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Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

News

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

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Information

From 1st February 2016 all new tenants in England must be given Right-to-Rent (Immigration) Checks to determine their "right-to-rent" or "right-to-reside" in the country, BEFORE they can be given a tenancy. Landlords or letting agents must do the checks - letting agents where the

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Information

This is a Guide to Tax Deductible Letting Expenses for Landlords under the new tax rules following the Summer Budget 2015. These may be subject to change and you are advised to consult a tax specialist before making any decisions.From April 2016 landlords will no longer be able to automatically d

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

News

An Edinburgh landlord set-up hidden cameras in the bedroom and bathroom of his flat, to film people in bed and in the shower.The cameras were discovered by a young couple, friends of the landlord who allowed them to use the accommodation. The couple found a box on the living room table with a cam

Comparable Evidence

Comparable Evidence

Information

Amongst the ways to agree or ascertain the (open) market rent at rent review or on renewal of a lease, (per s.34-s35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), is the use of comparable evidence.At rent review, the market rent for the premises is not what rent the actual tenant would agree or could afford, bu

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

Information

There are two instances of section 20 notices in property in England:(1) is the notice served in relation to early shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, and the other,(2) refers to section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act (CLR

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Information

Who pays for maintenance and repairs in a residential letting, landlord or tenant?Is it, for example, a tenants responsibility once they occupy my building to look after most of the regular house maintenance items? If the fridge stops working does the tenant or the landlord need to repair it?Y

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Information

With commercial property, rent reviews are generally to the open market rent, but sometimes the rent would be adjusted to the Retail Price Index (RPI). RPI is generally considered more favourable to landlords than CPI or other methodologies.There is no link between open market rent and inflatio

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Information

Amongst the thorny issues in the relationship between landlord and tenant is the building insurance premium. Unlike residential property where the landlord has a vested interest in making sure the premium is competitive, because more than likely the premium would not be recoverable from the tenan

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Rogue estate agents pay heavy price for ignoring redress scheme

Rogue estate agents pay heavy price for ignoring redress scheme

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Nearly 50 estate agencies were expelled from the Property Redress scheme during a six month period last year, the organisation has revealed

Law Commission rules out major change to security of tenure rules for commercial leases

Law Commission rules out major change to security of tenure rules for commercial leases

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The Law Commission has published an interim report on its initial conclusions about security of tenure for business leases

Why can't all licensing schemes cost just £230 - this NW one does

Why can't all licensing schemes cost just £230 - this NW one does

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Landlords in Wirral might not welcome yet another selective licensing scheme, but a reduced £fee will make it one of the cheapest in UK.

Landlord banned by Tribunal after 'outrageous' safety failings

Landlord banned by Tribunal after 'outrageous' safety failings

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A landlord in Aberdeen has been banned for failing to repair dangerous electrics in his rental property.

BIG SHIFT: Many young landlords 'don't own their own homes'

BIG SHIFT: Many young landlords 'don't own their own homes'

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Growing numbers of young people in the UK now prefer to invest in rental properties than buy their own home, an estate agency has claimed.

Third of UK adults say BTL 'safest' way to build long-term wealth

Third of UK adults say BTL 'safest' way to build long-term wealth

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Despite the sometimes hostile environment endured by current landlords, a third of UK adults aspire to invest in buy-to-let to build their long-term prosperity.

New independent report tracks BTR's huge growth

New independent report tracks BTR's huge growth

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The first independent report into the build-to-rent (BTR) sector has tracked huge growth in urban areas and city centres where it’s taking up the slack from traditional landlords.

Scotland consults on minimum EPC band C for rented homes

Scotland consults on minimum EPC band C for rented homes

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The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a minimum EPC level for rented homes.

TV show seeks landlords happy to settle tenant disputes on camera

TV show seeks landlords happy to settle tenant disputes on camera

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Landlords seeking to recoup money from tenants now have an alternative to a lengthy and expensive battle through the courts.

Leasehold reforms fail to solve most problems, says expert

Leasehold reforms fail to solve most problems, says expert

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Leaseholders won’t see all the hoped-for benefits from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill unless significant changes are made, according to a leading expert.

Rogue landlord fined thousands after refusing to fix broken stairs

Rogue landlord fined thousands after refusing to fix broken stairs

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A rogue landlord who failed to repair serious safety hazards in his property has been ordered to pay more than £3,000.

'More carrot' for landlords to improve energy efficiency urges mortgage boss

'More carrot' for landlords to improve energy efficiency urges mortgage boss

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The Government must use ‘carrot’ as well as ‘stick’ policies as it attempts to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector, a leading mortgage broker as claimed.

Could you win through in the ultimate landlord knowledge quiz?

Could you win through in the ultimate landlord knowledge quiz?

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How often do a property’s electrical tests have to be completed? What’s the minimum EPC level for a property to legally rented out? What’s the difference between a large and small HMO?

Landlord to pay tenants £10,000 in unusual licencing case

Landlord to pay tenants £10,000 in unusual licencing case

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A landlord who claimed unsuccessfully that he had been deceived by his tenants has been handed a £9,745 rent repayment order.

Council widens £695 selective licencing for landlords

Council widens £695 selective licencing for landlords

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All private landlords in parts of Scarborough will have to get a selective licence from 1st June under council plans to tackle poor quality accommodation and anti-social behaviour.

Landlords in NI told to renew national licence or face big fine

Landlords in NI told to renew national licence or face big fine

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Landlords in Northern Ireland are being reminded to renew their registration or face a heavy fine. 

MP slams Airbnb for 'clearing out' longer-term lets

MP slams Airbnb for 'clearing out' longer-term lets

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Former Lib Dems leader Tim Farron has slammed Airbnb and other holiday lets platforms for creating a ‘clearance’ of long-term rental homes from his Lakeland constituency.

Landlords urge caution as new housing minister plans reforms

Landlords urge caution as new housing minister plans reforms

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Jersey’s private landlords have urged the island’s new Housing Minister to find the right balance when he revives stalled protections for landlords and tenants.

Labour landslide 'best outome for PRS' says landlording expert

Labour landslide 'best outome for PRS' says landlording expert

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A Labour landslide could be a better outcome for buy-to-let landlords than if the party wins the next election by a small majority, according to a leading property guru.

Interest rate hold: Will landlord mortgage costs now go down?

Interest rate hold: Will landlord mortgage costs now go down?

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The base interest rate used by many lenders to determine mortgage costs for landlords is to be held at 5.25% for the fourth time in a row, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided today.

Council reassures landlords over problems with licence system

Council reassures landlords over problems with licence system

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Southwark Council has reassured landlords that they won’t be lose out on an early bird discount after they reported problems accessing its updated online licensing system.

Support landlords with tax breaks says leading estate agent

Support landlords with tax breaks says leading estate agent

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A leading agent has urged the government not to rely solely on private landlords’ resilience if it wants to stop more from quitting the sector.

Labour vows to make private landlords adopt 'Awaab's Law'

Labour vows to make private landlords adopt 'Awaab's Law'

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Labour will extend ‘Awaab’s Law’ into the private rented sector if it wins power at the next General Election, its Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has revealed.

Legal case: the largest ever service charges dispute

Legal case: the largest ever service charges dispute

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The exact wording in leases is so very important when it comes to landlord - tenant disputes with commercial and residential property leases

Government to spend £70bn housing benefit tenants in private rented homes

Government to spend £70bn housing benefit tenants in private rented homes

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The extent of the Government’s reliance on private landlords to provide housing for those on benefits after years of under-investment in affordable homes has been revealed.

BREAKING: Government to bar problem tenants from social housing

BREAKING: Government to bar problem tenants from social housing

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A proposed shake-up of social housing would tighten allocation rules and allow landlords to get tougher on anti-social tenants.

Will landlords get some (tax) relief during the Spring budget?

Will landlords get some (tax) relief during the Spring budget?

Opinion
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Signs that landlords may see their tax bill reduced during the Spring Budget on March 6th have emerged from parliament following a question in the Lords.

Half of councils don't talk to local landlords, probe reveals

Half of councils don't talk to local landlords, probe reveals

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A lack of council-organised landlord gatherings could hamper the Renters Reform Bill’s ambitions, according to Propertymark.

UPDATED: Anti-social behaviour is a nightmare for landlords to deal with

UPDATED: Anti-social behaviour is a nightmare for landlords to deal with

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Problem tenants are difficult to deal with for landlords at the best of times. The government's promise to introduce a fast-track process to deal with anti-social behaviour sounds promising, but can it work in practice?

Tenants warned over using 'no-win, no-fee' legal firms against landlords

Tenants warned over using 'no-win, no-fee' legal firms against landlords

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Tenants have been urged to be wary of ‘no-win, no-fee’ solicitors who deal with private rental sector cases after an almost farcical case in London.

New rental property portal 'must include accessibility info' say campaigners

New rental property portal 'must include accessibility info' say campaigners

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Disability rights groups have called on the government to include information about accessibility for disabled people on its new property portal due to go live next year.

NRLA and property fraud service reveal partnership

NRLA and property fraud service reveal partnership

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A service that alerts landlords when fraudulent tenants try to ‘steal’ their properties via title fraud has struck a deal with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

City claims aggressive licencing scheme has cost landlords £250,000

City claims aggressive licencing scheme has cost landlords £250,000

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Sheffield Council has boasted that up to 800 people have been protected from risky buildings thanks to its selective licensing scheme after landlords were told to spend £250,000 doing up properties.

Leading education thinktank slams Government's rental reforms

Leading education thinktank slams Government's rental reforms

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The Renters (Reform) Bill will reduce rather than enhance housing rights for students, according to the former CEO of student housing charity Unipol.