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Category: Landlords

Home Archive by Category "Landlords"

Tax Changes

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Landlords

There are further tax changes as of 6 April 2020. Landlords beware if you are selling in the New Year … Individuals, trustees and personal representatives (accountants) or anyone making a capital gain from the sale or other disposal of a property will have to make a “residential property return” and payment on account of any capital gains tax within 30 days of the completion of the disposal. The tax changes are, predominantly, aimed at second homes or rental properties, so do not apply where the disposal is a main residence. Like everything with HMRC, penalties and interest will be…

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Landlords, News
Although there is a legal requirement to have an annual gas safety inspection, there has not been the same demand on private landlords for electrical safety. However, provisions made in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 enable the Secretary of State to make regulations about electrical safety standards for properties let by private landlords. As of 25 October 2019, the Secretary of the State has the power to make the regulations which will provide the electrical safety standards to be met by all residential landlords. The standards specified or determined in accordance with the regulations are: Installations in the premises...

Tenant Fees Act Explained

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Landlords, Lettings
The Tenant Fees Act is applicable to new, or renewed, tenancy agreements signed on or after 1 June 2019 in England. Aimed at reducing the costs that a tenant faces for their tenancy, it also shows tenants what the advertised rent includes for their chosen property with no hidden extras. What is the Tenant Fees Ban? The Tenant Fees Ban has three main points: Bans most letting fees Caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants Ensures Landlords/Letting Agents have provision for client money protection What can a Landlord charge? From 1 June 2019, the only payments that landlords or letting agents...

Government crackdown on buy-to-let rogues

Go Direct FranchiseLandlords, News
Government Funding announced for crackdown in the Buy-To-Let Sector. £2M is being made available for Local Authorities to bid for to assist with stepping up enforcement action against rogue landlords operating in the BTL Sector. It is vital we crack down on the small minority of landlords who are not giving their tenants this security. This funding will help further strengthen councils’ powers to tackle rogue landlords and ensure that poor-quality homes in their area are improved, making the housing market fairer for everyone.Heather WheelerHousing MinisterThe new funding to boost Local Authority action against rogue operators in the BTL Sector...

Rogue Landlords

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Landlords, News

New Legislation: There has been big news for landlords this month. On April Fool’s day, 1stApril 2018, the government announced it will be introducing Agency licencing.   All agents or organisations will have to have at least one qualified person in the organisation. On top of that it has also stated the following, will introduce banning orders on rogue landlords and letting agents. Local authorities in England can apply to the First-tier Tribunal to issue a banning order against the landlord or agent. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (Banning Order Offences) Regulations 2018 will result in landlords and agents…

Are You Guilty Of Indirect Sex Discrimination?

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Franchise, Landlords, Lettings, News

Important development which should be taken seriously by all Agents and Landlords We are urging all agents and landlords to consider whether they are guilty of indirect sex discrimination. It was announced on 26 February 2018 that single mother Rosie Keogh has won compensation for sex discrimination from a letting agency that refused to consider her as a tenant because she was in receipt of housing benefit. The agent informed Ms Keogh, that they would not be proceeding with her application for a property before the agent had looked into her individual circumstances. Ms Keogh issued a claim for sex…

Do You Serve Gas Safety Certificates Before Occupation?

Go Direct FranchiseAdvice, Landlords

  You Must Get it RIGHT or any subsequent possession application will FAIL! This follows a recent county court decision relating to Section 21. “The decision serves to remind Landlords of the importance of serving tenants with deposit registration details, an EPC certificate, the latest version of the MHCLG How to Rent guide, any relevant licences and a gas safety certificate where appropriate, prior to occupation” The Deregulation Act 2015 brought in a whole new raft of legislation government when we can or cannot serve a Section 21 notice and the documents that must precede it. Since 1 October 2015…