TRENDING: Struggling hotels begin converting into HMOs to survive

admin    Uncategorized     agents

A woman hoping to convert her 32-bedroom hotel into an HMO after being hit hard by Covid could spark a trend for more owners moving into the private rented sector.

Andreani Ahooie, who’s run the Longview Hotel in Knutsford (pictured) for 18 years, applied to turn the hotel into a six-bedroom home when bookings dried up.

She says she hasn’t made the decision lightly, but that its core clientele – corporate customers – have all but disappeared overnight.

“In a bid to retain some of our livelihood, we had no other choice but to look at alternative uses that allow the business to remain afloat,” says Ms Ahooie.

The National Residential Landlords Association tells LandlordZONE that anecdotally, it’s seeing some evidence of housing in the short-term lets market returning to the traditional private rented sector, mostly in inner London.

John Stewart, deputy policy director, says: “Whilst we have no firm evidence to prove it, we would not be surprised to see some independent hotels seeking to move to the rental market given the impact that COVID-19 has had on the hospitality industry. 

However, those considering doing so should be sure that they understand fully the complexities of managing an HMO.”

Some, like Ms Ahooie, might find they plans are met with opposition; Knutsford Town Council has already objected, citing fears of, “an unneighbourly relationship with the adjacent property”, while residents have raised concerns over parking.

She insists that she’ll only accept single tenants and will carry out checks using an independent management company, while drivers could use the hotel’s existing parking spaces.

Read more about HMOs.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – TRENDING: Struggling hotels begin converting into HMOs to survive | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: TRENDING: Struggling hotels begin converting into HMOs to survive

Landlady forced to sell rental property after failing to pay fine

admin    Uncategorized     agents

A rogue landlady who ignored improvement notices to make urgent repairs has been handed a charging order, forcing her to sell the property.

Alle Sabboth failed to do the necessary work on her house at 5 Markham Close, Northampton (pictured), and then didn’t pay a £12,400 fine. While she can rent out other properties in future, Northampton Council says it could seek a banning order preventing her from permanently being a landlord if she commits a repeat offence.

Housing enforcement officers first inspected the property in December 2018 and found a long list of hazards including faulty door locks, inadequate plug sockets and holes in the ceiling.

They issued an Improvement Notice, but when officers went back to the property a month later, discovered her tenants were still living in the same hazardous conditions because Sabboth hadn’t done any of the work.

They handed her a fine in January 2020, which she didn’t pay and then later appealed against. However, this was refused as it was months past the deadline and she hadn’t given a good reason for the delay. Her tenants will also now be able to apply for a rent repayment order.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert (pictured), cabinet member for housing, says it’s taking a hard line against landlords who don’t take their responsibilities towards tenants seriously.

He adds: “Unbelievably, this is not the worst property we have investigated and taken action against, which is why I strongly urge landlords to ensure they are fulfilling their duty of care to their tenants.”

Read more about landlord fines.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Landlady forced to sell rental property after failing to pay fine | LandlordZONE.

View Full Article: Landlady forced to sell rental property after failing to pay fine