Date

Library

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

'Court reform delays mean binnng Section 21 must be reconsidered'

'Court reform delays mean binnng Section 21 must be reconsidered'

News

The Government has delayed its already-announced reforms of the courts, making it even less likely that the UK’s County Courts will be ready to take on the extra work created by banning Section 21 evictions, it has been claimed.

Rebel MPs on brink of 'pro-landlord' changes to reform bill

Rebel MPs on brink of 'pro-landlord' changes to reform bill

News

The Government has taken on board a list of changes to the Renters (Reform) Bill requested by some 50 rebel Tory MPs, it has been reported

BLOG: When landlords talk to their MPs, politicians listen

BLOG: When landlords talk to their MPs, politicians listen

Opinion

The anticipation surrounding the Renters (Reform) Bill has remained a constant topic recently, with discussions over the timing of the abolition of Section 21 constantly fluctuating.

Minister admits 'errors' within identity system for overseas tenants

Minister admits 'errors' within identity system for overseas tenants

News

The Government has admitted that the issuing of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), which are used by non-UK citizens to prove they have a right to rent properties, has been taking too long.

Landord fined £1.4m and has rental property confiscated

Landord fined £1.4m and has rental property confiscated

News

An absentee landlord has been stung with a £1.44 million penalty after he continually broke planning rules in a decade-long stand-off with Ealing Council.

Report urges Labour to spend £11.8bn on affordable rented homes

Report urges Labour to spend £11.8bn on affordable rented homes

News

Building 90,000 social homes a year will end the housing emergency and pay for itself within three years due to the wider economic benefits, according to a study by Shelter and the National Housing Federation.

ADVICE: How to deal with tenants who fake tenancy applications

ADVICE: How to deal with tenants who fake tenancy applications

Information

Tom Entwistle passes on some thoughts on dealing with tenant selection and securing a good tenant-letting in the current economic climate

Council chases former landlord for tenant's 20-year tax debt

Council chases former landlord for tenant's 20-year tax debt

News

A former landlord has been ordered to pay a council tax demand dating back nearly 20 years.

Landlord pays heavy price for ignoring Improvement Order

Landlord pays heavy price for ignoring Improvement Order

News

A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £9,000 for ignoring notices to improve his dangerous property.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Government reveals wide-ranging plans to overhaul EPCs

Government reveals wide-ranging plans to overhaul EPCs

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Sponsored
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

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.

Airbnb boss reveals plans to go into longer-term property rentals

Airbnb boss reveals plans to go into longer-term property rentals

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords may soon be able to rent their homes out via Airbnb to more than just holiday makers, its co-founder has revealed.

North East landlords' meet to help landlords 'weather the storm'

North East landlords' meet to help landlords 'weather the storm'

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

TV star and evictions expert Paul Shamplina is due to give landlords advice on how Labour’s looming and significant changes to the way homes are rented in England and Wales will impact them at an event on Thursday, September 26th.

Landlord couple who ignored HMO rules fined £18,000 by court

Landlord couple who ignored HMO rules fined £18,000 by court

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A landlord couple who ignored requests from the local authority and Planning Inspectorate to stop using their property as an HMO have been fined £18,000.

Miliband says rented homes under EPC minimum 'C' will be banned

Miliband says rented homes under EPC minimum 'C' will be banned

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Ed Miliband, Labour’s Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, has told the party’s annual conference that landlords will have to upgrade their homes to a minimum EPC ‘C’ rating by 2030 or be unable to rent their properties legally.

'Renting reforms and EPC upgrades will push out benefits landlords'

'Renting reforms and EPC upgrades will push out benefits landlords'

News
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

A benefits landlord has voiced fears that new laws and standards in the PRS will force her -and others like her - to stop renting to social tenants.

Renting to a 17 year old

Renting to a 17 year old

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

What are the implications of renting to a 17 year old or someone who is under the age of 18? We have an application from a 17-year old that is keen to rent but Im not sure this would be legal?</h2> Many landlords and housing providers would be concerned and therefore refuse to let to

Rent Review

Rent Review

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Question - Rent Review - my landlord is asking for far more rent than I expected on review. Am I obliged to pay this?Answer - Commercial leases are contractual - the parties agree to and are bound by its clauses and that includes rent review provisions.The rent review process is a way of periodic

Re-selling Energy

Re-selling Energy

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Re-selling Energy - As a landlord am I able to make a profit by re-selling electricity or gas?</h2>Resale of Gas and ElectricityThe maximum amount that Residential Landlords or resellers� are permitted to charge for gas or electricity is the amount they

Providing a Reference

Providing a Reference

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Providing a Reference - I have been asked to provide a reference for one of my tenants who is moving on. What is my legal position in this and am I putting myself at risk if I say he was a bad tenant?</h2> Referencing (seeking verification of a tenants past performance) is an increasi

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles - is it legal to have these tiles in the kitchen of a rental property?</h2> There are currently no regulations specifically banning the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles in existing rented property.However, it is unlikely that local authority fire officers and en

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Misrepresentation - We recently rented out our rural cottage to a couple. As they wanted to use their computers I said it was possible to get high-speed broad-band. I thought this would be possible but it seems it is not at this time. The couple are now claiming that I misled them and that

Mail for Previous Tenants

Mail for Previous Tenants

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

I'm receiving mail for previous tenants and some of them are from debt collectors. Will this get my property black listed and cause problems for my current tenants and myself in the future?</h2> It's fairly common to have mail arriving for months and even years after residents have left,

Long Term AST

Long Term AST

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Long Term AST - My prospective tenant has asked for a tenancy term of 6 years. Can I use the usual Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement for this?</h2> The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the default tenancy for residential lettings and since October 2010 this applies to rents up to �100,000

Lodgers Limits

Lodgers Limits

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 planning implications ?</h2> There are several parts of legislation in England and Wales that affect this question. Perhaps four main ones apply: Health &amp; Safety (HHSRS), HMO, Over

How long should accounts be kept

How long should accounts be kept

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Question: How long should accounts be kept to satisfy the authorities, things like accounting files, invoices and tax records, as a property landlord?Answer: You must keep your records for 6 years after the tax year to which they apply, whether or not you complete a tax return.It's a good idea, a

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

Expiry of Section 21 Notice

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Expiry of Section 21 Notice - I have served a Section 21 (s21) Notice on my tenant but don't wish to start proceedings immediately. Can I wait without the notice expiring?Once a Section 21 notice has been served correctly it continues indefinitely, until such time as the tenancy is ended, either

Covenant and Covenant Strength

Covenant and Covenant Strength

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Covenant and Covenant Strength - What is a legal covenant and what is the significance of the terms in relation to rental property and lettings ?</h2>The term covenant can have several meanings and has biblical origins but it is of particulalry significance

10 year lease

10 year lease

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

2 years ago I purchased a company with a 10 year lease from my ex boss, on a 10 year lease, the lease was set up by a solicitor. After 2 years the business is struggling and is not viable. I feel that my solicitor ill advised me as there was no break clause mentioned. Where do I stand on t

Uncollected Goods

Uncollected Goods

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Good Left in the Premises or Uncollected GoodsFrequently, tenants leave goods after their tenancy has concluded or when they have abandon the premises during a tenancy. Uncollected goods and possessions left or abandoned in premises by tenants can pose a real problem for landlords.

Standing Order

Standing Order

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

<h1 Standing Order</h1>What are Bankers' Standing Orders?</h3><ul <li Standing Orders allow landlords to automate the process of collecting rents</li> <li They safeguard tenants in that the landlord cannot change the payment amount, as is the case with direct debit

Section 8 Procedure

Section 8 Procedure

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

The Possession Procedure - 1988 Housing ActThe possession procedure under Section 8 of the Housing Acts 1988 &amp; 1996 is known as the Section 8 Route and is available to landlords where the tenant is in breach of one or more terms of

Renting Business Premises

Renting Business Premises

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Renting or Leasing Commercial Property Renting commercial property usually represents a major part of the operating costs involved in running any business. If you include surveyor's and solicitor's fees, rent, business rates, insurance,

License Agreement

License Agreement

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Types of Tenure: A tenancy gives the tenant a legal interest in the land and property - in effect, legal ownership for the period of the tenancy. Tenancies can take several forms: <ul <li Rent Act or Regulated Tenancies - pre </li> <li

Joint or Single Tenancies

Joint or Single Tenancies

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

<h1 Joint or Single Shared Tenancies</h1>Shared House (Joint Tenants) or Individual Rooms (Single Tenants)? Where a landlord lets to multiple and usually unrelated tenants there are two main ways of doing this:(1) As a Joint Tenancyng

Common Law Tenancies

Common Law Tenancies

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

These are tenancies that fall outside the scope of the Housing Acts (1988, 1996, 2004), including the Regulated Tenancies, Assured Tenancies (AT) and Assured Shorthold Tenancies ASTs.In the case of a common law residential tenancy , the tenant's rights and obligations are ma

Business Tenancies

Business Tenancies

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

What are Business Tenancies ?A tenancy is an "estate in land", granted for a determined period of time (term of years or fixed term - 6 months,1 year, 21 years, 99 years etc) or a specific period (a periodic tenancy - yearly, monthly, weekly, even daily).In return for the "time lim

Gas Safety

Gas Safety

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlord's Duty to Ensure Installations are SafeAll Landlords have a common law duty to ensure that gas installations and appliances supplied with their properties are safe. Tenants also have certain legal obligations when it comes to gas safety - see below.I

Gas & Electrical Certificates

Gas & Electrical Certificates

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Landlords' Gas and Electrical Safety Certificates:As a landlord, or as a letting agent acting on the landlord's behalf, you have a legal obligation to ensure that your accommodation is completely safe for your tenants.Several statutory regulations and general common law requirement

Furnished or Unfurnished

Furnished or Unfurnished

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

Letting and residential property fully furnished, part-furnished or unfurnished in England &amp; Wales no longer has any implications regarding security of tenure for the tenant or for taxation. However, Council Tax and the 10% Depreciation Allowance may be affected - you don't pay Council Tax du

Fire Certificate

Fire Certificate

Information
News
Podcast
Opinion
Sponsored
Information

What was the Fire Certificate is no longer required as it was previously under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 for hotels, boarding houses, factories, offices, shops and railway premises. All these premises must comply with Fire Regulations, now covered by t