Is it worth it?

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Has anyone had experience in using DPS deposit dispute resolution services?

After I had a dispute, claim for £316.50, I got awarded £80.00. It just to makes you think it is not worth having a deposit and wasting my time to prepare and submit evidence.

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£2m government-backed pilot mediation service for evictions begins

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The government has launched its much-anticipated Housing Possession Mediation Scheme for landlords and tenants, provided by The Society of Mediators (SoM) at a cost of £2 million.

It will last for between six and nine months and is being operated jointly by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

It will offer a free, dedicated service staffed by seven clerks to engage with possession claims as they progress through court and facilitate settlement without a substantive hearing, where possible.

The service is understood to be voluntary and both landlord and tenants must agree to take part in the mediation process, although landlords may feel obliged to use it as judges making possession decisions are likely to look favourable on those who do.

Manage capacity

“This service aims to help further promote compromise to the benefit of all parties, sustain tenancies and manage capacity in the court system,” the tender notice outlines.

The Society of Mediators, which is a charity, will have a significant operation on its hands – the service is designed to offer an online mediation service for all of the 170 county courts around the UK where possession cases are heard.

The new mediation service will offer landlords mediation with tenants they are seeking to evict during the 28 days between a court’s review of the files and the possession hearing.

The mediations are being conducted by telephone, WhatsApp or Zoom and both parties will also need email access.  

The SoM claims its mediation is simple, fast and efficient and that 84% of cases lead to a settlement.

But many eviction experts are sceptical and say that, although well intentioned the new service is too little, too late in most possession proceedings, and that mediation achieves more when completed much earlier on in a dispute.

Visit the new website to find out more about the service.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – £2m government-backed pilot mediation service for evictions begins | LandlordZONE.

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Build-to-rent operator launches ‘portable tenancies’ at London developments

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A build-to-rent operator in the capital is trying out a new concept in the UK private rental market – portable tenancies.

Residential management company Apo’s new development in London’s East End (pictured) allows tenants to live, work and play in one location, offering services and amenities to take the hassle out of everyday life.

Dubbed ‘rental-meets-living’, its target audience of mainly young professionals will get a sense of community in Barking, but if they fancy a change, can up sticks and move into a partner development currently being built in Kew, just by giving a month’s notice.

‘Life admin’ is made easier, promises Apo, as tenants get a single monthly bill for all utilities and can access the co-working space, roof terrace, studios and private gym.

The site has its own apiary and home-made honey, bike club, handyman for DIY tasks and a guest apartment for visiting friends and family. Members can opt in and out of perks at any time, only paying for what they need.

Matthew Pullen, CEO of Apo, says the offer addresses common concerns about renting and creates an easier and more enjoyable way of living.

“Our mission at Apo is to constantly evolve our offering by working closely with our members to bring fresh ideas to the table and adapt to their growing needs,” says Pullen.

“We are all about inclusivity and putting the fun back into London living.”

The 597 flats start at £1,200 per month for a studio, £1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment and £1,585 for two-bedrooms.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Build-to-rent operator launches ‘portable tenancies’ at London developments | LandlordZONE.

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‘DWP’s faltering payments system is forcing landlords to consider eviction’

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Problems with the DWP’s Alternative Payments Arrangement (APA) system for landlords with tenants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) is helping make the homelessness problem worse, it has been claimed.

Benefits advisory firm Caridon Landlord Solutions says the DWP’s recent decision to close its online APA portal to new applicants means landlords with financially vulnerable tenants who want to be paid the rent directly are struggling to get APAs set up and are being force to consider eviction instead.

As LandlordZONE has reported on numerous occasions, landlords wishing to set up APAs have been frustrated by the bureaucracy that they must overcome to get rent paid directly to them.

Caridon’s MD Sherrelle Collman (main pic), says she understands the huge pressure DWP is under as the number of UC claimants have risen from 2.9 to 5.9 million during the pandemic.

“But when tenants are struggling to meet their rent payments, we know that APAs not only have a significant impact on limiting arrears, they also help to sustain the tenancy,” she says.

“The Government wants landlords to support tenants, but there has to be a middle ground.”

“The landlords we are speaking to say they are going back and forth on the phone, only to be told they will be called back by a case manager, then hearing nothing.

“We’ve seen a 20 per cent uplift in landlords wanting our assistance to set up APAs, and all were at the point where they were considering serving notice to their tenants because they had no other choice.”

Paul Shamplina of Landlord Action (pictured) says his company is inundated with calls from desperate landlords.

“If landlords are now confronted with yet another barrier to access direct payments, it is inevitable that many more landlords will be encouraged to serve notice on those tenants in receipt of Universal Credit, which goes against the government’s intensions,” he says

“Ministers needs to provide more resource to facilitate the onboarding and management of the Universal Credit system so that landlords and tenants can work together. 

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – ‘DWP’s faltering payments system is forcing landlords to consider eviction’ | LandlordZONE.

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Snow storms and severe weather warnings spell trouble for unprepared landlords

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The Met Office has issued a swathe of national severe weather warnings, stretching into the weekend and beyond with up to 15 inches of snow expected in some regions.

The disruptive weather is set to continue this week across Scotland and northern England, becoming much colder and extending further south to include a combined snow and ice warning.

As winter tightens its grip across the UK, Steve Barnes, Associate Director at Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, highlights the importance of protecting your property and tenants: “February is the peak month for claims caused by severe weather, with many landlords suffering uninsured losses.

“Our average claim for flash floods is £17,708, so it pays to be protected. Widespread flooding and heavy snow have already battered much of the UK this year, but forewarned is forearmed.

“Landlords should pay close attention to weather warnings so that they can prepare. If you take the right preventative measures and have comprehensive landlord insurance in place, then you’re doing all you can for your tenants, your property and your business.”

The quantities of rainfall predicted in parts of the UK over the next few days are expected to bring some localised flooding and damage to properties. Landlords with high risk properties should take steps to prevent flooding in their rental properties, urges Steve, including preparing tenants by supplying them with sandbags.

Strong winds

Snow depths, which with strong winds could be twice as deep as anticipated, will bring problems such as frozen pipes and snow loading. This can put added strain on the roof of your home if left unchecked, as snow builds up, leading to sagging or structural damage to the roof.

Steve suggests that landlords in areas where snow is forecast should pay particular attention to the roof and gutters, make sure pipes are insulated and stock up on sand or salt for use on paths to prevent tenants from falling and injuring themselves.

Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance has created detailed guidance to help you protect your rental property against severe winter weather, including how to protect your property against snow.

“As a landlord, there is much you can do to protect your rental property and tenants against snow and severe weather. Prevention is always preferable to cure but with severe weather on the rise, landlords with high-risk properties should increase their insurance protection as well as investing in home improvements,” advises Steve.

As a valued LandlordZONE reader you’re entitled to 20% off Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance’s policies, call the team today on 0800 63 43 880 quoting code LZ2021 or get a quote online in under 4 minutes.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Snow storms and severe weather warnings spell trouble for unprepared landlords | LandlordZONE.

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Lack of access to APAs forcing UC landlords to serve notice

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Caridon Landlord Solutions, which provides specialist advice on Universal Credit and Housing Benefit to private landlords, letting agencies and housing associations, says that landlords with tenants in receipt of Universal Credit are struggling to set up Alternative Payment Arrangements because the online Universal Credit landlord portal is closed to new claimants. 

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An Incredible 43% Yield Property!

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This is a property auction review video of some of the best property investment deals coming at property auctions Allsop & Auction House London reviewed by myself, Rod Turner, Jay Howard and Piotr Rusinek.

In the 6th episode of the series

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Mortgage Express Receivership?

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I had my portfolio decimated in 2015 by Mortgage Express taking four properties with £300k combined equity into Receivership. I have spent the last 5 years and £7k on a local firm of property lawyers trying to recover them….unsuccessfully. I have made complaints to the Ombudsman and the FCA and I am trying to refinance which is not easy after MX totally destroyed my credit history in the process.

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Scots short lets landlords to face £377 licence fee, minister reveals

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Scottish Housing minister Kevin Stewart has refused to back down on the issue of regulating short-term lets, insisting that local authorities need powers to strike a balance between the economic and tourism benefits, and community concerns.

Stewart has written to the Scottish Parliament’s local government and communities committee – currently considering the short-term lets Licensing Order and Control Area Regulations – insisting that the plans achieve national consistency on safety standards, while giving councils flexibility to tailor the scheme to local needs.

“Numbers of short-term lets are significant and concentrations of these can pose problems for communities across Scotland,” says Stewart. “Pre-pandemic (May 2019), there were 32,000 short-term lets on Airbnb, of which over 22,000 were active listings for whole property lets.

“The licensing scheme will improve the data about short-term let activity in future.”

He adds: “During the consultations, we have heard from residents in a range of locations who have highlighted a range of concerns about short-term lets including the impact on local housing supply, and noise and anti-social behaviours.”

Mandatory licensing

Holyrood is currently consulting on the plans which include a mandatory licensing scheme to ensure all short-term lets are safe and address issues faced by neighbours.

Airbnb is one of many groups and companies among Scotland’s tourism sector who have urged the government to rethink its hard-line plans, warning that they could jeopardise 17,000 jobs in the region and take almost £1 million a day out of the Scottish economy.

However, Stewart outlined average indicative fees in the letter, estimated to be between £223 and £377 for a three-year licence, and stresses that the regulation standards, “aren’t onerous”.

He adds that the government has listened to concerns raised by business and tourism representatives who called for a delay, which means existing hosts and operators have until 1st April 2023 to apply for a licence.

A new working group will meet to discuss registration issues later this month.

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Scots short lets landlords to face £377 licence fee, minister reveals | LandlordZONE.

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It’s no all doom and gloom! Landlord tracker points to rising confidence

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Despite Covid, tenant demand reached a five-year high during the last quarter of 2020 research by Paragon Bank has revealed, predicting that the trend will continue.

It found that despite volatile economic conditions and rising unemployment hitting tenants’ income, demand had also helped to boost landlords’ confidence.

Nearly a third (32%) reported increasing levels of demand during the final three months of the year, the highest level since Q1 2016 and up from 25% in the same period in 2019.

Regional differences

Paragon quizzed 800 landlords to discover that there were clear regional differences: 58% in the South West reported growth in tenant demand compared to just 10% in central London.

It found that despite this, most landlords planned to keep rents at the same level over the next six months.

Nearly two thirds (64%) had no plans to alter them, while 15% planned to increase rents and 9% aimed to lower rent levels.

Landlords also felt more confident about rental yields, their capital gain, the UK private rented sector and their own letting business than they did during the same period in 2019, says Paragon.

Overall, 35% of landlords rated the prospects for their own lettings business as good or very good during Q4 2020, compared to 31% during the same period in 2019.

Richard Rowntree, MD of mortgages, says: “The housing market is also reporting high levels of tenancy renewals, so good quality rental property is at a premium in desirable markets. I would expect that to continue into the new year and throughout 2021.”

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – It’s no all doom and gloom! Landlord tracker points to rising confidence | LandlordZONE.

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