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TENANTS COULD LOSE OUT ON HALF A MILLION PROPERTIES AS LANDLORDS EXIT THE MARKET TO OFFER SHORT-TERM LETS
Nearly 50,000 properties already unavailable for long-term tenants Two-fifths switching from long-term to short-term lets due to burdensome legislation ARLA Propertymark launches a report analysing the scale of the short-term lets sector and outlining recommendations to limit its impact on the private rented sector Nearly half a million properties could be left unavailable for residents…
Switching energy suppliers
Most landlords think they have a right to impose their wishes on new tenants with regard to staying with existing suppliers. Nothing could be further from the truth; as the tenants paying the energy bills, in their name, they have the power to switch suppliers. If market research has been undertaken and the tenants have…
Flooding can be a real burden
Having a property flooded can be devastating, yet according to the Environment Agency, around 5.2 million homes and businesses in England are at risk; with severe flood warnings increasing year on year since 2013. It is not just rivers and the sea that pose the problem, rising groundwater and overwhelmed drains and sewers can also…
Mandatory Client Money Protection
The Property Agents Regulations 2018 mean it will be a legal requirement for estate agents to be a part of an approved Client Money Protection (CMP) Scheme by 1st April 2019. Letting agents will have to: Belong to a Government Approved CMP Scheme. Display a Certificate confirming agents` membership to an approved CMP…
Japanese Knotweed a Real Bind!
Once considered a Victorian ornamental plant and introduced in the 1850s from Japan; it has now become one of the most invasive plants in certain parts of the country and none more so than the South West. Grown originally for its purple asparagus like spring shoots and ornamental foliage; the plants reach heights of…
Reasons for a Deposit Dispute
In a recent survey by the TDS, the following were highlighted as being the main reasons for an end of tenancy dispute: Cleaning Damage Redecoration Rent arrears Gardening It is interesting to note that rent arrears is not in the top three! Cleaning and damage are by far the most important and with…
Using an Agent – Check your Options!
Like most things in life, you pay for what you get! Owning and renting a property is a major expenditure and if you do not want to do it yourself, then choosing an agent can be a challenge. Going for the cheapest might seem like the simple answer because what can go wrong? The answer…
What is Excess Cold?
Out of the 29 identified risk categories under HHSRS (Housing Health Safety Rating System) this is one of the most important. A large number of properties achieve high scores in this hazard profile and it is poor heating that is believed to be a significant cause of death in the winter months. EHOs (Environmental Health…
Why do I need a deposit clause in my Agreement?
i) The simple answer is that everything these days has to be clearly stated and understood. As the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) Agreement is the rock around which the landlord and the tenant`s legal rights and responsibilities are established, it is fundamentally important that from the start the tenant understands what the deposit may be…
Gardens – What`s my Responsibility?
Landlords need to be very clear in their own mind about the garden and relay onto the tenant what exactly is expected – who is responsible for what and which parts, or all of the outside. In order to avoid problems at the tenancy end and specifically deposit disputes, it is best practice to detail…
Landlords – Have you seen the new “How to Rent Guide”?
The Government has just issued a new version of the “How to Rent Guide”, dated June 2018. Do make sure that any new tenancy agreement or renewal has this version issued with it; otherwise under the Deregulation Act 2015, you will be unable to issue a valid Section 21 Notice at a future date. Non-compliance…
What is the new MOT style change to Gas Certification?
There was a gas safety update which came in to force from 6th April 2018, these are the (The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) – GSIU Regs). Landlords can now carry out annual gas safety checks in the two months before the due date and retain the existing expiry date so they are not losing…