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Portsmouth goes ahead with hotly contested HMO licensing expansion

Portsmouth goes ahead with hotly contested HMO licensing expansion

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Portsmouth is to go ahead with its contested additional licensing scheme but has promised to reward good landlords by charging them a lower licence fee and doing fewer inspections. Landlords had urged their council not to go ahead with plans to extend licensing to about 4,000 th

Gove promises protections for tenants in 2023

Gove promises protections for tenants in 2023

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The long awaited renting reforms first muted in 2019 will be implemented next year, promises Housing Secretary, Michael Gove MP. Admitting that the Government should have moved more quickly� on these reforms to protect tenants following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Mr Gove

'No protection': outraged landlord reveals battle to evict nightmare tenants

'No protection': outraged landlord reveals battle to evict nightmare tenants

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A landlord battling to evict his nightmare tenants using a Section 8 order is exasperated that county court bailiffs encouraged them to stay put. The Cumbrian-based landlord had been granted a possession order, but his tenants - on bail for alleged drug offences and owing �3,00

BREAKING: Council tax crisis for HMO tenants averted after Commons statement

BREAKING: Council tax crisis for HMO tenants averted after Commons statement

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The Government has averted a looming crisis in the HMO sector that would have seen many tenants charged individually for council tax, rather than paying a share of the propertys annual bill. As LandlordZONEhttps://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/exclusive-official-counci

Tenants union reveals 'day of protests' across London to push for rent freeze

Tenants union reveals 'day of protests' across London to push for rent freeze

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London Renters Union will picket successful estate agents across the capital next week who it blames for pushing up rents to unaffordable levels. Protests are planned in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Crystal Palace on 3rd December by activists who have taken partic

Welsh short-lets landlords 'very likely' to face mandatory licensing says advisor

Welsh short-lets landlords 'very likely' to face mandatory licensing says advisor

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The Welsh government has given a strong indication that landlords and property owners operating Airbnb holiday homes within its borders are to face a compulsory licensing scheme similar to the Rent Smart Wales scheme for the traditional private rental sector. This follows a parl

Tenants can be cause of property problems as well as landlords, Government admits

Tenants can be cause of property problems as well as landlords, Government admits

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Landlords long-standing criticisms of health and safety regulation that tenants are often the cause of problems such as mould or water leaks look set to be addressed in new government guidance. Councils inspecting rented properties will be formally instructed to exami

Gove orders councils to improve mould and damp monitoring of PRS properties

Gove orders councils to improve mould and damp monitoring of PRS properties

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Housing Secretary Michael Gove has ordered council bosses to prove they are assessing and improving damp and mould problems in the PRS. Following the death of toddler Awaab Ishak as a direct result of mould in his family home, Gove says theres an urgent need to ensure a decen

Comment: the condensation and mould crisis hits the headlines again

Comment: the condensation and mould crisis hits the headlines again

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The tragedy of the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in a Rochdale social housing flat rests heavily on the minds of landlords across the country: could this happen in one of my own properties they might well ask? The answer is probably, yes it easily could. In a winter with ris

Knotty neighbour problem costs home owner �250,000

Knotty neighbour problem costs home owner �250,000

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A Japanese knotweed infestation caused homeowner Charron Ishmael to take her neighbour, retired NHS consultant Dr Sheila Clark, to court over a dispute about the plant. Charron Ishmael was selling her property but because of the presence of the invasive plant in her neighbour

Grant Shapps warns landlords to pass on energy support payments to tenants

Grant Shapps warns landlords to pass on energy support payments to tenants

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HMO landlords have again been warned that they must pass on the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) rebate to tenants as the first payments are made, this time by business secretary Grant Shapps (pictured). https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/latest-official-plans-to-for

London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

London council plans triple whammy of landlord licensing and regulation

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Merton Council, which includes the famous Wimbledon lawn tennis centre, is embarking on a big push to license all rented properties and HMOs in the borough as well as limiting the growth of small HMOs. It wants landlords to take part in its new consultation on plans for <strong

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

PROBE: Landlords complain about rent-to-rent firm as deals go sour

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Complaints from landlords and letting agents have been passed to LandlordZONE about a rent-to-rent provider whose founder is lauded online for raking in up to �12,000 a month. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img src="https://uploads-

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

Autumn Statement latest: Chancellor reveals tax rises for landlords

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Landlords face higher bills from next year after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt slashed the annual threshold for Capital Gains Tax from �12,300 to �6,000 next year and �3,000 from April 2024. Although a rise in CGT didnt materialise, he followed the Office of Tax Simplification

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

LATEST: Government has 'broken the PRS' during its war on landlords

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Landlords have accused the Government of "breaking the private rented sector" with its relentless regulatory and tax policies. The comments have been made by the NRLA, which says that while demand for rented homes is rising as home ownership becomes less affordable, the number o

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

NEW: Brighton squeezes HMO sector even harder with new policies and guidance

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Brighton &amp; Hove Council is squeezing its HMO sector even harder by introducing a tough new set of policies designed to reduce their impact on local communities. Its City Plan Part 2 includes new guidance for those applying for planning permission as well as rules covering bu

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

Welsh landlords &amp; agents have serious misgivings about longer notice periods

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The way that private rented sector (PRS) landlords operate their properties in Wales is going through one of the biggest changes in decades as the Welsh Government, under its devolved powers, pass and implement the https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/1/contents" target="_blank

Leicester to widen HMO planning restrictions covering 'thousands' of houses

Leicester to widen HMO planning restrictions covering 'thousands' of houses

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Leicester city council councillors are to vote next week on plans to significantly widen local planning laws to clamp down on the spread of HMOs. The measures are to be brought in following a public consultation that finished in January this year. Leicester has had a

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Mail for Previous Tenants

Mail for Previous Tenants

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I'm receiving mail for previous tenants and some of them are from debt collectors. Will this get my property black listed and cause problems for my current tenants and myself in the future?</h2> It's fairly common to have mail arriving for months and even years after residents have left,

Long Term AST

Long Term AST

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Long Term AST - My prospective tenant has asked for a tenancy term of 6 years. Can I use the usual Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement for this?</h2> The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the default tenancy for residential lettings and since October 2010 this applies to rents up to �100,000

How long should accounts be kept

How long should accounts be kept

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Question: How long should accounts be kept to satisfy the authorities, things like accounting files, invoices and tax records, as a property landlord?Answer: You must keep your records for 6 years after the tax year to which they apply, whether or not you complete a tax return.It's a good idea, a

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

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Expiry of Section 21 Notice - I have served a Section 21 (s21) Notice on my tenant but don't wish to start proceedings immediately. Can I wait without the notice expiring?Once a Section 21 notice has been served correctly it continues indefinitely, until such time as the tenancy is ended, either

Covenant and Covenant Strength

Covenant and Covenant Strength

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Covenant and Covenant Strength - What is a legal covenant and what is the significance of the terms in relation to rental property and lettings ?</h2>The term covenant can have several meanings and has biblical origins but it is of particulalry significance

10 year lease

10 year lease

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2 years ago I purchased a company with a 10 year lease from my ex boss, on a 10 year lease, the lease was set up by a solicitor. After 2 years the business is struggling and is not viable. I feel that my solicitor ill advised me as there was no break clause mentioned. Where do I stand on t

Uncollected Goods

Uncollected Goods

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Good Left in the Premises or Uncollected GoodsFrequently, tenants leave goods after their tenancy has concluded or when they have abandon the premises during a tenancy. Uncollected goods and possessions left or abandoned in premises by tenants can pose a real problem for landlords.

Standing Order

Standing Order

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<h1 Standing Order</h1>What are Bankers' Standing Orders?</h3><ul <li Standing Orders allow landlords to automate the process of collecting rents</li> <li They safeguard tenants in that the landlord cannot change the payment amount, as is the case with direct debit

Section 8 Procedure

Section 8 Procedure

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The Possession Procedure - 1988 Housing ActThe possession procedure under Section 8 of the Housing Acts 1988 &amp; 1996 is known as the Section 8 Route and is available to landlords where the tenant is in breach of one or more terms of

Council makes unusual move to stop licencing small HMOs

Council makes unusual move to stop licencing small HMOs

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Bath has made the unusual decision to ditch its additional licensing scheme because it has done such a good job of improving standards.

PIX: Terrible conditions in homes owned by banned landlord

PIX: Terrible conditions in homes owned by banned landlord

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A slum landlord in Sheffield has been given the longest banning order ever after being prevented from managing or letting properties for ten years.

Unusual scheme launches to help tenants buy homes off landlords

Unusual scheme launches to help tenants buy homes off landlords

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A novel rent-to-buy home purchase scheme has been set up to help renters become homeowners.

UPDATED: The Story of "Landlording" - a brief History

UPDATED: The Story of "Landlording" - a brief History

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The full history of landlords is lost in the mists of time, but much of modern property law - throughout the English speaking world - stems from over 1,000 years of English legal history.

Charity blames landlords for millions of tenants' poor health

Charity blames landlords for millions of tenants' poor health

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Millions of renters living in damp and run-down properties are suffering worsening mental and physical health, new research by homelessness charity Shelter suggests

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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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.

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.