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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has warned the government that renter reforms would still allow landlords to make “excessive profits” unless rent controls are introduced.
Councillors in Worcester have agreed to extend the city’s additional licensing scheme for another five years.
A prolific fraudster has admitted scamming numerous would-be tenants out of hundreds of pounds.
The NRLA has warned of potentially devastating consequences for the PRS unless the House of Lords approves new amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The use of ‘rent in advance’ is widespread among landlords in the UK, the leader of a coalition of tenants’ rights groups has claimed
It’s a mixed picture in the UK property markets - UK rents fall for first time in five years, house sales rise and commercial recovery property stalls
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has urged flat owners to check assessors’ credentials after a fire engineer was sanctioned by the Institution of Fire Engineers for unprofessional conduct.
Letting agents have warned Westminster Council that its plan to ban advertising boards outside landlords' properties borough-wide could cause delays for renters.
Rightmove says the average rent in the UK now eats up 50% of the net income of those living within the private rented sector where the monthly rent per property is now £1,526.
A straw poll of building surveyors, recovery experts, private landlords, investors and developers has found that the vast majority deem the government’s EPC C target by 2030 as impossible to meet.
A landlord has been handed a £5,000 fine after persistently ignoring requests to carry out improvement works on his property – despite being a builder.
EPCs to be upgraded with a new method of assessment, the new "Home Energy Model", later this year
A tech firm is being sued by the US government for allowing landlords in America to increase rents and stifle competition.
Landlords can get free or subsidised advice on eco upgrades from a raft of new government-funded schemes that are now up and running across England.
A landlord in Northern Ireland has been handed a jail sentence of two months suspended for two years.
Access to low-cost private rented housing across England has become nearly impossible for ‘bottom of the market’ people living in homelessness accommodation and services, according to new research.
Most landlords don’t use the agent they bought the property from to rent it out – and are increasingly likely not to market it as a long-term tenancy.
New research has shown a huge increase in tenants challenging rent increases in Scotland since an updated procedure was introduced on 1st April.
Investing in buy-to-let properties is akin to launching a business, requiring not just capital but also a robust network of professional advisors to navigate the complexities involved.
A leading private rented sector figure has called on both the Scottish and English governments to embrace landlords as part of the solution to problem within both countries housing markets.
Our award-winning Training Academy is set to expand its offer this summer, launching bespoke training courses for social housing providers.
One of the largest letting agencies in Scotland has warned within a new report that the SNP’s continued efforts to introduce tougher rent controls will have a ‘disastrous’ impact on an already struggling private rented sector.
A council in Surrey is getting reading to restrict landlords seeking to convert houses into small HMOs next year.
London’s super-luxe landlords have seen a big boom in £25,000-a-week rentals as taxation fears have prompted the wealthy to rent rather than buy.
Three of the top five landlords in parliament are now Labour MPs, including the biggest landlord, new MP Jas Athwal.
A property dealer who was involved in dealings with a controversial property investment company, Home Reit, has been ordered by a court to pay £700,000 to an intermediary.
A mandatory short-lets registration scheme and tougher planning laws look set to take effect soon in England.
A landlord firm which tried to argue that its agent was responsible for failing to organise an additional HMO licence has been handed a £19,753 rent repayment order.
A holiday lets platform used by thousands of landlords to generate income has come under fire over ‘ghost’ properties.
There is some uncertainty to what it actually means in practice until the details are written down but could the proposed hardship test mean even if your tenants won’t pay their rent, you will not be able to evict them if that makes them homeless or financially disadvantaged?
North Yorkshire Council has adopted a new housing enforcement policy to ensure all private rental properties across the county are up to scratch, the first time this has happened.
A tenant accused of murdering her landlord and stabbing his cat to death has been remanded in custody.
A property raffle has just handed out another £500,000 to a lucky winner to buy their dream house.
Hackney Council has been called out for continuing to process additional and selective landlord licence applications five months after both schemes ended.
