Following recent changes to legislation, The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) is expected to issue an updated version of the renter’s “How to Rent” guide in the coming months. This is an important document, because it is one of the ‘prescribed documents’ that must be issued to tenants at the commencement of their tenancy, and on renewals, in England.
Continue reading How to Rent Guide new version coming soonTag: Tenants
YOUR GUIDE TO THE FIRE SAFETY ACT 2021
The government has announced the introduction of the Fire Safety Act 2021 in England and Wales, which will apply from 23 January 2023. The Act clarifies which parts of multi-occupied residential buildings (such as blocks of flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation – HMOs) apply under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), and who is responsible for maintaining fire safety for these areas.
Continue reading YOUR GUIDE TO THE FIRE SAFETY ACT 2021Rental 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 MayRising number of guarantors needed since pandemic
Rising number of guarantors needed since pandemic.
Landlords are generally a cautious bunch – and rightly so. Aside from their main home, the rental properties they own are significant investments and therefore decisions who to rent to are not taken lightly and will always be means tested.
Continue reading Rising number of guarantors needed since pandemicCompanies Act 2006, Section 44, Court of Appeal Decision: Ruling in Favour of Landlord.
Those landlords in the know, will be aware of the long running court case: Northwood Solihull v Fearn and Others. In short, the essence of the case hinged on the definition of certain lettings documents (Sec 8 notice, and Prescribed Information), whether they were deemed to be ‘executable’ company documents, which determined how they should be signed according to the companies act.
Continue reading Companies Act 2006, Section 44, Court of Appeal Decision: Ruling in Favour of Landlord.A Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.
A Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.
To reduce the carbon footprint of the UK, the Climate Change Act 2008 sets out legally binding carbon emission reduction targets that the UK must meet. The target is to ensure carbon dioxide emissions are at least 80% lower by 2050 than they were in 1990.
Continue reading A Guide to Reducing Your Property’s Carbon Footprint.Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.
Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.
Whether it be that you are not happy with the service, or costs have started to escalate or you just want to try another provider, moving letting agents doesn’t need to be a headache.
Continue reading Swapping Letting Agents is Easier Than You Think.Landlords vs Tenants Responsibilities
One of the perennial challenges in managing a rental property, is identifying who is responsible for what: landlord or tenant? Often there is confusion from both parties to the tenancy as to what they are responsible for. So, here is a quick run-down of the ‘big hitters’ in terms of areas for confusion or frequent causes for concern during a tenancy.
Continue reading Landlords vs Tenants ResponsibilitiesWhat to do if your tenant isn’t paying the rent.
It is the situation that gives landlords the most sleepless nights: a tenant can’t pay, refuses to pay or simply chooses not to pay all or some of the rent, either temporarily or permanently. This is often – although not always – coupled with increased communication issues, or maybe not being able to get hold of the tenant at all. This very much compounds the level of stress for the landlord.
So what can be done when a tenant falls into arrears and how should a landlord approach the situation?
Here are some of the key steps you must take.
Continue reading What to do if your tenant isn’t paying the rent.Paying for viewings
Does it contravene the Tenant Fees Act? …..
The short answer is ‘Yes’.
There has been much talk on social media platforms recently about a new approach to managing the property viewings process, particularly for ‘in demand’ properties where there may be many hundreds of enquiries from potential tenants and purchasers all looking for a viewing. The challenge for many agents is how to manage this surge of interest, respond to all enquiries and book the most suitable applicants in for viewings. Many of these applicants do not meet the basic financial criteria, or even when booked in for viewings are not genuine proceedable applicants, are ‘time wasters’ or simply do not show up. This adds a huge burden of time and cost into the process for the agent or landlord.
Continue reading Paying for viewings
