Sterling effort! New platform offers £1 property rental service to landlords

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Thrifty landlords looking to let their property could be quids-in by using a new online platform that bypasses letting agents.

For just £1, they can advertise for seven days on Portico Direct, a budget lettings service from estate agent Portico, which connects tenant enquiries with private landlords.

Landlords upload their photos then, once they get applicant details, can conduct viewings themselves, either virtually or in person.

Portico’s CEO Robert Nichols says with landlords feeling the effect of tougher regulations and taxes, this will provide a solution for those wanting to rent out their property without using a traditional high street agent while keeping costs down.

He says: “Ultimately, our new offering means private landlords are able to find the right tenants quickly and cost-effectively and, as long as they don’t mind doing some of the legwork, enjoy a better return on investment as a result.”

With Portico Direct, private landlords based outside London can advertise on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket for £1 for the first seven days, which Nichols says is often enough time to find the perfect tenant.

If landlords need longer, they can buy another 14 days for £19 – and repeat as needed. 

Portico Direct also offers other online services for landlords, including tenant credit checks, tenancy agreements which can be signed digitally, deposit registration, rent guarantee insurance and rent collection.

The company says not sticking to the rules when renting out a property can lead to both landlord-tenant disputes and heavy fines.

It’s designed the online dashboard to help landlords make sure they issue the right documentation alongside the tenancy agreement and stay compliant with changing legislation.

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‘Panic letting’ prior to lock-down is now causing landlords major headaches, claims law firm

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The scramble to fill properties during lockdown means some landlords are now paying the price for poor referencing, according to law firm Irwin Mitchell, which warns them not to ‘panic let’ if they want to avoid problems with tenants who haven’t been properly vetted.

The firm says they’re has been a rise in inquiries from landlords wanting to recover possession of assured shorthold tenancies that they’ve signed since March when the Coronavirus hit.

It says most of these situations occurred because the landlord was eager to let the property as it was, or was due to be, vacant. As a result, their investigations into prospective tenants was often less thorough – which is now coming back to haunt them.

Cutting corners

Sam Lane, a solicitor in its real estate disputes division, says while it’s understandable that landlords want to ensure their properties are occupied and let, it’s important that they don’t cause themselves problems by cutting corners or ‘panic-letting’.

He adds: “While it’s likely that the rental market will become more competitive over the coming months, a short-term solution to an empty property now could lead to a bigger problem further down the line.

“Despite market conditions, they need to make the same inquiries into prospective tenants as they would have previously made. In fact, it’s probably important to do so than ever, given the restrictions on eviction.”

Lane advises that landlords wanting to gain possession of their property should consider serving notice or issuing proceedings sooner rather than later, particularly given the court’s backlog of cases.

“In current circumstances, we believe that it will likely take at least 12 months from the service of a notice for a landlord to recover possession of a property where county court bailiffs are required,” he adds.

Read more about lockdown.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – ‘Panic letting’ prior to lock-down is now causing landlords major headaches, claims law firm | LandlordZONE.

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Landlord duo convicted of illegally dividing house after TEN YEAR wrangle

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Two landlords have finally been convicted of illegally dividing a house into seven sub-standard flats following a ten-year legal wrangle.

Camden Council first issued a planning enforcement notice in 2010 on Joel Salem, of Highview Gardens, Finchley, and Judith Robinson-Dadoun, of Brampton Grove, Hendon, after an investigation by its planning department.

Officers found that the units at 52 Fortune Green Road did not meet tenants’ housing needs or provide an acceptable standard of living accommodation and ordered that the pair remove bathrooms and kitchens.

Both have now been found guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court for their failure to comply with this notice.

During the court case, the defendants repeatedly altered the basis of their defence, however district judge G. Allison said: “The defence has consistently failed in its duty under the Criminal Procedure Rules to assist the court in identifying the real issues in the case; this matter has been a true case of shifting sands.”

Lawfully issued

The judge ruled that both defendants were the freehold owners of the land throughout the period, that the council’s enforcement notice was lawfully issued and served and that there was a continuing and long-standing failure by the defendants to comply with its requirements.

Salem and Robinson-Dadoun will now be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court where confiscation proceedings will also take place under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Councillor Danny Beales, cabinet member for investing in communities and an inclusive economy, says: “I’m delighted by this verdict as it shows that Camden Council will not accept substandard accommodation and that we will strongly pursue the breach of planning enforcement notices.

“This should send a strong message to other landlords and building owners. You need to comply with planning rules and Camden will stand with our residents who deserve safe, good quality homes.”

Read more about the Camden private rental market.

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Government plans to help construction in coronavirus recovery

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New measures to help the construction industry boost building and return to work safely will be introduced this week, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced 22 June 2020.

Planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreement with their local council.

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Baker Street Livestream Wednesday 7pm

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The Baker Street Property Meet Live Stream Event is tomorrow Wednesday 24th June at 7pm.

Click here to join the event.

After lockdown, how do you finance investment property deals or arrange a Buy to Let mortgage for your property investing activity?

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