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 ‘Tenant Rights’ Category
UK renters can now get a fairer deal with The Upad Tenant Guarantee
The UK's 3.8 million privately renting tenants can look forward to getting a fairer deal in 2013. Tenants will no longer have to put up with rogue traders and excessive agency fees: a new amendment has been introduced by the House of Lords giving better protection to tenants, and many industry organisations ( including RICS, The Property Ombudsman, Which? and ARLA) have started campaigning in... Read more
Tenancy deposit (case study)
Tenancy deposits are used to secure against unpaid rent, damage to the property, or unpaid utility bill. If there is a dispute over how much of the deposit should be returned to the tenants, it is referred to the Tenancy Dispute service. Here is a typical case: A garden was left in an "unsatisfactory" state at the end of a tenancy, with weeds, overgrown plants and long grass. A clause in the... Read more
Tenancy agreements: everything you need to know
A tenancy agreement is a contract between a landlord and a tenant that gives permission for a tenant to live in a property for a certain period of time as long as they abide by certain rules. As a landlord you need to make sure you have the right agreement for your property to be properly legally protected - one that is appropriate for the type of let, covers any special requirements for your... Read more
Tenant rewards scheme slashes rent arrears
A housing association has hailed the success of a scheme that rewards tenants for keeping their rent up to date. The scheme, introduced 18 months ago by Orbit Heart of England housing association has seen rent arrears fall by half a million pounds. At a time where landlords reporting that rental arrears are rocketing, to see an organisation buck that trend is impressive. Orbit Heart of... Read more
Portsmouth landlord fined £12,000 for sub-standard housing
A Portsmouth landlord has been ordered to pay £12,000, for letting an unsafe house. The student accommodation in St James’s Street, Portsea had sleeping accommodation that was too small and cooking facilities that were sub-standard. Fareham magistrates’ court found the company guilty of failing to comply with two housing prohibition orders, and failing to provide Portsmouth City Council... Read more
Should rioters lose their council houses?
In the race to be the toughest on law and order, in the aftermath of the riots and looting across the country earlier in the week, the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary have both said that convicted rioters should lose out on benefits and possibly even their social housing. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said in the House of Commons yesterday: "To the law-abiding people who play by... Read more
Landlords: bulletproof your Section 21 notices
Mistakes in Section 21 notices are among the most common reasons for delays and increased costs when a landlord tries to recover possession from a tenant who has an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). Judges are well aware of the complicated statutory provisions that govern such notices. And the slightest mistake, such as an incorrect expiry date, is harshly dealt with, usually resulting in... Read more
The tale of two lettings agencies
Two lettings agencies in the UK have been expelled from the Property Ombudsman Scheme. The firms will remain in business; however they will no longer be accredited by the Property Ombudsman. A London-based lettings agent claimed fraudulent benefits in a shocking case. She used her son as a way to gain £10,000 from painful and gruelling medical treatment by claiming he was "desperately... Read more
Is a tenant database ethically right?
A husband and wife duo have launched a tenant database, aimed at sorting the good from the bad especially with regards to rental arrears. The Hendersons decided to start up this database in response to the horror stories they have heard over the years. The couple themselves not been without troubles over their 15 year lettings history. The figures recently released by LSL Property Services... Read more
Conservative MP calls for the end of “squatters’ rights”
Mike Weatherley, Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade has stated he wishes to see an end to squatters' rights, and for tenants who stop paying rent to face court. Under the current system, landlords have to go through the civil courts to evict squatters or tenants. The conservative MP has called for the law to be changed, and has written to the government with his request. This strong... Read more
Fighting fire with new laws
A new bill is currently in front of Parliament, that of The Fire Safety (Protection of Tenants) Bill. The aim is to ensure that all private rental properties have a fire detection system which is up to scratch and complies with modern standards. All landlords will have to install a battery powered smoke alarm BEFORE the tenancy agreement is signed. If this legislation makes it through... 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
The Jekyll and Hyde of tenants
The key to avoiding bad tenants is to avoid the places where the quality of tenant is unknown. If your property is advertised on the professional sites such as Rightmove, FindaProperty and Zoopla then the quality of tenant tends to be higher (professional channel, professional tenant). The free sites mean you don’t have to pay out in advertising but you may pay out at a later stage in property... Read more
Ask Upad: My landlord won’t undertake repairs. Can I do them myself?
Q: I’ve informed my landlord about a leaking pipe that is damaging the property. This was a few weeks ago and he hasn’t made efforts to repair it. Can I get the repairs done myself and deduct the costs from my rent? A: Your landlord does also have a responsibility to you, under the law, to ensure your property is habitable and undertake repairs as necessary. If s/he fails to do so, you can... Read more
Ask Upad: Am I liable for food lost when the freezer broke down?
Q: I rent a flat to a couple and the freezer broke down. I have replaced the appliance but the tenants have asked for £20 to replace food that perished when it broke down. Must I pay them? I think it’s a bit of a cheek because I have replaced the freezer with a brand spanking new model. A: There’s an easy legal answer. You are not obliged to pay for the food. So your decision will be a... Read more
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Recent Comments
- David Lawrenson: Good piece Freeholds are more valuable to buy and sell (among people who did this sort of thing) if...
- David Lawrenson: James, Good piece but why do Shelter fail to mention the rather important fact that lenders’...
- John Gell: Non-paid utility bills need not concern a landlord and it is not lawful to hold deposit money against...
- Maggie: We once had to install 2 Miele washer/dryers in 3 years for tenants and the original one was a Miele –...
- Sharon Bilsby-Vint: I only ever install Miele Washing Machines in all my rented properties for peace of mind. (I even...
