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Right to rent checks go digital for British and Irish tenants

Right to rent checks go digital for British and Irish tenants

News

Landlords and letting agents will soon be able to carry out quicker https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/updated-advice-for-landlords-on-right-to-rent-checks-due-in-new-year/" right to rent checks on British and Irish citizens. From 6th April, Identification Do

'Think carefully' before going ahead with EPC upgrades, warns expert

'Think carefully' before going ahead with EPC upgrades, warns expert

News

An energy expert has sought to reassure landlords that they may not need to spend huge sums retrofitting their properties to raise EPC ratings at least not in the short term. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://upload

Environmental concerns have big impact on rental property ownership

Environmental concerns have big impact on rental property ownership

News

Just as residential landlords are contemplating the costs of bringing older properties up to the proposed new standard - very likely EPC band C� required by December 2025 - so too are commercial landlords.<br> See: https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/compulsory-epc

Compulsory EPC band 'C' by 2025 causing confusion

Compulsory EPC band 'C' by 2025 causing confusion

News

Compulsory EPC band C by 2025 causing confusion There have been recent confusing reports put out that from 2025, all newly rented properties in England &amp; Wales will be required to have an EPC rating of band C or above. This is somewhat misleading and jum

UK's biggest secret landlord reveals why he's selling up most of his portfolio

UK's biggest secret landlord reveals why he's selling up most of his portfolio

News

LandlordZONE sits down with one of Londons most prolific but little-known landlords who has spent 30 years amassing a huge portfolio in the East End and West End areas of the capital. For reasons of privacy, and a desire to remain behind the scenes, he doesnt want to

Paul Shamplina: 'Possession cases will rise in 2022'

Paul Shamplina: 'Possession cases will rise in 2022'

News

So, we ended 2021 after twenty-one months since the first Covid lockdown with the new variant, Omicron, spreading fast, and with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland putting in stricter measures and speculation that England may follow with an announcement early in the New Year.

Opinion: How will small-scale private landlords fare in 2022?

Opinion: How will small-scale private landlords fare in 2022?

Opinion

An example of the difficulty of prediction is the conclusion to a detailed study recently published on the private rented sector by the London School of Economics (a study commissioned by the NRLA) Individually and cumulatively, the recent tax changes

Landlord slapped with �40,700 fine after 'honest mistake' over HMO licence

Landlord slapped with �40,700 fine after 'honest mistake' over HMO licence

News

A lettings agency boss and landlord has been slapped with a �40,700 Rent Repayment Officer despite claiming that his failure to licence an HMO was an honest mistake. A First Tier Property Tribunal handed five former tenants the maximum award for the period from September 2019 t

Scottish government unveils controversial rent reform plans

Scottish government unveils controversial rent reform plans

News

Scotland’s Housing Bill proposes rent controls, winter eviction bans, pet rights & tougher eviction penalties in private sector overhaul.

Bristol significantly expands HMO and selective licensing schemes

Bristol significantly expands HMO and selective licensing schemes

News

Bristol has approved plans to extend landlord licensing in Brislington West, Bedminster and Horfield wards in a bid to raise PRS standards. The scheme includes additional licensing - HMOs with three or more unrelated people sharing facilities and selective licensing - privat

Durham’s new licensing scheme for 29,000 homes: What you need

Durham’s new licensing scheme for 29,000 homes: What you need

News

Durham County Council's selective licensing scheme covers 29,000 homes, requiring landlords to apply by 31 July for a £350–£500 licence fee.

Test Case: Council advising tenants to stay put after valid s21 notice served

Test Case: Council advising tenants to stay put after valid s21 notice served

News

This is a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman case involving an unnamed landlord (LandlordX or MrX) and Brentwood Borough Council. The case revolves around a common situation where the landlord required possession of the property after serving a valid section 21 notice un

'Let’s not forget property remains the best performing investment'

'Let’s not forget property remains the best performing investment'

Opinion

I've been in the property investment business for almost 30 years and during this period opportunities have come and gone but I've yet to discover an asset class that perf

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

OPINION: The EPC ratings system is 'not fit for purpose'

Opinion

Ever since I started to market one of my commercial buildings around 10 years ago now, I began to doubt the efficacy of the EPC rating system. The guy that came along to do the inspection told me himself he had just completed a 6 week course, or whatever it was, to train to be a

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

BREAKING: Government toughens up smoke and C0 alarm regulations

News

Social and private landlords are to face tougher new rules which make it mandatory to fit smoke alarms in all rented accommodation regardless of tenure, and widen the conditions under which they must be fitted. Revisions to the smoke and carbon monoxide detector regulations also

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

ANALYSIS: Does buy-to-let still beat the stock market?

News

If you had �50k to invest right now, where would you put it, buy-to-let property or stocks and shares? Certainly leaving it in a traditional savings account, with interest rates as they are at rock bottom, thats out of the question. And with the threat of rising inflation ea

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

EXCLUSIVE: Costliest and most common landlord insurance claims

News

Research carried out by LandlordZONEs insurance partner, Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, revealed that the vast majority of landlords, https://hamiltonfraser.co.uk/knowledge/good-landlord-quiz-results/?utm_source=landlordzone&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=lz_november

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion: Should landlords dive into heat pumps?

Opinion

The move to provide home heating and hot water by this method is part of a Government strategy aimed at making deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing the UK's power sector by 2035. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the scheme was designed to bring low-carbon hea

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Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

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News
Podcast
Opinion
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I have always found the holding deposit (an initial retainer paid to the landlord or agent to reserve a tenancy) is a very useful device to commit the tenant to your letting. But is it legal to withhold the advance deposit you take from a prospective tenant if they back out?In my experience a pro

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

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What do I need to do when I protect my tenant/s deposit? If you take a deposit from your tenant/s you MUST protect the deposit and serve your tenants with the correct documentation within 30 days or face having to pay a fine and the prospect that you cannot use the s21 evict

ITZA revisited

ITZA revisited

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A clear explanation of ITZA and rent review zoning — why old ITZA measurements may not always apply in new rent reviews.

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

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Podcast
Opinion
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Learn how a Calderbank offer can help landlords settle disputes and avoid costly rent review referrals.

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

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Podcast
Opinion
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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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Opinion
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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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Opinion
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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

So much for Gove's 'landlord crackdown' as just 5% of tenants say they will vote Tory!

So much for Gove's 'landlord crackdown' as just 5% of tenants say they will vote Tory!

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News
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The Conservatives’ anti-landlord policies have failed to win much favour among tenants who are most likely to vote Labour in the general election, it has been revealed.

London woman banned from PRS after 'egregious' sub-letting case

London woman banned from PRS after 'egregious' sub-letting case

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News
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A council in London has taken the unusual step of banning a woman from renting homes in the private sector for three years after she illegally sub-let a property in a case that is one of the worst LandlordZONE has ever reported on.

'Why one rule for councils, but another for landlords' asks expert

'Why one rule for councils, but another for landlords' asks expert

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News
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A housing safety law expert has called for Southwark Council to be hit with a multi-million pound fine after it failed to carry out required electrical safety tests at its properties.

General Election 2024; Setting the standard

General Election 2024; Setting the standard

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All the major political parties have now released their manifestos ahead of the July general election. Here James Kent, the NRLA’s Chief Innovation Officer, and founder of digital compliance platform Safe2, looks at what they are promising when it comes to PRS property standards and compliance.

Landlord loses appeal against £35,000 licencing fine

Landlord loses appeal against £35,000 licencing fine

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News
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Opinion
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A rogue landlord who was fined £34,640 for having eight unlicensed HMOs has failed in an attempt to have his conviction overturned.

Labour's bidding wars proposal 'impossible' to enforce says legal senior

Labour's bidding wars proposal 'impossible' to enforce says legal senior

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News
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Labour party figures’ desire to end tenant bidding wars is unworkable in practice, while unenforced legislation would not lead to any real improvement, according to a top property lawyer.

WARNING: 'Unintended consequences of leasehold reforms'

WARNING: 'Unintended consequences of leasehold reforms'

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News
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A legal expert has warned that an amendment to the recently-passed Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act that raises the 25% non-residential limit in collective enfranchisement claims to 50% will have serious consequences for mixed-use developments.

NRLA to drop 'landlord' in bid to change public perceptions of sector

NRLA to drop 'landlord' in bid to change public perceptions of sector

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News
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Opinion
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The NRLA is to drop the word ‘landlord’ from its strapline in a bid to change public attitudes of those who rent out and manage properties.

The importance of guarantors in safeguarding tenancy payments

The importance of guarantors in safeguarding tenancy payments

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Opinion
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Guarantors in rental agreements provide financial security for landlords. Understand their role, responsibilities, and tips for both parties.

Labour will allow 'bidding wars' but only if tenants start them

Labour will allow 'bidding wars' but only if tenants start them

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News
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The Labour party has clarified that although it will seek to stop agents and landlords encouraging bidding wars, tenants will be allowed to make ‘voluntary’ higher offers above the original rental asking price.

NRLA backs Labour's plan to stop bidding wars for rental homes

NRLA backs Labour's plan to stop bidding wars for rental homes

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News
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The NRLA has backed Labour’s proposal to stop landlords and letting agents enabling ‘bidding wars’ by requiring them to advertise a proposed rent based on market rates, with bids above that figure prohibited.

Landlord to repay tenants £21,500 after Tribunal probe

Landlord to repay tenants £21,500 after Tribunal probe

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News
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Four tenants will share a £21,515 rent repayment order after they took their landlord to court for repeatedly failing to licence his HMO.

JUDGE: Landlords cannot charge tenants who leave early for 'losses'

JUDGE: Landlords cannot charge tenants who leave early for 'losses'

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News
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Opinion
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A landlord has been ordered to pay two former tenants £2,252 after a judge ruled that his letting agent agreement contravened the Tenant Fees Act.

Tenants want rent controls and more rights, new poll reveals

Tenants want rent controls and more rights, new poll reveals

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News
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Private renters want the next government to control the pace of rent rises, build more homes and increase their rights and protections.

Section 21 evictions ban will not be 'immediate' Rayner interview reveals

Section 21 evictions ban will not be 'immediate' Rayner interview reveals

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News
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Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has admitted her promise to ban Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions immediately after a General Election win isn’t quite what it seems.

TOM's Ultimate Guide for landlords, whose tenants can't pay the rent

TOM's Ultimate Guide for landlords, whose tenants can't pay the rent

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More than half of landlords have reported having lost some rental income due to their tenants struggling to afford the rent

'Rent rises must be allowed in Scotland or supply will dwindle more'

'Rent rises must be allowed in Scotland or supply will dwindle more'

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News
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A leading Scots letting agent has warned that unless the Scottish government amends its rent control plans to allow for future increases, the level of investment in the country’s PRS will continue to slide.

Elderly landlord to pay £23,000 after tenant's complaint

Elderly landlord to pay £23,000 after tenant's complaint

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News
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A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £23,000 after letting out a dilapidated and dangerous house to a family in Camber.

'Labour's plan to devolve power will see rent controls by back door'

'Labour's plan to devolve power will see rent controls by back door'

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News
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Labour could introduce rent controls via the back door by devolving power to regional and city mayors, a property expert warns.

UK's largest renting trade bodies warn political parties

UK's largest renting trade bodies warn political parties

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News
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Two of the UK’s biggest trade organisation representing the private rental sector have revealed their concerns over the big political parties’ electoral promises to crack down against landlords.

Major housebuilder switches to renting, not selling homes

Major housebuilder switches to renting, not selling homes

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News
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Housebuilder Berkeley has announced its ambition to become a big player in the build-to-rent market amid sluggish demand from buyers.

Rent controls do not work and never will, expert warns Labour

Rent controls do not work and never will, expert warns Labour

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News
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Rent controls are a potential bombshell in Labour’s manifesto that could have unintended consequences, according to one property expert.

8 essential things for prospective landlords to consider before purchasing a buy-to-let

8 essential things for prospective landlords to consider before purchasing a buy-to-let

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It's essential to ensure that property is the right investment vehicle for you and to choose a property and type of let that aligns with your financial objectives.

Three steps to auction finance success

Three steps to auction finance success

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Three essential steps to secure auction finance successfully—navigate bidding, funding, and acquisition with confidence.

NEW: Labour launches broadside against bad landlords and 'vested interests'

NEW: Labour launches broadside against bad landlords and 'vested interests'

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News
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Labour has launched a broadside against bad landlords as it adds more flesh to its manifesto bone in a bid to win the ‘renter vote’.