting a property for the first time. Whatever system you choose carries implications for the ef

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

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News
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The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) and the National Landlords Association (NLA) have called on the classified online listings service Gumtree to issue clear guidance over possible scams involving bogus letting scams.The warning has been issued to Gumtree by the NLA and the RLA after f

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

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At rent review, the phrase 'going to arbitration' is often bandied about during negotiations as a means for one party to get its own way. Whether or not the parties can agree the rent without involving the dispute resolution procedure, it is common for a represented or experienced party to inv

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

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News
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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

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

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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

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

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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

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

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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

Rent controls reduce supply and housing quality, says new report

Rent controls reduce supply and housing quality, says new report

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A new report that evaluates the dozens of rent control schemes implemented over the past 60 years across the world has concluded that overall they are harmful to rental homes supply.

COMMENT: Did you know that tenants can claim compensation over disrepair?

COMMENT: Did you know that tenants can claim compensation over disrepair?

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Tenants can claim compensation from their landlord for repairs that are not done in a reasonable time; repairs that are of bad quality and do not fix things

EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

EXPERT: 'Now is the time to convert from commercial to residential'

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News
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There’s never been a better time for landlords to convert a commercial building to residential use, according to a leading architect.

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

'Dont be afraid of the future' Zoopla boss tells landlords

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News
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Zoopla boss Richard Donnell has urged landlords and investors to steer clear of misinformation about the PRS and focus on the positives.

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

Landlord's rental properties seized in UK regulation 'first'

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News
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A rogue landlord who persistently failed to license several rented properties has had them seized by Merton Council in one of the first actions of its kind in the country.

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

Sadiq Khan goes quiet on rent controls after Labour 'slap down'

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been slapped down by Labour’s national leadership after asking to be given rent control powers, it has been reported.

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

Coventry to extend HMO licencing for five years

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Coventry councillors look set to give the go-ahead to extending the city’s additional licensing scheme, raising the fee for a five-year licence from £840 to £916.

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

Potential buyer reports landlord to council over illegal HMO

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A landlord renting out an unlicensed HMO was caught out when a prospective buyer reported her to the council.

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

REVEALED: £10k cost of getting rental properties up to Labour's new EPC minimum

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Private landlords face an average bill of £10,000 to hit government EPC C targets by 2030, according to new research.

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

City's selective licensing to generate £7.7 million for council

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The City of Peterborough says it has received selective licencing applications for three quarters of the properties due to be included in the ten-ward scheme, with a deadline for the completion of applications due at the end of November.

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

Lobby group launches to fight Scotland's rent controls

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A new private rented sector lobbying group hopes to convince the Scottish government to temper its plans for permanent rent controls under the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

Landlords warned after deposits court case stops eviction

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An appeal judge has backed a tenant’s argument that serving prescribed information before the deposit is paid isn’t valid, meaning their eviction cannot go ahead.

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

REVEALED: Where landlords wait longest and shortest to find tenants

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Gloucester was the fastest moving rental market last month where the average property was let within 14 days of being advertised.

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

NRLA warns rent controls would 'not benefit tenants' in long run

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Trade association the NRLA has warned that rent controls would prompt a third of landlords to sell up if they were introduced in England.

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

Big build-to-rent firm in trouble over 'misleading consumers'

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Build-to-rent developer Quintain Living has had its knuckles rapped for wrongly suggesting tenants could make big energy bill savings, get free WiFi and work from home areas.

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

Big building society follows other BTL lenders and cuts rates

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News
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Leeds Building Society cuts BTL mortgage rates after BoE’s base rate falls from 5.25% to 5%, offering landlords more competitive deals.

Tory policies blamed for rise in costly student housing

Tory policies blamed for rise in costly student housing

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Exiting student landlords have paved the way for PBSA developers charging higher rents, according to The FT.

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

Panic selling as landlords fear capital gains tax raid

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves refusing to rule out a swinging increase in capital gains tax (CGT) for landlords

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

Report shows 11% of tenants paying 60% of their income as rent

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A new report based on data from 46,000 renters reveals shocking data on how much they are spending on their rent.

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

Big boiler manufacturer promises not to repeat 'greenwashing' claims

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News
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One of the UK’s biggest gas boiler manufacturers used by millions of landlords has promised not to ‘greenwash’ its part-hydrogen fuelled boilers.

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

How many laws must landlords adhere to, asks legal expert

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Law-savvy landlords are being asked to help compile a definitive list of legislation impacting the PRS.

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

No.10 cat 'backs' mandatory pet damage insurance campaign

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Larry the Number 10 cat has backed a charity’s campaign to change the law allowing tenants to keep pets.

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

Hardship test “bombshell” for landlords

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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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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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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.