Forum Spotlight- allowing tenants to move in early

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This week’s forum spotlight focuses on a member who is new to being a landlord. She had previously used an agent for their property, but now decided to self-manage. The new tenant had requested moving some furniture into the property BEFORE the agreed start date, as this would help her with the move. If the […]

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Research survey into public awareness

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The Landlords Union intends to carry out research in the form of a survey into the public’s awareness for the causes of Rent increases.

Don’t all shout out at once, because landlords already know the answer:  “It’s the Extra Tax burden of Section 24 along with Licensing and all the other costs that the government loads onto Landlords.”

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Citizens Advice on top of Shelter wade in on Default fees

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Citizens Advice are calling the government to tighten the default fees clause which is part of the Tenant Fees Bill passing through through Parliament.

The Tenant Fees Bill unanimously  passed after a three-hour debate its second reading in the House of Commons.

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Citizens Advice wants to toughen-up fees ban Bill

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Tenant Fees Ban:

The national charity Citizens Advice (CA) has warned that a loophole exists in the Tenant Fees Bill currently passing through Parliament which would allow landlords and agents to still charge tenants fees, for tenancy contract defaults.

Examples of defaults might be fees for such things as late rent payments, replacing keys and locks, and keeping pets without permission. The CA argues that the default clause in the Bill, which does not clearly define what these charges might be, could lead to unscrupulous landlords and letting agents hitting tenants with unfair charges.

The default fees clause was included to allow landlords some flexibility to charge for tenancy breaches, but the CA thinks this is too open ended and does not give sufficient protection to tenants.

The Government has promised it will issue guidance on when and how default fees could be charged, but, argues the CA, that would not be legally enforceable.

The Citizens Advice wants a clearer definition of when a default fee is legitimate inserting into the Bill before it is written into law.

This, the CA says, would also benefit landlords by providing a “clearer steer on the rules� and stop rogue landlords and agents who are prepared to abuse the clause from gaining an advantage.

The CA also thinks that the bill should to be amended to make security deposits capped at four-weeks rent, as opposed to the proposed six-weeks currently written into the Bill.

The CA says that tenants have already paid out £235 million in unfair and uncompetitive fees since the government promised to ban them in November 2016 – a rate of £13 million a month.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“The government’s pledge to ban fees will be fundamentally undermined unless the clause on default fees is significantly tightened.

“The loophole leaves tenants vulnerable to rogue landlords and agents looking to continue charging unfair fees.

“The government must tighten this clause and issue a clearer definition of what a default fee is. Leaving this just to guidance risks poor outcomes for both renters and landlords.�

David Cox, chief executive of ARLA Propertymark has said:

“There is clearly overwhelming support in Parliament for the ban, however tonight’s debate makes clear MPs do not understand what is meant by default fees and the implications of reducing tenancy deposits,”

“As the Bill goes to committee stage it is more important than ever that agents go and see their MPs to make the case for why these fees remain vital even after the ban comes into force.â€�

The Citizens Advice service provides a network of local centres providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. www.citizensadvice.org.uk  

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Which Billboard Design Do You Prefer?

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This is a super quick member survey to help us to decide which Section 24 campaign billboard design you think will be most effective going forwards (scroll down to voting)

The existing billboard design is pictured below.

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All party support for Tenants Fees Bill

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MPs yesterday debated, and approved without a vote, the Tenant Fees Bill at second reading. Opening the debate, the Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire MP, summed up the Bill, which he said takes forward ‘essential measures to promote fairness in the private lettings market’. He said: “It is a Bill that we should all welcome. “The Bill will make […]

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GDPR deadline approaching – don’t get caught out

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Up to 24 different categories of organisations and people may need access to the data landlords hold – which is why it is vital you are ready for the changes coming in under GDPR. The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), come into force on Friday, with landlords being reminded that – as they provide a service – […]

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All London boroughs now signed up to Mayor’s rogue landlord checker

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All 33 London authorities are now signed up to Sadiq Khan’s rogue landlords database. Working voluntarily in partnership with the Mayor, the 32 boroughs and the City of London have committed to submitting records of successful prosecutions and fines to the Rogue Landlords and Letting Agents Checker, a free online tool which allows Londoners to […]

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Lib Dem call for direct UC payments to landlords

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I just saw that the Liberal Democrat Voice site are calling for landlords to receive the rent direct for tenants in receipt of UC. At least someone has realised that this could be one way to reduce evictions and homelessness.

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Barry’s story – it could have been you!

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Barry’s story was written by the Mark Alexander back in December 2010. It has since been updated and re-published several times. The dates, times and people are fictional but the story is based on real life events.

It’s a modern update of the classic “A Widow’s story”

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