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Property expert David Lawrenson looks back on the 2010s...

Property expert David Lawrenson looks back on the 2010s...

Opinion

Private Rented Sector Consultant a private rented sector consultant at letting focus and tenants renting guide David Lawrenson

Birmingham introduces city-wide HMO restrictions

Birmingham introduces city-wide HMO restrictions

News

Article 4 direction : Birmingham CityCouncil is introducing a city-wide direction for houses in multipleoccupation (HMOs) from 8 June 2020. An Article 4planning direction means that planning approval will be required forthe conversion of a famil

Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

Capital gains 'Letting Relief'� rule change from April...

News

Capital Gains Tax: Owners of second homes and buy-to-lets that they have previously lived in should be aware that as from April 2020 the tax relief period allowed against capital against tax (CGT) will be reduced. As it is a present,when you se

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Terminating a Letting Agent's Contract

Information

Letting Agent Contracts: One common question asked by landlords is, "how do I terminate my relationship with my letting agent?"For one reason or another, landlords sometimes wish to end their relationship with their letting agent and want to know how to go about it.Requests

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

Labour plans would challenge buy-to-let investors and second-home owners...

News

General Election: Part of Laboursbid to be elected on 12th December is a raft of taxraising measures aimed at buy-to-let landlords and second homeowners. Jeremy CorbynsLabour party manifesto launch last week outlined a n

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Controlling moisture and condensation in homes

Information

Condensation andmould : This time of year,as the temperature drops, both new homes and old homes aresusceptible to the formation of condensation and unsightly mould: newhomes because they are effectively a sealed box, and old homesbecause they often lack ef

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Winter Proof Your Rental Properties

Information

The colder weather is here again, its that time of year coming; you feel that cold chill in the air, the snow and ice will soon arrive, and you know its time to get out that winter coat, scarf and gloves.You also know that cold wet weather on the way will test your rental properties and tenant

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

Portfolio landlords now average 13 properties

News

Portfolio Landlords: Buy to let lender Paragons recent research shows that professionaland larger-scale landlords are still investing and are increasing the size oftheir portfolios through more targeted investments. With an average portfolio

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

Tenants can sue landlords for cold or damp homes under new laws

News

New rules that came into force in March allow https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/landlords-sue-cold-damp-homes-law-tenants-renting-housing-a8776671.html" tenants to sue landlords for issues like cold and damp. A broken heating system or poor ventilation that

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Don't fall foul of the authorised guarantee agreement...

Information

Commercial Property : A recent High Court decision in Co-Operative Group Food Ltdv. A&amp;A Shah Properties Ltd (2019) relates to an authorised guaranteeagreement (AGA) dispute, in this case an agreement involving a guarantor of theoutgoing tenant. <p id

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Section 21 to be banned in the UK

Opinion

The Government has announced its intention to scrap Section 21 notices for eviction in an effort to offer tenants more long-term security.

New service charges rules in commercial property

New service charges rules in commercial property

News

Commercial: A new set of mandatory rules introduced from 1stApril 2019 and though the document itself is titled a first edition, itsupersedes 3 previous editions published as codes of practice. The RICS (Royal Institution of Ch

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Security & Locks - Buy to Let Renovation & HMO Projects

Information

Security: Renovating a buy-to-let property can be a great way for landlords to increase the rental income

My tenant left without telling me...

My tenant left without telling me...

Information

Abandonment: When times get hard the instances of tenants leaving without notice are known to increase. Doing a runner�, skipping� moonlight flitting� walking away� or gone away� and in the words of the immortal song;

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

What happens if someone other than the tenant pays the deposit?

Information

Tenancy Deposits: According to TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) less than 1% (0.85%) of tenancies they handle have resulted in a deposit dispute in the year to March 2018, nevertheless its important to get it right when dealing with tenants' deposits.Cleaning was the most com

The Condensation Conundrum

The Condensation Conundrum

News

Viewpoint by Tom Entwistle As winter approaches outside temperatures drop and the perennial landlords problem of winter condensation and black mould rear their ugly heads again.The question is, how do you know if this is caused by the building or the tenant, or is it a co

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Tax on income from lodgers and short stay tenants

Information

Landlords' Tax: Internet sites, such as AirBnB, have increased the number of landlords letting to lodgers and to guests on short stays. There are specific tax benefits to this type of letting business which are expanded upon below.Furnished holiday letting</st

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Section 21 Notices - for older tenancies in England

Information

Section 21: Most tenancies will never require the service of a Section 21, Housing Act 1988, (eviction) notice. However, on those occasions when it does become necessary, and you just never know, landlords (and agents) will thank their lucky starts they complied with the rul

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1000s of 'mortgage prisoner' landlords still need help, says Martin Lewis

1000s of 'mortgage prisoner' landlords still need help, says Martin Lewis

News
News
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Opinion
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Mortgage prisoners - many of them landlords - should be offered free financial advice and interest-free equity loans from the government to prevent them from losing their properties, a new study suggests. About 195,000 households are still trapped in expensive variable-rate mort

WARNING: Rent reforms 'could reverse RRO court judgement' for landlords

WARNING: Rent reforms 'could reverse RRO court judgement' for landlords

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News
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Opinion
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Superior landlords could find themselves hit by Rent Repayment Orders if the government decides to amend the upcoming Renters Reform Bill. Property lawyer at https://www.jmw.co.uk/" JMW , David Smith (main picture), says that despite the

This company will sell your tenanted properties fast - in just 28 days so you can exit your portfolio

This company will sell your tenanted properties fast - in just 28 days so you can exit your portfolio

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News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

We've all seen the news, with changes in regulations and tax and interest rate rises, landlords have been flocking to sell their property portfolios. But with so many properties, all full with tenants, some of them with problems, low rents or even rent skipping, how can you get out fast?

HMO leaders unite to tackle rising energy costs

HMO leaders unite to tackle rising energy costs

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News
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40 HMO operators convene at COHO's ManorMinds to discuss rising energy costs, exploring tech solutions and tenant education to manage bills.

Link landlord EPC costs to rents instead of �10k cap' politicians told

Link landlord EPC costs to rents instead of �10k cap' politicians told

News
News
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Information

Landlords financial contribution to upgrading properties in Wales should be linked to average market rents in any given area, suggests the NRLA . Under its proposals, landlords would need to contribute a minimum of �5,000, while those renting properties

Big guide: How to spot a terrible tenant before signing

Big guide: How to spot a terrible tenant before signing

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Expert tips from landlord Richard Jackson on how to spot problematic tenants before signing, helping landlords avoid future rental issues.

BREAKING: Supreme Court rules 'superior landlords' not liable for rent repayment orders

BREAKING: Supreme Court rules 'superior landlords' not liable for rent repayment orders

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News
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The Supreme Court has ruled that Rent Repayment Orders cannot be made against a superior landlord. The landmark ruling has implications for rent-to-rent arrangements and means tenants cannot go after superior landlords property owners or leaseholders - when seeking redress.

REPORT: Landlords spend £34,000 over lifetime maintaining a property

REPORT: Landlords spend £34,000 over lifetime maintaining a property

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News
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A landlord will need to carry out repair or maintenance work on a buy-to-let property 72 times during their ownership, costing them more than £34,000, it has been revealed. Research by lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves found that while pests are

NEW: Competition watchdog to probe 'consumer rights' within rental market

NEW: Competition watchdog to probe 'consumer rights' within rental market

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News
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The UKs competition watchdog is to launch an investigation into consumer rights for those rent their homes and the activities of landlords and letting agents. This announcement, which has been made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), reveals that it intends to she

Higher mortgage costs driving higher rents say landlords

Higher mortgage costs driving higher rents say landlords

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News
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Three-quarters of buy-to-let landlords (76%) increased rent during the past 12 months, most of whom blamed higher mortgage costs.

London's largest selective licencing scheme given green light

London's largest selective licencing scheme given green light

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News
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The government has given the go-ahead to Brent’s selective licensing scheme, with the council labelling it, “a major win for both renters and landlords”.

Landlord licencing should be harsher says health chief

Landlord licencing should be harsher says health chief

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News
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Environmental health officers want more robust landlord licensing schemes under the Renters Reform Bill, says the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

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
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

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
News
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Opinion
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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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News
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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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News
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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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News
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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

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