Five Warnings for 2018 – #5 The Tenant Fee Ban

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A short series from landlord & tenant lawyer Tessa Shepperson on things you need to watch out for.

I include this not because the rules are likely to come into force in 2018 (although this is not impossible)

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Top 10 cities searched by prospective tenants

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Rightmove have released figures for the most popular cities that prospective tenants search for new homes to rent in 2017.

Number 1 searched city was Bristol

Followed by:

2. Birmingham

3. Leeds

4.

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Add value to your rental property with a compact mini kitchen

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With the growing demand for affordable properties continuing to rise, landlords must consider the most cost effective ways in which homes can be fitted out.  Upon review of their properties, landlords may find that the kitchen has taken a few knocks during the last tenancy, they have been subject to wear-and-tear and, in the worst case, it might be time for a complete kitchen replacement.

In smaller dwellings like apartments, studio flats, bedsits and homes of multiple occupancy, where it is also about increasing the lettable floor space, why don’t you  consider a compact kitchen as they are significantly easier to maintain and can free up much-needed space. As such, landlords should look at the possibility of installing affordable compact kitchens, which can include, hotplates, fridge and microwave.

Elfin Kitchens’ Economy kitchen range is designed to meet such needs, providing an affordable, compact kitchen solution.  They are ideal for installation in properties where space is limited.  Comprising an A++ rated fridge with freezer compartment, sink with monobloc mixer tap, two hotplates and a microwave, the kitchen delivers everything needed by the tenant to prepare and cook food.

Manufactured from hard wearing white powder coated steel, the economy kitchen is tough enough to withstand knock scrapes and general misuse, something which can prove to be a problem in rented accommodation.  Similarly due to the non-absorbent nature of steel, spills can be easily wiped from the unit ensuring no marks are left on the surface.

Delivered as one complete unit, the kitchen is ready to be fitted and plumbed directly to the service pipes.  Installation can take less than half an hour so labour costs are dramatically reduced as a result.  Each kitchen comes with quality branded appliances, available in left-hand or right-handed versions, providing each user with all the cooking facilities they need in a stylish compact unit.

The economy kitchen model is ideal for landlords looking to install a low cost, yet durable kitchen solution.  Owing to the way in which it is manufactured, the economy kitchen is resilient against the effects of general wear and tear ensuring the kitchen will look good for many years.

Drop in. plug in. elfin.

The benefit of a pre-built kitchen is just this, it arrives ready to install and can simply be plugged into the existing services.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Add value to your rental property with a compact mini kitchen | LandlordZONE.

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Time for Government to step up support landlords

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This year has been a frustrating one for UK landlords.

The long-awaited housing white paper – which promised radical changes for PRS landlords – failed to offer much by way of positive news, and November’s budget, welfare announcements aside, had little for landlords to get excited about.

Without a crystal ball, we already know the next round of MIR changes will come into force in April, along with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and the new banning orders and rogue landlord database.

The ban on letting agents’ fees is also likely to be introduced with the draft bill announced last month.

On top of this the Government is running 15 consultations on issues affecting the PRS on issues from Right to Rent to Client Money Protection Schemes, Universal Credit and Redress schemes for tenants.

But has it bitten off more than it can chew?

While landlords are frustrated with the lack of action so far, to boost supply and encourage investment, the RLA has warned the Government in a meeting only last week, that looking at individual PRS issues in isolation is a mistake.

What’s more, when coupled with recent tax changes, more regulations could end up forcing landlords out of the market altogether.

RLA chairman Alan Ward has already written to Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, to say he is he is ‘deeply concerned’ about the ‘sporadic and uncoordinated’ way in which policy is being proposed.

The RLA has told the Government the sector does not need more consultations but a co-ordinated and consistent effort to boost the supply of homes.

Mr Ward said: “It is not obvious how any of these consultations and the proposals contained within them achieve what we need which is more homes to rent alongside all other tenures.

“While it is right and proper that the government consults on its plans, these exercises are, quite simply not enough.

“As we have said time and time again, tenants cannot live in consultations.”

The RLA came up with a wish-list of positive changes ahead of last month’s budget, including calls for tax changes to incentivise longer tenancies, capital gains tax reform and a commitment from the government to redevelop small plots of land as rental homes.

Mr Ward said: “Landlords need incentives to invest including pro-growth taxation and most of all need to have confidence in the system if they are going to continue to provide vital homes to rent at this time of housing crisis.

“Let’s make 2018 the year we see some joined-up thinking from the Government and recognition of the contribution made by private landlords.”

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Time for Government to step up support landlords | LandlordZONE.

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Five Warnings for 2018 – #4 Pre-October 2015 Tenancies

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A short series from landlord & tenant lawyer Tessa Shepperson on things you need to watch out for.

On 1 October 2015 new rules came in which affected landlords use of the all-important section 21 notices for properties let on assured shorthold tenancies in England (the new rules do not apply in Wales).

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Five Warnings for 2018 – #3 Banning Orders

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A short series from landlord & tenant lawyer Tessa Shepperson on things you need to watch out for.

Banning Orders were set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016, but could not come into force until the relevant secondary legislation had been drafted.

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New Chairman for NLA

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Landlords’ Association:

The National Landlords Association (NLA) has appointed a new Chairman Adrian Jeakings who replaces Carolyn Uphill, Chairman since July 2013.

Mr Jeakings, who joined the Board of Directors in June 2016 as a Non-Executive Director, has more than 25 years’ experience at board level in executive and non-executive roles.

Jeakings previous roles include Non-Executive Audit Advisory Chair at the Norse Group and a Member of the Appointments Panel at the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Prior to this he had three years as President of the Newspaper Society and Chairman of the News Media Association. During his professional career he spent six years as Chief Executive Officer of Archant, and has 20 years’ experience in Chief Financial Officer/ Director roles at various organisations.

During Carolyn Uphill’s time as Chairman she oversaw the growth of the organisation, increasing membership to 16,000 paying subscribers. In total the NLA says to now works with 81,000 landlords, up from 39,000 from 2013.

On taking on the role as Chairman, Mr Jeakings said he is keen to continue to build the NLA’s voice and authority.

“Carolyn has been a fantastic Chairman, and the growth of the NLA during her tenure has been great to see. I’d like to thank her for the all her hard work, and to praise her for the dedication and passion she has shown in standing up for landlords and championing the important role they play in providing much needed homes.

“I too want to put our members at the heart of everything we do and my focus will be to ensure that they have the support they need to make a success of renting homes.

“I look forward to helping the organisation continue to grow our membership and to improve our strength in numbers, which I believe is crucial if we want to enhance our authority and better assert the landlord’s perspective to policy makers and in public debate.”

Carolyn Uphill, outgoing Chairman, said:

“The private rented sector has witnessed a lot of change over the last 5 years. Chairing the organisation and watching it grow and develop in such turbulent circumstances has had its challenges, but has been a privilege and an honour.

“There will continue to be many challenges ahead, but I’m certain that under Adrian’s leadership, the NLA will continue to grow to support the needs of landlords across the UK.”

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – New Chairman for NLA | LandlordZONE.

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