Library
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…
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…
Inventory – No Need!
Landlords and Agents beware; in this time when taking deposits is coming under scrutiny; especially with a growing number of Deposit Insurance backed schemes available; inventories still remain one of the most important assets you have to protect your property and should not be ignored. A recent case highlighted that an absentee landlord had let a property…
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…
Landlords call for support to improve energy efficiency of rented homes
A further worry for landlords with Energy Performance Certificates below E, unless holding an Exemption Certificate. They face a real financial crunch unless the government help out with other accessible forms of energy efficiency grants. Read the full article here
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…
MEES Part 1
Hi, it’s Phil from Sunshine. Just wanted to talk to you and make sure that you fully understand the meaning of MEES, minimum energy efficiency standards. It came out of the energy efficiency private rental property England and Wales regulations ’15. Quite a mouthful. So it’s been around for some time. It comes into effect…
MEES Part 3
Its Phil again, third part, last in the series MEES, minimum energy efficiency standards. So the five exemptions that can apply if you get on the exemption register. Firstly as we mentioned previously if as a landlord you have undertaken all relevant and available energy efficiency improvements, listed in the Green Deal and identified as…
Smoke Alarms
Hi, it’s Phil from Sunshine. I’d like to talk to you about smoke alarms. Given we’re in winter, there are three types of smoke alarm you need to be aware of. There’s the hardwired with battery backup, which was introduced into all new properties built since 1996. There is the sealed unit with a 10…