Free Model Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Review
Update note: the model agreement has been updated 7 April 2020. The text below may not reflect these updates. As recently reported, the DCLG has produced a model assured shorthold tenancy agreement which is freely available for all to download and use. But, is it any...
Coronavirus Rescue Pay Packages Omit Directors Paid Dividends
Property company directors who top up their salaries with dividends do not qualify for government coronavirus financial support packages. HM Revenue & Customs chief Jim Barra has confirmed dividends are excluded from calculating income under the Job Retention...
Government Says No to Rent Holiday for Private Tenants
Following our article about rent holidays and rent strikes yesterday, private tenants are not due a rent holiday during the coronavirus crisis, according to a government peer. Independent Lord Taylor of Warwick asked a written question in the Lords about a rent break...
New Accelerated Possession Claim Form and Statement Rules
From 6 April 2020, there is a new accelerated possession claim form N5B used in England. Given all possession claims are currently suspended for 90 days since 27 March 2020, it’s not going to have any great effect right now. It also gives us time to update the website...
Coronavirus: Rent Payment Holidays and New Template
We had previously reported about groups gathering proposing a rent strike and suggesting not paying rent for 3 months. This seems to have now become into rumours spreading (around those who want to listen and believe it) that tenants shouldn’t pay rent for three...
Coronavirus Templates for Landlords and Agents
Email templates for landlords/agents Over time we will add templates which might be useful during the coronavirus period. Currently, there are only a small number but we plan to add more as people ask questions or provide recommendations. They aren’t...
Coronavirus: Homes for Sale or Rent Still Need an EPC
After the news just now that our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has been taken into intensive care, we want to wish him all the very best and a speedy recovery. Landlords must still carry out energy efficiency inspections when selling or renting out a home regardless...
Coronavirus Financial Uncertainty Ramps Up for Landlords
Landlords facing an uncertain financial future if their tenants cannot pay the rent will start feeling the pinch over the coming weeks. Although the country has been self-isolating or in lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus for nearly two weeks, many tenants...
Coronavirus: Time to Take a Breath and Reflection
Wow, what a couple of weeks! From just before the lockdown and then up until about yesterday, we’ve never been busier in anytime that we can remember. Guidance was being issued left, right and centre, multiple times a day. As it mounted up, we needed to consolidate...
Time for Banks to Repay Debt to Taxpayers, Warns Business Secretary
Business secretary Alok Sharma has warned the banks that they need to do more to help small businesses desperate for financial aid. In the daily coronavirus briefing from 10 Downing Street, he pointedly warned the banks that it was time for them to repay to favour the...
Updated Possession Notice Wizard for Coronavirus
We have now completed our Coronavirus Act changes to the possession notice wizard which is now live again and can be used. We decided to make changes to the section 8 and section 21 notices in line with the Coronavirus Act 2020 even though some commentators don’t...
Coronavirus: Landlords to Go Online for Right to Rent Checks
Right to Rent for landlords and letting agents has been tweaked to make checks easier to carry out in the coronavirus crisis. The government wants landlords and tenants to rely on technology rather than face-to-face checks. What’s not changed is the need to carry out...
Don’t Blame Housing Uncertainty on Lenders, Says Finance Chief
Don’t blame banks and building societies for uncertainty in the housing market, says financial firm trade body UK Finance. In an open letter, chief executive Stephen Jones writes that banks have not pressured the government to freeze the housing market due to the...
Coronavirus: Comprehensive Guidance for Renters and Landlords Published
Today (28 March 2020), MHCLG has published some comprehensive and consolidating guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities. The guidance covers various topics including: rent mortgage payments possession proceedings court action property access health and...Coronavirus Guidance
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