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Rent-free period

Rent-free period

Information

Guide to commercial tenancy rent-free periods and full repairing leases, explaining tenant obligations on lease expiry or termination.

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Safety Standards for Blinds and Curtains

Information

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

Information

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

Information

Understand how to assess tenant covenant strength and why it’s key to commercial property investment decisions.

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Holding or Pre-Contract Deposits

Information

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

Information

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

Information

A clear explanation of ITZA and rent review zoning — why old ITZA measurements may not always apply in new rent reviews.

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review - Calderbank offer

Information

Learn how a Calderbank offer can help landlords settle disputes and avoid costly rent review referrals.

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Should I set up a company to pay less tax?

Information

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?

Information

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

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

News

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) and the National Landlords Association (NLA) have called on the classified online listings service Gumtree to issue clear guidance over possible scams involving bogus letting scams.The warning has been issued to Gumtree by the NLA and the RLA after f

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Dispute Resolution Procedure at Rent Review

Information

At rent review, the phrase 'going to arbitration' is often bandied about during negotiations as a means for one party to get its own way. Whether or not the parties can agree the rent without involving the dispute resolution procedure, it is common for a represented or experienced party to inv

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

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Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

Big NW town latest to clamp down on HMO growth

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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
Sponsored
Information

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
Sponsored
Information

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
Sponsored
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
Podcast
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

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

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
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

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
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

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
Sponsored
Information

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

'Ensuring tenants can pay their rent isn't controversial'

'Ensuring tenants can pay their rent isn't controversial'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Fergus and Judith Wilson say their reputation isn't justified, and argue that they are good landlords.

Council faces backlash over selective licensing scheme renewal

Council faces backlash over selective licensing scheme renewal

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Private tenants already been warned that rents will rise by £15 a month to pay for new scheme.

Angela Rayner urged by nearly 50 organisations to U-turn on pet damage insurance

Angela Rayner urged by nearly 50 organisations to U-turn on pet damage insurance

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Pet campaigners have written to Angela Rayner in a last-ditch attempt to reinstate landlords’ ability to require pet damage insurance in the Renters’

Council leader attacks 'hard-nosed' landlords over illegal HMOs

Council leader attacks 'hard-nosed' landlords over illegal HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Essex borough of Basildon reveals huge crackdown on landlords who run unlicensed HMOs.

Small-Scale Build-to-Rent, a hidden gem opportunity for SME landlords

Small-Scale Build-to-Rent, a hidden gem opportunity for SME landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Direction of travel: all the regulatory changes to the private rented sector (PRS) say, it’s go bigger or get out

How have Labour changed the lettings market in one year?

How have Labour changed the lettings market in one year?

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Labour’s first year: Renters' rights up, reforms underway, pace lags promises.

New report reveals shocking facts about UK's rogue landlords

New report reveals shocking facts about UK's rogue landlords

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

A major investigation into rogue landlords within he private rented sector has made some shocking claims.

BLOG: 'Renters' Rights Bill will change everything for landlords and tenants'

BLOG: 'Renters' Rights Bill will change everything for landlords and tenants'

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Landlord and tenant dispute specialist explores some of the key issues that the looming Renters' Rights Bill will throw up.

Labour's NI tax raid 'to hit millions of pensions'

Labour's NI tax raid 'to hit millions of pensions'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Landlords have claimed that HM Treasury plans to charge National Insurance (NI) on rents is a raid on millions of people’s pension

BLOG: 'Any NI raid on rents will hit HMO landlords hardest'

BLOG: 'Any NI raid on rents will hit HMO landlords hardest'

Opinion
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

COHO founder Vann Vogstad says HMO landlords will shoulder a particularly large share of any NI levy on rental income.

Westminster to renew £1,540 licensing scheme for smaller HMOs

Westminster to renew £1,540 licensing scheme for smaller HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

London’s Westminster Council has revealed plans to renew its additional HMO licensing scheme covering many of the borough’s streets.

Plan for landlords to pay NI on rental income revealed

Plan for landlords to pay NI on rental income revealed

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords face paying national insurance on their rental income if plans leaked by HM Treasury this morning make it into the Autumn budget.

Businesses in England face double whammy as business rates are reviewed in 2026

Businesses in England face double whammy as business rates are reviewed in 2026

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

There will be an “unavoidable double hit” to property taxation next year when the business rates review combines with rising inflation

South of England council latest to clamp down on smaller HMOs

South of England council latest to clamp down on smaller HMOs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Spelthorne council to the south of Heathrow Airport has changed it mind on HMO 'threat' following complaints.

Council becomes first in UK to take over a landlord's homes after licensing failures

Council becomes first in UK to take over a landlord's homes after licensing failures

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

A landlord in London is the first in the UK to have their properties taken over ‘long-term’ by a council.

Labour's plans to abolish fixed term tenancies 'will destroy student lets'

Labour's plans to abolish fixed term tenancies 'will destroy student lets'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Government has been warned that its refusal to give student landlords an exemption from plans to scrap fixed-term tenancies will see the universit

SHOCKING 70% of tenants unaware of Renters' Rights Bill

SHOCKING 70% of tenants unaware of Renters' Rights Bill

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Report shows reforms will have little impact on sector if tenants are largely unaware of their new rights.

New partnership to reduce the stress of moving home for tenants

New partnership to reduce the stress of moving home for tenants

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A new partnership enables landlords' tenants to move into their home more easily, it has been announced.

Plan launched in Scotland to bring in rent caps 'immediately'

Plan launched in Scotland to bring in rent caps 'immediately'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

MSP Maggie Chapman wants an immediate introduction of rent caps to prevent 'brutal' rent rises by 'rogue landlords'.

Lodgers Limits - taking in a lodger - is there any limit to the number of rooms? 

Lodgers Limits - taking in a lodger - is there any limit to the number of rooms? 

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Lodgers Limits - Is there any limit to the number of rooms I can rent out to lodgers, and are there any other implications?

Big property firm advises landlords to adopt 'pet clauses' in rental contracts

Big property firm advises landlords to adopt 'pet clauses' in rental contracts

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

John D Wood says landlords must adapt ahead of changes within the Renters' Rights Bill.

Midlands city has fined landlords £450,000 since licensing began

Midlands city has fined landlords £450,000 since licensing began

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Birmingham's council says that while 40,000 landlords have licensed their properties since July 2023, too many have not.

Council starts crackdown on unlicensed HMOs with surprise inspections

Council starts crackdown on unlicensed HMOs with surprise inspections

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Enforcement officers in Harlow are scouring the borough for unlicensed HMOs and unsafe properties.

Landlord duo to pay back tenants nearly £18,000 after licensing failures

Landlord duo to pay back tenants nearly £18,000 after licensing failures

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Landlord couple ordered to pay their tenants back the cash after failing to get an HMO licence for a property in

Selective licensing schemes goes ahead despite landlord opposition

Selective licensing schemes goes ahead despite landlord opposition

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
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Information

Landlords in Grimsby have failed to convince council bosses to ditch a proposed selective licensing scheme in the town.