LANDLORD NEWS AND ADVICE FROM UK'S LARGEST ONLINE LETTING AGENT
The latest from the world of lettings and written for landlords. Top stories, advice, commentary and analysis...
Keep the discussion lively, if you read an article and have some thoughts, please comment. We’re always looking for new landlord tips and stories so if you have something you’d like to share please let me know, simon@upad.co.uk (editor).
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Archive for the ‘Legal’ Category
Avoid fake and bad landlords
There are many fake landlords and scams on the web, each with different way of taking your money with you never seeing it again. A good way to avoid this is to get to know the landlord and scrutinise the advert. Here are some things to keep in mind: Check where the advert is listed. If it is on one of the free sites then it’s unlikely to have been vetted and could be a scam. Ask for the... Read more
How to rent to students…
A student property has different criteria to a standard private rental. Students tend to occupy a property for nine months of the year. They are looking short term and look at each academic year as a separate living period. It is merely a location to base themselves during their studies and is not viewed as a home, but purely as a living space. However when a tenant wants to live in their... Read more
Can self-builders really solve Britain’s housing problems?
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has called on self-builders to make a housebuilding revolution their New Year's resolution in 2011. People building their own homes already account for 20% of new homes each year. Grant Shapps has said: “Building your own home should not be the preserve of a privileged few - I want to break down the barriers that many aspiring self-builders often come up... Read more
What does the VAT hike mean for landlords?
Today’s the day. VAT (value added tax) rose from 17.5% to 20% at midnight. The Chancellor George Osborne has indicated that the increase is entirely necessary to fund cuts in the deficit and he has also said he expects the change to be permanent. Economists have warned that the rise may well risk further rises in inflation. Opposition politicians have said it’s a regressive move that will hit... Read more
Ask Upad: My landlord hasn’t sorted out an inventory. What should I do?
Q: We moved into an unfurnished, two bedroom flat last weekend and so far, the landlord hasn’t prepared an inventory. We’ve obviously paid a deposit and I’m concerned that we won’t get it back at the end of the tenancy. What should we do? An inventory isn’t compulsory. So, you could do nothing. But that wouldn’t help you in the event if a dispute over the return of the deposit.... Read more
Tenant Tips: what is a guarantor?
As a tenant, you might be asked to provide a guarantor for your tenancy. A guarantor is someone who guarantees the rent on your behalf. They are responsible for the rent on your home. If you don’t pay the rent, your guarantor will be chased for payment. There are several situations where you might need to provide a guarantor. If you’ve never rented before, and this is particularly true for... Read more
What is “fair wear and tear”?
As a tenant, the law allows that you have quiet enjoyment of the property you rent as your home. Additionally, the law recognises that you don’t have to return the property to the landlord in exactly the same condition as you received it. Because the place you are renting is your home, you can cause what they call “fair wear and tear.” Now, this is a fairly vague term. But some clear... Read more
Ask Upad: My landlord won’t put my deposit in a protection scheme
Q: We paid a substantial deposit to our landlord when we moved in a few months ago. She hasn’t lodged it with a Deposit Protection Scheme and says it will be perfectly safe in her own bank account. We’re not very happy about that, but what can we do? A: The first thing to remember is that she’s acting unlawfully. Under law, since 2007, any deposit paid to a landlord or letting agent... Read more
Laws and legal terms every tenant should understand
When you’re renting or looking for a property to rent, you’re probably more concerned about the paint finish or the sofa. But when you are a tenant you exist within a complex web of laws and regulation that laws out not just your responsibilities but your rights. Most landlords are decent people making a fair living. But there are sharks and rogues out there. That’s why it pays to be clear... Read more
Landlord wins against surveyor who overestimated rent
The Guardian reports that a landlord has won his long-running legal case against a surveyor who overestimated the amount of rent he was likely to receive on a buy-to-let property. In 2002, local surveying firm Colleys, now part of Lloyds Bank, estimated the monthly rent on Emmett Scullion's £352,950 apartment would be £2,000. Mr Scullion found, however, that he could only get around 50% of... Read more
Are you complying with the law on tenants’ deposits?
There are lots of laws and regulations that landlords need to keep up with and some of the case law and important changes don’t always get much publicity. Keeping up with the changes takes a bit of time and interest but it is vital: failure to comply can be a criminal offence and might attract a hefty penalty. One recent event that seems to have passed many landlords by, regards a legal case... Read more
Ask Upad : How do I know my landlord owns the property?
How can I verify property ownership when renting directly from the landlord? Nice easy question for a Friday afternoon. Search the Land Registry for the owner or leaseholder of the property; a search will currently cost you £4: worth it for peace of mind, we think. photo credit: William... Read more
LHA and landlords – benefit or curse?
One of the questions we hear from tenants most often is where can I find a landlord who'll let to tenants on housing benefit? As many as one in ten renters may be receiving benefit, so when these tenants represent such a huge proportion of the market, why do so many landlords state "no DSS" in their adverts – and are they right to do so? For some, it's because they have no choice. Some... Read more
High-to-let: is your property being used to grow cannabis?
Edinburgh police are running training courses to help landlords spot the signs that a cannabis farm is being run in their property. The Weed Them Out day-long conference advised landlords and lettings agents on the tell-tale signs that their accommodation was being used to cultivate the drug. A second conference takes place next Friday. Police raid three cannabis farms a day; most are in a... Read more
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Recent Comments
- Steve Frost: A really useful and interesting blog post, thanks for sharing these useful tips I am sure Landlords as...
- Karl: As a landlord, I never use Agents. They only want to get the earliest tenant so that they can get paid a large...
- Barry Danser: I always feel that Alarm systems have to be put in. Morally or legally its crucial that you or your...
- A Harding-Smith: We never do anything but interview our own tenants and manage our own properties. Now we have found...
- Sharon Crossland AIRPM: This is great news but I’ve yet to see a landlord (apart from one) even visit their own...
