More detail on the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill has recently been announced by the government in a white paper entitled ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’. Issued by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, the full proposal issued on the .GOV site, is a huge document covering a range of proposals. Read on to find a summary of the main points:
Continue reading Private Rented Sector White Paper ExplainedCategory: News
We are hiring
Are you a ‘people person’ who can confidently work independently and remotely?
Due to expansion, we are looking for a Property Manager in Maidstone to join our Lettings Agency team.
Full training will be given for this self-employed part time role (around 4 hours/week to start with) which has the potential to grow throughout the year.
Continue reading We are hiringGarden maintenance remains one of the most common reasons behind deposit disputes.
It is the time of the year when the outdoor areas need some attention, so make sure you and your tenants know who is responsible for which part.
A recent poll instigated by the NRLA, indicated that lack of upkeep of the garden was still one of the commonest causes of tenancy deposit disputes between landlords and tenants at the end of a tenancy.
Continue reading Garden maintenance remains one of the most common reasons behind deposit disputes.Section 21: What now for landlords after crucial Supreme Court ruling?
The Supreme Court has refused to grant permission-to-appeal to the tenant in the important ongoing Section 21 notice case, Trecarrell House Limited v Rouncefield.
Continue reading Section 21: What now for landlords after crucial Supreme Court ruling?Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mandatory from October 2022
As expected, the government is toughening the requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in all rented properties in England. They are also levelling the playing field between private and social landlords. These changes are slated to come in, in October this year.
Continue reading Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mandatory from October 2022Legislation Update
As with every year, the recent Queen’s Speech set out the government’s agenda for the next parliamentary session. This included outlining its plans to grow the economy and cut the cost of living, among other initiatives.
Traditionally, this has also been an opportunity for the government to update the property sector on the status of existing legislation and proposals for new legislation. The only deviation from tradition was that this year it was delivered by Prince Charles!
Continue reading Legislation UpdateRent to Rent Vs Lettings Agency
As a landlord wishing to put your property with a ‘managing agent’, there are essentially two main options: a long term ‘guaranteed rent option’ and a traditional ‘high street’ lettings agent. It is important that landlords understand the two models and are aware of the pros and cons of each.
Continue reading Rent to Rent Vs Lettings AgencyYou do not have to use the estate agent you bought your rental property from to manage it.
When you buy a new property to let, it can seem a good idea to keep the management with the estate agent you just bought it from but, have you considered that they might not really be set up as a lettings agency and are actually mostly sales driven? If the property was managed by another lettings agency before the sale, shouldn’t you check them out first?
Continue reading You do not have to use the estate agent you bought your rental property from to manage it.Rental property listings will require additional details by 31st May
Trading Standards and the government have jointly announced compulsory new data which must appear on property listings.
From 31st May this year, a property’s council tax band or rate (for lettings and sales) and the property price and tenure information (for sales) must be included on all property listings. This applies to individual landlords advertising their properties to let as well as those advertised by lettings agents.
Continue reading Rental property listings will require additional details by 31st MayWhen buying/managing with tenant in situ goes wrong?
A popular investment strategy currently – and a likely one going forwards – is to buy a property with ‘tenants in situ’. We have all seen these properties listed on Rightmove. Typically, the property does not sell as quickly as one that has vacant possession.
Continue reading When buying/managing with tenant in situ goes wrong?