Raz

I understand that politics is a game of give and take, but giving up on S21 without fighting harder for the alternatives to be more robust and efficient isn't seen as a fair exchange to most Landlords.
I'm sure most decent LLs wouldn't be bothered by the loss of S21, if S8 could actually be served, and actioned, within the prescribed timescales.... Read More

Denzel - what you are doing is laudable but one thing bothers me...

...in all your stories I've seen there seems to be tenants in arrears or who can't afford a rent increase, and they get a ONE-OFF payment to clear arrears etc.

If it's a one-off payment what happens one year down the track when that payment has run out? What is in place to prevent tenants ending up back exactly where they started if their rent is unaffordable long term?

Don't get me wrong - I'm not being argumentative - but I'm genuinely curious how one-off payments are a long-term solution...?... Read More

Why would the tenant be able to claim costs? How would that get the repair made more quickly?

Tenancy deposit is there to return the property to the same state it was rented in (and after deductions for wear and tear it often wont cover these costs).
The only possible way your idea would work was if rent was paid to a scheme, funds to cover mortgage/insurance/gas-electric checks/bills was released back to LL (otherwise property would be repossessed or suffer further dilapidation/illegalities) and any remaining profit would be used for the outstanding repair once enough had accumulated. Much too complicated and time-consuming to adminster.... Read More

I would have no problem hiring a specialist as long as the cost of this is allowed to be charged to whomever is proven to be responsible/at fault - be it landlord or tenant.... Read More

https://accessibleprs.co.uk/private-landlords... Read More

@crossed swords: I don't think OP was asking for Open Rent to get the certs done, just a signature of receipt for them. Open Rent send the tenants a copy of the AST, deposit info etc and the tenant digitally signs to say they have received it. You can upload copies of your gas cert, EICR etc but there isn't the option to get signature of receipt for these also.... Read More

All my tenants have pets of one kind or another and I've never had any problems or any damages. I charge an extra £20 rent per month which I put aside to replace carpets/flooring when they go - but so far none of them have ever left (except one who bought a place and one who got a council house - neither had any damages).
The bigger issue I worry about is if the tenant is evicted but leaves a pet behind. Baliffs won't touch them, so it means forking out another £500 for a dog handler, or it becomes the landlords' problem to either look after them or put in and pay for kennels etc until the tenant collects like any other belongings. Dogs trust/Rspca say they help with these cases but they're always full up!... Read More

It's time you stand for council Mick Roberts!
Really give em something to think about:
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/your-council/voting-elections/standing-as-a-candidate/#:~:text=Legal%20Requirements%20to%20be%20a,of%20an%20EU%20member%20state... Read More

Damp no...but condensation yes.... Read More

In an ideal world that is how it should be.
The reality it's become a common scam for someone to rent a place, move in the " bf/gf" as PO then disappear. Meanwhile the PO stays for months rent free with no obligations under the tenancy, while you struggle to get them out and your eviction costs spiral.

PO would not be obliged to leave unless by negotiation and a court order would need to be gained to achieve possession of the property -based upon the named tenant.
The same tenant that has disappeared!

By adding that the PO becomes tenant, should the named tenant leave, you then make PO liable for rent, you have a named and addressed tenant for eviction (should you so wish) or alternatively a rent paying tenant already in situ.

If the couple broke up but PO refused to leave, tenant would need court order of ejection before Police would get involved- more hassle for LL until then.

Ideally, all occupiers of a property over 18 should be named as tenants. As a LL you have to look at all the possible outcomes.... Read More

Do right to rent, and add as permitted occupier - they are then the tenant’s responsibility, and the tenant is the one who pays the rent and covers any damages by the permitted occupier the property. Make sure you add a clause stating should the tenant leave, the occupier will become the legal tenant.
Otherwise, should the tenant leave but occupier doesn't you could end up with the occupier living there lawfully (as they were allowed to be there by there tenant) yet not paying rent as they have no contract with you. Also makes eviction tricky for the same reason.... Read More

In my personal experience, if any damage HAS been caused then it was down to the tenants and not the pets. Damages aside, all my tenants have stayed long term (I'm sure partly because of being allowed to have pets in the first place). We charge £20 extra a month, which taken over the course of a minimum 5 yr tenancy (my average) is more than enough to replace carpets and touch up paintwork- which would have probably been due by then anyway.

The only other requirement I insist on is a guarantor for the pet in our pet agreement- ie someone who signs that they will agree to take on the responsibility of the pet/s in the case of an emergency or should they be evicted/abscond and leave the pets behind, and who the tenant gives permission to access the property for the welfare of the pets. We also ask for their vet's details, and agreement for their pet to be treated at their cost/guarantor's cost should the need arise.
It has always worked very well so far, and we even had a situation where the tenant dropped all communication, but this agreement allowed the pet guarantor to go in and check the pets (and tenant/property while they were there😉) were ok without the hassle of court or council interference. Some may call that back-dooring "private enjoyment", but in reality it was just safe-guarding for both sides.... Read More

As long as the property is secure as it can be then you have fulfilled your obligations. It's then up to her if she opens the security chain etc.

Other than that advise her to meet on public (somewhere bright with cameras)but neutral ground to pass the child over so ex doesn't have any excuse to even come to the property - which is in both your interests. I had a tenant that used to meet her ex at local petrol station or Mc Donalds when he was collecting the child - it worked very well.... Read More

https://www.possessionfriend.uk/abandoned-goods/... Read More

Shelter would soon stop giving out tents when it's their fault there's damp and condensation inside...... Read More

Why not? Not taking an extra deposit so doing nothing illegal, and offer them an alternative to paying extra.
If they want a pet they have to take on the responsibility for it like anyone else - I'm their landlord not their dog sitter.... Read More

It's not just possible pet damage. Something else to take into account with tenant pets, is that if the tenant is evicted/moves out and leaves pets behind then the landlord becomes liable to look after them 'for a reasonable amount of time' like any other left-behind tenant goods.

Pet charities are already stuffed to the gills. It's rare to find one that would take the pets for just a couple of weeks. It's either sign the pets over for adoption (which most won't do) or the landlord has to stump up for the hefty kennel/cattery fees. That is on top of possible extra fees to get a dog handler in for the initial eviction (which aren't cheap either).

I do take pets in my properties, but one of the conditions is that the tenants provide a guarantor for their pets who agree to take responsibility in the event of an emergency/abandonment, and they agree to pay for kennel/fostering or vet fees. I get this signed in person by the guarantor and make them fully aware of their obligations, and check them as you would any rent guarantor.
If they can't provide this then the rent is automatically increased.... Read More

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/squatting/... Read More

It's all dust and mirrors until government/councils put a proper plan in place for what to do with tenants BEFORE they are evicted by baliffs. As long as tenants keep getting "stay put until the baliffs arrive" nothing will change. Tenants leave under force (at best) or with court debts and ccj's. No where to go and no one who will take them on.

The current system is pretty much redundant and serves no-one well - neither landlord nor tenant nor taxpayer, while the new "free" legal help justs adds further costs and extends the process. Shame no one with any clout has the balls to stand up and say "IT DOESN'T WORK! Tear it down and start again!".... Read More

Still no help for landlords with electric only properties for upgrading electric radiators, though live-in homeowners can apply through Home Grant.... Read More