This question relates to EICRs in blocks of flats where there is a separate metered supply to each flat with the meters all located in one place, perhaps near the main entrance plus a communal supply for lighting the communal areas – staircases, landings etc. According to the regulations, the inspection by each landlord should […]

Private landlords have been giving more help to tenants who cannot pay their rent as a result of Covid-19 than those in the social sector according to the English Housing Survey published today. Since the start of the pandemic 6% of private renters had secured a reduction in their rent payments compared to only 2% […]

Thousands of homebuyers will pull the plug on their deals as a result of the stamp duty holiday not being extended. Around a third (31%) said they would very likely cancel their planned move if they had to pay stamp duty, with a further 43% admitting that they would most likely do the same, according […]

ARLA Propertymark’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) report has confirmed that the number of landlords not increasing rents for tenants during the pandemic emergency has again fallen for the third month in a row Figures for the November report show only 28% of ARLA agents witnessed landlords increasing rents compared to 37% in October and 40% […]

The Welsh Government has agreed measures to suspend evictions from social and private rented accommodation between December 11 and January 11 this year as part of its response to tackling the spread of COVID-19. Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James said: “We have taken action to protect public health and support Welsh tenants this […]

A new report from Shelter indicates 253,000 people in England are homeless and living in temporary accommodation during the pandemic, which is the highest figure for 14 years. Rising homelessness is already a major problem with the latest figures showing 115,000 more people are homeless and trapped in temporary accommodation than a decade ago, but […]

Following a consultation launched in the summer that sought views from planners, councils and the wider public, the government has announced its plan for enabling the delivery of more homes across England. A housing need formula is currently used to provide a starting point in the process of local planning for new homes. An updated method […]

We own and rent out a maisonette (c. 1900) which is a single building, with one entrance leading to the ground floor flat and the second leading directly to the first floor flat. It appears that it was split into two flats sometime after it was built (perhaps c. 1960s). We purchased the property in […]

Despite having been a landlord for over 20 years, I only became aware yesterday of the existence of contractual periodic tenancies, as opposed to statutory periodic tenancies! I am now rather worried about this; when one of our fixed-term tenancies has come to an end I have – in good faith – been telling our […]

When foreign students rent an HMO, the landlord would normally require a UK guarantor or substantial rent up-front, since the ability to follow through with tenancy problems is probably non-existent. I was wondering what the situation is like though for dealing with the courts in Northern Ireland? Are there any student landlords out there with […]

The Government has responded to the petition – ‘Extend the Stamp Duty Holiday for an additional 6 months after 31st March 2021.’ Click Here It does not seem intent on extending the relief and easing the cliff edge many property purchases are looking to complete before despite the massive backlog in conveyancing. The response said: […]

For individual landlords and relatively new Partnerships, the changes to HMRC’s manuals could be very welcome news. The 3% additional rate does not apply to residential properties if a property rental business has a commercial element, e.g. flats over a shop or any other commercial property. Together with the Chancellors Stamp Duty incentive on transaction […]

I understand that disposal of a rental property must be reported and CGT paid within 30 days of the sale, but that reporting it is not required if there is no associated taxable gain. What I am not clear on is when a modest property profit combines with the profit on non-property disposal to exceed […]

Rightmove has forecasted an average 4% house price growth in 2021. The unexpectedly high market momentum of 2020 despite the pandemic and its economic fallout continues, and although uncertainties remain, demand for housing and buyer affordability appear to be strong enough to outweigh deflationary pressures. Rightmove is, however, predicting price rises to soften next year […]

Rough sleepers across England will receive extra support to help them recover from drug and alcohol misuse, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, Kelly Tolhurst MP announced. Forty-three areas across England will receive support from a £23 million government fund designed for those with drug and alcohol support needs to get the help they need […]

14% of people have fallen behind on essential bills including energy, water, mobile phone and broadband bills, council tax, rent or mortgage payments the equivalent of seven million people in the UK, according to new research from Citizens Advice. A poll of 6,004 people, conducted by ICM Unlimited for the charity, also reveals 60% of […]

Moneyfacts UK Savings Trends Treasury Report data, not yet published, reveals that interest rates have dipped to record lows across the savings spectrum. This month the average easy access rate fell to 0.19%, which is less than a third of the rate of 0.60% paid a year ago. Fixed rates have also dropped with the […]

Landlords can have useful and symbiotic relationships with some councils providing accommodation where the area and property suit. There are vast differences between local authorities in their attitude and relationship with landlords and the ever-increasing pressure to turn to the private rented sector to relieve the strain on their Emergency Accommodation lists. This can lead […]

Dear Denise, The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Allow Landlords to evict tenants where there are 14 days rent arrears”. Government responded: Landlords can seek possession where tenants have 14 days rent arrears, given emergency legislation, landlords must give 6 months’ notice in such cases before starting formal possession proceedings. We […]

Tenants, another reason why you are homeless – DWP have more holidays than Tamara Ecclestone. More reasons below why Landlords/Letting Agents are refusing Benefits tenants. Shelter, please talk to us. With your help & force & Media on your side, we can change this & thousands less will be homeless. And it’s FREE, CHEAPER! And […]

Thursday 10 December 2020 MHCLG has published an updated version of the How to Rent Guide (England). This guide sets outs the rights and responsibilities of both Landlords and Tenants within the private rented sector. Landlords, you (or your agent) must issue this up to date version of the ‘How to Rent Guide’ issued to […]