Labour cracks down on landlords forcing them to rent out empty properties

Reply to the comment left by Jim K at 18/12/2024 – 11:05
They will auction them. Same principle as new powers given to them to get high street commercial property back in use.

I would remind all commenters – especially ‘Dismayed Landlord’ – this is a public forum. Our enemies will read what you say and use quotes from landlords to support actions to attack us. You can unwittingly fuel the fire of landlord haters.
This is not a rant down the pub scenario.

Take over temporarily is the worrying word.

If compulsory purchase at market price that would be great for many wanting to get out of the PRS.

No agents fees, possibly no legal fees if solely carried out with a sales contract and TR1.

I am not the slightest bit worried about this proposal, little will come of it. There will allways be a way round any proposal that is implemented.. Just put the property up for sale -they can’t do much about that and there won’t be any compulsory purchases.

No such thing as a vacant rental property per se. (unless it has a specific planning consent such as C4 HMO use).

A dwelling house is normally under C3 classification and unless there has been a so called Article 4 Directive applied in the area can move from single family dwelling (either owner occupied or rented out) to small HMO or holiday letting.

When the tenants leave it is basically an empty house that could be rented as a family home or put to other uses (with a minimum of owner occupation) without any planning permission.

The fact that Labour are talking in this arrogant manner (I don’t have a problem with them having reasonable powers to attempt to get empty property into use) and yet again managing to conflate landlords with yet another problem just shows what they really think of us.

Long term empty properties are rarely owned by true landlords in any case – normal business minded people would either do something with it or sell if it was surplus to requirements. The only exception would be if Labour were putting policies in place which would result in a mass refusal to accept new tenants (which seems likely in many cases) but the market conditions meant landlords considered waiting for the overhang of unsold properties to clear to get a fair sale price.

Reply to the comment left by John Dace at 21/12/2024 – 09:56
The enemies of landlords are in full attack mode anyway so self censoring yourself won’t do the job.
Small landlords need to look at alternative investments like physical gold,silver and cryptocurrency mining after thorough due diligence.
People who are still wanting to be small landlords need to look at Garland Texas via a suitable management company and brass plate entity.
Then take money in the form of expenses.

Reply to the comment left by John Gelmini at 18/01/2025 – 13:18
The enemy clearly being you, good luck going broke fast.

Just put it up for sale, you don’t have to accept any offers – can’t do anything then.