Ministers refuse to confirm whether King requested changes to rent freeze bill

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The Scottish government has rejected calls to confirm whether the King asked for changes to the rent freeze bill that could affect tenancies on his Highland estate.

MSPs wanted to change the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Bill that will freeze rents for private tenants in Scotland and ban most evictions for six months, reports The Guardian. Their amendment, which failed by 22 votes to 93, called on ministers to disclose whether the King used ‘crown consent’ and to discover the result of any alleged discussions with his lawyers.

Private tenants

King Charles has private tenants on his estate at Balmoral although the Queen did not object to similar Scottish government measures introduced to freeze rents during the Covid crisis in 2020.

The Guardian revealed last year that ministers in Edinburgh allowed the Queen to vet at least 67 bills that affected her personal property and public powers under the rule, which stipulates that the monarch’s consent is needed before they can be passed by the Scottish parliament.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (pictured), the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, told MSPs the public interest case for greater transparency about the King’s role was clear.

As this was the first piece of Scottish legislation he had been asked to consent to, it was an ideal opportunity for the monarch and ministers to become more open, Cole-Hamilton added.

Buckingham Palace officials deny this mechanism is used to lobby for changes to protect the royal family’s interests. A Scottish government memo revealed, however, that it was “almost certain” draft laws had been secretly changed to secure the late Queen’s approval.

View Full Article: Ministers refuse to confirm whether King requested changes to rent freeze bill

S21 Notice to Quit?

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Hello, Can someone please clarify what is going to happen to the S21?

I understand that it is going to be abolished but what does this mean for landlords?

Does this mean that if the tenant always pays their rent and is no problem that we would never be able to claim our property back if we just wanted to sell it?

View Full Article: S21 Notice to Quit?

EICR requires full re-wire?

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Hello, Our flat in London has failed its EICR with code 2s and 3s. The electrician says it needs a full re-wire.

That’s ok (except that it will cost) as the flat’s wiring is maybe 40 yrs old.

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TENANT fined £31,300 for sub-let operation within illegal HMO

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A tenant has been fined £31,300 for sub-letting an unlicensed HMO in Leamington Spa that posed a serious health and safety risk.

Grzegorz Surminski rented the six-bedroom property through Golden Key Letting Agents and was sub-letting to eight tenants when the property was inspected by Warwick Council’s housing team, after one of them made a complaint.

They discovered the house – in St Brides Close, Sydenham – had no working smoke detectors, fire doors or fire safety equipment. There were also numerous issues including unsafe electrics, no working shower and broken floor tiles in the bathroom.

One tenant had been given a mouldy mattress to sleep on and there were large piles of rubbish in the back garden as well as insufficient wheelie bins.

Failing

Surminski was found guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court and fined £10,000 for failing to apply for a HMO licence, £10,000 for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice relating to fire safety and £10,000 for failing to comply with the HMO Management Regulations.

He also received a £1,000 fine for failure to provide details about the ownership and occupation of the property along with a £150 victim surcharge and £150 costs.

Councillor Jan Matecki (pictured), the portfolio holder for housing services, says Surminski’s actions placed the tenants’ health and safety at serious risk.

He adds: “It is reassuring that the courts recognise the gravity of these offences, and it is hoped that the level of fine handed out will be a strong deterrent to others who may be tempted to let a property in this way.”

View Full Article: TENANT fined £31,300 for sub-let operation within illegal HMO

£400 credit off the energy bill?

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Dear all, Our utility is supplied by one main meter divided into 6 flats. Tenants are asking for the government’s £400 credit off the energy bill.

How can a landlord with one utility meter give a £400 energy rebate to six tenants with an all-inclusive tenancy contract?

View Full Article: £400 credit off the energy bill?

Guaranteed rent mismanagement?

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Hello, My sister gave a property to an agent via guaranteed rent. They are up to date with the payments.

After viewing the property, I could see that it was in a state of disrepair. There was a leak in the ceiling and the agent claimed to have fixed and sent a bill to say that they had.

View Full Article: Guaranteed rent mismanagement?

Now the NUS calls for student rent controls

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The latest organisation to call for rent controls in a bid to tackle ‘rocketing rent prices’ is the National Union of Students (NUS).

The NUS has just published its Student Cost of Living report and says that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting students.

View Full Article: Now the NUS calls for student rent controls