Shelter has slammed the Chancellor for failing to raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in his spring Budget. The homeless charity says Jeremy Hunt could have put an end to spiralling homelessness, but instead, he has stuck his head in the sand. Yet again we
Sunday Times economics editor David Smith has expressed sympathy for private landlords who he believes feel bruised by increasing regulation in the sector. He says higher mortgage rates might be the straw that breaks the camels back for many, with some alrea
First time buyers remain better off owning than renting an equivalent home, Lloyds Bank says, but the gap is narrowing. Its latest Owning vs Renting Review reveals that owning a first home now costs �971 a month, four percent less than renting at �1,013.
The government failed to offer long-term support for energy efficiency improvements or increase the Local Housing Allowance in a Budget which instead focused on getting the country back to work. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended support for energy bills at current levels of �2,50
In this in-depth private rented sector legislation special, Eddie and Paul are joined by David Smith, head of property litigation at JMW Solicitors. The discussion kicks off with the recent landmark Rakusen v Jepsen rent repayment order case, where David represented the NRLA and which, he e
Youve made the decision to sell, and beat the market drop and increased costs. But where do you turn? Estate Agents can get you a high price, but theyll take far too long. Auctions can sell super-fast, but you might be compromising on price. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-t
Generation Rent is calling on the government to extend Awaabs Law to the PRS after its survey found 1,106 private rented homes in England with dangerous levels of damp and mould. A Freedom of Information request by the campaign group found that the 65 councils which reported
Eddie Hooker, Chief Executive of insurance company the HFIS Group, has called for action to combat the murky end of the rent-to-rent market. Talking during an video interview with LandlordZONE , Hooker said action was needed to increase transparency w
A tenancy mediator has warned landlords that they or the experts they hire - risk being jailed for contempt of court by not using a regulated solicitor to fill in possession notice claim forms. PRS Mediations Julie Ford (pictured) says that under the L
An 80-year-old disabled woman is being evicted from her home after more than 60 years because her property wont pass tighter new EPC rules, a case which is believed to be the first of its kind. Thoresby Estate which owns Anne Marshs property in Edwin
Increasing the Local Housing Allowance would be the quickest way for the government to improve access to affordable homes, say housing charities. According to analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), in 37 local authorities, the gap between market rents for three-bedr
The director of a property management firm has been fined more than �25,000 after dangerous electrics were discovered at an HMO in Northampton. West Northamptonshire Council issued a warrant in May 2022 after tenants raised concerns about the property in Lutterwor
Landlords in the North East have complained that a rubber stamped selective licencing scheme is a pure waste of time� and that they are fed up being taxed in this way�. The comments concern Middlesborough councils plans to extend its licencing scheme in the ce
Landlords will be looking for more government support to make energy efficiency improvements while hoping for some tax burden relief in the upcoming Budget. With EPC deadlines looming, many want greater incentives to back up the https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-s
A new How to Rent guide will come out on Friday (17th March) which landlords in England must serve at the start of any new tenancy or renewal. The new guide forms part of the prescribed information landlords must issue, and if they dont
Scottish MSPs have voted through a rent cap and extension of the eviction ban until 30th September. The rent cap for private sector tenancies will increase to 3% from 1st April under the amendment to the https://www.gov.scot/publications/cost-living-ten
All HMO landlords in Worcester will soon have to buy a licence if councillors back a new additional licensing scheme. The city has operated an additional scheme since September 2015 but amended it in 2020 to cover only the wards of Arboretum, Bedwardine, Cathedral and St Clement
Landlords have been left out of measures announced today designed to support mortgage holders during the cost of living crisis. The guidance, which has been issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) updating borrowers responsibilities to their existing mortgage holders,
Section 26 Notice - My Commercial (Business Tenancy) Lease Agreement is coming to an end soon and my tenant has served on me a Section 26 Notice. What is this and what should I do?Commercial (Business) Tenancies in England & Wales are regulated by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 (Part 2).T
Uninhabitable Premises. My tenanted property is flooded. What are my legal obligations in this situation? Am I obliged to re-house my tenant? Must my tenant continue to pay rent?Landlords are under a general obligation to supply property in tenant able condition for the tenant to i
Question: Tenant Blacklists. I've had a very bad experience with a tenant and would like to put him on a black list so that other landlords don't have the same experience that I've had. How do I go about this?Answer: We often get asked this question.Although there have been several attempts by di
Sub-letting leasehold - I want to rent out my leasehold flat but the managing agent says the freeholder wont allow it. I know that other flats in the block are rented out, so what can I do? Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting to safeguard the interest.Landlords usually prohibit sub-letting
What are the implications of renting to a 17 year old or someone who is under the age of 18? We have an application from a 17-year old that is keen to rent but Im not sure this would be legal?</h2> Many landlords and housing providers would be concerned and therefore refuse to let to
Question - Rent Review - my landlord is asking for far more rent than I expected on review. Am I obliged to pay this?Answer - Commercial leases are contractual - the parties agree to and are bound by its clauses and that includes rent review provisions.The rent review process is a way of periodic
Re-selling Energy - As a landlord am I able to make a profit by re-selling electricity or gas?</h2>Resale of Gas and ElectricityThe maximum amount that Residential Landlords or resellers� are permitted to charge for gas or electricity is the amount they
Providing a Reference - I have been asked to provide a reference for one of my tenants who is moving on. What is my legal position in this and am I putting myself at risk if I say he was a bad tenant?</h2> Referencing (seeking verification of a tenants past performance) is an increasi
Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles - is it legal to have these tiles in the kitchen of a rental property?</h2> There are currently no regulations specifically banning the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles in existing rented property.However, it is unlikely that local authority fire officers and en
Nest - the public body that runs workplace pension schemes - is investing £350 million in build-to-rent (BTR), meaning that some landlords’ pensions are effectively funding competitors.
Landlords may soon be able to rent their homes out via Airbnb to more than just holiday makers, its co-founder has revealed.
TV star and evictions expert Paul Shamplina is due to give landlords advice on how Labour’s looming and significant changes to the way homes are rented in England and Wales will impact them at an event on Thursday, September 26th.
A landlord couple who ignored requests from the local authority and Planning Inspectorate to stop using their property as an HMO have been fined £18,000.
Ed Miliband, Labour’s Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, has told the party’s annual conference that landlords will have to upgrade their homes to a minimum EPC ‘C’ rating by 2030 or be unable to rent their properties legally.
A benefits landlord has voiced fears that new laws and standards in the PRS will force her -and others like her - to stop renting to social tenants.
Labour will continue to ramp up the pressure on landlords to update their properties by consulting on a Decent Homes Standard.
A landlord in Colchester has been handed a £5,000 civil penalty notice for failing to license his unsafe HMO.
Landlords face potential £90,000 capital gains tax hit under Labour's proposed reforms, prompting many to consider selling before new tax laws take effect.
Landlords with a burning ambition to take on a major project might consider bidding on this home in the Welsh valleys, priced £0.
There is confusion around whether Purpose-Built Student Accommodation will be exempt from changes in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Landlords in Barnet who are refused permission for change of use to an HMO can challenge the decision through a new online portal.
The Bank of England has resisted the temptation to cut interest rates, which remain at 5%.
Legislation in Scotland has done little to improve affordability in the PRS, according to new research.
Times are hard for tenants and landlords alike and this coming winter is causing a worry for many.
Landlords should not be so quick to lay the blame on tenants for problems and instead use new tools to tackle issues.
Average UK private rents increased by 8.4% in the 12 months to August, down from 8.6% in the 12 months to July.
Landlords who use limited company structures are incorporating a much larger proportion of their portfolios to mitigate tax changes.
Kind-hearted mydeposits customers have donated more than £66,000 of interest earned on their deposits to the Centrepoint charity.
Renters’ Rights Bill sets new Decent Homes Standard, digital PRS database, and stronger enforcement to improve rental property safety and quality.
Nearly three-quarters of UK tenants (73%) who aren’t using digital tools in their rental properties would like to give them a try.
Short-term let landlords in Edinburgh have won a third successful challenge against the council’s licensing scheme.
Think digital—PropTech set for the spotlight at NRLA conference, shaping the future of rental management tools.
The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to the Commons for its second reading next month, as the new government fast-tracks its shake up of the PRS.
A rogue landlord who persistently ignored requests to carry out improvement works on her property has been ordered to pay £2,400.
