Another Council Abandons Selective Licencing Proposals

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Only a few weeks ago we heard the Telford and Wrekin Council had abandoned their proposals for Selective Licensing of landlords due to overwhelming feedback advising against it.

Clearly these Councils can be persuaded against the introduction of Selective Licensing if enough people take the time and effort to explain the alternatives.

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Landlord Law Conference 2018 – the easy way to get up to date with the law

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Landlord Law:

As you will know if you have been reading the LandlordZONE® news postings – there are going to be quite a few legal changes this year.  And that following on from several years when we have had a succession of new rules and procedures – and new penalties!

It’s not surprising that landlords are feeling bemused by it all.  How can you possibly keep up?

One solution is the Landlord Law Conference, sponsored by TDS.  It’s a serious training event with ten talks from property professionals and legal specialists on important topics – but it’s also a really good day out!

So, you can listen to talks explaining about how to avoid problems with section 21, or rent to rent, or dealing with your deposit disputes – and also have a great time networking with other landlords and letting agents and chatting to the speakers and exhibitors. Not to mention the hot buffet sit down lunch!

The Conference is an annual event and this year we are going back to Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club as it proved such a great venue last year.  It may be a little off the beaten track, just outside Norwich, but Norwich is only two hours away from London by train, or if you want to drive, the venue has free parking!

If you are at a distance – why not stay over for a few days?  Norfolk is a fantastic place to visit plus the hotel has its own golf course, swimming pool and spa, as well as two restaurants and bars.

People love the Conference.  It is a very friendly event.  If you attend you will come away feeling uplifted and full of confidence about the law and what you need to do to be compliant (and also where to go to find out more).  Plus you will have the Conference Handbook with detailed speakers notes to help you remember it all.

So, what are the Conference details?

The Conference in a Nutshell:

Date: 18 May 2018

Venue: The Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club just outside Norwich

Price: £216 (£180 + VAT) per person (discounts available for bulk bookings)

Price includes:

• Attendance for 10 x 30 minute talks (giving you 5 hours CPD),
• Welcome refreshments on arrival and in the morning and afternoon comfort breaks
• Sit down hot buffet lunch  (most special diets catered for)
• Free wi fi
• Free parking at the venue
• Conference handbook with speakers notes

For more information visit www.landlordlawconference.co.uk

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Landlord Law Conference 2018 – the easy way to get up to date with the law | LandlordZONE.

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Temporarily Switch Residential Home to BTL

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We’re buying a new home to live in ourselves & have therefore been trying to sell our current main home. This is taking longer than we wanted and we’re on a timeline as the builders for the new home set the exchange and completion dates according to their build schedule.

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Scottish letting market reacts to new tenancy laws with rent increases

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Rent Increases:

Rent costs in Scotland have rocketed in January following the introduction of new tenancy laws last December 1^st.

According to ARLA Propertymark research, around half (44 per cent) of Scottish tenants have seen their rents increase in January, a figure that contrasts sharply with the national average of increases affecting around just one-fifth (19%) of tenants.

These findings from ARLA Propertymark’s network of letting agents in Scotland come following the introduction of the new Private Rented (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act on 1st December 2017.

The letting agents’ professional body says that this highlights “a market reaction to indefinite tenancies and the potential for rent controls.”

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark says:

“Rent controls have a history of dramatically deteriorating property conditions as landlords struggle to meet mortgage payments in addition to maintenance costs. However, it seems the very idea of these controls – and open-ended tenancies – is now affecting rent prices for tenants; in anticipation, landlords are raising rents to make sure they can make ends meet, should they be introduced.

“It’s now been two full months since this form of new Private Residential Tenancy came into force in Scotland and while in December, just over a third (36 per cent) of agents witnessed rent hikes, January’s results show a much larger swing. For the sake of the Scottish rental sector we hope this isn’t a growing trend, but while rent controls are on the agenda, it’s just a waiting game to gauge how the market reacts”

[1] Opinium Research carried out an online survey among 361 ARLA members, from 1st – 8th February 2018. ARLA Propertymark Protected letting agents were surveyed on a number of key rental sector issues including supply and demand, the management of BTL properties, and monthly

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Scottish letting market reacts to new tenancy laws with rent increases | LandlordZONE.

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Scottish letting market reacts to new tenancies laws with rent increases

admin    Uncategorized     agents

Rent Increases:

Rent costs in Scotland have rocketed in January following the introduction of new tenancy laws last December 1^st.

According to ARLA Propertymark research, around half (44 per cent) of Scottish tenants have seen their rents increase in January, a figure that contrasts sharply with the national average of increases affecting around just one-fifth (19%) of tenants.

These findings from ARLA Propertymark’s network of letting agents in Scotland come following the introduction of the new Private Rented (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act on 1st December 2017.

The letting agents’ professional body says that this highlights “a market reaction to indefinite tenancies and the potential for rent controls.”

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark says:

“Rent controls have a history of dramatically deteriorating property conditions as landlords struggle to meet mortgage payments in addition to maintenance costs. However, it seems the very idea of these controls – and open-ended tenancies – is now affecting rent prices for tenants; in anticipation, landlords are raising rents to make sure they can make ends meet, should they be introduced.

“It’s now been two full months since this form of new Private Residential Tenancy came into force in Scotland and while in December, just over a third (36 per cent) of agents witnessed rent hikes, January’s results show a much larger swing. For the sake of the Scottish rental sector we hope this isn’t a growing trend, but while rent controls are on the agenda, it’s just a waiting game to gauge how the market reacts”

[1] Opinium Research carried out an online survey among 361 ARLA members, from 1st – 8th February 2018. ARLA Propertymark Protected letting agents were surveyed on a number of key rental sector issues including supply and demand, the management of BTL properties, and monthly

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Scottish letting market reacts to new tenancies laws with rent increases | LandlordZONE.

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CGT base cost on selling part of the garden?

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As an accountant I know the Capital Gains rules regarding selling a BLT property that you once lived in.

However, has any one got any advise on the rules in selling part of the garden of a house you once lived in.

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DWP Complaints

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The following post is based on an article first published on Bill Irvine’s website. He covers a topic close to the heart of all landlords involved with benefit dependent tenants. The message he promotes is something I can relate to as I’m dealing with landlords every day of the week faced with similar rental loss.

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Supply of London rental properties at critical point

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The number of properties available to rent in London stood at 46% below the national average in January, ARLA Propertymark reveals.

As landlords are increasingly priced out of the capital, tenants are finding themselves up against stiff competition for rental properties.

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ARLA reports rental supply drought in London

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Rental Supply:

Agents in London are reporting a critical shortage of rentals which ARLA Propertymark says are now 46% below the national average supply.

As landlords are increasingly priced out of the capital, with high prices correspondingly high stamp duty and yields, tenants are now finding stiff competition to secure rental properties.

In January, says ARLA Propertymark, “letting agents in London were typically managing 99 properties, compared to a national average of 184. It was also the lowest region for supply in December, but it stood at 130 then, compared to a national average of 200.[1]”

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark comments:

“The rental market in London should be thriving – the capital is a hub for business and culture and attracts a huge influx of new residents every year. But the prospect of being a landlord is becoming less tenable, as potential buy to let investors are deterred by increased taxes and ever more complicated legislation – and higher property prices in London are making it becoming more and more difficult for landlords to make ends meet.

“Government policies designed to help renters now seem to be having the opposite effect, as landlords are moving away from using professional agents. This puts tenants at risk of falling into the hands of rogue landlords, or novice ones who don’t have any experience in the sector.”

[1] – Opinium Research carried out an online survey among 361 ARLA members, 68 of which were based in London, from 1st – 8th February 2018. ARLA Propertymark Protected letting agents were surveyed on a number of key rental sector issues including supply and demand, the management of BTL properties, and monthly rent prices.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – ARLA reports rental supply drought in London | LandlordZONE.

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Hidden tax on landlords or agent attempt to pass on costs?

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Due to the Anti Money Laundering regulations of 2017 changes, when the regulator changed from OFT to HMRC, we are legally obliged to carry out an AML check on all our landlords to ensure everyone is compliant with the law.

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