All private rented property agents must now sign up to a scheme protecting renters’ and landlords’ money. Under the new regulations that took effect on 1 April, all agents in the private rented sector are required to join a government-approved scheme to protect their clients’ money while it is in their possession – with fines of up to £30,000
Tenants given government guidance on their rights when renting
Tenants and leaseholders can now access official guidance on their rights when renting their home. The online rental guides, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, are part of a continuing crackdown on poor practice by a minority of landlords and agents in the private rented and leasehold sectors. The Citizens Advice Bureau helped 65,000 private renters with more than 100,000 problems about their tenancy in 2017. …Read More
Landlord ‘didn’t have to consult tenants again’ over service charges
Landlords must consult tenants over service charges for work carried out on their homes but how far does that obligation go? The Court of Appeal provided a useful insight in a recent case involving property company Reedbase Ltd and some of its tenants. An asphalt roof needed to be repaired, which involved removing tiles. Some of the tiles were in poor condition and the landlord proposed to replace them all. …Read More
Landlord wins dispute with local authority over students in HMO
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of a landlord who was in dispute with his local council over accommodation for students in two houses in multiple occupation (HMO). The landlord had been granted HMO licences by the authority in relation to the two properties. Each property had a bedroom in the attic, but the licences prohibited the use of those rooms for sleeping because once the sloping ceilings …Read More