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Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2019
This Act comes into law on 20th March 2019 and has the potential to radically alter the responsibility of landlords to both their properties and tenants. Running in parallel with the HHSRS (Housing Health Safety Rating System), the Act looks at making a property more suitable and comfortable for a tenant to occupy, as…
Gas Safety Certificates
A little known case – Caridon Property Limited v Monty Shooltz – is causing potential shockwaves around the exact date of service of a current gas certificate to new tenants. The previous acknowledged route was to make sure the tenant was given a valid gas certificate by and often at the start of the tenancy when signing the legal paperwork. This…
Tenants – what do you need to check before deciding?
There are various basic things to check as a tenant to make sure you have all of the correct information to make a properly balanced decision that should enable you to stay for a secure and safe tenancy: The length of tenancy – make sure of the landlords intentions but bear in mind…
Running a business
Whilst it is legal to run a business from a residential property, when renting it will depend hugely on the type of property, its location and the landlord’s permission being granted. The type of property will primarily relate to room sizes and number of ground floor rooms, so that there is no overcrowding…
Redecoration – who does it?
A thorny question at the start of a tenancy; although the tenants have taken the property as seen, on moving in they might decide that the décor is not as good as it first appeared or the colour doesn’t suit their wishes. If the decoration is tired at the end of the last tenancy,…
Which type of landlord are you?
It is fair to say, in the coming months we are going to see some unprecedented changes in the Private Rental Sector (PRS) and the changes will be coming close together, forcing landlords to make difficult choices over future lettings. We know the demographics indicate a strong rental market over the next 20 years, but…
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…
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…