Reluctant Landlord

Yes. End of.... Read More

so report them for benefit fraud.... Read More

but if the cap still doesn't meet your costs? I know there is the capacity to go to a tribunal if this is the case for the LL but they have to show exactly why this is the case.

Are the scottish government ready for this increase in requests from landlords? My feeling is not.

Anyway why should a LL divulge this personal information? If you do not let the property as a Ltd company then this is not a business according to HMRC so why should a LL be compelled to disclose anything?

Now I see they are trying to stop rents being increased BETWEEN tenancies! WTAF?

I see more LL's just evicting the tenant rather than cow towing to the idiots in power and leaving the property empty until the reality dawns...... Read More

With the majority of tenants where income is restricted (Just like home owners!) cutting back on expenditure is inevitably and one of the biggest things to try and address is bills.

The reality of putting another jumper on is find for body warmth but not for property health. This country is damp in the winter. Our old housing stock can cope with this, but add in modern living, items that ensure more moisture is retained inside and further occupancy/larger families more stuff, furniture belongings etc and there's the potential for problems, the results of which appear fairly quickly. Once a house gets too cold problems are inevitable.

If you remove ALL other possible issues for damp/mould etc like structural issues/ leaks etc then the reality is IS down to tenant action/inaction.

LL's I think need to attack this head on - make it clear at the start of the tenancy what tenant action is needed to help maintain property health.

Gone are the days where you assume a tenant knows what they need to do. Many havent got a clue. Pitch every tenancy offered as though you are renting to a newbie. I given them prevention information explain what THEIR responsibilities are amd make it clear what your expectations are.

I have a number of foreign workers who simply haven't a clue. Not necessarily stupidity, just no understanding. In their country the heat dries things up. In our country water used in pots to clean themselves after using the loo (instead of paper) means water on the floor etc. Ive had tenants take off shower curtains from a cubicle because they dont think they are necessary. No excess water wont just evaporate! It has to be dried off. Basic things but it has to be spelt out.... Read More

They said rent increase caps would solve the issue after what is it now, 13 separate housing emergency dictats?

It has only made the situation worse.

How do they think capping private rents is going to help exactly?

A LL's costs are not capped.

Its like telling Tesco they can only sell apples at 10p each irrespective of the actual 15p it costs to produce it, get it to the shelves for the customer to buy. Guess what. Tesco stop selling apples.... Read More

help her to find or source council accommodation that better suits here needs now AND the future.

A flat is no good long term if her health deteriorates etc if it has access issues etc. It also means she will become isolated and more dependent on help coming in. If a more social type of accommodation can be sourced now then this mitigates this in the future.... Read More

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-upgrade-revolution-as-renters-set-for-warmer-homes-and-cheaper-bills... Read More

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hahahah - nothing behind the headline yet. Councils have to the end of Oct to contact the govt to see if they even want to be involved in this...

The pitch about this on the gvt website press release says this is all still being assessed...and then they go on to say the whole EPC grading system really needs to be looked at first.

a load of hot air and waffle....... Read More

affordable or social homes can only be provided as part of the deal with planning/local council to get a development underway, IF the cost of the remaining homes to sell is increased to match the amount the affordable or social home is subsidised by.

A developer is not going to build anything at a loss.

There are many developments that have now stalled because the cost of supplies and labour has increased to the point the cannot simply add the cost on to the properties they are looking to sell on the development as people wont buy them.

In my area the developer has gone back to the council. The council has then reduced the number of affordable/social allocations, just to get the development completed asap. Net loss of the number of affordable/social homes to then rent, but at least there is something they can release because the development can be finished off.

In the current climate (and post this budget) I see no developer rushing to start anything new.... Read More

If a boiler breaks down, landlords are legally obligated to repair it within a reasonable timeframe.
That is the only thing to be concerned with. If you are doing your best to resolve the issue to the best of your ability then there is nothing to worry about. Finding labour is tricky and even with boiler cover etc it can be a few days until an engineer can come out. Keep the tenants informed, explain what you are doing to resolve the situation and you wont go wrong. Half the issue is managing tenant expectations, after all sh@t happens sometimes. Just because they are a tenant still doesn't mean the LL can create a miracle and address any issue instantly.
I have a supply of portable oil heaters that can be used in such an emergency and as I would have to do myself if I were without an electric shower (for example) - there is nothing wrong with kettle boiling for bath water or bucket use in a shower cubicle as a temp measure.
B&B's? hahahah - there's no room...they are all housing people the council can't provide accommodation for or asylum seekers........ Read More

of course, and where SL is already in place it will be extended to other areas/postcodes.

LL's (or rather tenants at the end of the day) are now directly funding the councils.

The most cost effective use of the SL fee is to then pay for more staff to chase those LL that are supposed to have a licence but don't have one, as this is a desktop only exercise. It will cost more to send out officers to knock on doors and go through all the paperwork and process to try and get as much as possible fine-wise out of a LL that MAY or MAY not be in breach of something.

AS THEY DO NOW with no additional SL funding, they wait until a tenant complains and only send out a council bod IF they think the issue is serious enough to warrant investigate - simply because they have a lack of staff. It takes a long time and a lot of resources to bring enforcement.

Far easier to pay for a bod on a chair to send out death threat letters to demand payment of £700 - £1000+ for a licence. Its an easy straight enforcement if a LL does not have a licence - the LL has no defence, so saves all the physical legwork etc.

1 x £30k fine after a lot of time and effort, or 100 demand and enforcement letters and a minimum £7000 generated from sitting at a desk?... Read More

BTR tend to also be pile 'em high, glass boxes in the sky, based in cities or commutable areas (or above shops - NB Waitrose/J Lewis!). Cheaper and quicker to build en mass and single tenants on tap with decent jobs to pay for them.
Build in areas where families actually want to be (and can afford!) and there is the issue of planning, objections, CIL considerations, delays. More time, more effort and less profit.
Those dependant on LHA, have a low wage, families, pensioners, newly granted asylum seekers etc are NOT their target market....yet all these people still need housing....... Read More

hang on a min...NRLA campaigning for tenants?

How about they focus on the more important things that are making being a LL near on impossible, like impending legislation and possession rights??

If there is a drop in LL's as a result of what is planned the campaign for increase in LHA is meaningless....the good LL's (who run their business properly and according to the law who apparently the NRLA say the represent) wont be taking anyone on benefit tenants........ Read More

hahahahah ! After today everyone who works will be going back into austerity mode and saving knowing there will more more tax hikes to come.

Small businesses will be increasing the cost of products and services they provide to compensate for the hit they are going to have on NI and salary increases, so the customer will ultimately have to pay more.

How is any of this going to stimulate people to spend and in turn create the right environment for growth?

Growth of the benefit class is the only thing that will be expanding...or those that do work will cut their hours to be under the frozen tax threshold. Why work more to only get taxed more?... Read More

Agree 100%. SL fee in their budget means its followed through in the rent increase to my tenants. Simples.

Any questions? Tenants are referred back to the Local Council for an explanation and given the specific email of their local councillor who voted in favour of it... .... Read More

The government has announced all private rented sector properties will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030.

This coming from a government who wont be in power by then.

Result? do nothing.... Read More

you have got to be more like Labour Mick and take their lead on this...

Do what you like (ie sell up) while at the same time telling yourself you are only acting in the best interests of the tenant...

Being a LL according to 2TK, you are not a 'working person' anyway so technically you have to sell as you don't have a job.... Read More

not enough in the context to determine if it is as clear cut as that....... Read More

my thoughts exactly. Always be suspicious until proven otherwise should be every LL's new mantra going forward.

The government are making renting a property so toxic is it any wonder why we are all suspicious and nervous given the possible implications going forward? ie not being able to evict or hold tenant to account for breach of contract/damages etc... Read More