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Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

Government releases 'How to Rent'� guide

News

From the 1st of October 2015 it became a statutory requirement that landlords issue all new tenants after that date with the latest edition of a Government publication The How to Rent Guide�, along with a current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a current Gas Safety

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Doing Right to Rent - Immigration Checks

Information

From 1st February 2016 all new tenants in England must be given Right-to-Rent (Immigration) Checks to determine their "right-to-rent" or "right-to-reside" in the country, BEFORE they can be given a tenancy. Landlords or letting agents must do the checks - letting agents where the

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Information

This is a Guide to Tax Deductible Letting Expenses for Landlords under the new tax rules following the Summer Budget 2015. These may be subject to change and you are advised to consult a tax specialist before making any decisions.From April 2016 landlords will no longer be able to automatically d

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

Landlord uses hidden cameras to spy on tenants

News

An Edinburgh landlord set-up hidden cameras in the bedroom and bathroom of his flat, to film people in bed and in the shower.The cameras were discovered by a young couple, friends of the landlord who allowed them to use the accommodation. The couple found a box on the living room table with a cam

Comparable Evidence

Comparable Evidence

Information

Amongst the ways to agree or ascertain the (open) market rent at rent review or on renewal of a lease, (per s.34-s35 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954), is the use of comparable evidence.At rent review, the market rent for the premises is not what rent the actual tenant would agree or could afford, bu

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

What is a Section 20 Notice ?

Information

There are two instances of section 20 notices in property in England:(1) is the notice served in relation to early shorthold tenancies under the Housing Act 1988, and the other,(2) refers to section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act (CLR

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Who Pays for Maintenance and Repairs

Information

Who pays for maintenance and repairs in a residential letting, landlord or tenant?Is it, for example, a tenants responsibility once they occupy my building to look after most of the regular house maintenance items? If the fridge stops working does the tenant or the landlord need to repair it?Y

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Inflation (RPI) and Rent

Information

With commercial property, rent reviews are generally to the open market rent, but sometimes the rent would be adjusted to the Retail Price Index (RPI). RPI is generally considered more favourable to landlords than CPI or other methodologies.There is no link between open market rent and inflatio

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Commercial Property Insurance - part 1

Information

Amongst the thorny issues in the relationship between landlord and tenant is the building insurance premium. Unlike residential property where the landlord has a vested interest in making sure the premium is competitive, because more than likely the premium would not be recoverable from the tenan

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

Can Landlords Discriminate when Selecting Tenants?

News

Theres recently been a spate of press reports and political wrangling about the existence of Zero-Hour Contracts. This has become something of a hot political issue as we approach a general election, and one surprising development is recent attempts to embroil landlords in the issue, as if the

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

User Clauses - in Commercial (Business) Leases

Information

Traditionally, with commercial (business) leases, a contractual provision within the lease specifies the use, or uses to which a property may be put and the uses which are prohibited.The formal classification of Uses� are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as a

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Rent Increases with Assured Shorthold Tenancies

Information

As most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) are by definition, short, there is usually no need for landlords to get involved in processing a rent increase.However, some ASTs run for long periods after the fixed term has ended, i.e., when the tenancy becomes a statutory periodic tenancy, hence there

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Guarantor or Rent Deposit

Information

The ideal for any landlord is for the tenant to have a guarantor and provide a rent deposit. But which is better when the landlord has to choose?The starting point is the status of the tenant. With a tenant that is one person (an individual) the likelihood of that person being of independent fina

Checking Tenants In and Out

Checking Tenants In and Out

Information

When you rent out a property two vital stages in the process are when you check-in your tenants at the start of the tenancy and check-out at the end.Preparation is the key to a trouble free let. When you prepare properly you are carrying out management processes so that nothing is left to chance

s.25 and s.26 notices - the landlord's perspective

s.25 and s.26 notices - the landlord's perspective

Information

Elsewhere on LandlordZONE (at https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-25-notice" https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-25-notice and https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/information/what-is-a-section-26-notice-2 ) you can find out about sec

"Upward-only" rent review

"Upward-only" rent review

Information

Contrary to popular belief, 'upward-only' rent review does not mean the rent must increase.An 'upward-only' review means that the rent payable after the review to open market rental is agreed or ascertained would not be less than the rent payable before the rent review, even if the open market re

The Dangers with Section 8 Possession Claims

The Dangers with Section 8 Possession Claims

Information

There are dangers with using the Section 8 possession claims process under the Housing Act 1988 which are not always apparent to landlords and agents.There is always a temptation to use section 8 because the shorter notice period (usually 2 weeks) is much quicker to court than the alternative - s

What is a Section 25 Notice

What is a Section 25 Notice

Information

What is a Section 25 Notice? My business lease is coming to an end and my landlord has served on me a Section 25 Notice.Commercial (Business) Tenancies in England & Wales are regulated by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 (Part 2).This means that when the fixed term ends (end of lease) the b

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Positive thinking! Six reasons for landlords to feel optimistic about 2023

Positive thinking! Six reasons for landlords to feel optimistic about 2023

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https://www.belvoir.co.uk/?utm_source=LandlordZONE&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=29_01" target="_blank" Belvoir , which is one of the largest High Street property management groups manages over 73,000 properties nationwide, and franchisees across the country are very awa

NEW: Asking rents continue to rise hitting �1,172 average says Rightmove

NEW: Asking rents continue to rise hitting �1,172 average says Rightmove

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News
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Average asking rents for new tenancies outside London jumped to another record high of �1,172 a month in December - although there are now signs that the pace of growth is starting to ease. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/" target="_blank" Rightmove </s

Legal: UK Supreme Court ruling favours landlord in service charge dispute

Legal: UK Supreme Court ruling favours landlord in service charge dispute

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News
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The case involved Sara &amp; Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd v Blacks Outdoor Retail Ltd and revolved around a service charge certificate (SCC) issued by the landlord (SHAH), and the question of whether this was considered to be "conclusive" (meaning final) for the amount due. Servic

Landlords to challenge Scottish rent control extension

Landlords to challenge Scottish rent control extension

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News
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A coalition of landlords and letting agencies are to seek a legal challenge to the Scottish Government's rent control and eviction ban legislation and its proposed extension from April. The Scottish Association of Landlords, Scottish Land and Estates, and Propertymark have together submitte

City council launches major crackdown on revenge evictions

City council launches major crackdown on revenge evictions

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News
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Brighton &amp; Hove Council has launched a crackdown on revenge evictions as it works towards a zero-tolerance approach to rogue landlords. In a review of its PRS enforcement policy, the authority will look at measures to reduce the risk of revenge evictions by serving improveme

Adult content star reveals plan to become affordable rent landlord

Adult content star reveals plan to become affordable rent landlord

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News
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A single mother who used to survive on charity hand-outs but who now claims to earn up to �100,000 a month from creating online adult content has announced plans to join the ranks of UK landlords. 28-year-old Rebecca Goodwin (main picture, inset), who previously struggled to su

Planners force landlord to return �42,637 in rent after 'illegal gains'

Planners force landlord to return �42,637 in rent after 'illegal gains'

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News
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A rogue landlord who created three tiny flats in the basement of one of his properties has been ordered to pay back more than �42,000 in illegal gains. Mawan Musa , 63, of Maude Road, Camberwell, admitted breaching planning rules at two properties in the s

BREAKING: Evidence heard in final day of landmark rent-to-rent court case

BREAKING: Evidence heard in final day of landmark rent-to-rent court case

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News
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The Supreme Court is debating a key legal case around rent-to-rent operators today to decide if the superior landlord, or any landlord in the chain, should be responsible for a rent repayment order. <figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type- " data-rt-type="" data-rt-align=""><div><img

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

Brum council: ‘We’re bankrupt but still enforcing new selective licencing scheme’

Brum council: ‘We’re bankrupt but still enforcing new selective licencing scheme’

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News
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Birmingham Council has confirmed to LandlordZONE that its selective licensing scheme will continue to be enforced despite its dire financial situation.

A few simple tricks can prevent your property being sold off under your nose

A few simple tricks can prevent your property being sold off under your nose

Opinion
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So called title fraud is on the rise, where someone steals your identity, transfers your property title and either mortgages it or sells it off

REVEALED: Full details of Rishi’s U-turn on boiler ban and EPC rules

REVEALED: Full details of Rishi’s U-turn on boiler ban and EPC rules

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News
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Rishi Sunak has made a speech rowing back on several key green policies that were to cost landlords thousands but that were part of his key Net Zero pledges.

‘Landlords due millions of pounds in returned stamp duty overpayments’

‘Landlords due millions of pounds in returned stamp duty overpayments’

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Scores of landlords could be owed thousands of pounds in stamp duty overpayments, according to a specialist tax firm.

PM’s re-think on emissions targets inspired by EU changes

PM’s re-think on emissions targets inspired by EU changes

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News
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The PM is considering scaling back the Government’s green pledges by delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 and slowing the phase-out of oil and gas boilers.

Landlords urge Welsh Government to ditch rent control proposals

Landlords urge Welsh Government to ditch rent control proposals

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News
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The NRLA has urged the Welsh government to ditch rent control proposals as the worst possible idea for a PRS facing a chronic supply and demand crisis.

Property management firm faces huge fine after tenants rescued from fire

Property management firm faces huge fine after tenants rescued from fire

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News
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A property management firm and its fire risk assessors face a hefty fine for fire safety breaches following a blaze which saw 17 people evacuated.

Landlord relief as Sunak backs off green targets

Landlord relief as Sunak backs off green targets

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News
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Sunak to U‑turn on boiler ban & ditch EPC fines for landlords, easing thousands in green‐policy costs.

LATEST: Landlords who don't protect tenants' deposits face prosecution in Jersey

LATEST: Landlords who don't protect tenants' deposits face prosecution in Jersey

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News
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In an unusual move the Jersey government is to give local authorities on the island more powers to prosecute landlords who do not protect tenants' deposits within the 30 day

Landlord fined £32,000 after creating hazardous conditions within illegal flats

Landlord fined £32,000 after creating hazardous conditions within illegal flats

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News
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A rogue landlord who ignored fire risks and serious hazards at his flats and caravans has been fined £32,000.

‘Government policies stifling competition and bad for tenants’ says landlord

‘Government policies stifling competition and bad for tenants’ says landlord

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Landlords can effectively now charge what they like as the government’s draconian policies are stifling competition, says Nottingham benefits landlord Mick Roberts.

Landlords who don’t protect tenants’ deposits face prosecution in Jersey

Landlords who don’t protect tenants’ deposits face prosecution in Jersey

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News
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In an unusual move the Jersey government is to give local authorities on the island more powers to prosecute landlords who do not protect tenants’ deposits within the 30 days required, it has been reported. A tenant deposit protection scheme was introduced on Jersey in 2015 and landlords, as in mai

‘Crumbling eviction courts must be fixed before renting reforms go live’

‘Crumbling eviction courts must be fixed before renting reforms go live’

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News
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The National Residential Landlords Association has warned the Government that the crumbling courts system for evictions will undermine its hoped-for reforms of the private renting sector unless they are reformed.

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring tenants' calls to fix boiler

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring tenants' calls to fix boiler

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A landlord who ignored his tenants' pleas to fix their boiler during sub-zero temperatures has been ordered to pay out nearly �10,000 in fines and compensation.

Ministers have ‘needlessly spooked’ landlords with renting reform plans

Ministers have ‘needlessly spooked’ landlords with renting reform plans

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News
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A leading buy-to-let mortgage broker has said the Government has ‘needlessly spooked’ landlords with its rhetoric designed to ‘curry favour with tenants’.

Big London council to begin regulation for over 8,500 HMO properties

Big London council to begin regulation for over 8,500 HMO properties

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News
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Wandsworth Council is to launch a consultation into borough-wide additional licensing and a selective licensing scheme in three of its wards.

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring tenants’ calls to fix boiler

Landlord fined £10,000 after ignoring tenants’ calls to fix boiler

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News
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A landlord who ignored his tenants’ pleas to fix their boiler during sub-zero temperatures has been ordered to pay out nearly £10,000 in fines and compensation.

Properties with EPCs under a Band C ‘already harder to sell to other landlords’

Properties with EPCs under a Band C ‘already harder to sell to other landlords’

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Rental properties with an EPC certificate below a band C are becoming more difficult to sell to other landlords, new research has suggested.

Rents still rising fast in London as up to 38 tenants chase each property

Rents still rising fast in London as up to 38 tenants chase each property

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Latest rental market data from London reveals a private rental sector still on fire as rents rise by 11% year-on-year, says agency Foxtons.

Damp, mould and condensation – YOU are to be held responsible

Damp, mould and condensation – YOU are to be held responsible

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The latest government guidance places the responsibility for damp, mould and condensation firmly in the lap of the landlord, whatever the cause!

Join the debate and experts at the next National Landlords Investment Show

Join the debate and experts at the next National Landlords Investment Show

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LandlordZONE readers are invited to join a gathering of like minds being organised by the National Landlords Investment Show in Elstree, Hertfordshire on 27th September 2023.

Bill is solution to non-existent problem in student market, says landlord group

Bill is solution to non-existent problem in student market, says landlord group

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Changes to the student rental market under the Renters (Reform) Bill could result in even less protection for students, according to York‘s Residential Landlord Association.

BBC scrutiny dents mayor’s bid to paint bleak renting picture

BBC scrutiny dents mayor’s bid to paint bleak renting picture

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been pulled up for selectively using statistics to lend weight to his demands for rent controls in the capital.

BLOG: Probe will rule that deposit alternatives are pro-consumer choice

BLOG: Probe will rule that deposit alternatives are pro-consumer choice

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to probe five different activities involving landlords and letting agents, and their responsibilities to private tenants.

LSA selling landlord portfolios for higher than market value, faster than anyone else

LSA selling landlord portfolios for higher than market value, faster than anyone else

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If you need to sell you no longer have to worry about Estate Agents taking too long, or auctions offering too low a price, portfolio exit specialists are the solution.