Council slammed by Housing Ombudsman for poor repairs and complaints handling

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A special investigation by the Housing Ombudsman has exposed how Hammersmith and Fulham Council failed to provide adequate repairs and complaints handling to its residents, leaving them ‘feeling anything but secure in their homes’.

The report found that the council had a maladministration rate of 88% in 33 cases investigated

View Full Article: Council slammed by Housing Ombudsman for poor repairs and complaints handling

Over 55’s landlords turning to Landlord Sales Agency to get out of trouble financially as new buy-to-let mortgages grind to a halt

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It’s another week of news suggesting that landlords need to sell. If you’ve not yet considered cutting your losses, this might be the sign it’s time to exit the market, fast.

The Independent reported that not only have landlords over 55 increasingly been getting rid of their buy-to-let properties to exit the market before things get worse

View Full Article: Over 55’s landlords turning to Landlord Sales Agency to get out of trouble financially as new buy-to-let mortgages grind to a halt

Quadruple surge in fake tenancy applications

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Fraudulent tenancy applications have quadrupled in the last two years, according to new research.

Referencing agency Homelet says they have seen a surge in fake tenancy applications receiving nearly 200 per day.

According to the 2020 Fraud and Corruption Tracker by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

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Landbay launches fee-free five-year fixed-rate BTL mortgages

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Landbay has announced the launch of two new fee-free five-year fixed-rate mortgages for landlords, with competitive rates and flexible terms.

The first product is a standard five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5.69%, which can be borrowed up to 75% of the property value

View Full Article: Landbay launches fee-free five-year fixed-rate BTL mortgages

Gove unveils new rules to curb short-term lets

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The government has announced new rules to restrict short-term lets and give local communities more control over housing.

The changes, unveiled by Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, will require planning permission for future short-term lets and create a mandatory national register to provide valuable information and help ensure accommodation is safe.

View Full Article: Gove unveils new rules to curb short-term lets

Help needed to file N325 warrant of possession via PCOL

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Hi everyone, I got the possession order on 6th February and the tenant is ordered to leave by 20th Feb. I don’t think he will move out so I’m hoping to get the N325 ready and file it online via the Possession Claims Online (PCOL) process.

View Full Article: Help needed to file N325 warrant of possession via PCOL

Call for landlords who have used rent-to-rent operators

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The Government is looking to regulate the practice of rent-to-rent under the Renters (Reform) Bill, where landlords let their properties to a third party who then sublet them to tenants.

The move will see landlords being made liable for the behaviour of rent-to-rent operators and allow rent repayment orders to be issued against them.

View Full Article: Call for landlords who have used rent-to-rent operators

Unravelling the DOTAS Controversy – so what’s next?

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HMRC has issued Scheme Reference Numbers for both the Substantial Incorporation Structure and the Capital Account Restructure under DOTAS legislation.

The scheme reference number for the Substantial Incorporation Structure (SIS) is 53560969.

The above also applies to the Beneficial Interest Company Transfer structure (BICT)

View Full Article: Unravelling the DOTAS Controversy – so what’s next?

When politicians use weasel words, tenants lose their homes

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Who knew that weasel words could leave tenants homeless? Who knew that weasel words can mean the opposite of what they do mean?

I’m talking about Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions that are in the news, thanks to Michael Gove announcing they will be banned before the next election.

View Full Article: When politicians use weasel words, tenants lose their homes

Allow tax relief for landlords who improve EPC ratings says firm

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One firm is calling on the government to allow tax relief for landlords who improve the energy efficiency of their rental stock.

Tax accountants Blick Rothenberg says landlords should claim income tax and or corporate tax relief if they improve EPC ratings on their properties.

View Full Article: Allow tax relief for landlords who improve EPC ratings says firm