Darlington Landlord

if its termed a discount it would be reasonable to expect its not something to be paid back. how long the discount lasts is another issue. if the rent is just deferred/ payment plan for lower rent now catch up later than thats different... Read More

On a Windows PC if you select print there is an option in thw print dialog to print to file. Select this and "print" and you will be asked to enter a file name... Read More

Hi Sam
I am part of DURHAM PLuSS - a group actively fighting massive Selective Licensing proposals for County Durham. One of the council officer's justifications for SL is they say voluntary schemes don't work. It would be very helpful if you could let us know how your accreditation scheme progressed. I hope I'm allowed to add our email? contact-us@durhampluss.co.uk - if not maybe Mark could give you my personal email.
Thanks Laura... Read More

Joe Halewood who blogs as spyejoe has a devastating critique of Shelters undue influence, why homelessness is not going to end and why abolishing section 21 will make it worse. He breaks down the figures in forensic detail and pulls apart the usual suspects arguments whilst pointing out that there are more SRS tenants at risk of eviction than PRS!

Quote - "Shelter’s myopic, dogmatic and assumption-led strategies regarding solving homelessness are ones devoid of any factual basis or fact-checking and nothing more than populist claptrap of which only Trump and Johnson would approve"

Well worth a read!
https://speyejoe2.wordpress.com/2020/07/29/can-we-solve-homelessness-in-england-the-facts-say-absolutely-not/comment-page-1/#comment-5195... Read More

The Mk II smartmeters are available in Co. Durham at least and I have had tenants and myself sucessfully change suppliers. Another advantage is these meters can be switched from credit to prepay or vice versa remotely by the supplier with no cost as no physical changes of meter needed. If I get a void now I just call the supplier and put the account in my name asking them to change it to credit if its prepay. If I know the void will be longer than 2 or 3 weeks because of works I move the account to Utilita no standing charge because they have dedicated contacts in each region for landlords - saves hours of hanging on the phone!... Read More

The latest LHA rates are here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-housing-allowance-lha-rates-applicable-from-april-2020-to-march-2021
you will need to know which area your property is in for council tax.
Your tenants contribution should not change unless she is caught by the benefits cap.... Read More

if you put GBP-058 in the promotional code box I think that will work - its £15 discount. Otherwise I would need your name and email to send a refer a friend link... Read More

I wonder if Dominic Cummings Parents property is in the Selective Licensing area?... Read More

Dianne
Only invest if you can do it for the long term and have checked out all the rules and regulations private landlords have to follow. Also your mortage interest is not claimable as an expense just a 20% allowance which may make a massiver difference depending on other income.
Laura... Read More

I have had a tenant taken to hospital and die. Housing benefit stops on date of death - I can't imagine UC will be any better, also any council tax benefit. As others have said the estate is liable for the rent and costs until a deed of surrender is signed by an executor. As this looks like a benefits case you will be doing them a favour to get in touch and explain the liability as soon as possible. I offered my tenants familly a couple of weeks rent free to remove possessions and clean.... Read More

If Durham Council's proposed massive scheme gets through, it will only be a matter of time before Darlington Council consider one.... Read More

I had my first tenant on UC recently, was asked for a reference to use. When the payment came through they have included the tenants NI no. plus a long random number but not my supplied reference.... Read More

Boris is a proven liar but there seems to be overwhelming tolerance with much of the press and others saying "oh thats just boris" and not holding him to account so we should expect him to lie!
e.g lie down in front of bulldozers
die in a ditch
will exit by 31st october
parliament stopped deal
oven ready brexit when anyone who read the detail knows thats just the withdrawal and a trade agrement will have to be negociated and a lot of rights have been removed from the legally binding part.
Obviously a strategy for soundbites with no integrity
Now he has labour areas to keep sweet as well as London I think private landlords will be a prime target, we are already demonised and don't have enough influence. We will be blamed for homelessness not UC and LHA freeze and local councils will be encouraged to levy fines to prop up their budgets.... Read More

As part of my new tenancy process I always inform council, water and utilities of the movein date, any readings and new tenants name. This means bills should be put in the tenants name. If you have been billed for the entire tenancy contacating the utility company and emailing a copy of the tenancy agreement which states that the tenants are responsible for utility bills should get you off the hook. (I hope you took meter readings)... Read More

I agree with Ian. Its better to have high security keys (with the key code registered in your name NOT the locksmiths) This gives you certainty that there are no spare keys floating around. If a tenant requests an extra key or loses one I will contact the locksmith to confirm they can get one cut so I don't have to.... Read More

I use the cramer enamel repair kit and find it gives a good result initially but needs to be redone every 1-2 years as it wears off. It is not a permenant fix so you should deduct something for the loss of value of the bath although this may be relatively small when you calculate it... Read More

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Boris has a lot of "previous" on saying whatever he thinks will convince people to do what he wants and then "forgetting" about his promises. He also is famous for not "doing detail" which is where most of the devil seems to be in housing policy. I have zero belief he will do anything for private landlords as opposed to the big corperates... Read More

I have just come across this interesting report which points out that most surveys and reports look at newbuild only figures for housing supply but MHCLG also publishes figures for Net Additions (see graph page 9) which adds quite significatly to the number of "new" dwellings and includes conversions e.g. big houses to flats etc. some of which will be done by landlords. I suspect few landlords will be doing high quality conversions to let now, increasing shortages of rental property whilst emergency accomodation permitted developments are booming. https://housingevidence.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20190820b-CaCHE-Housing-Supply-FINAL.pdf... Read More

why not continue using accrual going forward?, its not that complicated you just need to identify bills invoiced but not paid in a tax year and if you are likely to have a similar situation in the future it might be better. When MTD gets rolled out to landlords they will want you to pay tax quarterly - if you are on a cash basis and have annual expenses that could lead to big bills for a couple of low bill quarters and not enough in the bank for the annual buildings insurance for example.... Read More