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Ask Upad: My social tenant is in arrears, how do I get direct payments?

Q: I rent a flat to a couple who receive Housing Benefit. They have fallen into arrears and I want to take action to have the rent they get paid directly to me. The tenants themselves are not being very communicative but obviously I still have expenses to meet. What do I do to get their rent paid directly to me? A: Local authorities must make direct payments to landlords if a tenant has rent... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on May 25th, 2011 in Ask Upad, Housing Benefit, Rent Arrears

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Tenant nightmares: My boiler has been condemned and the landlord won’t fix it.

Q. I’ve lived in my flat with my son for a year now and the recent annual gas safety inspection didn’t go well. The gas inspector condemned the boiler, said the flue was blocked and that there was a carbon monoxide risk. He has been in touch with the landlord but no action has been taken and I’m without heating and hot water. This was a week ago and I haven’t heard anything from the... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on February 3rd, 2011 in Renting a Property

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HMO chaos is bad for landlords and tenants

We’re dismayed by the chaos and uncertainty that currently surrounds the licensing of HMOs by local authorities. Currently, planning approval is required to change the use of a property where 3 – 6 unrelated people share basic amenities. The government has indicated that they may change this, allowing individual authorities to decide their own rules. The government is currently consulting on... Read more

Posted by Dan @ Upad on August 27th, 2010 in HMOs, Property Rental

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