Spark Energy, a specialist supplier to tenants in the Private Rented sector became the seventh supplier to collapse this year. Fortunately for many tenants OVO Energy has been selected by Ofgem to take over the Spark Energy brand. Spark Energy acquired its largely private rental sector tenant customer base through letting agent referrals. Rental properties …
The Bill is currently before the House of Lords and during this process the government has made a number of substantial amendments. It is possible that further amendments will be proposed and at this stage agents and landlords should expect them. The Bill proposes to ban landlords and their lettings agents from requiring private tenant’s …
Winter can pose a problem for rental properties especially where tenants are planning to be away for the holiday period. Landlords are therefore advised to ensure that they consider some simple steps to ensure to avoid potentially costly repairs. Exterior of the property Checking the exterior of the property ideally in the Summer or Autumn …
The European Court of Human Rights reiterates the UK Supreme Court’s decision that tenants facing a section 21 possession claim can not invoke Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in F.J.M v UK. Background A tenant occupied a property under an assured shorthold tenancy. Initially the tenant’s landlords were her parents who …
It is increasingly common for tenants to seek to work from home, whether by arrangement with their employer or to run their own business. This is a concern for some landlords who fear tenants will gain security of tenure over the rental property. With the rise of the internet and flexible working conditions more and …
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has set out proposals for a specialist Housing Court which could provide a single path of redress for property disputes. Landlords and Tenants are to receive faster and effective justice in the event of a property dispute, under proposals announced by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire MP. …
A Landlord in Southall has been fined £46,000 for illegally renting an outbuilding to a tenant. In 2010 Ealing council established that the landlord had illegally converted a garage into a residence and let out to a tenant. The council issued the landlord with an enforcement notice ordering him to undo the conversion. The landlord …
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, & Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a £2 million funding boost for local authorities to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords. Local authorities will be entitled to bid for funding to step up enforcement action against landlords who offer inadequate or unsafe properties. The funding will assist local authorities develop and test innovative …
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The local authority of Waltham Forest has successfully prosecuted an agent who was unlawfully subletting a property in breach of the HMO regulations. The agent applied for a license for the property to be used as a single-family dwelling. However, the local authority carried out an inspection and discovered that the property was in fact …
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that it will amend the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations to require landlords to carry out improvements with or without funding where the cost will be no more than £3,500 inc VAT. Background The minimum energy performance rating of E …
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has announced plans to tighten health and safety standards for rental accommodation in order to ensure that tenants have a safe place to call home. The Housing Minister, Heather Wheeler, has announced plans to overhaul health and safety standards for rental accommodation to help keep safe …
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill has passed through the House of Commons and will now be scrutinised in the House of Lords, starting later in November. The Bill is likely to become law so below is a summary of the main provisions. At present there is no legal requirement for landlords to keep …
At a meeting on 8October Croydon Council passed a motion calling for the abolition of Section 21 notices in the private rented sector (PRS). Section 21 notices enable landlords to commence the process of ending a tenant’s tenancy without giving a reason. However, Croydon Council along with some lobby groups, argue that some landlords use …
Buy-to Let Mortgage providers have been accused of discriminating against tenants who claim benefits. It is understood that landlords who apply for buy-to-let mortgages and in some cases landlord’s insurance are being refused products when they reveal that potential tenants are claiming benefits. The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has carried out research which found 66% …
The government has issued a landlords’ guide to Universal Credit to help them understand the process and procedure of the payment made either direct to tenants or alternatively to them. Universal credit payments are a single payment made up of an aggregate of different benefits including those dealing with housing costs such as rent. In …
Housing Minster Heather Wheeler has announced plans to raise standards across the property agent sector in England. A working group chaired by Lord Best and made up of property experts across the property sector will consider options so that landlords and tenants, amongst others, receive the best service. The options likely to be considered are …
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