The UK government is tightening regulations to close loopholes that could allow sanctioned individuals to enter the rental market undetected. With financial crime, corruption, and illicit activities often linked to property transactions, this change aims to strengthen oversight and ensure that letting agents and landlords play an active role in preventing potential breaches.
Continue reading Prepare for New Sanctions Checks for all Landlords and TenantsCategory: News
Are You Ready for the Proposed EPC Changes?
The UK government has recently released the findings of its 12-week consultation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for the Private Rented Sector (PRS). These proposed changes could have a significant impact on landlords, particularly in Kent, where many properties may require costly upgrades to comply.
Continue reading Are You Ready for the Proposed EPC Changes?Renters’ Rights Bill Passes Second Reading in the Lords
The Renters’ Rights Bill has reached a significant milestone, recently passing its second reading in the House of Lords. The debate, led by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour), saw 44 members of the Lords discussing key aspects of the proposed legislation. Below is a breakdown of the key points and what they could mean for landlords and property investors in Kent.
Continue reading Renters’ Rights Bill Passes Second Reading in the LordsThe Renters’ Rights Bill: Key Amendments and What They Mean for Kent Landlords and Property Investors
The Renters’ Rights Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons on 14th January 2025 and is now heading to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. While some changes have been made to the Bill during its Committee Stage, the core elements remain largely unchanged. The Bill is expected to become law in the spring, significantly altering the landscape for landlords and tenants alike.
Continue reading The Renters’ Rights Bill: Key Amendments and What They Mean for Kent Landlords and Property InvestorsLooking Forward to 2025
Happy New Year to all our readers! We hope you have had an enjoyable and restful festive period and are now ready and full of motivation for the year ahead.
Here at Lifeboat Lettings, we have some big goals and plans for the coming year and beyond. So, in this, our first article of the year, we thought we would share with you some of what we have planned.
Continue reading Looking Forward to 20252024 – What a Year for Lifeboat Lettings!
Welcome to our last newsletter of the year! What a year it has been too. In this last article of the year, we will take you through all the developments within the Lifeboat family; the highs and lows and the changes. What has gone well, and what not so well (there is always something).
Continue reading 2024 – What a Year for Lifeboat Lettings!A £25,200 Lesson in HMO Compliance for Kent Landlords!
A local authority in Kent has recently fined two landlords a total of £25,200.
The landlords were operating an HMO in Sittingbourne, Kent and were fined for having more occupants than allowed by their license.
Continue reading A £25,200 Lesson in HMO Compliance for Kent Landlords!Navigating 2025: Key Insights for Kent Landlords to Tackle Rising Costs and New Legislation
A new report from landlord insurance provider, Simply Business, reveals an uncertain future for the UK rental market. Landlords are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the continuous changes in legislation and rising property management costs.
Continue reading Navigating 2025: Key Insights for Kent Landlords to Tackle Rising Costs and New LegislationRoom Rental Yields Stabilising After Two Years of Significant Increases
In the past two years, the UK rental market for rooms and house shares has experienced consistent increases. However, recent data shows that these rises are beginning to slow, suggesting a stabilisation that may bring relief to renters.
Continue reading Room Rental Yields Stabilising After Two Years of Significant IncreasesUpdate on the Renters Rights Bill
As largely anticipated, the Renters’ Rights Bill has smoothly passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 9th October. thanks to Labour’s huge majority.
This happened less than a month after the Bill was first introduced and within the first 100 days in office of the new government. The Bill delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to swing power to renters, with the figurehead reform being the abolition of Section 21 evictions across new and existing tenancies at the same time.
Continue reading Update on the Renters Rights Bill