Government Announces Removal of Section 21 Notices
Today, the Government announced its intention to abolish section 21 notices which many would argue is the primary reason for the private rented sector to be the popular industry that it has become since being introduced on 15 January 1989. The Welsh Assembly also...
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Landlord Income Tax Grab Enters New Phase
HMRC is set to take another bite out of landlord income tax relief on finance costs with the start of the new financial year. The 2019-20 tax year, which starts from April 6, marks the third stage of phasing income tax relief restrictions down to the basic rate of tax...
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CGT Tax Hike Aims to Raise £100m a Year From Investors
Details of the latest tax hike to hit landlords and other property investors have been revealed by the Treasury. This time, capital gains tax is undergoing a major revamp aimed at raising almost an extra £100 million a year over the next five years. The two CGT tax...
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Letting Fee Ban Set for Wales From Autumn
Landlords and letting agents in Wales face a ban on charging tenants upfront fees as a new law passes the final hurdle. Members of the Welsh Assembly voted in favour of the ban, which is awaiting Royal Assent and is expected to come in to force in the autumn. The ban...
read moreDirect Payment to Landlords and Third Party Deductions – Universal Credit
Direct payment to landlords and third party deductions - universal credit Of particular concern to landlords and letting agents about the welfare reforms is whether direct payment to a landlord will be possible under the new rules. There has been much scaremongering...
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How to Comply With The New Pre-Action Protocol For Debt Claims
The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims commences on 1 October 2017 for England and Wales. The Protocol applies to any business (including sole traders and public bodies) claiming payment of a debt from an individual (including a sole trader). It therefore applies to...
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Understanding the Tenant Fees Act 2019
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 commences from 1 June 2019 and applies to England only (for the time being as it has the ability to extend to Wales). The Act controls what payments a landlord or letting agent may require “in connection with a tenancy of housing...
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Getting Rid Of Tenancy Deposit Problems With The Deregulation Act 2015
As previously reported the Deregulation Bill became the Deregulation Act 2015 on 26 March 2015 and has now been published. Sections 30 - 32 contain the provisions which amend the legislation in relation to tenancy deposits. Prescribed information given by agents...
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How to Understand Which Section 21 Rules Apply From October 2018
From 1 October 2015, big changes were made to section 21 Housing Act 1988 for tenancies in England. Extra requirements were introduced whereby a section 21 notice (two months no fault notice) could not be served unless EPC, gas safety and How to Rent Guide have been...
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New Law Demands Better Living Standards for Tenants
New rules setting raising the bar for living standards in private rented homes in England come into force from March 20 2019. The good news is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 does not introduce any new obligations for landlords but is designed to...
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Landlords to Spend Up to £3,500 Under Energy Rating Rules
Since 1 April 2018, new tenancies, renewals or extensions require the property to have a minimum “E” energy rating. From 1 April 2020, all existing tenancies must comply. If a property does not meet the minimum “E” rating, the property can be registered on an...
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EPC Minimum Energy Levels Explained
This article includes changes made by The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 We have previously reported on the publishing of guidance for the new minimum energy levels for rented property which are being...
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New Landlord and Agent Legislation Commencing During 2019
Below are links to articles which refer to new legislation that commence in 2019.
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Agents Must Have Client Money Protection From 1 April 2019
The Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc.) Regulations 2019 have been approved and will commence from 1 April 2019. The regulations apply to property agents operating in the course of English letting agency or...
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How To Comply With The Consumer Rights Act 2015
The main parts of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which affect landlords and letting agents are now in force for England and Wales. Duty of letting agents to publicise...
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Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
Introduction The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 received Royal Assent on 20 December 2018 and comes into force on 20 March 2019. The Act extends to England and Wales but its practical changes are only for England. Wales has had its own fitness...
read moreHow To Comply With The EPC Regulations
Introduction Since 1 October 2008, an energy performance certificate has been required...
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Landlords Switch on to New Electrical Safety Laws
Housing Minister Heather Wheeler is switching landlords in England to new electrical safety rules for buy to let and shared rented homes. She has promised to bring in the new measure as soon as parliamentary time allows. The updated regime will ensure landlords have...
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Buy to Let Ombudsman to Deal With Repair Complaints
The government has given the go-ahead to a complaints service for buy to let tenants. Communities secretary James Brokenshire has confirmed all private landlords in England will have to sign up for the scheme which will allow tenants to claim compensation if landlords...
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Date Set for Tenant Fee Ban to Start
Landlords and letting agents in England face a ban on charging private renters fees on setting up a tenancy from 1 June 2019. The date the Tenants Fees Bill comes into force was announced in the House of Lords by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth. “We need to enable agents...
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