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Major housebuilder switches to renting, not selling homes

Major housebuilder switches to renting, not selling homes

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Housebuilder Berkeley has announced its ambition to become a big player in the build-to-rent market amid sluggish demand from buyers.

Rent controls do not work and never will, expert warns Labour

Rent controls do not work and never will, expert warns Labour

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Rent controls are a potential bombshell in Labour’s manifesto that could have unintended consequences, according to one property expert.

8 essential things for prospective landlords to consider before purchasing a buy-to-let

8 essential things for prospective landlords to consider before purchasing a buy-to-let

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It's essential to ensure that property is the right investment vehicle for you and to choose a property and type of let that aligns with your financial objectives.

Three steps to auction finance success

Three steps to auction finance success

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When it comes toauction finance, several factors help to ensure a successful purchase. Read onfor expert advice and top tips on the legal process, lender outlook, andmortgage rate insights.

NEW: Labour launches broadside against bad landlords and 'vested interests'

NEW: Labour launches broadside against bad landlords and 'vested interests'

News

Labour has launched a broadside against bad landlords as it adds more flesh to its manifesto bone in a bid to win the ‘renter vote’.

Scots and English Labour disagree publicly over rent controls

Scots and English Labour disagree publicly over rent controls

News

Scottish Labour have promised that their new MPs will push for rent controls, despite the national party coming out against them.

INSIGHT: Will lower inflation see mortgage rates drop for landlords?

INSIGHT: Will lower inflation see mortgage rates drop for landlords?

News

Landlords will have to wait a few more months for any real mortgage rate relief, despite today’s fall in inflation to 2%, experts tell LandlordZONE

After disastrous rent controls, SNP goes quiet on landlords

After disastrous rent controls, SNP goes quiet on landlords

News

The SNP has published its manifesto in the run-up to next month’s general election – but renters and landlords barely get a look in.

'Rookie landlords now more at risk from selective licencing'

'Rookie landlords now more at risk from selective licencing'

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A leading law firm has warned that newbie landlords are at risk of ‘significant consequences’ because many are unaware that selective licencing is spreading rapidly across most urban areas of the UK.

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Landlord loses appeal over big rent repayment order

Landlord loses appeal over big rent repayment order

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A landlord has lost his legal battle to challenge a £12,600 rent repayment order after he tried to illegally evict two former tenants.

Landlords: 7 things you must do to survive the Renters’ Rights Bill onslaught

Landlords: 7 things you must do to survive the Renters’ Rights Bill onslaught

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Here are 6 things you must do to survive the Renters’ Rights Bill onslaught...

'Looming tenancy reforms will make rent-to-rent agreements much riskier'

'Looming tenancy reforms will make rent-to-rent agreements much riskier'

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Rent-to-rent agreements will carry even greater risk when Labour’s assured shorthold tenancies come into force with the Renters’ Rights Bill, explains a top property lawyer.

Labour's bidding wars ban 'noble but misplaced' says NRLA

Labour's bidding wars ban 'noble but misplaced' says NRLA

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NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle believes the impending ban on bidding wars could mean landlords will simply charge higher asking rents.

Labour to fund EPC upgrade work on rented homes up to £30,000

Labour to fund EPC upgrade work on rented homes up to £30,000

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Labour has revealed plans to fund the upgrade of rented properties to meet its 2030 plan to have all rented homes reach an EPC band C or above.

Government reveals wide-ranging plans to overhaul EPCs

Government reveals wide-ranging plans to overhaul EPCs

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The Government has committed to an overhaul of both Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and the MEES system that underpins them, it has been announced.

I’m Selling 35 Homes’: Landlords Struggling, but Public Says 'Good Riddance.

I’m Selling 35 Homes’: Landlords Struggling, but Public Says 'Good Riddance.

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I never expected my recent interview with The Telegraph to “go viral” when I spoke to them explaining why so many landlords are feeling the pinch and exiting the market.

Labour's eviction reforms send 'wrong message to rent dodgers'

Labour's eviction reforms send 'wrong message to rent dodgers'

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Labour’s pledge to introduce more robust possession grounds is factually incorrect and sends the wrong message to rent dodgers, says NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle.

NEW: Landlords with public workplace pensions 'backing BTR'

NEW: Landlords with public workplace pensions 'backing BTR'

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Nest - the public body that runs workplace pension schemes - is investing £350 million in build-to-rent (BTR), meaning that some landlords’ pensions are effectively funding competitors.

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

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

Tax Deductible Letting Expenses

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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

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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

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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