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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

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Asbestos and Your Responsibilities as a Landlord

Information

Asbestos:Asbestos regulations were last updated in 2012 , bringing the UK in line with EU regulations, which means the current regulations have been in place long enough for most

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

The importance of a Tenancy Application Form

Information

The Application Form You should always use a comprehensive Tenancy Application Form when taking on a new tenant. You need a completed application for each adult tenant in the property.The Tenancy application form is a very important starting point for any residential or comm

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Ends

Information

End of an AST: Questions: What happens when an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) comes to an end? Will the tenant have to leave or does she need to sign a new agreement? What if a tenant wants to leave early? How long can a periodic tenancy last?When the fixed term (minimum of

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Freehold, Shared Freehold or Leasehold?

Information

Landlords often buy flats which are either Leasehold or Shared Freehold. What are these tenures and what should landlords look out for in these different forms of ownership?Leasehold is one of three forms of tenure (property/land ownership) almost exclusively peculiar to the United Kingdom, thoug

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

My Tenant Won't Allow Access!

Information

Landlord's Access to Property: Many landlords will have experienced a tenant denying them access to a property - whether for an inspection, viewings or legal duties. Its easy to understand the view of Its my property, I can enter when I want, but unfortunately th

New Section 21 Rules

New Section 21 Rules

Information

New Rules for Section 21 :Landlords and Agents need to be aware of the changes affecting Section 21 rules and Notices and other changes for the letting of residential properties in England (and in many cases Wales) introduced during 2015 . This article explains the new rules

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Protesters force South West council to evict their business tenant

Protesters force South West council to evict their business tenant

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Financially challenged Somerset Council has capitulated after a concerted campaign by protesters force it to abandon one of its business tenants

RICS survey shows signs of commercial property recovery

RICS survey shows signs of commercial property recovery

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Signs that the market is moving into a recovery phase, though there is still ample evidence that there remains a challenging backdrop. 

NEW:Landlords to face unimited fines if they illegally convert homes into HMOs

NEW:Landlords to face unimited fines if they illegally convert homes into HMOs

News
News
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Opinion
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New changes to planning rules mean rogue landlords who illegally convert HMOs could face an unlimited fine.

Scotland's 'rent controls tsar' Patrick Harvie loses power

Scotland's 'rent controls tsar' Patrick Harvie loses power

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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The Scottish government has been urged to reverse its anti-landlord policies after the SNP ended their power-sharing agreement with the Greens.

MP's bill forcing private landlords to fix mould delayed AGAIN

MP's bill forcing private landlords to fix mould delayed AGAIN

News
News
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Opinion
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Private renters are most in need of Awaab’s Law due to the frequently worse conditions of mould in their homes, says Labour MP Fleur Anderson, who hopes to instigate stricter rules for the PRS.

'Ministers need to let landlords know when Section 21 is going'

'Ministers need to let landlords know when Section 21 is going'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Figures across the private rented sector including TV star Paul Shamplina have warned that both tenants, landlords and letting agents need to know when the Section 21 eviction ban is going to take place.

Pro-landlord MP explains why he voted against renting reforms

Pro-landlord MP explains why he voted against renting reforms

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News
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Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall voted against the Renters Reform Bill, warning that removing fixed-term tenancies could reduce housing supply.

Labour plans to ban Section 21 immediately 'would cause chaos'

Labour plans to ban Section 21 immediately 'would cause chaos'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Abolishing section 21 as soon as the Renters Reform Bill gains Royal Assent would cause chaos in the sector and leave the statute book a “confusing mess”, according to the government.

MP's bid to make landlords pay tenants' moving costs rejected

MP's bid to make landlords pay tenants' moving costs rejected

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke failed to convince the government to include relocation payments for tenants and to restrict tenancy grounds in its Renters (Reform) Bill.

Student landlords STILL being forgotten by Labour - expert

Student landlords STILL being forgotten by Labour - expert

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Paddy Jackman says sector's needs 'falling between' cracks as Government pushes ahead with renting reforms.

Judge highlights  unregulated eviction 'solicitors' problem

Judge highlights  unregulated eviction 'solicitors' problem

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Court case highlights ongoing problem of legal firms that claim to be 'authorised' to help landlords evict tenants when they are not.

Generous property 'leasing scheme' for landlords goes national

Generous property 'leasing scheme' for landlords goes national

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Landlords across Wales can now take advantage of a scheme that lets them lease their property to the local council for up to 20 years.

'Cut stamp duty if you want to help end housing crisis'

'Cut stamp duty if you want to help end housing crisis'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Scotland’s landlords have urged its government to pause additional stamp duty payments in a bid to alleviate its housing emergency.

Big NE of England town latest to reign-in HMO numbers

Big NE of England town latest to reign-in HMO numbers

News
News
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Opinion
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Darlington looks set to be the latest council bringing in tougher rules to control the growth of small HMOs.

Minister explains why pet damage insurance 'not needed'

Minister explains why pet damage insurance 'not needed'

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News
Podcast
Opinion
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Minister explains why pet damage insurance will not be mandated, and says current deposit of five weeks 'enough'.

Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

Criminal gang jailed for running cannabis farms across UK

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News
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Opinion
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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

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News
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Opinion
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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
News
Podcast
Opinion
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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
News
Podcast
Opinion
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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
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

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
News
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Opinion
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Information

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

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

Minister gifts solicitors £20m pay rise to help tenants fight evictions

Minister gifts solicitors £20m pay rise to help tenants fight evictions

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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The Government has increased its support for tenants who face eviction as its looming reforms bring in greater rights for private

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring requests to license property

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring requests to license property

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News
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Opinion
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A landlord who thought he could ignore council warnings over his property has been fined £10,000.

LATEST: New Decent Homes Standard consultation launched

LATEST: New Decent Homes Standard consultation launched

News
News
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Opinion
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Labour has revealed more details of the new minimum standards private landlords will have to meet.

Campaign launched to reverse 'bonkers' pet insurance decision

Campaign launched to reverse 'bonkers' pet insurance decision

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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AdvoCATS has launched initiative after Labour decided inexplicably not to allow landlords to require tenants to take out pet insurance.

Labour 'not listening to sense' on renting reforms says peer

Labour 'not listening to sense' on renting reforms says peer

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News
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Lord Hacking tells housing minister Government is 'plain wrong' in its insistence on banning fixed-term tenancies.

Decent Homes Standard for private rented sector 'soon' says Labour

Decent Homes Standard for private rented sector 'soon' says Labour

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News
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Government reveals it is about to consult on a new Decent Homes Standard that will apply to private as well as social landlords.

Minister refuses to budge on ending 'tenancies in advance' for students

Minister refuses to budge on ending 'tenancies in advance' for students

News
News
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Housing minister says asking students to commit before Christmas to a tenancy the next year is unfair.

What have been agents been doing to temper Governments' renting reforms

What have been agents been doing to temper Governments' renting reforms

Podcast
News
Podcast
Opinion
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The LandlordZONE podcast invites one of the agents who has been leading the charge to temper Ministers' reforming zeal.

Could the Renters’ Rights Bill result in hundreds of tenants forced out?

Could the Renters’ Rights Bill result in hundreds of tenants forced out?

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News
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The bill is designed to afford tenants more protections, but could it lead to them being ‘forced out’ of their homes?

Lettings agency fined £66,500 after council discovers 'dirty' HMO

Lettings agency fined £66,500 after council discovers 'dirty' HMO

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News
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The HMO that AM PM Estates managed in Slough was found to be dirty and in a poor state of repair inside and out, including a