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Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

News

A gang of cannabis farm operators, drug dealers and people smugglers have been jailed.

Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

News

Wigan council says rise in number of smaller HMOs within its borders means new powers to scrutinise new applications are needed.

Flipping now 'tricky' as higher taxes and lower price rises bite

Flipping now 'tricky' as higher taxes and lower price rises bite

News

The practice of property flipping to make a profit is under serious threat from both higher tax and lower house price rises.

OPINION: Awaab’s Law is coming – be warned, it has serious implications for you!

OPINION: Awaab’s Law is coming – be warned, it has serious implications for you!

Opinion

Awaab’s Law: What it means for private landlords and the future of property standards

MPs in race to pass rental reforms before recess

MPs in race to pass rental reforms before recess

News

The Renters' Rights Bill now looks more likely to be passed before the summer recess.

London council hikes HMO licensing fees

London council hikes HMO licensing fees

News

HMO landlords face paying out £1,570 for a licence when Camden Council renews its additional scheme in December.

England to get its own 'rent service' says housing minister

England to get its own 'rent service' says housing minister

News

A new body will help decide rents in a bid to prevent over-loading the tribunal service with rent disputes.

Landlord fined £75K for illegally letting properties

Landlord fined £75K for illegally letting properties

News

A landlord has been found guilty of illegally letting two ‘party flats’ after neighbours complained about excessive noise.

Tenant piles pressure on Labour to adopt rent controls

Tenant piles pressure on Labour to adopt rent controls

News

Lobbying group says tenant Bridget Chapman's experiences of a sudden rent rise is proof controls are needed.

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Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

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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,

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

Repair Reporting Issues and Section 21

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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

Assessing Covenant Strength

Assessing Covenant Strength

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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

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

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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

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

Tenancy Deposit Documentation

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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

ITZA revisited

ITZA revisited

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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

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

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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

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

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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 for Rental Property?

What heating system for Rental Property?

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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

Landlord's sons jailed for 31 years after attacking tenants

Landlord's sons jailed for 31 years after attacking tenants

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Three brothers who violently attacked vulnerable tenants at their father’s rental properties in Bedford have been handed a combined jail term of 31 years.

Housing minister rejects dedicated housing courts for landlords

Housing minister rejects dedicated housing courts for landlords

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News
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Housing minister Rachel Maclean has confirmed that a proposed housing court for landlords to help speed-up the evictions process is ‘definitely off the table’.

'Bumbling amateur' landlord fined £27,000 over property failings

'Bumbling amateur' landlord fined £27,000 over property failings

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A “bumbling amateur” landlord who imposed restrictive rules on tenants in his unlicensed HMO has been hit with a £27,500 Rent Repayment Order.

Judge rejects landlord duo's appeal over £21,000 council fine

Judge rejects landlord duo's appeal over £21,000 council fine

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A landlord couple have been ordered to pay a Rent Repayment Order reduced by £6,000 but will still have to fork out £21,000 between them in fines.

Minister tries to reassure landlords worried by eviction reforms

Minister tries to reassure landlords worried by eviction reforms

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Housing minister Rachel Maclean has sought to reassure landlords that they will still be able to evict troublesome tenants or those who build up rent arrears during an event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

How to deal with a personal guarantee in buy-to-let mortgage applications

How to deal with a personal guarantee in buy-to-let mortgage applications

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Landlords are coming under increasing financial pressure given as reports of a 41% increase [i] in buy-to-let mortgage arrears and a 7% growth [ii] in buy-to-let mortgaged properties taken into possession have emerged.

Scotland consults on radical plans for rent controls, pets and evictions

Scotland consults on radical plans for rent controls, pets and evictions

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Landlords in Scotland can have their say on radical PRS reforms that would bring in rent controls, delay evictions and allow tenants to have pets.

Labour’s planned inheritance tax raid on businesses

Labour’s planned inheritance tax raid on businesses

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Labour is planning a “devastating” multi-billion pound inheritance tax raid, which could affect family businesses and in particular farming families.

Gove promises Renters (Reform) Bill progress 'before Christmas'

Gove promises Renters (Reform) Bill progress 'before Christmas'

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Michael Gove has confirmed that the Renters (Reform) Bill is to get its second reading within the next three months, scotching hopes among some landlords that the legislation might have been kicked into the long grass.

Official and updated ‘How to Rent’ guide published

Official and updated ‘How to Rent’ guide published

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The government has published its latest and legally required How to Rent guide with details on the new Housing Loss Prevention Service.

TV star says pay-as-you-go energy tenants must be urged to fit smart meters

TV star says pay-as-you-go energy tenants must be urged to fit smart meters

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TV star Paul Shamplina has called on landlords to urge tenants using pay-as-you-go (PAYG) energy services to fit smart meters.

'Landlords aren’t abandoning buy-to-let'

'Landlords aren’t abandoning buy-to-let'

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High interest rates not forcing landlords to leave the private rented sector as some have claimed says Tom Entwistle

LibDems reveal landlord crackdown in 'manifesto'

LibDems reveal landlord crackdown in 'manifesto'

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The Liberal Democrats have vowed to address the power imbalance between tenants and landlords by introducing national licensing and standards, longer tenancies, rent smoothing and empowered councils.

Tenant bags £5,000 after reporting landlord' failures

Tenant bags £5,000 after reporting landlord' failures

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An elderly landlord’s long-standing failure to carry out roof repairs has resulted in a £5,000 win for his long-standing tenant.

Banned landlord faces jail after renting caravan

Banned landlord faces jail after renting caravan

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A rogue landlord faces a possible jail sentence for harassment and failing to comply with a banning order.

Tory's Green campaigner slams Rishi over EPC U-turn

Tory's Green campaigner slams Rishi over EPC U-turn

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A key member of the recently disbanded Energy Efficiency Taskforce has expressed regret that it failed to launch any effective ideas.

'78% of landlords are at risk from rising mortgage rates'

'78% of landlords are at risk from rising mortgage rates'

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As the Bank of England’s base rate continues to ride high at 5.25% it has been revealed that a much higher proportion of landlords own properties via mortgages than was previously thought.

Landlords 'must be given more tax relief to invest in property'

Landlords 'must be given more tax relief to invest in property'

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Estate agent chain Winkworth has waded into the debate on how to fix the broken property market by calling for an end to infighting around housing delivery and the reinstatement of landlords’ mortgage interest relief.

Landlord fined £5,000 after locking out tenant during illegal eviction

Landlord fined £5,000 after locking out tenant during illegal eviction

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A landlord has been ordered to pay £5,312 for unlawfully evicting his tenant, leaving the renter with nowhere to stay and without access to his belongings and medication.

Confusion reigns among tenants over smart meters at rented homes

Confusion reigns among tenants over smart meters at rented homes

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Nearly a quarter (23%) of people without a smart meter say it’s because - incorrectly - they live in a rental property that can't have one installed.

Tory savages housing minister over 'havoc' caused by rent controls

Tory savages housing minister over 'havoc' caused by rent controls

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Scotland’s minister for tenant’s rights is oblivious to the havoc he’s wreaking in the PRS and the harm being caused to tenants, says Tory MSP.

Nearly half of renters struggling to pay monthly rent says Which?

Nearly half of renters struggling to pay monthly rent says Which?

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New research from the consumer campaign group paints a grim picture of renters facing tough financial conditions as they struggle to pay the rent.

Rishi’s Green U-turn slated by Welsh housing minister in Senedd

Rishi’s Green U-turn slated by Welsh housing minister in Senedd

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Welsh Housing Minister Julie James has warned that Rishi Sunak’s green U-turn means many tenants will continue to rent draughty, inefficient homes and face high energy bills for years to come.

Tougher EPC rules were always going to be scrapped, says expert

Tougher EPC rules were always going to be scrapped, says expert

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A lack of public money to back landlords keen to upgrade their properties islikely to have been a major factor behind Rishi Sunak’s decision to scrap changesto minimum energy standards, an expert has claimed.

Tricky tradespeople, red tape and fraud driving landlords into agents’ arms

Tricky tradespeople, red tape and fraud driving landlords into agents’ arms

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Increasing regulation of the private rented sector, the pain of finding tradespeople to do property repairs and increasing fraud are pushing more landlords into the arms of letting agents, it has been revealed.