In January, this year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consulted on changes to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR). No date has been confirmed by the HSE but we understand that the changes may come into force in April next year. Current Position Regulation 36 of the GSIUR sets out a landlord’s …
The Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC) has published a consultation paper seeking views on Rules in relation to the question of placing a cap on costs recoverable in leasehold and property cases. First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) The First Tier Tribunal (FTT)– Property Chamber (PC) hears cases on property, landlord and tenant and housing matters. A …
The Working Group report on Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) has been published. A copy of the report can be found here. Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 the Secretary of State has the power to introduce secondary legislation for electrical safety standards in the PRS. The Working Group was …
On 10th November, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s call for evidence closed. The Chief Inspector was seeking contributions from members of the public and stakeholders on the Right to Rent. Specifically, the Chief Inspector will examine: planning for the initial introduction of RtR, including success criteria, and the identification and mitigation of …
In London Borough of Waltham Forest v Reid, the Upper Tribunal dismissed the council’s appeal on the grounds that their policy was unreasonable. The Law In 2015 the council designated the whole of the LBWF as an area subject to selective licensing. Unless renewed this designation will end on 31st March 2020. On application, and for …
The House of Commons Select Committee on Communities and Local Government has launched an inquiry into whether councils have adequate powers to tackle ‘rogue landlords’. The inquiry is likely to focus on 5 key areas: reviewing and simplifying the legislation covering the sector; giving local authorities the tools they need to enforce the law and …
In our previous posts, we discussed the Government’s guidance on the minimum level of energy efficiency required in April 2018. In this post, we will concentrate on the exclusions and exemptions that apply to the minimum standard. The property remains sub-standard despite the completion of works The landlord may rely on this exclusion if he …
Energy Performance – Exclusions and Exemptions in detail Read More »
The CMP consultation is open until 13 December 2017. The Consultation ‘seeks views on the implementation of mandatory membership of a client money protection scheme for property agents.’ The proposals will only apply to England for now. Landlords and tenants pay money to agents for a variety of reasons including rent and repair budgets. It is estimated …
The draft bill on banning fees paid by tenants was published last week. The Draft Tenant Fees Bill has not been put before parliament yet and is likely to see changes prior to coming into force which will not be for a while given the stages of the parliamentary process it has to pass through. However, …
This is the second post on the government’s consultation requesting views on whether a new regulatory model is needed for agents in the leasehold sector. The first post can be read here. In an attempt to address the problems identified by the government, the consultation has specifically requested views on 3 issues. Any of these …
Following the Conservative party conference speech by Sajid Javid, the Department for Communities and Local Communities has launched a consultation requesting views on whether a new regulatory model is needed for agents in the leasehold sector. Specifically, the call for evidence states “we want to understand what form regulation of letting and managing agents should …
In our previous posts, we discussed the Government’s guidance on the minimum level of energy efficiency required in April 2018 for private rented properties and the Green Deal. In this post, we will discuss in detail two further options that a landlord can rely on to fund efficiency improvements. In summary, the funding that a …
The Sublet Property (Offences) Bill is a private members bill introduced in the House of Commons by Christopher Chope. The bill is intended to make the breach of certain rules relating to sub-letting rented accommodation a criminal offence; to make provision for criminal sanctions for unauthorised lettings. The bill was expected to have its second reading …
In our previous post, we discussed the Government’s guidance on the minimum level of energy efficiency required in April 2018 for private rented properties. In this post, we will discuss in detail the Green Deal funding option which is available for the recommended improvements. In summary, the funding that a landlord may rely on can …
The Government has finally released its Guidance on the minimum level of energy efficiency required for private rented properties. Our previous post on minimum energy levels can be read here. In summary, the new minimum level of energy efficiency means that: from 1 April 2018, landlords will no longer be permitted to grant new tenancies …
On 1 October, it will become clearer how to recover possession of a property where all the occupiers have no Right to Rent. Our previous post on ending a tenancy where occupiers do not have the Right to Rent can be read here. Under the Immigration Act 2016 which amended the Immigration Act 2014, landlords were given …
PainSmith Solicitors,
1 Mansfield Business Park,
Station Approach,
Lymington Bottom Road,
Medstead, Hampshire
GU34 5PZ
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 562686)
Painsmith Solicitors Limited trading as Painsmith Solicitors, Director: Marveen Smith. Registered No. 07617210.
