NEWS
Kier Starmer puts pressure on the conservatives
Labour leader Keir Starmer upped the pressure on the two Conservative candidates to be the next Prime Minister, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, but unveiling a plan to freeze the price cap, to be funded by higher taxation of the energy giants. Ms Truss last week defended the eye-watering profits of energy companies at a […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Competition opens to deliver new training and support programme for social housing residents
The Government have launched a £500,000 government grant to provide training for social housing residents to speak up and raise issues with their landlord Applications now open for organisations with relevant social housing sector experience to deliver the programme This forms part of wider reforms to ensure social housing residents are heard by their landlord […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Landlord risks prison sentence
A landlord has pleaded guilty of four counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order and told to expect to pay “a significant amount of compensation and costs.” A property owned by the landlord – referred to by Bolsover council as Mr Ambler – was infested with rats who could access it because of defects. Droppings […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
AIIC claims incorrect inventories could cost landlords unnecessary money
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has claimed that, whilst not a legal requirement, inventories are a necessary protective measure that the letting industry ought to rely on and get professionally done. Daniel Evans, chair of the AIIC and recently re-elected to serve again, explains: “One of the most damaging and widespread narratives in […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Social rented housing (England): past trends and prospects
The House of Commons Library have released a report looking at looks at social rented housing, barriers to development, and prospects for a “step change” in supply, including data on need and supply. It can be seen here, and covers: Housing policy has focused on the overall supply of housing in recent years. Commentators also […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Will landlords and agents be ‘named and shamed’
The Government has revealed plans to name and shame social landlords such as housing associations, leading to worries within the private rented sector that private landlords and their agents will soon face the same treatment. The recent announcement reveals that the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities wants to “highlight poor practice by landlords […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Tenants and landlords called on to take part in energy efficiency discussions
Hastings based 1066 Citizens Advice is looking for landlords and tenants to take part in discussions to help inform government about what is needed to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures in privately rented homes. It is involved in a pilot project, funded by central government, which will test new approaches to increase the […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Premium HMO’s in demand – and tenants demand better amenities
Around one in every two landlords said there is growing demand for high-end houses with multiple occupation (HMOs), with more tenants demanding better amenities. A survey of HMO landlords by Paragon Bank revealed that 48% had seen demand for high-end HMOs rising, while 45% said demand from young professionals had gone up over the past […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Rent setting: social housing (England)
The House of Commons Library have released a report that explains the policy developments in relation to setting social housing rent levels in England since 2002. For five years from April 2020 rent increases are based on the Consumer Price Index +1%. It can be seen here, and covers: Rent convergence policy In 2002, the […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Increasing cost of living
Commons Library publications on the rising cost of living in the UK, including cause of inflation, the effect on households, and Government support. The cost of living has been increasing in the UK since early 2021. In June 2022, inflation reached a 40-year high of 9.4%. The price of food, goods, energy and fuel have […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Council tax hikes are forcing me to sell our Welsh holiday lets
The Sunday Times had an article about a couple who had some holiday lets in Wales but who are now forced to sell them as they are unaffordable. This is due to the Welsh Government bringing in the ability for councils to charge triple council tax on second homes. The article can be read here, […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Landlord banned
THE FIRST rogue landlord has been banned from letting and managing properties in Coventry. Mr Carmelo Borsellino, of Cheveral Avenue Coventry, has a long history of poor property management and has been convicted of contravening housing legislation on several occasions. His most recent conviction was on July 14 last year at Coventry Magistrates’ Court, where […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Government issue Easy Read version of White Paper
You can see all versions of the White Paper here.
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Household Debt: Key Economic Indicators
The Government have published their regular report on household debt. It can be seen here, and says: Household debt as a % of disposable income Household debt peaked in Q2 2008 at 151.5% of household disposable income. It then declined to 128.4% by late 2015. Growth in household debt levels accelerated from early 2016, so […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Will the White Paper proposals destroy the student market?
Under the title ‘Renters Reform Bill a ‘hand grenade’ for student let sector‘ Property118 are running a blog on the potential impact on student housing if the plans in the recent White Paper come to fruition, and we urge you to read it. The three main proposals that would affect student landlords, and others are […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
DPS Rent Index Q2 2022 Regional Summaries
The DPS have just published the rent index for Q2 of 2022. It can be seen here, and says London Average rents in London increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, rising by £23 (1.63%) from £1,415 to £1,438. This was the fourth highest regional rise this quarter in terms of value, but the third lowest […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Property Register launched
The Government has launched a new register to highlight the ultimate owner of all overseas companies that control land in the UK. It can be seen here, and was introduced to reveal the identities of all foreign owners of land to ensure criminals cannot hide behind chains of shell companies. They will need to tell […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Building regulations: circulars
The Government have released all circulars regarding changes to Building Regulations. The list can be seen here.
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations have been updated for the social rented and private rented sectors. The government has introduced new requirements on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the social rented sector and new requirements on carbon monoxide alarms in the private rented sector, which come into force on 1 October 2022. They […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Supply of accessible homes to receive vital boost
The Government has announced that new homes will be more accessible for older and disabled people as the they confirm plans to raise the accessibility standard following full consultation of proposals. More details can be seen here
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
SEARCH
LATEST NEWS
Help with paying for historical fire safety work: high-rise blocks (England)
The House of Commons Library has released a report on ‘Help with paying for historical fire safety work: high-rise blocks (England)’. It has an overview of eligibility for leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act 2022 and what those protections cover. It can be seen here, and covers: Only qualifying leaseholders are protected Which costs […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Freeholders’ estate and service charges
The House of Commons Library has released a report on ‘Freeholders’ estate and service charges. It has Information on the position of freehold home owners who pay a service charge for the upkeep of communal areas on their estates. It can be seen here, and covers: · The legal basis of a freehold service charge […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Free training for agents
The Property Industry Eye is offering free training for agents, see more details here.
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Have you protected your deposit correctly?
Be aware that the Mirror have published an article advising tenants how to claim ‘thousands of pounds’ if their deposit hasn’t been protected properly. The article can be seen here. This is in addition to another article warning of problems with eletrical installations, claiming ‘your rented home could be an electrical disaster including ‘fishy smell’. […]
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.
Are you an Oxford landlord: have you registered?
Oxford ouncil are urging landlords to register their interest in applying for a licence. A citywide ‘selective licensing’ scheme comes into force on 1 September which means that all private rented homes in Oxford will need a licence. More details can be seen here.
If you already have a membership, please login first via the log in page.