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Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

Book Review: Carl Bayley’s book, Shelter your Family from the Taxman: How to Save Inheritance Tax

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Carl Bayley is the author of more than twenty ‘Plain English’ TaxCafe published tax guides designed for the layperson and the non-specialist

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

Expert sounds alarm over rent arrears court decision

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An expert has warned that a court's decision to allow tenants to challenge landlord-requested rental arrears deductions from their UC payments will see more landlords shun tenants in receipt of benefits.

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

Big East of England town rushes in anti-HMO rules

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Fenland Council has introduced an immediate Article 4 Direction before its consultation in a bid to clamp down on burgeoning HMOs in Wisbech.

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

Northern council heralds landlord fines of £1.38 million... so far!

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Landlords in County Durham have had to fork out fines totalling £1.38 million in the three years since selective licensing was introduced.

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

Dozens of new amendments proposed for Renters' Right Bill

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Peers have tabled amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill which, if approved, would shape the legislation into a version of the previous Renters’ Reform Bill.

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

'Chancellor must boost rental homes supply or risk economy'

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been warned that unless more rental properties are built her recent promise to ‘attract the best talent to the UK’ and boost economic growth will fall flat.

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

Build-to-rent giant celebrates as landlords exit student sector

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Private HMO landlords leaving the sector have created a shortage of student housing, according to Unite Students, which boasts that it can help fill the gap with purpose-built student accommodation.

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

Labour rejects new calls for rent controls

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The government has repeated its rejection of “heavy handed” rent controls despite pressure from peers in the House of Lords.

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

Northern city to clamp down on 'too many' HMOs

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Preston Council has proposed new powers to reject HMO applications amid fears that the city is already being over-run by shared homes.

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LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

LATEST: Government's annual housing benefit bill rises to �30 billion

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The government is expecting to spend and eye-watering �30 billion on housing benefit for tenants this year, DWP minister Will Quince has told parliament. This figure is �8-10 billion more than the Office for Budget Responsibility https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/tax-

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

BREAKING: 'Half of tenants would take out pet insurance against damage', says expert

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Half of all tenants who want to rent a home with their pet would be prepared to take out specialist insurance to cover their landlord against damage, a leading campaigner has revealed. Jennifer Berezai of AdvoCATS has researched an in-depth report into whether there is an appeti

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

Six month tenancy notice made permanent in Wales

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Legislation has been passed in Wales that extends the amount of notice landlords must give to their tenants, from the two month s21 period, to six months. The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill means (because notice cannot be served within the initial term) that the minimum

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

Leading private landlord moves entire portfolio to Ltd company and saves �10 million

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One of Britains biggest private landlords is encouraging others to follow his lead by shifting property from their own name into a company structure. In what is thought to be the countrys largest ever mortgage transaction, Alastair Kerr (pictured) has transferred ownership

Regaining possession of a commercial property

Regaining possession of a commercial property

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Landlords of commercial premises may consider it necessary to bring the lease to an end or to refuse to renew a lease. This course of action might be for a number of reasons: A tenant for example might not have a statutory right to a lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, the

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

MTD vs Self-Assessment Tax Returns - understanding the coming changes

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The big changes are in the submission frequency and digital submission process. Firstly, you will need to complete not one but five tax submissions per year � one every quar

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

BREAKING: Don't expect an extension to the electrical safety standards deadline, says ministry

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Landlords have been warned not to expect a grace period or extension to the deadline for properties to confirm to the new electrical safety standards. Originally, an https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guid

Average house price to rise by 17% over next ten years and to nearly �400,000 by 2050

Average house price to rise by 17% over next ten years and to nearly �400,000 by 2050

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The average UK house price could surge by 17% in the next decade, based on historical data from the past 40 years, and is set to reach �400,000 by 2050. Property buying firm Good Move has studied house prices in the UK since 1980 to predict what the market might look like in th

Cleaning is still the biggest cause of deposit disputes

Cleaning is still the biggest cause of deposit disputes

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What is a clean and tidy house to some is and unacceptably dirty mess to others; people have different standards and this will never change. Alternatively, some tenants are just too lazy to leave the place clean and tidy: dirty carpets and furniture, filthy bathrooms and toilets, and kitchen work

Rental market still 'running hot' says big lettings platform

Rental market still 'running hot' says big lettings platform

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Rents increased in February for only the second time in the last six years as the market continues to run hot.

Plans to end selective licencing 'concerning' say environmental health chiefs

Plans to end selective licencing 'concerning' say environmental health chiefs

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The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has voiced concern about a new property portal threatening the future of selective licensing.

Unusual rental ad sparks debate over 'lodgers'

Unusual rental ad sparks debate over 'lodgers'

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An advert on Spareroom.com has sparked a debate about the unusual nature of ‘lodgers’ versus ‘tenants’ after a family in London advertised for someone to look after their children, pay rent but only live there during the weekdays.

Rightmove: 'Help landlords pay for energy efficiency upgrades'

Rightmove: 'Help landlords pay for energy efficiency upgrades'

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Rightmove has called for more green home incentives for the private rented sector after its poll showed a big fall in landlords planning to make improvements to their properties.

Gove backs landlords and say he's 'listening to rebel MPs'

Gove backs landlords and say he's 'listening to rebel MPs'

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Michael Gove has voiced his support for landlords and insists he wants to make the Renters (Reform) Bill work for them.

Scots tenants told to confront landlords over rent rises

Scots tenants told to confront landlords over rent rises

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The Scottish government has urged tenants to tackle unfair tenancies before the emergency rent cap and additional evictions protections end on 31st March.

TV investigation warns landlords over title fraud by tenants

TV investigation warns landlords over title fraud by tenants

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Landlords have been warned by a TV programme to watch out for tenants who attempt to steal their properties via title fraud.

Councils call for eviction notice periods to be doubled to four months

Councils call for eviction notice periods to be doubled to four months

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Council leaders are the latest group to lobby Michael Gove over the Renters (Reform) Bill, urging him to extend notice periods for evictions from two to four months.

New amendments to Renters (Reform) Bill published by rebel MPs

New amendments to Renters (Reform) Bill published by rebel MPs

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The group of rebel Tory MPs backing moves to make significant changes to the Renters (Reform) Bill has today published its comprehensive list of amendments, along with the full names of the 49 MPs within the group (see list at end).

Report questions council's 'ringfencing' claim for landlord fees

Report questions council's 'ringfencing' claim for landlord fees

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A financial report has revealed Nottingham Council’s struggle to keep money raised from selective licensing ring-fenced.

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Major building society stops lending to holiday let investors

Major building society stops lending to holiday let investors

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Leeds Building Society has stopped lending to investors buying holiday lets in areas of North Norfolk and North Yorkshire in a bid to relieve pressure on local housing.

Lords to put letting agents' service quality under spotlight

Lords to put letting agents' service quality under spotlight

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The quality of service provided by letting agents to landlords is under the spotlight again after an influential group within the Lords revealed it is to probe into the sector.

Rebel Tory MPs 'working hard to have renting reform legislation changed'

Rebel Tory MPs 'working hard to have renting reform legislation changed'

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It has been confirmed over the weekend that a group of 49 ‘rebel’ Tory MPs are working hard have the Renters (Reform) Bill amended.

MPs given more details on holiday short-lets clampdown

MPs given more details on holiday short-lets clampdown

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MPs have been given more details of the Government’s plans to clamp down on holiday lets in tourism hotspots following Michael Gove’s announcement this week.

Few councils policing minimum EPC rules or issuing fines

Few councils policing minimum EPC rules or issuing fines

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Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) are not being enforced by overstretched councils who cannot keep any income they make from fines imposed for breaches.

HMRC's digital tax reporting scheme to cost landlords £460

HMRC's digital tax reporting scheme to cost landlords £460

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Landlords will have to fork out an extra £460 to use the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment system.