Shelter have highlighted Office for National Statistics figures for workforce data showing the number of people claiming employment related benefits reaching 2.8 million in May. This is a 125.5% rise since March and includes those employed with low income or hours and those who are unemployed. More than 600,000 people droped off the payroll in […]

Is this correct? I just spoke to the DWP and apparently even if a tenant has been capped, the cap has been removed for the next 9 months. I’m guessing this is a result of some landlords upping their rent to meet the increased LHA rates? I’ve been checking to see if my tenants are […]

66% of letting agents in England anticipate they will still be using the Government’s job retention scheme beyond July. That’s according to the results of the Property Redress Scheme’s COVID-19 back to work letting agent survey. The findings of the survey, released by the Property Redress Scheme today, also show that 26% of letting agents […]

I have a number of 1 bed and 2 bed properties in rather ‘challenging’ areas in Devon. Moreover my tenant base is very ‘interesting’! I do not get the private professional tenants and never will, I know this already. I’m getting to the point where I am seriously considering letting another company essentially manage my […]

The government expects to fund just a dozen extra staff to inspect and enforce fire safety in more than 2 million homes after Grenfell, new analysis reveals, in a “gross underestimate” of the resources needed to tackle the building safety crisis in England. The revelations have prompted calls from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) for […]

I thought that I would share the following link from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) providing guidance for landlords, gas engineers and the clinically vulnerable during the Coronavirus outbreak: Click here  “Landlords: You have a legal duty to repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances, do annual gas safety checks and keep a […]

Housing Benefit sent me a direct rent payment for my tenant for 13 April – 10 May. The tenant (unbeknown to me) applies to Universal Credit and gets payment for 16 April – 15 May. I then start receiving MPTL for rent from UC ,the first one for period 16 May – 15 June. Who […]

The last two weeks has been hectic and here are some of the things I have covered. These cases are all landlords just like you. Covid-19 has meant much more enforcement action against landlords and not because of the virus, but because the council enforcement staff are spending more time at their home desks processing […]

Interim housing for thousands of rough sleepers taken off the streets during the pandemic is to be provided, ministers have announced. The additional £105 million will be used to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness into tenancies of their own, including through help with deposits for accommodation, and securing thousands of alternative […]

I have a sibling of a current tenant looking to rent as his mother has kicked him out. He is just over 18, has a job, yet no bank account/credit history or any financial referencing. She wants him to live near, but not with her in her one bed flat (he is currently staying with […]

I had a call from the neighbour of one of my tenants. Apparently the police had been called for the second time in three months at 4.00am for anti social behaviour, shouting, banging doors etc. I Email the tenant to arrange an inspection and also to meet them (they had moved in just before lockdown) […]

New measures to help the construction industry boost building and return to work safely will be introduced this week, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced 22 June 2020. Planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreement with their local council. […]

The Baker Street Property Meet Live Stream Event is tomorrow Wednesday 24th June at 7pm. Click here to join the event. After lockdown, how do you finance investment property deals or arrange a Buy to Let mortgage for your property investing activity? In this months livestream we look at Financing Property Deals, property investment, property […]

The latest research by Howsy, has looked at the facts and figures of investing in London’s buy-to-let sector. Rental yields are the main gauge of buy-to-let profitability and at 4.8%, outer London is home to the lowest average yield of all regions. Inner London doesn’t fare much better at 5%, the second-lowest average yield of […]

Single mum with 4 kids has been in one of my houses for a number of years and in receipt of the 4B HB rate. She is the carer to eldest child (girl) – the child has been receiving “low rate mobility” + “enhanced rate of personal care” (so the tenant informs me)”. Other kids […]

The case of Trecarrel v. Roucefield is one of the most significant cases this year. It is the case where the Court of Appeal held that failure to serve the Gas Safety Certificate on tenants before they move in is not fatal to a subsequent claim for possession under section 21. if you want to […]

I rent out rooms to lodgers in my 3 bed flat in greater London. In the beginning of March, sadly my lodger who had been living with me for 5 years, moved out as she feared catching coronavirus in a shared place. She has asthma and other health issues so didn’t want to risk it. I […]

The Government has extended measures to prevent struggling companies from being evicted over until the end of September. A new code of practice has been developed with leaders from the retail, hospitality and property sectors to provide clarity for businesses when discussing rental payments and to encourage best practice so that all parties are supported. […]

I have a client who so I believe has left the property that I am letting. The rent owing has now just passed the bond money. Firstly can I start legal proceedings to remove the letter? I have not had any notice that she has left the property and I have not called at the […]

Debt is a reality in every type of business, but unlike almost any other service provider, landlords are unable to terminate a contract with their client if payment is not received. Only a court may end a tenancy agreement on the basis of non-payment. Even then, the process can only start following a period of […]

During the current pandemic I am now thinking about the after affects on the rental market when it ends. In particular what everyone thinks will happen to the demand for and the ongoing lettability of HMOs considering they are shared living and whatever the new social norms will be? I know there are no crystal […]