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OPINION: Why the EPC rating system needs fixing

OPINION: Why the EPC rating system needs fixing

News

The governments controversial policy of phasing out natural gas boilers in favour of heat pumps, in its drive to meet internationally agreed energy efficiency targets, could be stymied because of an out of date EPC algorithm. Regardless of the fact that many older poorly insu

AIRBNB: Westminster to step-up war against 'nuisance' short-term lets landlords

AIRBNB: Westminster to step-up war against 'nuisance' short-term lets landlords

News

Westminster Council has launched a spirited campaign to stop central London being overrun by nuisance short-term lets booked chiefly through Airbnb. It is lobbying the government to follow Paris and Amsterdams lead whose authorities have clamped down on problem properties. </

Landlord insurance premiums driven up by inflation

Landlord insurance premiums driven up by inflation

News

After two decades of low property insurance premium rates, prices are being driven up by inflation. Steve Barnes, Associate Director at https://hamiltonfraser.co.uk/landlord-insurance/?utm_source=landlordzone&utm_medium=article&utm_id=lz+feb22+insurance+rising" target="_blank" id="

Japanese knotweed, danger is downgraded...

Japanese knotweed, danger is downgraded...

News

The large herbaceous perennial with its bamboo-like appearance became infamous in Britain for its threat to buildings. Its rapid growth, its size and most importantly the damage it can do, made it the villain of the horticultural world, and it became feared by property owners and mortgag

National rogue landlord database hits 'new high' of just 61 names

National rogue landlord database hits 'new high' of just 61 names

News

Four years after it was launched, the number on the Rogue Landlord database has only crept up to 61 out of the thousands claimed to be operating within the private rental sector, the latest government figures show. Asked by opposition MP Gill Furniss to provide an update, Housin

Coming changes to 'feudal'� leasehold laws to favour flat owners

Coming changes to 'feudal'� leasehold laws to favour flat owners

News

Flat owners (leaseholders) only own their leasehold property for a fixed period of time and during that period they pay ground rent and service charges to the freeholder (landlord). Theres always a long-lease agreement, a detailed legal tenancy agremeent between the leasehold

LATEST: Luton finally brings in blanket HMO licensing after years of problems

LATEST: Luton finally brings in blanket HMO licensing after years of problems

News

Luton Council has finally got its act together and revealed blanket HMO licensing for the town after a number of false starts over the last few years. HMOs of any size will now need a licence under its additional scheme which launches on 1st April, while all privately rented pro

Legal case: a question of leaseholders' rights to manage the full estate

Legal case: a question of leaseholders' rights to manage the full estate

News

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 provides a right for leaseholders to acquire the freehold landlords management functions by transfer to a company set up by them the Right To Manage (RTM) company. The thinking behind the right was to empower leaseholders. The

BREAKING: Landlord wins key Court of Appeal eviction and deposits case

BREAKING: Landlord wins key Court of Appeal eviction and deposits case

News

Appeal Court judges have found in favour of the landlord in the landmark case of Northwood Solihull v Fearn &amp; Ors, preventing a potentially huge logistical headache for landlords and letting agents. The judges ruled that any authorised employee of a landlord or letting agent

BREAKING: wrong time to raise taxes, but I'm going after buy-to-let landlords anyway...

BREAKING: wrong time to raise taxes, but I'm going after buy-to-let landlords anyway...

News

In an apparent re-run of Harold Wilsons 1970s investment income tax surcharge, Labour plan to re-introduce such an additional layer of tax to what is termed unearned income�. The Wilson Labour government applied an investment income surcharge of 15% and kept the top rate

Surge in the number of landlords using limited companies

Surge in the number of landlords using limited companies

News

According to a recent report by estate agents Hamptons, over the last four years the number of landlords operating their buy to let business through a limited company has doubled. There were 47,400 new buy-to-let companies incorporated in 2021 right across the UK, the figures be

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

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'Landlords NOT worried over proposals to give tenants more pet rights' says NRLA

'Landlords NOT worried over proposals to give tenants more pet rights' says NRLA

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The NRLA has played down landlords fears about new Government proposals to give tenants the right to request a pet. Speaking on the Radio 4 You and Yours programme, director of policy Chris Norris said many landlords werent too worried about the government

OPINION: Why do landlords get the blame for rejecting tenants on Universal Credit?

OPINION: Why do landlords get the blame for rejecting tenants on Universal Credit?

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An official briefing document for MPs has underlined the contradictory position the government has manoeuvred itself into over landlords and letting agents who advertise properties as No DSS. The House of Commons Library document makes for interesting reading because, base

Well-known landlord jailed after defrauding HMRC out of £500,000

Well-known landlord jailed after defrauding HMRC out of £500,000

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A landlord who defrauded HMRC out of almost �500,000 by keeping deductions from his employees wages has been jailed for three years. Michael Stainer, 74, (inset, main picture) was found guilty of two counts of cheating the public revenue and one of fraud by false representat

Many UK buildings are in danger of becoming unusable in heatwaves

Many UK buildings are in danger of becoming unusable in heatwaves

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As temperatures in England and Wales soar this week, many office buildings will become unusable says real estate sustainability expert Chris Bennett of consultancy https://evoraglobal.com/" target="_blank" Evora Global - it should act as a powerful warning for real estate

'War on landlords' latest - 46,000 rental properties to disappear this year

'War on landlords' latest - 46,000 rental properties to disappear this year

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An estate agency has claimed that the governments war on landlords will cost the private rented market some 46,000 this year, or some 3,800 every month. Hamptons , which has branches all over the UK, says its research confirms that, as LandlordZONE

The cost of living crisis affects landlords as well as tenants

The cost of living crisis affects landlords as well as tenants

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With the cost of living crisis being the political issue of the day, and a political leadership contest underway, theres something of a hiatus in the way its being dealt with. But the situation is now quite urgent. Financial distress is now higher than during the pandemic.

Frustrated landlord quits after 20 years in the sector

Frustrated landlord quits after 20 years in the sector

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After 20 years, landlord Sue quits the sector, citing frustration with anti-landlord sentiment and increasing regulatory burdens.

Minister defends excluding PBSA from tenancy changes

Minister defends excluding PBSA from tenancy changes

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Minister defends exempting student housing from new tenancy rules to keep in step with academic year agreements/

EXCLUSIVE: Can landlords still access councils' empty homes funding?

EXCLUSIVE: Can landlords still access councils' empty homes funding?

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Landlords with empty properties are being urged to take advantage of council cash to help fight the housing shortage. About 300 councils currently offer a scheme mainly loans to carry out repairs - although some provide grants, usually ranging from �5,000 to more than �25,

MP's bill forcing private landlords to fix mould delayed AGAIN

MP's bill forcing private landlords to fix mould delayed AGAIN

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Private renters are most in need of Awaab’s Law due to the frequently worse conditions of mould in their homes, says Labour MP Fleur Anderson, who hopes to instigate stricter rules for the PRS.

'Ministers need to let landlords know when Section 21 is going'

'Ministers need to let landlords know when Section 21 is going'

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Figures across the private rented sector including TV star Paul Shamplina have warned that both tenants, landlords and letting agents need to know when the Section 21 eviction ban is going to take place.

Pro-landlord MP explains why he voted against renting reforms

Pro-landlord MP explains why he voted against renting reforms

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Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall voted against the Renters Reform Bill, warning that removing fixed-term tenancies could reduce housing supply.

Labour plans to ban Section 21 immediately 'would cause chaos'

Labour plans to ban Section 21 immediately 'would cause chaos'

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Abolishing section 21 as soon as the Renters Reform Bill gains Royal Assent would cause chaos in the sector and leave the statute book a “confusing mess”, according to the government.

MP's bid to make landlords pay tenants' moving costs rejected

MP's bid to make landlords pay tenants' moving costs rejected

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Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke failed to convince the government to include relocation payments for tenants and to restrict tenancy grounds in its Renters (Reform) Bill.

Government agrees not to scrap selective licencing when Portal goes live

Government agrees not to scrap selective licencing when Portal goes live

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Environmental health officers have won a concession from the Government after it agreed not to stop councils using selective licencing schemes once England’s national property portal launches.

MPs vote through renting reforms including landlord-friendly changes

MPs vote through renting reforms including landlord-friendly changes

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The Renters (Reform) Bill has been voted through its final stage in the Commons and, much to some MP's annoyance, containing several new concessions to landlords.

'Landlords and tenants need clarity on how new pets rules will work'

'Landlords and tenants need clarity on how new pets rules will work'

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Animal welfare charity Battersea has called for more details on what constitutes ‘reasonable grounds’ for refusing a tenant’s request to keep a pet, in the Renters Reform Bill.

Plans to let tenants move out at short notice will 'disrupt market'

Plans to let tenants move out at short notice will 'disrupt market'

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A leading build-to-rent firm boss has urged the government to approve an amendment in the Renters Reform Bill preventing tenants from ending contracts in the first six months – or face disrupting the market.

Do tenants need more rights to have pets? Take part in our quick survey

Do tenants need more rights to have pets? Take part in our quick survey

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Tell the politicians whether you agree with their plans to give tenants more rights to have a pet in a rented property.

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord slams council over 'misleading' licencing report

EXCLUSIVE: Landlord slams council over 'misleading' licencing report

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Blackpool Council has been accused of deliberately disguising the results of its selective licensing consultation report to help it push through a new scheme.

Renting reforms are a 'fair deal' for landlords says NRLA

Renting reforms are a 'fair deal' for landlords says NRLA

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While most tenant campaigning groups have criticised the Renters (Reform) Bill for being too ‘watered down’, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has said it represents in its current form a fair deal for tenants and landlords.

Government 'has given into landlords' claim campaigners

Government 'has given into landlords' claim campaigners

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The Renters Reform Bill will be a failure in its current form unless ministers urgently table amendments that better protect renters, a tenant group has warned.

'Angry' anti-HMO protests spill onto streets in London

'Angry' anti-HMO protests spill onto streets in London

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A crowd of angry residents have clashed with councillors during a protest against burgeoning HMOs within the London borough of Ealing.

Liverpool footballer and landlord accused of poor housing standards

Liverpool footballer and landlord accused of poor housing standards

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Tenants living in Liverpool footballer Cody Gakpo’s flats have complained of disrepair, structural problems and vermin infestations.

Final amendments to renting reforms go live ahead of tomorrow's debate

Final amendments to renting reforms go live ahead of tomorrow's debate

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The final list of amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill has been published by parliament ahead of tomorrow’s third reading of the legislation, during which each will be discussed and voted on.

80% of landlords carry out proactive maintenance

80% of landlords carry out proactive maintenance

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Survey reveals 80% of landlords proactively maintain properties to prevent issues, with spring deemed ideal for property health checks.

Are landlords missing a trick that could cost them 30% of the value of their properties?

Are landlords missing a trick that could cost them 30% of the value of their properties?

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It’s a mixed bag for landlords at the moment, with previous uncertainties around EPC regulations and the stress of mortgage repayments

Ministers listen to sense over reform changes to student lets

Ministers listen to sense over reform changes to student lets

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Student landlords have won some concessions on evictions within a government amendment to the Renters Reform Bill.

'Give us your views on our rent control proposals', Scots landlords urged

'Give us your views on our rent control proposals', Scots landlords urged

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The Scottish government wants landlords’ views on its new Housing Bill, which focuses on rent control and tenants’ rights.

Leading landlord warns sector over Labour's 'radical plans'

Leading landlord warns sector over Labour's 'radical plans'

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A leading landlord has warned that Labour’s radical plans for the private rental sector are deeply worrying and could easily lead to a wholesale exit from the sector.

Landlady faces jail unless she pays £52,000 Proceeds of Crime Order

Landlady faces jail unless she pays £52,000 Proceeds of Crime Order

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A landlady in London faces prison unless she pays a Proceeds of Crime Act Confiscation Order totalling £51,983.

BREAKING: Ground Rents to be capped at £250 per year… 

BREAKING: Ground Rents to be capped at £250 per year… 

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Leaseholders who pay ground rents are to have their levy capped at a maximum amount of £250 as Gove is forced to water down his radical proposals

Court allows 134 property investors to start 'class action' following £14m loss

Court allows 134 property investors to start 'class action' following £14m loss

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An appeal court judge has granted 134 property investors leave to contest a single ‘class action’ claim against a solicitor which is alleged to have provided negligent professional advice on an investment scheme.

TOM's Tips: 20 Steps to successful landlording

TOM's Tips: 20 Steps to successful landlording

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In this post, Tom Entwistle sets out the principles that he has used over his successful 50-year landlording career.