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Suspended jail term for landlord who ignored safety checks

Suspended jail term for landlord who ignored safety checks

News

A rogue landlord has been handed a suspended jail sentence after she failed to maintain gas appliances at her rental property.

Rogue exempt accommodation landlords face tough crackdown

Rogue exempt accommodation landlords face tough crackdown

News

The government has vowed to take action on rogue landlords who exploit vulnerable residents in exempt accommodation.

Landlord Exodus: Tough New Rules spark mass Sell-Off

Landlord Exodus: Tough New Rules spark mass Sell-Off

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A mass sell-off is currently underway in the landlord sector, and it only looks set to increase. EPC requirements, The Renters Reform Bill, mounting financial pressures, the list of reasons goes on.

Steep house prices curb renters' home buying ambitions

Steep house prices curb renters' home buying ambitions

News

A third of renters (33%) don’t plan to ever own their own home, up from a fifth (20%) in 2022.

Warning: Landlords will race to beat Section 21 ban

Warning: Landlords will race to beat Section 21 ban

News

A “tsunami of landlords” will put in Section 21 notices before the ban is implemented, predicts Landlord Action’s Paul Shamplina.

Renters' Rights Bill heralds biggest change to sector in 30 years

Renters' Rights Bill heralds biggest change to sector in 30 years

News

Landlords are bracing themselves for the impact of a ban on Section 21 after the government published its Renters’ Rights Bill.

Rental listings see big uplift after recent rate cut

Rental listings see big uplift after recent rate cut

News

The first base rate cut since 2020 has boosted rental stock levels across major British cities, according to new research.

Landlords' views sought on updating house sale process

Landlords' views sought on updating house sale process

News

Landlords are being asked to share their experiences of conveyancing to help strengthen the case for digital property packs.

Ministers debate even tougher rules for holiday let owners

Ministers debate even tougher rules for holiday let owners

News

The government is considering a further crackdown on short-term lets in a bid to free up more homes for local people.

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Why it's time for landlords to get digital

Why it's time for landlords to get digital

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Now is a great time for landlords to look at ways to manage their property portfolios online as wide-reaching legislation change looms, including a new digital Private Rented Sector database.

Half of Facebook rental ads are fake, claims Generation Rent

Half of Facebook rental ads are fake, claims Generation Rent

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News
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More than half the rental listings on Facebook Marketplace are likely to be scams, according to an investigation by Generation Rent.

First meeting of London Rent Commission held at City Hall

First meeting of London Rent Commission held at City Hall

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The group, which includes politicians and activists, say the commission is the step toweards rent controls in the capital.

Total Landlord wins 'best insurance provider' for SEVENTH time

Total Landlord wins 'best insurance provider' for SEVENTH time

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For the seventh year, Total Landlord, part of Total Property, has been named the 'Best Landlord Insurance Provider' at the Insurance Choice Awards 2024.

Rents in England close to 'affordability ceiling' says Savills expert

Rents in England close to 'affordability ceiling' says Savills expert

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Rents will carry on rising next year as the supply of rental homes continues to be outstripped by supply – but an ‘inflection point’ where rents become too expensive for many tenants will eventually arrive, and already has done in London.

Big London council votes to hugely extend selective licencing

Big London council votes to hugely extend selective licencing

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Decision by Lambeth councillors comes just a few months after an initial and expensive four-ward scheme went live.

RICS reports that the Budget gives a mixed bag for property

RICS reports that the Budget gives a mixed bag for property

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There are Autumn Budget winners and losers in the property industry as a whole

Government rejects calls for longer licencing schemes

Government rejects calls for longer licencing schemes

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The Government has rejected calls for 10-year selective licensing schemes and insists that the government recognises the burden that licensing puts on landlords.

LATEST: Bank of England cuts base rate by 0.25%

LATEST: Bank of England cuts base rate by 0.25%

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The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 5% to 4.75%, providing some welcome cheer for landlords looking to invest and remortgage.

More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

More than 4 tenants on a tenancy agreement?

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Tenant Agreement: The Law of Property Act 1925 talks about having a maximum of 4 tenants on an agreement. So what to do when you have 5, 6 or more tenants sharing a house?There is a common misunderstanding of the rules here. Landlords and agents sometimes think or have heard

Is rent in advance a deposit?

Is rent in advance a deposit?

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Advance Rent: Piggot v Slaven and Johnson v. OldThere are two important cases which clarify (though not necessarily decisively) the position on landlords accepting rent payments in advance. One concerns the accepting of the final two months rent in advance, a common devi

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

Minimum EPC Rating for Rental Properties after 2018

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Following some confusion and debate about a deferral for the new standards following the MEES* deadline in April 2018, the new government has confirmed that changes to the EPC rules, preventing landlords from renting out homes below rating E, will definitely be introduced from April 2018.Accordin

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

Leasehold Repairs and Disputes

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Responsibility for Repairs: Who is responsible and who is obliged to pay for repairs to leasehold blocks and flats? What is the procedure if repairs are unnecessarily delayed or not carried out to the leaseholders satisfaction? What is the Section 20 procedure?T

How to do a rent review - Part 1

How to do a rent review - Part 1

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In 1978, I published a pamphlet "The Framework of Rent Review Clauses" which was given free publicity in leading law and property journals. In 1983, I published a 28-page booklet ' How to do a Rent Review; priced at �5 it was an instant hit and in a letter to me was described by Professor Joh

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

Returning Deposits when in breach of the rules'�

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Test Case Yeomans v Newell [2016]:When a landlord is in breach of the tenancy deposit rules he or she is prevented from serving a valid s21 notice for possession proceedings. Despite the fact that the tenancy deposit legislation has been in force since April 2007, landlords

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

Tenancy Deposits, Superstrike and the Deregulation Act

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Test Case: Superstrike Ltd v Marino. RodriguesThe case involved a landlord who had taken a deposit from the tenant before the deposit protection rules came into force in April 2007, since changed by the Deregulation Act 2015 see below. When the tenancy later became a st

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

Tenant's Liability to Pay Council Tax

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Test Case: Leeds City Council v Broadley [2016]This case and the subsequent High Court ruling has brought some clarification about who is liable to pay council tax, tenant or landlord, when a rental property is vacant due to a tenant vacating early, that is, before the tena

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

Tenant's Notice-to-Quit ' Periodic Tenancies

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Ending a Tenancy: What are the rules governing the ending of a statutory periodic tenancy (SPT) by the tenant, especially when the periods of the tenancy are not the standard 1 month?The answer to this question is not easily defined as it is not covered by one rule or a sing

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

mydeposits Issues Deposit Scam Warning

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Deposit Scheme Scam: Mydeposits says it is aware of a new scam being used by a fraudulent company imitating mydeposits and targeting landlords and letting agent members of the mydeposits Custodial scheme in England & Wales.The scam uses an email which imitates one from m

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

Landlords and Agents Reminded about Burst Pipes

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Freezing Pipes: This time of year, as we head towards colder weather and freezing conditions, buy-to-let properties and indeed all rental properties are vulnerable to potentially expensive winter water damageIn this article digital inventory app developer Imfuna Le

Rent-free period

Rent-free period

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Commercial Tenancies: The idea of the full repairing (including decorating) lease is that when the tenant yields up the premises on expiry of the contractual term, or sooner termination, the state of repair and condition that the premises are left in would be as envisaged in

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

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

Warnings about Gumtree advertised letting scams

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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

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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

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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

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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