Hello, why doesn’t compliance with Building Regs in 2020 automatically result in an EPC C rating? I converted a derelict Mixed Use building in Hastings into four new flats which involved a complete strip out including new floors and internal walls, double-glazed windows, UFH etc. Plans were approved in 2017 and the flats were signed […]

Kings Counsel has confirmed the correctness of our approach to incorporation. Why we have only published a holding response to Dan Neidle’s articles (until now!) Given the extremely damaging nature of Mr Neidle’s article, and the distress it has caused to our existing clients and their trusted advisors, we knew we needed to seek professional […]

The Government has promised to speed up the court process for landlords who want to evict their tenants as part of the proposed Renters (Reform) Bill. The bill, which will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, was discussed by Housing Minister Rachel Maclean at a Conservative Party conference event. The event, hosted by the think tank […]

A Welsh government consultation presents plans to create an independent unified court system. The proposals by the Welsh government set out plans to consolidate nine devolved tribunals into a single coherent system which includes both First-Tier and Appeal tribunals. The Welsh government say the court reforms are intended to create a structure that is easier […]

Renters in London and the South East saw record-breaking rent rises in September, one rental index reveals. According to Goodlord, the average rent in England was £1,346.28 last month, a slight decrease of 91p from August. However, this figure masks the regional variations that occurred during the month. London and the South East were the […]

Hello, I need some advice from Property118 readers. I don’t want to come across as the evil landlord here but…… 1. A tenant died the day the rent was due 2. Police were called because friends hadn’t heard from the tenant The police turned up and kicked the front door in breaking not only the […]

The Housing Minister Rachel Maclean has insisted that not all tenants are ‘bad people’ who are in gangs or smoke weed as she championed the abolition of section 21 as part of the Renters (Reform) Bill. Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference on Monday night, Ms Maclean said the Renters (Reform) […]

Hello, I am looking for some advice from Property118 readers. A tenant left without serving a notice, which was required in the AST. My question is: Can I claim the deduction from their deposit for the rent they are still liable for? I did find a new tenant shortly later to move in. Am I […]

Last week the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to scrap energy-efficiency targets for landlords – showing, one organisation says – that the Conservatives are on the side of landlords rather than renters. However, with the prospect of landlords of not having to spend thousands of pounds to get their properties to EPC C standard, […]

One district council is offering incentives to landlords to help Ukrainians find privately rented homes. South Cambridgeshire district council is offering payments of more than £4,000 to landlords to help Ukrainians find affordable accommodation. The scheme will provide private landlords with an incentive payment for offering a tenancy at either market rent or local housing […]

Landlords and tenants in Scotland are being urged to have their say in a consultation on a number of proposals including rent controls. The Scottish government say the proposals aim to improve the way the private rented sector operates. The consultation is open until the 29th October 2023. Scottish ministers would have the final say […]

Michael Gove has revealed plans for the next reading of the Renters’ Reform Bill. In a speech last night to the Centre for Policy Studies forum and a Shelter evening reception the Housing Secretary seemed to confirm that the next reading will take place this Autumn. He did not specify a date but as the […]

The updated ‘How to rent guide’ has been published and includes the latest advice for landlords and tenants on renting a property in England. The latest guide must be handed to tenants before they move in because failing to do so might invalidate a Section 21 notice. This is the second update to the guide […]

House prices remain unchanged in September, but remain down 5.3% year on year, Nationwide reports. Nationwide’s House Price Index found that house prices in London declined by 3.8% year-on-year to £514,325 in the third quarter of 2023. The South West was the weakest performing region, with prices down 6.3% year on year. Challenging picture for […]

Hello, two years ago we completely renovated my partner’s home before offering it up to rent through a full management letting agent. Recently, following a failed gas boiler safety check, we arranged for our gas engineer to fit a new boiler. After his visit, he warned us the property was in a terrible state with […]

Hello, please could I get some advice regarding how to report this? I rent 3 rooms out in a house. I have been recently informed by an existing tenant that an ex-tenant who used to live at my house back in 2019 still uses my address with her GP. She has moved away to another […]

Bristol is the most sought-after location for homebuyers in England, according to the latest homebuyer demand index by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk. The index, which measures the ratio of total for sale stock that has already been sold subject to contract (SSTC) or marked as under offer, shows that 61.1% of all homes listed […]

Fleet Mortgages has announced a significant reduction in rates for all five-year fixed-rate products across its three core ranges: standard, limited company, and HMO/multi-unit block. The buy to let specialist lender says the move is expected to benefit borrowers seeking long-term stability and competitive rates. The rate cuts are as follows: Standard/limited company borrowers: Five-year […]

We are aware of a series of publications by Dan Neidle of Tax Policy Associates Limited to his website and his social media channels since 13 September 2023. Our solicitors have sought advice from an independent Tier 1 Tax King’s Counsel to confirm the correctness of our approach. We anticipate making a summary of this […]

So, we are into the party political conference season and it is apparent that the private rented sector (PRS) is not going to be discussed – even though the country is facing a ‘housing emergency’. And rather than offer up a political manifesto of what landlords want – knowing that politicians will simply ignore it […]

Hello, we had a tenant vacate our property on August 31st and a new tenant moving in on 2nd October, so empty for a month. The council gives a 100% discount for council tax for one month only for an empty unfurnished property. My issue is the tenant informed the council a month prior to […]