Landlords and letting agents should by now be conversant with the 2014 regulations on blinds and curtains and the measures necessary to prevent accidents with children. It is particularly important to ensure that blinds and curtains supplied in rental properties meet these regulations, otherwise,
Changes to the law on Section 21 and in particular how landlords deal with reported repair issues is now of crucial importance if section 21 claims for possession are to be successful. Careful pre-planning is now essential at the time of setting-up Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST).The Section 21
Assuming a commercial property is let already, the proposition an income-producing investment, the investor would be buying the building/property, not the tenant's business. Since the purchase price is geared to the passing and reversionary rent, it is normal to assess the tenant's ability to per
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
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
I am revisiting ITZA in the light of an experience I am enduring concerning some tenants that are inexperienced of rent review. Tenant contention is that an ITZA adopted/agreed for a previous review should be used again for a current review.Unless the ITZA is documented in a binding agreement, th
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
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 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
A leading London council has revealed plans to clamp down on HMOs and the ‘fly tipping’ and rubbish their residents create, and has pointed the finger at both landlords and letting agents for not doing enough to stop the problem.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has hinted that extra powers to stop holiday lets and second homes may be needed - including planning permission.
Westminster City Council has launched a tenants’ charter aimed at helping private renters better understand their rights, improve living standards, and access support services.
A Portsmouth landlord has launched an online petition in a bid to stop councils using heavy-handed criteria when designing selective licensing schemes.
Private landlords are being offered attractive letting and leasing deals by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in a bid to tackle its housing crisis.
Landlords could get more choice about what type of energy efficient upgrades they fit in their properties under the government’s Warm Homes Plan.
HMRC has made the unusual step of warning landlords not to use widely-routed tax avoidance schemes which it says are being marketed to buy-to-let investors as a way to save Capital Gains Tax.
A whopping 69% of renters haven’t heard of the Renters’ Rights Bill and 75% don’t understand how it might impact them, a new survey has revealed.
The Renters' Rights Bill is set to to overhaul the eviction process, with bailiffs increasingly under pressure.
Fears are growing that the government is going soft on its commitment to the Renters Reform Bill.
An increasing number of landlords and letting agents are falling foul of Right to Rent rules, with a big rise in fines handed out last year.
An HMO landlord and entrepreneur has secured £80,000 worth of funding on Dragons' Den for his thermostat business.
Haringey Council is launching a new additional HMO licensing scheme despite limited backing from landlords and tenants.
Rent-to-income ratios in the UK have reached unsustainable new highs, forcing renters to spend a third of their wages on rent.
Northumberland council has refused owners consent to convert their short-term holiday let cottages into permanent private residences.
Landlords in the South West are being encouraged to access technology that detects heat loss, draughts, damp and mould.
A rogue landlord firm which illegally converted a property into six flats and ignored an enforcement order has been ordered to pay more than £220,000.
Hackney Council has promised landlords financial support to stay in the PRS while beefing up licensing and getting tough on short-term lets.
Rising levels of national and local regulation across the UK have persuaded some 10.500 landlords to sign up for NRLA training, whether it’s technical safety knowledge, or how to deal with an anti-social tenant
Abolishing Multiple Dwellings Relief will intensify problems of chronic undersupply in the property market, according to one tax expert.
Landlords who are preparing a property to let or waiting to find a tenant will get a reprieve from empty homes council tax premiums.
Landlords appear to be returning to the capital, with new instructions in February up 19% year-on-year, according to London agent Foxtons.
North East Landlords has rebranded as GB Landlords as it expands its reach into the capital ahead of its first London event.
I received 84 private messages in 24 hours to one advert for my property in the northeast - it's a stark indication of how demand is outstripping supply.
A young landlord from London has won the first heat of Paul Shamplina’s Mastermind-style competition at the National Landlord Investment show.
Owning a furnished holiday let (FHL) or second home in the country has long been the dream for many people - has the Government just ended that dream?.
North Lincolnshire Council plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme in Scunthorpe to improve housing standards and protect communities from rogue landlords and anti-social tenants.
Landlords in Gloucester face a council crackdown if they fail to properly look after their properties.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to pay the previous top rate of capital gains tax (CGT) when he sells his seven rental properties.
The Tories’ flagship rental housing sector reforms are on the ‘brink of collapse’, it has been claimed.
An infamous rogue landlord has been ordered to pay £39,000 for renting out a dangerous, rodent-infested HMO.
Holiday let owners are bracing themselves for the impact of an end to the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) tax regime.
Two landlords have been ordered to pay a whopping £597,000 bill following a long-running legal battle with Camden Council.
It is now six months since the National Residential Landlords Association acquired property compliance platform Safe2. James Kent, the association’s Chief Innovation Officer, and Safe2 founder, explains more about the service – and what the future holds when it comes to energy efficiency.
