Government pledges bailiff reforms as court delays persist

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 06/08/2026 – 12:42
They could be however I would be very reluctant and we always provide the legal information to the Guarantor prior to signing the deed. We visit the Guarantor in their home for the signature and have the deed witnessed by an independent person and need to see title deeds of their home in the event we need to put a charge on the property if it ever gets sold. Without sounding rude are you new to being a landlord??

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 06/08/2026 – 13:06
No, I have twenty five years of experience of being a landlord, but I’m a small portfolio landlord. I actually run a small business (so I know more about personal data protection than I do about the courts).

The reason I am on here is like the majority of small landlords I try to find out the things that are going to catch me out BEFORE they catch me out. And so if I ask a question of somebody who probably owns more properties than I do, has experience of Money Claims Online, the bailiff service, the courts etc. that I do not have, what I hope is somebody will answer and (a) help me avoid problems in future (b) help other small landlords to avoid a problem.

I have known employers who would underwrite or guarantee a mortgage in the past and so that is why I wondered whether there is any possibility of an employer acting as a guarantor, and if so, how would this work.

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 06/08/2026 – 13:12
I am a sole trader Letting Agent managing over 200 properties for multiple landlords / landladies for their residential properties. I have studied with the Charted Institute of Housing to practitioner level and the NRLA and gained level 3 in the new renters right act 2026. I have always found that my practices are water tight and although we may serve a notice to vacate the legal process of courts we pass onto the solicitors. The solicitors we use are always happy with our paperwork as we have everything signed and sealed. Maybe consider taking a course on the eviction process via a creditable company.

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 06/08/2026 – 13:38
That’s a helpful suggestion. Although if I keep asking questions then by the time I need them I may already have found the answers on this site for pulling together later on, and so may other small landlords. I wouldn’t initially have thought of the relevance of asking for the national insurance number without asking a relevant question for example.

On employers, although I run a small business many years ago I used to work for some very big ones. At the moment because of Rachel Reeves changes I know of some large businesses that are carrying out a cull of staff….draconian changes….as a direct response to the effects of the last two disastrous labour budgets. I have experienced this years ago when a large employer got rid of 90% of its staff and relocated 10% of us (including me) because it needed to keep us. In order to be able to keep us it offered mortgage equalisation because we were relocating to an area where houses were more expensive.

The last two or three salary slips might give you NI number and employer details, but tell you almost nothing about an employee, because that employer might undertake a cull in four months time: The last two tax returns or self-employment tax returns tell you far more about the employee or potential tenant. But if an employer is prepared to underwrite a mortgage or guarantee rent for an employee that tells you three things:

1. A lot more about the current EMPLOYER and how reliable that employer is.
2. That the employer really wants to keep that employee and it is likely the employee will be able to pay rent.
3. This is a really valuable employee who is likely to get another job if he or she loses the present one.

And for that reason I wonder whether there is any value in considering an employer as a guarantor. Of course, just because there’s a guarantee it does not follow that the employer will pay the bill. Because of Rachel Reeves last two budgets I know of some retail outlets that are taking 12 months or more of credit from some suppliers, and as a small business owner I have also experienced customers take more than a year to pay an invoice, despite being chased.

But this is the reason why I wonder whether there is some value in an employer being able to be a guarantor and if so, how that could be made to work, as this would benefit BOTH the landlord and the employee.

PS: Just in case you are wondering, if an employer PAYS employee rent then that is a PAYE benefit in kind (except in certain very specific circumstances where an employee must work from a given location). But if an employer GUARANTEES employee rent this does not increase either the employer tax bill, or the employee tax bill, as long as the employee keeps working. And so, especially in the present environment, you have to wonder how valuable having an employer as a guarantor might be.

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 06/08/2026 – 13:06
You sound like someone I need! I am presently with the managing agency endorsed by this web site and I understand the founding member has half ownership. Over the past year or so I have struggled endlessly to get my rental paid over, no tenant inspections have been done and maintenance issues are a struggle and very expensive. They appear to be in financial straits and the CEO is evasive. Reviews on Trustpilot and Allagents are a replica of my concerns and yes I have lodged a complaint with the relevant ombudsman. Please tell me you operate in Greenwich.

Hi
Sorry not in your area, I am in Barrow in Furness
Cumbria.
Look for smaller family or sole traders running leeting agencies in your area I find that they are more committed .
I have my own business and have done for the last 15 years and never had a dissatisfied client.

Reply to the comment left by Sheralyne Stamp at 07/08/2026 – 21:50
Thank you for your advice. It’s difficult being an investor in London property if you live in South Africa and have to hand your investment over for a full management service that does not perform. I will search for a company that meets your criteria but certainly welcome advice from other landlords who are happy with a London based agency.