Brent Council slammed for major housing safety and quality shortcomings

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The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a damning judgement against the London Borough of Brent, highlighting huge deficiencies in the council’s ability to meet essential safety and quality standards for its tenants.

This comes a week after the council announced a crackdown on private landlords and the standards of homes in its area with door-to-door inspections.

View Full Article: Brent Council slammed for major housing safety and quality shortcomings

BTL brokers favour 5-year fixed mortgages

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Buy to let mortgage brokers have revealed a strong preference for recommending five-year fixed-rate mortgages to landlords, though shorter-term options are gaining ground.

The survey from Landbay shows that 83% of brokers advocate fixed-rate deals

View Full Article: BTL brokers favour 5-year fixed mortgages

Landlords CAN raise rents to pay for EPC upgrades – Labour

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Labour has confirmed that landlords can pass the cost of mandatory EPC upgrades onto tenants – which could see renters paying £4,000 a year more, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Despite the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s insistence that landlords will not put up rents to pay for the EPC costs

View Full Article: Landlords CAN raise rents to pay for EPC upgrades – Labour

Landlords face £30,000 fines for electrical safety non-compliance

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One in three landlords (32%) is either uncertain about the validity of their Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or they lack a valid one entirely, putting them at risk of substantial fines, research reveals.

Direct Line business insurance says the potential penalty for non-compliance is £30,000.

View Full Article: Landlords face £30,000 fines for electrical safety non-compliance

Welsh government faces backlash for ‘piggybacking’ on Renters’ Rights Bill

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Members of the Senedd have accused the Welsh government of “piggybacking” on the Renters’ Rights Bill.

They warn that by allowing Westminster to legislate on renters’ rights in Wales, a policy area that is devolved, the Welsh government is avoiding scrutiny.

View Full Article: Welsh government faces backlash for ‘piggybacking’ on Renters’ Rights Bill

More than half of tenants will challenge rent rises

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Research by Leaders Romans Group (LRG) reveals that 53% of tenants are poised to contest rent rises as the Renters’ Rights Bill advances through Parliament.

The legislation, which introduces a tribunal process for appealing above-market rent increases

View Full Article: More than half of tenants will challenge rent rises

Erroneous Council Tax liability order?

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We have received two Notices of Enforcement for unpaid council tax, which came as a complete shock, as at no point did we receive any bills or a court summons, so we had no knowledge of the debt as they have been sending documents to the wrong address.

View Full Article: Erroneous Council Tax liability order?

Welsh landlords face new rent data reporting rules

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A new proposal could compel landlords in Wales to submit detailed rent information to Rent Smart Wales (RSW), as part of an effort to enhance transparency in the private rented sector.

The recommendation has emerged from the Welsh government’s final evaluation of RSW

View Full Article: Welsh landlords face new rent data reporting rules

The Times wants to speak to landlords deciding whether to stick or twist

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Are you a landlord who’s finding it harder to stay in the market?

The Sunday Times is working on a piece about how new rules and tax hikes are making it trickier for landlords to manage, and whether now is the time to “stick or twist.”

The Sunday Times is looking to speak with landlords who are selling up

View Full Article: The Times wants to speak to landlords deciding whether to stick or twist

BTL lenders increase loan sizes and cut rates

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More buy to let lenders are rolling out changes to their BTL and commercial mortgage offerings, increasing loan sizes, reducing rates and introducing tailored products.

Together has expanded its commercial loan offerings, boosting maximum loan sizes to £5 million for commercial term products

View Full Article: BTL lenders increase loan sizes and cut rates