Equality laws could affect “no benefit tenants” policies

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Lettings agent Nicholas George recently admitted indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex, settling out of court with single mother Rosie Keogh. She was paid £2,000 compensation, because her application was refused on the grounds of being in receipt of benefits.

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The Licensing of HMOs (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018

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Hi All, Just had this piece of new legislation pointed out to me by a client. Although I heard Sajid Javid’s sabre rattling around Christmas, I hadn’t heard much more on it since. The new piece of legislation, made 20/02/2018 and laid before parliament 23/02/2018 appears to be coming in to force 01/10/2018 and would also appear to have been rushed through (was anyone aware of a consultation on this?)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/221/made

It appears to be removing the 3 floor limit from the original HMO regulations.

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Rental income and stamp duty or limited company

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I have one property rented out since I down graded to a small flat in August 2016 only. I am thinking of opening limited company as people say that is more tax sufficient, and asset is owned by the company rather than myself which can paid for my care in old age.

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Benefit Tenanted Properties could be eligible for energy grants

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Energy Efficiency:

Properties occupied by tenants on Housing Benefit could be eligible for energy efficiency grants to bring properties up to current standards ahead of the MEES (minimum energy efficiency standards) directive, effective from April this year.

The government is allocating a limited amount of funding for housing associations and private landlords with benefit tenants, where the current EPC rating of the property is E or below.

The grant is allocated to the tenant not the landlord, so successfully obtaining funding in this way would entail a certain amount of cooperation between the landlord and the tenant.

The scheme applies to houses only, not flats. UK energy suppliers will be contracted to carry out improvements, depending on the location and type of property, but the tenant will not need to be an existing customer of the supplier.

The scheme is a part of the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) and the “Affordable Warmth Grant” aimed at dealing with fuel poverty in across the UK.

For example, installing a new A-Rated Boiler can reduce carbon emissions and can save tenants up to £300 per year on fuel bills for heating and hot water, and with good insulation the whole package can save the tenant considerably more.

Potential improvements covered by these grants include:

• Loft insulation
• Cavity-wall insulation
• Hot-water-tank insulation
• Draught proofing
• Gas, electric or oil central heating and hot water

Tenants can apply for the grant if they are receiving any of the following benefits:

• Working Tax Credit – with an income of less than £16,040 and which must include a disability element
• Child Tax Credit – with an income of less than £16,040
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Income Support – which must include a disability premium
• Housing Benefit – which must include a disability premium
• Council Tax Benefit – which must include a disability premium
• War Disablement Pension – which must include mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit – which must include Constant Attendance Allowance

Improving efficiency of a property will benefit both the tenant and landlord, so it’s in both their interests to work together to see if they can obtain the funding for this.

If you think your tenant is entitled to receive this grant, you can find out more information on the Warn Front Website – https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services/landlords

There is limited funding for this and the “Warm Front Scheme” is funded year by year on a set Government budget. The budget is usually taken up quickly because of the high demand, so the money may not always be available. However, it worth a try to get it and if successful landlords and tenants will benefit substantially by reducing the cost of meeting the compulsory MEES standards.

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