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TENANT BLOG: What I think of the Government's looming renting reforms

TENANT BLOG: What I think of the Government's looming renting reforms

News

If you havent heard of it before, the Renters' Reform Bill is set to be voted on before May 2023, bringing with it a plethora of proposed changes for landlords and tenants alike. Shelter , who along with other organisations are cam

BREAKING: Landlords cry foul over council's HMO planning rules change of mind

BREAKING: Landlords cry foul over council's HMO planning rules change of mind

News

Long-term HMO landlords in Portsmouth risk losing their C3/C4 status with no chance of getting it back due to confusion over planning rules, it is claimed. Many took advantage of the option to switch between family use (C3) and HMO (C4) without needing planning permission in 201

COMMENT: My top 10 priorities for landlords in 2023

COMMENT: My top 10 priorities for landlords in 2023

News

The rental sector is likely to see some of the biggest changes since the 1980s, so do your homework and keep yourself up-to-date. All the signs are that operating as a residential landlord in 2023 will be just as challenging as it was last year, if not more so here are my to

HONOURS: Leading property sector figure Kate Faulkner awarded OBE

HONOURS: Leading property sector figure Kate Faulkner awarded OBE

News

Leading property sector figure Kate Faulkner has been given an OBE in the New Years Honours List. Faulkners honour is for her involvement with landlords, estate agents and consumers including her work leading the property industry Home Buying and Selling Grou

Commercial landlords are 'left in the lurch'� as more business tenants go bust

Commercial landlords are 'left in the lurch'� as more business tenants go bust

News

The worst fears of a commercial landlord are realised when the flow on quarterly or monthly rent payments starts to dry up! Read on to find out what to do if you're faced with this. According to the latest available Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures, the number of comp

RISING panic reported among student landlords over plans for open-ended tenancies

RISING panic reported among student landlords over plans for open-ended tenancies

News

The NRLA has backed the growing number of student landlords 'panicked' by the Governments plans to bring in periodic or open ended tenancies across the private rental sector. Concern is widespread within the student community, new research reveals, with 84% saying they

Landlord launches petition to bring back mortgage interest tax relief for BTL

Landlord launches petition to bring back mortgage interest tax relief for BTL

News

A landlord in the Midlands has launched a parliamentary petition calling on the Government to reverse its Section 24 tax changes for landlords, which since 2017 has gradually removed their ability to claim mortgage interest rate against their tax liability. Announced by George O

Is yours one of them? 64% of PRS properties 'will not reach minimum EPC in time'

Is yours one of them? 64% of PRS properties 'will not reach minimum EPC in time'

News

Nearly two-thirds of private rental properties wont reach proposed minimum EPC levels, according to new research. Data compiled for property data platform LandTech shows that 64% of private rental properties would fail to reach an EPC rating of C or abo

BREAKING: HMRC completely rejigs and delays MTD scheme for landlords

BREAKING: HMRC completely rejigs and delays MTD scheme for landlords

News

Only landlords with property incomes over £30,000 will now need to comply with HMRC's looming https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-tax-digital/overview-of-making-tax-digital" target="_blank" Making Tax Digital (MTD) https://www

Abolishing Section 21 is 'sledge hammer to crack a nut' says property chief

Abolishing Section 21 is 'sledge hammer to crack a nut' says property chief

News

One of Londons leading property management figures has said the Governments plans to abolish section 21 evictions is a sledge hammer to crack a nut and not an effective solution to the issue of bad landlords within the private rented sector. The comments come from An

Scots Minister shows 'blatant disregard' for landlords with higher BTL stamp duty

Scots Minister shows 'blatant disregard' for landlords with higher BTL stamp duty

News

Landlords in Scotland have been hit with a stamp duty rise as the government strives to raise additional revenue. It announced legislation in the Budget statement to increase the rate of the Additional Dwelling Supplement from 4% to 6% for second home buyers and buy-to-let landl

BREAKING: 'Rent Smart Wales' style scheme revealed for Welsh holiday lets

BREAKING: 'Rent Smart Wales' style scheme revealed for Welsh holiday lets

News

The Welsh Government wants to know what landlords who operate holiday accommodation in the country think of its proposed regulation of the sector. Following a https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/breaking-labour-and-plaid-cymru-to-jointly-force-through-rent-controls-in-w

WARNING: Spray foam can lead to refused mortgage applications

WARNING: Spray foam can lead to refused mortgage applications

News

In September the Government announced a �2bn plan to offer home insulation grants of up to �5,000 per household in England. This is to be known as the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme" target="_blank" Green Homes Grant and has replaced

Desperate landlord writes to Gove as bankruptcy looms over cladding rules

Desperate landlord writes to Gove as bankruptcy looms over cladding rules

News

A landlord whos facing bankruptcy has written to Housing Secretary Michael Gove voicing his frustration that he is not eligible for any cladding funding despite only earning �63 a week from his properties. The landlord, who has BTL interest-only mortgages, has two freehold s

Scots rent and evictions freeze prompts 'staggering' landlord exit response

Scots rent and evictions freeze prompts 'staggering' landlord exit response

News

A staggering 85% of letting agents in Scotland report that landlords want to sell up following the governments move to ban evictions and rent increases until next April. Propertymark members in Scotland say that even more worryingly, 68% of agents had already seen an increase

NEW: Report says 87% of landlords will face full cost of EPC upgrades

NEW: Report says 87% of landlords will face full cost of EPC upgrades

News

Just 0.2% of private landlords would qualify for full state support to help upgrade their properties under a proposed scheme to get the UKs walls insulated, while 87% would be liable for the full costs. The Economy 2030 Inquiry says simply basing hand-outs on means-tested ben

Government confirms biggest tenancy reform in a generation

Government confirms biggest tenancy reform in a generation

News

Gov confirms major tenancy law shake-up: abolishing assured periodic & fixed-term tenancies in favour of universal periodic tenancies.

BLOG: This is what many more landlords will be competing with in cities soon

BLOG: This is what many more landlords will be competing with in cities soon

News

A couple of weeks ago I was invited by the owners of a build-to-rent development in Wembley to see at first-hand what this emerging kind of rental property looks like in this case a 440-unit just off the A406 called WemLondon . <figure id="" class="w-richtext-fi

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Barclays to stop telling tenants credit card debt 'helps them pass referencing'

Barclays to stop telling tenants credit card debt 'helps them pass referencing'

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News
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Barclays has been rapped on the knuckles for a radio advert that urged tenants to rack up credit card debt and increase their credit score to help them rent a flat. The adverts voiceover explained: Using my Barclaycard Forward credit card to pay for the stuff I need now co

Shamplina webinar reveals biggest issues vexing landlords right now

Shamplina webinar reveals biggest issues vexing landlords right now

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News
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The most pressing questions on LandlordZONE readers minds were revealed during a recent webinar hosted by Chief Commercial Officer of the HFIS group, Paul Shamplina (main pic). He joined forces with industry figure David Coughlin

Tenancy reform could cut student housing supply

Tenancy reform could cut student housing supply

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News
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Minister warned that tenancy reforms may reduce student housing supply, urging exemption to protect access to higher education.

BTL lender reveals unusual EPC-linked mortgage deal just for expats

BTL lender reveals unusual EPC-linked mortgage deal just for expats

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News
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Suffolk Building Society has launched a new mortgage aimed at expat landlords with properties that boast a high EPC rating. Its five-year fixed expat buy-to-let product for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A to C is available on

NEW: Activists urge landlords and agents to stop property 'bidding wars'

NEW: Activists urge landlords and agents to stop property 'bidding wars'

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News
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Tenants union Acorn has pledged to continue targeting letting agents in the city until they stop encouraging 'bidding wars' to help landlords achieve higher rents. Members launched a noisy protest outside a number of branches; some agents which had started talks with Acorn ab

TAX: Raise stamp duty for landlords urges leading Tory MP

TAX: Raise stamp duty for landlords urges leading Tory MP

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News
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Leading Tory MP Anthony Browne (main pic) has urged the government to ditch stamp duty for home buyers but increase the tax rate for investors. The chair of the 1922 Backbench Treasury Committee says people buying homes to live in are over-taxed while those buying properties for

RENT RISE: Landlord pushes back against tenant's public complaint

RENT RISE: Landlord pushes back against tenant's public complaint

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News
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A landlord has spoken out to defend a substantial rent increase after its tenant complained about his eviction to the local newspaper. Richard Symonds told https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/" target="_blank" Sussex World tha

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion: dealing with the thorny issue of damp and mould

Opinion
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Damp and mould has always been a very difficult issue to deal with for landlords, but the recent case of Awaab Ishak and the rapid and direct involvement of Government has really brought matters to a head. The death of a Rochdale social housing tenants son, Awaab Ishak, has l

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

NEW: Shelter says landlords 'still rejecting tenants based on race'

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News
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The boss of housing charity Shelter has repeated the organisations previous assertion that tenants seeking properties in the private rented sector (PRS) too often face racism from both landlords and letting agents. Polly Neates comments have been published by the BBC withi

Letting agent sentenced after stealing landlord cash

Letting agent sentenced after stealing landlord cash

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News
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A letting agent who swindled £128,000 from her employer to fund an affair with her personal trainer was rumbled after landlords complained they had not received their rent.

NRLA and Shelter chiefs lock horns over reform bill

NRLA and Shelter chiefs lock horns over reform bill

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News
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NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle has called for pragmatism and unity in response to Shelter’s new anti-landlord campaign.

London landlord to pay largest rent repayment order so far this year

London landlord to pay largest rent repayment order so far this year

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News
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A landlord in London has been landed with one of the largest rent repayment orders so far this year after failing to licence their HMO property in Tottenham.

Setting up the utilities at your commercial properties

Setting up the utilities at your commercial properties

Information
News
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Utilities Supplies: Many commercial landlords let their tenants decide on their utility providers with their own meters, telephone lines, and networks. When youre in control and recharge these products as a service charge, then its up to you to get the best deals. Jaso

Big landlord: 'Allowing competitive bidding is understandable'

Big landlord: 'Allowing competitive bidding is understandable'

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News
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Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts has robustly defended those landlords who get involved in a bidding war during an interview on 5 Live’s breakfast show.

New service protects landlords against property fraud

New service protects landlords against property fraud

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News
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An online service has been launched that helps protect landlords from property fraud.

What Documents do I need when letting a property?

What Documents do I need when letting a property?

Information
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Lettings Document Checklist: When setting up a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) it has always been important to pay attention to the paperwork, which provides vital evidence should there be a dispute during or after the tenancy.But since the Deregulation Act 2015, with me

Minister claims courts 'will be ready for eviction changes'

Minister claims courts 'will be ready for eviction changes'

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News
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The government has reassured landlords that it is forging ahead with plans for court reform in readiness for abolishing section 21.

Periodic tenancies 'pose huge risks for landlords' warns expert

Periodic tenancies 'pose huge risks for landlords' warns expert

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News
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Government plans to abolish assured shorthold tenancies and replace them with periodic lets could put landlords’ properties at risk, according to inspection specialists NoLettingGo.

SW agents say landlords quitting sector 'in droves'

SW agents say landlords quitting sector 'in droves'

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News
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Two letting agents in the South West has claimed that landlords are leaving the private rental market in droves.

Scotland to give landlords more time to meet minimum EPC rules

Scotland to give landlords more time to meet minimum EPC rules

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News
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The Scottish government has backtracked on plans to force the private rented sector to meet energy efficiency deadlines by 2025.

Judge slams 'disrespectful' council over landlord's licencing complaint

Judge slams 'disrespectful' council over landlord's licencing complaint

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News
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A First Tier Property Tribunal has criticised Barking and Dagenham Council for failing to support a landlord who mistakenly failed to get a selective licence.

Government works with Facebook to end property rental scams

Government works with Facebook to end property rental scams

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News
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A new Online Fraud Charter aims to thwart property rental scams including fake accommodation listings on Facebook Marketplace used to lure in unsuspecting tenants.

Will landlords HAVE to use new ombudsman? Yes, says Court of Appeal

Will landlords HAVE to use new ombudsman? Yes, says Court of Appeal

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Landlords have been warned that a Court of Appeal decision issued late last week will mean that in future they will have to settle their differences with tenants via an ombudsman before going to court.

Landlords battle council over 'bad' new HMO licencing system

Landlords battle council over 'bad' new HMO licencing system

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News
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New licensing application software introduced by Portsmouth City Council has been slammed for being badly written, hard to use and too demanding.

Serving fire officer to pay £25,000 over HMO blaze risks

Serving fire officer to pay £25,000 over HMO blaze risks

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News
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A serving fire officer whose tenants were at risk of dying in a fire in his unsafe HMO has been fined more than £15,000.

Reform bill will make PRS 'more hostile' to landlords, warn letting agents

Reform bill will make PRS 'more hostile' to landlords, warn letting agents

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The UK's leading property trade association has warned MPs that the Renters Reform Bill contains measures likely to make the PRS increasingly hostile to landlords.

London landlord to repay tenants £10,000 in rent

London landlord to repay tenants £10,000 in rent

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A London landlord has been ordered to repay his tenants nearly £10,000 in rent following a Property Tribunal hearing.

Legal Case: AGAs and GAGAs - commercial tenancy guarantees

Legal Case: AGAs and GAGAs - commercial tenancy guarantees

Information
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Commercial tenants, with the landlord's consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, can assign their lease (transfer it) to a third party (a new tenant).

Liverpool to spend £2 million on new 'rogue landlord' taskforce

Liverpool to spend £2 million on new 'rogue landlord' taskforce

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Liverpool City Council has launched a new taskforce to go after criminal landlords who exploit vulnerable tenants.

Leasehold WILL eventually be abolished for flats says minister

Leasehold WILL eventually be abolished for flats says minister

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The government has signalled that it will bring in more leasehold reforms for flat owners following the introduction of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Agency boss says mortgage interest tax relief for landlords 'must be reinstated'

Agency boss says mortgage interest tax relief for landlords 'must be reinstated'

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News
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Leaders Romans Group (LRG) has called for a landlords’ reform bill to protect landlords and safeguard the housing sector.

Huge HMO prevention scheme launched by big Midlands city

Huge HMO prevention scheme launched by big Midlands city

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News
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Coventry has gone ahead with a huge new scheme to prevent properties being converted into HMOs without full planning permission.

Does a missing landlord address invalidate a Section 8 notice?

Does a missing landlord address invalidate a Section 8 notice?

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This was a question answered during a recent appeal case covered here by Tom Entwistle In the Prempeh v Lakhany (Oct 2020) appeal the tenant claimed that a Section 8 notice was invalid because it did not contain the la

Shamplina among 20 winners at landlord awards

Shamplina among 20 winners at landlord awards

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Paul Shamplina has won Seminar Speaker of the Year at the National LIS Awards 2023, the third time in a row the Landlord Action founder has received the honour.