We’re open longer Our office hours have been extended so that we’re even easier to get in touch with. We’re here earlier in the morning and stopping later each evening, with opening hours up to 7 pm Monday through to Thursday. The new hours are: Monday to Thursday – 8:00 to 19:00 Friday – […]
Read MoreThere’s a lot of indignation at present over the HSE’s decision not to prosecute a social landlord over gas safety breaches. The breaches weren’t a minor mistake. The Homes and Communities Agency has highlighted the fact that more than 1,000 of the landlord’s 7,300 properties were exposing tenants to the risk of serious harm. Subsequently, […]
Read More2017 will hardly go down as a fantastic year for landlords and agents. We’ve had tax changes, more regulations, and an imminent but not yet specified ban on fees. Public opinion and political rhetoric have stayed firmly on the side of the tenant, and landlords and agents have been painted in a poor light in […]
Read MoreThe property rental sector is still evolving, and so is the online property business. The days of the high street agent are still a long way from numbered, but there are more agencies working exclusively online and more and more agencies signed up with listings giants like Rightmove and Zoopla. Naturally, those companies have control […]
Read MoreEvery job has its highs and every sector goes through periods of change. But it feels like this year, property rental has been on the receiving end of a bit too much attention. We’d all like a period of calm and quiet. And then maybe some certainty about legislation that’s heading our way and when […]
Read MoreYears ago, I warned applicants to avoid dealing with anyone who wanted to charge them for the privilege of viewing a property. Now, with the looming ban on tenant fees, I’m not so sure. The ban will cause disruption and potential job losses across the lettings sector, and the plain fact is that there’s a […]
Read MoreSelective licensing has been in place in several boroughs for some time, but few councils have gone down the route of applying for the Government approval required to extend the schemes across their entire locality. The pioneer of widespread licensing was London’s Newham Council, and it has just had its permission renewed. There were some […]
Read MoreIn property, knowledge is powerful stuff. But where, amongst the thousands of stories, gossip and rumour, is the relevant stuff? And how do you find the time to keep up to date? Well, we’ve distilled the information. We’ve extracted the good stuff from the noise and left you with the pure, filtered essentials. We’ve called […]
Read MoreCouncils and private landlords could, and should, work together. That’s a bold statement, we know, and one that might seem to be nigh-on impossible given this week’s news story about Havering Borough Council. If you’ve missed it, here’s a summary: A private landlord let a property on a 12-month tenancy to a woman who was […]
Read MoreWe’ve just been awarded a silver in this year’s Negotiator Awards in the Professional Support category. Now that’s not bad. In fact, it’s pretty good, but it’s not quite the award we were aiming for. No sour grapes, though – we would like to offer our hearty congratulations to My Home Move, recipient of the […]
Read MoreIf you’re still working on the assumption that you’ll always be able to set the rent for your property, you might want to keep a close eye on the situation in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament has passed legislation which will enable local authorities to establish ‘Rent Pressure Zones’. The effect of these zones would be […]
Read MoreA few days ago, we posted a blog about reforms affecting the Scottish property rental sector. Similar changes are likely to be enforced across the whole of the UK in the future. The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a consultation, calling for evidence to help develop plans to protect the consumer in […]
Read MoreWe’re rapidly heading towards that time of year when everything stops working for the Christmas and New Year break. Although it’s not widely known or publicised, the courts generally operate an amnesty on evictions over the festive period. The exact dates vary, but can be as much as a fortnight either side of Christmas Day. […]
Read MoreVery soon, new legislation comes into force in Scotland that will be a big shake-up for the private rental sector. Amongst the provisions of the housing bill are a new single form of tenancy and the introduction of a new tribunal which will handle all disputes. A further change is to be brought in in […]
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Tenants who break the terms of their agreement and sub-let their home face tough penalties – if they’re renting social housing. Social housing and council tenants who sub-let face being charged with a criminal offence, a hefty fine and the threat of a prison sentence. Not so for tenants who rent from private landlords. The […]
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