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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

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Information

Landlords often buy flats which are either Leasehold or Shared Freehold. What are these tenures and what should landlords look out for in these different forms of ownership?Leasehold is one of three forms of tenure (property/land ownership) almost exclusively peculiar to the United Kingdom, thoug

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

Information

Landlord's Access to Property: Many landlords will have experienced a tenant denying them access to a property - whether for an inspection, viewings or legal duties. Its easy to understand the view of Its my property, I can enter when I want, but unfortunately th

New Section 21 Rules

New Section 21 Rules

Information

New Rules for Section 21 :Landlords and Agents need to be aware of the changes affecting Section 21 rules and Notices and other changes for the letting of residential properties in England (and in many cases Wales) introduced during 2015 . This article explains the new rules

New algorithms to calculate EPC ratings

New algorithms to calculate EPC ratings

News

Many landlords have long suspected that the DCLG approved national calculation methodologies and software programs were seriously flawed when they produced EPC ratings for buildings following energy assessments.So news that new software is being introduced which is claimed to be more accurate is

How you serve a Notice can be just as important as what you serve'�

How you serve a Notice can be just as important as what you serve'�

Information

Serving Notices: Landlords and agents often get confused as to how they should serve Notices on their tenants.Ordinarily it wouldnt matter what method is used, but if you end up in court with a possession or money claim, or some such court action, then what and how you se

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App that helps tenants fix their own leaks launches service for landlords

App that helps tenants fix their own leaks launches service for landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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National video maintenance platform Help me Fix is extending its reach to more self-managing private landlords with the launch of a new service. The software virtually connects tenants to tradespeople who can resolve simple maintenance issues remotely and for more complicated on

Southern Landlord Show to offer advice on tax, law, EPCs and mortgages

Southern Landlord Show to offer advice on tax, law, EPCs and mortgages

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Landlords in the South of England are being invited to attend a landlord show being held by one of the regions larger letting agencies. Charters, which is holding even at its large HQ in Southampton tomorrow, says the show will offer buy-to-let landlords advice on how to mana

Housing ministers contradict themselves over Renters Reform Act plans

Housing ministers contradict themselves over Renters Reform Act plans

News
News
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Housing ministers contradict on Renters Reform Bill timing after mixed signals from Rachel Maclean over publication date.

Big council sets housing policy based on 'shrinking landlord numbers'

Big council sets housing policy based on 'shrinking landlord numbers'

News
News
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Opinion
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Barnet Council has announced new housing strategies based partly on its experience of a shrinking private rented sector. The London boroughs new Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy proposes increasing the supply of affordable housing for rent and

BBC Panorama blames councils AND landlords for Britain's housing crisis

BBC Panorama blames councils AND landlords for Britain's housing crisis

News
News
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Opinion
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A council and housing association attracted as much criticism as private landlords in a Panorama investigation on the topic, Whats gone wrong with our housing? Last nights BBC1 programme initially talked about greedy landlords cashing in� at the B

TV star agrees higher landlord taxes are shrinking supply within rental market

TV star agrees higher landlord taxes are shrinking supply within rental market

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Property expert and TV presenter Phil Spencer believes landlords are being disadvantaged by tax rules that have made the profession less attractive to investors. He says landlords are being forced out of the sector, leaving both them and renters in a vicious circle. Speaking at

PODCAST: Leading legal expert highlights latest law updates for landlords

PODCAST: Leading legal expert highlights latest law updates for landlords

Podcast
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Hosts Eddie Hooker and Paul Shamplina of the HFIS group are joined by David Smith , Head of Property Litigation at JMW Solicitors , legal advisor to the NRLA and a regular face in national media trusted for advising the private rented sector. <

OFFICIAL: Half of PRS properties tracked by ONS saw rent rises last year

OFFICIAL: Half of PRS properties tracked by ONS saw rent rises last year

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News
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More than half the privately rented properties in England saw a rent rise in the last year, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. It reports that 50.6% of properties in England experienced a price increase in February compared to 36% in February 2022.

How could they? Landlord fined after renovation rubble dumped at roadside

How could they? Landlord fined after renovation rubble dumped at roadside

News
News
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A landlord has been fined for dumping piles of construction waste from his rental property on the side of a road. Timber, mattresses, carpets, tiles, and other household waste was removed from the house in Huntingdon as part of renovation works between tenants. Evide

EXCLUSIVE: Senior figures slam ongoing court delays for landlords

EXCLUSIVE: Senior figures slam ongoing court delays for landlords

News
News
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Two leading figures from the private rented sector have slammed the ongoing nightmare many landlords are facing when waiting for evictions to pass through the courts.

Shelter calls for radical changes for landlords, but will Labour listen?

Shelter calls for radical changes for landlords, but will Labour listen?

News
News
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Shelter has called for indefinite tenancies as well as rent increases restricted to once a year and limited to a rise either in line with inflation or wage growth. 

Is Labour about to give councils full powers to licence landlords?

Is Labour about to give councils full powers to licence landlords?

News
News
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Information

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has hinted heavily that councils will be given powers to introduce large licencing schemes without his approval as part of Labour’s push for greater devolution.

REVEALED: Real cost of making a property energy efficient

REVEALED: Real cost of making a property energy efficient

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

While the new Labour government has talked about making rented homes more energy efficient, one company has shone a light on how much it will cost landlords to achieve it.

Lettings agency chiefs call for minimum property standards

Lettings agency chiefs call for minimum property standards

News
News
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Opinion
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New minimum standards for rental properties and industry training are needed to improve quality and safety in the PRS, the government has been told.

Landlord to return £800 deposit over jaw-dropping contract clause

Landlord to return £800 deposit over jaw-dropping contract clause

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

A landlord who tried to charge a prospective tenant for having overnight guests has been ordered to repay the holding deposit.

Certainty needed on energy efficiency targets

Certainty needed on energy efficiency targets

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

James Kent, the NRLA’s Chief Innovation Officer, and founder of digital compliance platform Safe2, explains why landlords need to know where they stand sooner rather than later.

Scandal hit social housing REIT winding down

Scandal hit social housing REIT winding down

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Home REIT, the investment trust marketed as the dream scheme to house the homeless is folding with extensive debts and legal claims. 

Landlord's appeal against huge rent repayment order fails

Landlord's appeal against huge rent repayment order fails

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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A landlord has failed in a last-ditch attempt to convince a property tribunal that he shouldn’t have to pay a rent repayment order – and has been stung with a £13,643 bill.

Citizen's Advice slams landlords for 'damp and mouldy homes'

Citizen's Advice slams landlords for 'damp and mouldy homes'

News
News
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Information

Almost half of private renters in England are living in cold, damp or mouldy homes, even during the summer, according to a new Citizens Advice poll.

BTL lenders reveal shock reduction in landlord mortgages

BTL lenders reveal shock reduction in landlord mortgages

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News
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Information

The mortgage industry says the number of new buy-to-let mortgages more than halved last year, with higher interest rates blamed for the fall.

City lauds highly unusual approach to 'non-compliant' landlords

City lauds highly unusual approach to 'non-compliant' landlords

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News
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Liverpool Council has teamed up with the emergency services and HMRC to share intelligence and weed out 'non-compliant' landlords.

Mayor launches poster campaign urging tenants to report landlords

Mayor launches poster campaign urging tenants to report landlords

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News
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A new poster campaign on the London Underground is urging travellers to report dodgy landlords.

REVEALED: Real reason why rental supply is dwindling

REVEALED: Real reason why rental supply is dwindling

News
News
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Information

The number of buy-to-let properties bought by landlords as a percentage of all homes sales across the nation has sunk to its lowest level since records began.

South Coast councillors approve plan to crack down on HMOs

South Coast councillors approve plan to crack down on HMOs

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News
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The South Coast seaside resort ofEastbourne is to crack down on the town’s growing number of HMOs andcouncillors are soon to make a decision on what to do.

COMMENT: Labour’s rental reforms, have they been watered down?

COMMENT: Labour’s rental reforms, have they been watered down?

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News
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Labour’s rental reforms, has Labour's Rental Charter have they been watered down in the King's speech?

Enfield HMO landlords face licence fee hike

Enfield HMO landlords face licence fee hike

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News
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Landlords in the London borough face paying an extra £174 for an additional HMO licence if plans get the green light.

Welsh tax grab plans could hammer PRS investment

Welsh tax grab plans could hammer PRS investment

News
News
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Information

The Welsh government has been warned it risks reducing the supply of student accommodation if changes to tax reliefs are introduced.

Higher costs curb new student home building

Higher costs curb new student home building

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News
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Fewer than 17,500 purpose-built student beds are expected to be added in the coming academic year, representing only 0.6% growth.

Labour’s Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 in 2025

Labour’s Renters' Rights Bill to abolish section 21 in 2025

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News
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The new Labour government won’t wait to improve the court system before abolishing Section 21, predicts a top property lawyer.

SHOCK: Official survey reveals 19% of tenant deposits not protected

SHOCK: Official survey reveals 19% of tenant deposits not protected

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News
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Information

Nearly 200,000 private renters haven’t had their deposits protected under an authorised scheme, according to new government data.

Banning leasehold flat sales 'will cause problems' warn experts

Banning leasehold flat sales 'will cause problems' warn experts

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News
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Property experts have warned that Labour’s promise to finish the job of ending the “feudal” leasehold system could complicate leaseholders’ situation.

Big lender changes mortgage T&Cs to allow Airbnb lets during void periods

Big lender changes mortgage T&Cs to allow Airbnb lets during void periods

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News
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Opinion
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A major high street lender has changed the terms and conditions of its mortgages to enable landlords to rent their properties out on short-term and holiday let sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com during void periods.

Council plan: Move students from HMOs to PBSA

Council plan: Move students from HMOs to PBSA

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News
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A Midlands council is on an unusual mission to get more students living in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) instead of traditional HMOs.

LATEST: King's Speech reveals Labour's new Renters' Rights Bill

LATEST: King's Speech reveals Labour's new Renters' Rights Bill

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News
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This morning’s King’s Speech to a packed House of Lords has revealed Labour’s radical plans for landlords, letting agents and tenants.