Painsmith Blog

During Prime Minister’s Questions today, Liz Truss has confirmed that the Government’s promised abolishment of Section 21 Notices is to go ahead after all. This follows claims made by the Times late on Monday that the policy was to be scrapped, which caused significant furore. We now await further details and implementation, with a Bill …

Update – Rent Reform White Paper – PM confirms Section 21 will be abolished Read More »

A recent tweet by a political editor of the Times has caused a commotion by claiming that the Government is backtracking on their plans to scrap ‘no fault’ evictions. Reportedly, these plans are not considered a priority and may in fact be shelved, meaning landlords could continue to use Section 21 Notices to evict their …

Rent Reform White Paper – Possible Government U-turn on Section 21 Notices? Read More »

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 come into force on 01 October 2022. As a reminder to those who have not already ensured their properties are compliant the new obligations require the following: All rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) must contain a Carbon Monoxide alarm. All smoke and …

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 Read More »

In recognition of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, Painsmith will be closed on Monday 19th September. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience to our clients who wish to speak to us directly. We will endeavour to answer queries as promptly as possible upon our return to the office on Tuesday 20th September. …

The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II – Monday 19th September 2022 Read More »

This Thursday, 11 August 2022 at 10:30am, PainSmith will be hosting an exciting and informative 1-hour webinar with TDS. This month’s virtual seminar is titled ‘Abandonment and Belongings’. You can sign up to attend the webinar for free via the following link, we hope to see you there: https://tenancydepositscheme.zohoshowtime.eu/sessions/abandonment-and-belongings-3669906004#/home/register?talkId=19617000000753004

As many of you who are already helpline members will be aware, PainSmith Solicitors are in the process of renewing the telephone helpline subscriptions for the upcoming year. The helpline year runs from 1st August 2022 to 31st July 2023. In addition to telephone advice Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays from 9:00am until 5:30pm, …

PainSmith Helpline 2022 Read More »

The Building Safety Act 2022 came into force on 28 June 2022. The purpose of the Act is to make provisions for the safety of people in or about buildings and the standard of buildings. The new Act brings higher responsibility to building owners to fund essential repairs on buildings above 11 metres tall or …

Building Safety Act 2022 Read More »

PainSmith are pleased to announce that we have updated the Lettings Terms of Business. The document has been made shorter and therefore more user friendly which will likely be welcomed by all and prove to be popular. The new terms are 10 pages long or 5 pages if printed back-to-back. The new Lettings Terms of …

New Lettings Terms of Business Read More »

Yesterday the Government published its long awaited plans for ‘a fairer private rented sector’. The plans spanning 12 points promise to reform the private rented sector: Requirements for all privately rented homes to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2030. Running pilot schemes with local authorities to give greater powers to enforce housing standards and …

Government Publishes Rent Reform White Paper Read More »

As you may have noticed our website has recently had a facelift after a short period of maintenance. All previous blog articles remain available and the document shop has re-opened. For Helpline subscribers access to the Document Vault has been restored and is now accessible through the ‘Helpline Login’ link in the top right hand …

PainSmith Website – Update Read More »

Since October 2015, private sector landlords have been required to comply with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. This put an obligation on them to ensure that there is at least one smoke detector on every storey of their rental property, as well as a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel …

Updates to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations Read More »

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 is set to come into force on 30 June 2022.  The legislation represents a significant change to property law in England and Wales. From 30 June 2022 a summary of the main changes are as follows: If any ground rent is demanded as part of a regulated new …

Leasehold Ground Rent Reform Read More »

New Rental Law in Wales: Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021  The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021 is expected to come into force in July 2022. This Act amends the previous 2016 Act and makes changes to the minimum notice periods for the rental sector in Wales. Security of tenure for residential tenants in …

New Rental Law in Wales: Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021 Read More »

Material information to be included in property listings The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, being the Trading Standards body dealing with Estate Agents, have specified that from May 2022 there will be new requirements for certain material information to be included on property listings.  Material information, such as, a property’s council tax …

Trading Standards Announcement: Material information to be included in property listings Read More »

PainSmith are looking for an Office Administrator to join the team. As Office Administrator you would be responsible: For carrying out administrative duties. To provide support to fee earners. To arrange and prepare all training services provided by PainSmith. To administer the firm’s legal helpline and document sales. To provide accounts assistance under the direction …

Job Vacancy – Office Administrator Read More »

There is now clarity in the requirements when corporate landlords and agents are signing notices and prescribed information. The judgment in the second appeal of Northwood (Solihull) Ltd v Fearn & Ors (2022) EWCA Civ 40 has been handed down by Lord Justice Lewison in the Court of Appeal with the decision unanimously in favour of …

Agents Signing Notices and Prescribed Information Read More »