Feed Editor Lite 20 Nov 2007 16:51:35 GMT Residential Landlord - UK property investment news The Residential landlord RSS news feed delivers essential and up to date news on all matters relating to investment property, and the UK buy to let market. This feed is aimed at UK based landlords and property investors alike. http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/rssnewsfeed/rssnews.xml Copyright 2012, Weblishers Limited editorial@residentiallandlord.co.uk en karlh@residentiallandlord.co.uk http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/images/residentiallandlordlogo_small.JPG http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk Essential rental property news and information for UK property investors. Residential landlord - Essential news and information for UK property investors Libelled buy to let landlord calls for enquiry over police action Colin Port, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, has denied claims made in a recent statement by buy to let landlord Chris Jefferies that officers leaked information to the press about him following his arrest on suspicion of the murder of Joanna Yeates. 2 Feb 2012 17:02:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3002.html 49F44E10-FE56-4561-B785-462FD95FBAD4 PRS landlords’ activity in property market may slow down in 2012 Buy to let landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) have been reshaping their portfolios during the past year with more of them buying than selling properties. But although research from the Association of... 2 Feb 2012 17:01:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3003.html 1CDC021D-40FE-4B54-9CC1-C379A5571246 Property investment mortgage intermediaries expect to do more buy to let business this year A survey of intermediaries carried out by Paragon Mortgages has revealed that more than half of those questioned (53 percent) expect to do more buy to let mortgage business in 2012 than they did last... 2 Feb 2012 17:01:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3004.html 807C84DF-1C5F-413D-8048-FF8CC5F41476 Landlord’s tenants visit hospital after carbon monoxide scare A landlord has been fined £8,500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,500 for failing to maintain a gas fire safely at one of his properties. David Ian Douglas-Law of Penally, Tenby, received the fine at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by the... 2 Feb 2012 17:01:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3005.html EA6970F4-3D94-4DEE-867F-115EEA99D9C4 NLA sees double over landlords signing up The number of landlords accredited through the National Landlords Association (NLA) Accreditation Scheme has more than doubled over the past year. The scheme has now accredited more than one thousand landlords since its initial launch in 2010. 2 Feb 2012 17:00:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3006.html 060E559B-EF20-4361-930F-21890F893BCE Buy to let landlords see rents fall for the second successive month Rents fell for a second successive month in December, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. In December, the average rent in England and Wales fell by 0.8 percent to £711 per month. Despite the monthly fall, annual rental inflation increased. 2 Feb 2012 17:00:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2997.html 0789376C-6F0F-41FC-8DA8-57F06D31F7E6 Private landlords targeted in 'Fire Kills' campaign The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Aico - the UK’s largest supplier of domestic smoke alarms - have joined forces as part of a Fire Kills campaign to promote the use of mains powered smoke alarms in privately rented properties. 2 Feb 2012 17:00:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2998.html 4A50FC1B-2563-46E8-A3EE-0AA3D4EC2CC1 Tenants’ history website launched to help landlords and letting agents A new service to help landlords identify troublesome tenants has been launched from an office in South London by Steve Hanbury as an additional branch to his family’s buy to let business. Hanbury said this involvement in the rental business was behind... 2 Feb 2012 17:00:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2999.html C958CB72-6D54-45C7-874A-BFED25132557 Buy to let landlords experience slight softening of demand for rental property An easing in the demand for rental property and a rise in the numbers of tenants struggling to meet their monthly rent payments signals that the rental market may be softening, new research suggests. 2 Feb 2012 16:59:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3000.html 378A93E3-8A84-46F5-856D-47B16C9EBC83 Peterborough best place for buy to let property investment says haart Property investment landlords should head for Peterborough as it is the best area in England to buy a rental property. This claim is made in a new monthly Yield Index produced by independent estate and... 2 Feb 2012 16:56:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news3001.html B135595E-01FD-49E9-948F-771B75FC420F Buy to let Landlords take advantage of market conditions to increase property investment portfolios Landlords and letting agents can look forward to another bumper year, due to the continuation of low interest rates and the gradual easing of lending restrictions by financial institutions which has seen many buy to let investors return to the marketplace to expand... 20 Jan 2012 16:24:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2992.html BC96ABCD-65BB-42CB-96ED-244020ED93D2 Tenants on housing benefit will be forced to turn their back on Welsh landlords says CIH New research by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) estimates that 30,640 homes in Wales, including many in the private rented sector, will be put out of reach of people on housing benefit as a result of... 20 Jan 2012 16:24:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2993.html 1C506BAC-AA9C-44B8-A509-32E9BAC5779E £10,000 fine for landlord who failed to carry out annual gas check A landlord who put a family of eight at risk after he failed to make sure gas safety checks were carried out at a house in Lancashire, has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Rashid Hussain... 20 Jan 2012 16:24:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2994.html 14F2B831-9E06-485D-9BD0-F1D5210F9D25 NLA publishes guidelines for accidental buy to let landlords The National Landlords Association (NLA) has published guidelines for homeowners who are considering becoming a landlord and letting out their home. With the possibility of UK property prices... 20 Jan 2012 16:23:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2995.html 71E742CE-53D0-4F64-A2C7-D66A53F316A1 Landlords face fines and costs of more than £35,000 for HMO offences A total of 11 adults, a child and a baby were found to be living at an HMO in 183 Wells Road, Bristol when it was inspected by housing officers from Bristol City Council. They decided to prosecute the landlords after... 20 Jan 2012 16:23:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2996.html B1669711-D6DD-491E-B5A6-E35BFA132B80 Majority of buy to let investors have had problems with housing benefit tenants The changes to the way Local Housing Allowance was paid in 2008 had overwhelming negative repercussions for British buy to let landlords. And now the Coalition Government’s cuts to housing benefits could have a devastating impact on people relying on the... 18 Jan 2012 12:53:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2987.html A226C4CD-DA46-43DE-B80F-5AE4260E6680 Coalition presses forward with plans to clamp down on ‘landlords’ who sub let Council tenants in England who become ‘landlords’ by sub-letting their homes will face up to two years in prison and fines of up to £50,000 under government proposals. It is estimated that approximately 160,000 tenants sub-let their homes to other people and are... 18 Jan 2012 12:52:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2988.html 7AD14995-A6EE-4644-A0C7-85352C625F2D Property investment landlords must get their act together over inventories says AIIC Almost one million people have taken out a payday loan to help pay their rent or mortgage in the last 12 months, according to a new survey from the homeless charity Shelter. The survey also reveals that almost... 18 Jan 2012 12:52:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2989.html CD9460CF-D883-498A-B9BE-AB56A34999F2 Buy to let landlord organisation wants to provide even more free impartial advice The Landlord Syndicate, a group formed in 2009 by some of the leading players from the buy to let industry, say that whilst the rental market is buoyant, the pace at which it has expanded means buy to let ... 18 Jan 2012 12:52:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2990.html 0E7043B5-31C2-416A-AA3F-8E5906228EDB Property investment mortgage shows an increase House purchase lending in November experienced a year-on-year rise for only the second time in 2011, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Loans for house purchase totalled 47,000 (worth £6.9 billion) in November, a 4 percent rise... 18 Jan 2012 12:51:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2991.html 8489A71B-9ED5-4BA9-A92A-E3C72FC70C27 Buy to let Landlords take advantage of market conditions to increase property investment portfolios Landlords and letting agents can look forward to another bumper year, due to the continuation of low interest rates and the gradual easing of lending restrictions by financial institutions which has seen many buy to let investors return to the marketplace to expand... 18 Jan 2012 12:51:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2982.html B1AD1AA7-47DB-41A3-8496-B5F47DAB3949 Band of reluctant landlords continues to grow The number of reluctant landlords is still on the rise according to the latest research from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). During Q3 2011, nearly half (47 percent) of ARLA member agents surveyed reported a rise in the number of... 18 Jan 2012 12:50:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2983.html 631F87B6-8CCE-43AD-BF50-3EBFB9FB479F Buy to let landlords told to still expect challenges to continue into the New Year After a challenging year in the housing market, things may be set to get worse before they improve for landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) says the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). 4 Jan 2012 13:15:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2972.html 0C9ACAB6-218C-4FB3-8438-390D392C164D One in three private landlords in Capital is a 'rogue' says Bleak Houses report The London Assembly is attempting to improve conditions for the growing number of Londoners living in the private rented sector by calling for longer tenancies of at least five years and tax incentives for landlords who improve their properties. 4 Jan 2012 13:15:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2973.html 9E2B9FE9-E300-4EB4-926F-B8FC4EF71590 Six ways for landlords to protect their property investment A buy to let property purchase is a valuable asset and steps need to be taken to protect this investment says letting specialist Belvoir. The company has come up with six pieces of advice to make sure landlords get... 4 Jan 2012 13:14:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2974.html 85F21602-37D2-4014-87D8-F4AD8FD5C3B6 Landlords and tenants being let down by unregulated lettings market says think tank Tenants are being let down by an unregulated lettings market, with significant upfront costs, variable fees and a lack of transparency around charges, according to a new report published today by independent think tank, the Resolution Foundation. 4 Jan 2012 13:14:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2975.html 5743F9C1-C77C-4244-820F-903E32530E66 Cambridge leads the way for rent increases by landlords outside of London Average rental prices rose by 19 percent in Cambridge during 2011 according to independent lettings agent haart - higher than anywhere else in the UK other than London. Prices have soared in the last 12 months on the back of increased demand and a relative... 4 Jan 2012 13:14:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2976.html 3CF8DEAA-65EA-4F44-9265-29FB57A8B46A Buy to let landlords see seasonal dip in rents but they are still higher than last year Rents dipped for the first time in 10 months, according to the latest buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc. In November, the average rent in England and Wales fell by 0.4 percent to £717 per month. 4 Jan 2012 13:13:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2967.html 6EF35B6D-3BA6-4215-8998-DEA2678CEB4D Holiday home landlords will not benefit from Olympics says VisitBritain VisitBritain seems to be sending out mixed messages to landlords and holiday home owners regarding visitors during the upcoming Olympics. The tourist organisation was recently reported as saying that the London... 4 Jan 2012 13:13:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2968.html 9F032188-1702-4DC8-9092-E8DB9A574E29 Property investment landlords buck the usual dip in demand at Christmas Landlords have seen the increase in demand for rented properties in London make the cost of renting a home in the capital soar to being an average of 80 percent more expensive than the rest of the UK – the largest difference ever seen, according to new research. 4 Jan 2012 13:13:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2969.html B82E2A58-E3D0-4F32-ACEE-2830F0614329 Buy to let landlords may have to evict more tenants during festive holiday season Following the latest figures from homeless charity Shelter, nearly one out of every 100 households in the United Kingdom is under threat of eviction by a mortgage lender or landlord. This news follows months of reports outlining the increase in rent arrears... 4 Jan 2012 13:13:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2970.html D567371B-44AD-4605-B7B3-9D1B4D8FDB05 Landlord’s perspective on the state of London’s private-rented sector The London Assembly Investigation into private-rented housing has been published and draws attention to the important role the private-rented sector plays in providing housing in the Capital. The investigation, by the London Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee. 4 Jan 2012 13:12:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2971.html 13B0D005-0722-4BC5-A717-3DAE13D0EAB1 Buy to let landlords given insight into eviction risk areas Buy to let landlords in London, Manchester, Slough and Peterborough are most likely to have to take eviction action against their tenants, according to new research from Shelter. The study found one in every 111... 4 Jan 2012 13:12:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2962.html 60A2ACB7-0C07-4C80-8C3C-C46A9422A02B Property investment landlords asked to disclose rental incomes Landlords are being asked to disclose their rental rates to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to help local authorities determine average prices in their area. The National Landlords Association (NLA) says it is vital local authorities know what market rents are so... 4 Jan 2012 13:11:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2963.html 5E2FA8BF-D428-427C-A947-F4A0654A4E3C Tenant and council unite to take on landlord who failed to maintain property A local authority is warning landlords to keep standards high in their rental properties or risk action being taken against them. Harrow Council’s housing advice team came to the aid of resident Yonieke McCalla as she and her family was living through a property... 4 Jan 2012 13:11:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2964.html A3172C3F-FDDA-4C6E-8CCC-97EF5F06D2BD Government urged to get tough on buy to let landlords who fail to insulate homes against cold Buy to let landlords are being called upon to make sure that rental properties are properly insulated for the winter months ahead. Citizens Advice and Friends of the Earth say heatless homes are costing tenants... 4 Jan 2012 13:11:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2965.html 0A1DA87A-DE38-4316-A4B9-3F79AA720752 Landlords offered 60 percent discount on MFI website Landlords looking to refurnish, revamp or simply upgrade the interiors at their properties could find what they are looking for at MFI, the British furniture and home interiors. The brand recently relaunched as an... 4 Jan 2012 13:10:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2966.html 7CEEE0C6-0284-46B1-9C65-BC35B11F41E3 Buy to let landlords can expect increase in demand from 'professional tenants' There is going to be another dramatic rise in the number of people renting buy to let properties in the UK over the next 12 months according to property specialists independent lettings agents, haart. 14 Dec 2011 10:40:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2957.html C94869BD-588A-45CC-845F-ACAD968DDBB1 Rental property investment brings higher yields for seventh consecutive quarter The latest RICS Residential Lettings Survey reports rising yields on rental properties as a result of increased tenant demand and rising rents. In the three months to October, 15 percent more chartered surveyors reported rental yields rose rather than fell. 14 Dec 2011 10:40:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2958.html 61DE1A3A-5A56-4135-80CF-7C7769F04D30 Government must form stronger links with landlords to deal with empty home crisis A television programme that has highlighted the number of empty homes in the UK could actually help reduce the number of squatters claims a property specialist company which helps landlords with problem tenants. Channel 4’s 'The Great British Property ... 14 Dec 2011 10:39:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2959.html 801C95EA-DC2C-4A8C-A685-39AB93DA03D6 Website offers buy to let landlords a new route to finding perfect tenants How do you find the perfect tenant? A new website claims it has found the answer for landlords by linking together several major property portals and referencing services. The new online marketing service... 14 Dec 2011 10:39:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2960.html 792CB9BE-10D1-4A35-A105-5F98A97F8B93 Rents on the rise - but so are arrears say landlords Buy to let landlords are expected to put rents up in the next few months due to increased demand and the rising cost of maintaining property. One in five (20 percent) landlords also claim their arrears have increased compared with the previous quarter says... 14 Dec 2011 10:39:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2961.html 664B7ABD-BA83-40C4-97A5-A091007F9B34 Distressed property turns countries into hot spots for an overseas fly to let bargain Cash rich overseas property investors looking to pick up a bargain in the current property slump could find something in the latest distressed property list produced by the below market property specialist IPS. The company is advising fly to let overseas property investors to consider the quality of the development, availability of finance, location... 13 Dec 2011 12:00:19 GMT http://www.fly-2let.co.uk/news664.html 1C0E720B-931A-48D7-A049-F88777E9BE13 Buy to let landlords are looking at a prosperous future claims Public Attitudes survey Buy to let landlords are looking at a prosperous future as a new study predicts a shift in the British housing market that will see renters outstripping owners. In 15 years the majority of residents will not be owner occupiers, according to the Grainger Public Attitudes survey. 13 Dec 2011 11:52:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2952.html 59A5E169-B047-4E27-A02D-5B39EDBBBAED Landlords could face ‘can’t pay, won't pay’ but demand will still outstrip supply in 2012 Townends’ group letting director Caroline Kavanagh gives landlords a rundown on the year that has been and offers her predictions for the residential lettings market in 2012. High demand and low supply has been... 13 Dec 2011 11:52:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2953.html 2AB04841-47B6-4DBA-8B99-B749600E6A7E Landlords should be encouraged that TDS legislation is being enforced more rigorously Buy to let landlords should welcome new legislation which will see them given an easier ride in deposit disputes, says law firm Boodle Hatfield. The Localism Act, which received Royal Assent last month... 13 Dec 2011 11:52:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2954.html B9ADC059-C96D-4B63-85FE-7DE921A290EB Rental market holds up for landlords in Northern Ireland Lack of affordable mortgages and a flagging local property market continue to prop up rent prices in and around Belfast, with values holding their own in the face of steady tenant demand, new research has... 13 Dec 2011 11:51:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2955.html 83DD65CA-AEE9-4879-A00F-AB8D9D9C4070 Property investments left empty are put under the spotlight by television series The Empty Homes charity, which has often spotlighted properties left unused by landlords, is the official advisor to the new Channel 4 series, The Great British Property Scandal. The series started earlier this week... 13 Dec 2011 11:51:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2956.html 0FCC48DC-76B4-4B2D-A1DE-805DC9341256 Buy to let investors pick through Government’s Autumn Statement for signs of support The private rented sector has had a mixed reaction to the Government’s Autumn Statement released last week. Chancellor George Osborne updated MPs at the House of Commons on Tuesday about the... 7 Dec 2011 16:41:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2947.html 6613BA91-D0A2-4152-8882-3560CEA1EBD8 Buy to let landlords still positive about property investment in the coming year Landlords are feeling increasingly positive about the prospects for the private rented sector (PRS) in 2012 and are looking to invest in their portfolios in the coming months. This news comes from specialist buy to let lender Paragon Mortgages, which has been... 7 Dec 2011 16:41:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2948.html 424BBA9A-DD82-4102-ACFD-2547674763B3 Landlords urged to prepare their properties for cold snap Landlords are being warned to keep abreast of winter weather property maintenance as forecasters predict that our autumn is set to finish and snow and sub-zero temperatures are on their way. 7 Dec 2011 16:41:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2949.html 0A48EB50-1660-4BB4-B908-9C5AC50AF906 Holiday home landlords face competition from rental part timers Holiday home landlords in the UK could face more competition if home owners take the advice of research carried out by WhereToSleep.co.uk. According to the travel accommodation website, renting out a... 7 Dec 2011 16:40:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2950.html A6023E23-A19D-4BEA-AD96-534C3196E31A Returns for buy to let landlords floored by inflation Current returns for landlords are very low once costs and inflation are taken into account, reports the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). Although rents are rising, this is restricting the amount of new accommodation available to meet increasing demand. 7 Dec 2011 16:39:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2951.html 4170BF29-01EB-48E6-96AD-E2DC6753BE33 Landlord Chris Jefferies gives evidence at Leveson press inquiry Buy to let landlord Chris Jefferies has told the Leveson Inquiry that the media "shamelessly vilified" him while he was at the centre of the Joanna Yeates murder case. The retired teacher said he was subjected to a "frenzied campaign to blacken his character" which... 2 Dec 2011 12:39:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2942.html FCF1EB37-0812-4C86-8DF5-5532D54CE147 Buy to let landlords in the PRS are becoming even more important The private rented sector (PRS) will play an increasingly important role in providing housing, delegates at the recent National Landlords Association’s conference were assured. At the national event in Manchester keynote speaker Terrie Alafat, director of... 2 Dec 2011 12:38:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2943.html 509CAEE2-E243-4617-A4B9-7D92C14ACBB5 Buy to let landlords should not be made to go ‘continental’ An MEP is urging landlords to speak out against plans to bring Britain’s buy to let mortgage market in line with Continental practice. The UK is lauded as the only European country with a thriving buy to let... 2 Dec 2011 12:38:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2944.html 81AD959A-2B5C-408D-876C-95076AC88259 Olympics continue to throw up property investment opportunities for buy to let landlords A new development at the heart of east London’s multi billion pound Olympic regeneration zone is offering strong rental yields for buy to let investors. The newly launched Stratford Halo overlooks the Olympic... 2 Dec 2011 12:38:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2945.html 4A765246-D3EE-4342-9733-CDB5203A3B54 Referencing company wins Landlords and Lettings award for innovation Referencing and specialist insurance company HomeLet is celebrating having won the Innovation category at this year’s 2011 Landlord and Lettings Awards. The company was also a finalist in... 2 Dec 2011 12:38:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2946.html 765F1E22-E72D-41BB-9C30-2BAEC839AFCF Buy to let landlords welcome Government’s inclusion of PRS in new Strategy for Housing Landlords, agents and other property specialists affected by the Private Rented Sector (PRS) have been analysing the Government’s recently published new Strategy for Housing. David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s ‘ambitious’ plans to get the housing market moving again... 25 Nov 2011 16:14:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2937.html B2153563-05C7-428C-A301-D8D96D539B85 Property investment in PRS hampered by tight lending criteria Although there has been an increase in the number of buy to let mortgage products available, tight lending criteria is hindering more investment in the private rented sector (PRS) which needs to grow to meet... 25 Nov 2011 16:14:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2938.html 3C6B1822-9077-4EED-8ABF-A05BD2D486E4 UK landlords with flats charge highest rents in Western Europe The UK has been named the most expensive country in Western Europe for flatsharers who rent. According to Easyroommate.co.uk, flatmates are paying £360 per month on average, at least five percent more... 25 Nov 2011 16:14:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2939.html 102C3D75-87CC-438F-A657-67CE92ED8B39 £143,000 court bill for landlord who rented out flats without permission A rogue landlord who rented three houses as flats without planning permission has had £112,500 in illegally gained rent confiscated. Piara Singh Sehajpal, of Honeysuckle Close, Iver, Buckinghamshire, was... 25 Nov 2011 16:13:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2940.html 4FCFD285-9FAD-489C-BE82-DC3A95F4509F Triple triumph at award ceremony for Landlord Action Landlord Action has won the Legal Services accolade at the Landlord & Letting Awards for the third consecutive year. The firm, which helps landlords with problem tenants, was crowned winner at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre in an event hosted by... 25 Nov 2011 16:13:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2941.html DC954402-7577-47E3-B96A-CEC37E35E4EE Buy to let landlords urged to say yes to pets An animal charity is appealing to buy to let landlords to consider lifting their ‘no pet’ policies. Dogs Trust is urging those who let through an agency to embrace animal-owning tenants as they are increasingly heading to the private rental market. 23 Nov 2011 12:18:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2932.html 355B1A9E-C164-47DA-B33F-7FA1321C23DD London landlords see unseasonal drop in rental income Although rents in London are still higher than the rest of the UK, income is dropping for landlords who own properties in the capital, according to the latest HomeLet Rental Index. The average cost of renting a home in London dropped from September to October by... 23 Nov 2011 12:18:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2933.html 8FB539A2-2329-4108-AE14-11A851DF892E Landlord left with £20,000 bill after judge rules his tenant doesn’t have to pay for damage Another buy to let landlord feels he has been let down by the law after a judge ruled his tenant would not have to pay a penny towards the £20,000 worth of damage he caused. The Daily Mail reported last week how landlord Glenn Schofield started receiving complaints... 23 Nov 2011 12:18:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2934.html A33E9F50-83B7-4E62-AEF9-609D63647AFE Landlord’s death could have been avoided says HSE An accident involving a landlord who fell to his death from the roof of his property could have been avoided, claims an HSE inspector. Trevor Hall, aged 65, died after falling around 3.5 metres through a fragile roof light at premises he owned on 8 March last year. 23 Nov 2011 12:18:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2935.html 4327E296-3532-4907-BC21-D77DD6CE5703 Property investment torched by arsonist A landlord has hit out after one of his rental properties was targeted by arsonists. Luckily the tenant was not home when the house in Burnley, Lancashire was torched. But Mark Taylor of Taylor Housing... 23 Nov 2011 12:17:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2936.html C232F5EE-8F33-44B1-8DE5-91DA8EFC1E71 Buy to let property investment still rated as a good place to put your cash Buy to let property investment continues to be one of the best ways to invest surplus cash, according to the latest industry data. Statistics from the Halifax reveal house prices increased by 1.2 percent in October with the average home in the UK now valued at around... 23 Nov 2011 12:17:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2927.html EB88C694-DCDF-486D-A4CA-A80332E57970 Landlords should prepare to face more arrears during next 12 months Landlords have seen rent rises slow down to their lowest rate in eight months, according to the latest buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc. In October, the average rent in England and Wales rose by 0.2 percent to £720 per month, the lowest monthly increase... 23 Nov 2011 12:16:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2928.html 9993EA73-402F-4CCB-B421-868C76692687 Winter tips for buy to let landlords Landlords are being reminded to make sure their properties and tenants are ready for the winter weather. Burst pipes are a common problem, according to the National landlords Association (NLA), as tenants sometimes do not know how to shut off the... 23 Nov 2011 12:16:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2929.html 09E237AD-FD75-4AA4-A7FE-41A227BE0B16 Agents can ‘bid’ for landlords’ business on new website A new website promises to help landlords find a letting agent quicker and easier than ever. At ipostcode.com investors can list their property for free and agents ‘bid’ or ‘pitch’ for the opportunity to have it on their books. Domenic Versace, co-founder of ipostcode.com... 23 Nov 2011 12:16:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2930.html 04667AEF-E145-4132-ACA4-586F7BD20F3C Change in squatting laws will give landlords more protection Tenant eviction and referencing firm Landlord Assist is supporting an amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill currently being discussed in Parliament which will mean... 23 Nov 2011 12:16:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2931.html 73086ECB-F5BF-4E0F-BAA3-7E3B720B4E2D Buy to let landlords warned of fire risk during winter months As the risk of fire increases as winter approaches, buy to let landlords and agents need to check their responsibilities to ensure that tenanted properties are safe. This is because people living in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to... 15 Nov 2011 13:24:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2922.html AA86B31E-1E92-4C90-935D-9B11C8F77D82 Landlords should not be penalised when properties are empty says NLA Proposed changes to the tax system could have repercussions on landlords with empty homes and people with second homes that they rent out. Eric Pickles, the Local Government Secretary, has... 15 Nov 2011 13:24:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2923.html 09EB2A90-79D2-4A73-AF14-E9CA5A42214D Online service protects your property investment transaction Landlords who been a victim of gazumping, gazanging and gazundering during a property transaction may want to consider a new innovative online service which has also been designed to speed up the sale... 15 Nov 2011 13:23:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2924.html 24E5A8B6-703E-4A49-9429-79D38B629877 Loans to buy to let landlords on the increase The number of new buy to let loans increased by 16 percent in the third quarter of 2011, according to data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). In the same period, the value of mortgages advanced in the sector grew by 19 percent. The data shows that... 15 Nov 2011 13:23:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2925.html 994ADDCA-E04B-4D20-9924-F6CD1C3532B9 More landlords to be affected by Tenancy Deposit Protection legislation Landlords in Wales are being reminded that the threshold for Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) is being raised from £25,000 to £100,000 from 1 December 2011. It is likely that shared rental properties may be particularly affected by the new legislation. 15 Nov 2011 13:22:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2926.html F0F58BB6-FF95-488A-8B24-2876DB18CC11 Buy to let landlords faced with different prospects in East and West London The East and West End of London are becoming buy to let property hot spots for landlords, holiday home owners and investors but for different reasons say specialists. The Royal Borough of Greenwich in the East End of London is ranked by Frommers, the worldwide... 4 Nov 2011 16:00:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2912.html 03E50437-B668-45FC-8B57-B5A15045763F Landlord Chris Jefferies breaks his silence over murder case Landlord Chris Jefferies, who was vilified by the media during the Joanna Yeates murder investigation, has finally broken his silence in an exclusive interview with ITN. Dutchman Vincent Tabak, aged 32, was... 4 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2913.html 70182097-0745-4A0B-A527-083E1DFAB833 Property investment still better than stocks and shares in current climate Recent reports continue to suggest that investors are increasingly viewing property as an alternative to the stock market and other 'safe' forms of investment. High property prices and the lack of available credit mean that landlords who are buying or who have already... 4 Nov 2011 15:59:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2914.html 988A3E9D-A247-4688-A7FB-335D75D0D73C Tenants could be paying buy to let landlords around a third of their income by 2020 Renters will need to part with one third of their net income to rent a room from a landlord by 2020 according to Easyroommate.co.uk. Using date from various sources it has worked out that the average UK... 4 Nov 2011 15:59:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2915.html CB1C292E-1DBE-47B0-95FA-AD766342A2FD Article 4 makes HMO licensing and planning more complicated for landlords Although HMO licensing and planning applications are not a new issue for landlords, the addition of Article 4 is adding a new complication warns the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). Article 4 is optional for local authorities but the association is urging... 4 Nov 2011 15:58:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2916.html 4E99040F-B651-4840-9D2B-E609A0E98D47 Buy to let landlords told to beware of falling into lack of inventory trap Buy to let landlords can face very expensive repairs due to damage on doors, walls, carpets and worktops if they decide against professional check-ins and check-outs warns the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC). The Association says landlords with... 24 Oct 2011 12:35:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2902.html 601B7000-FA0E-44B4-965D-30FCC3F7CFCC Landlords must offer bigger range of tenancy agreements say economists If the private rental market is to provide an attractive alternative to home ownership in the UK, a full range of tenancy agreements must be available says new research published by LSE London... 24 Oct 2011 12:34:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2903.html FFED14F5-3763-431F-AC94-D4E53742E3F9 Government not doing enough to encourage buy to let property investment says ARLA The private rented sector (PRS) appears to be running out of properties to cater for the current massive tenant demand. The number of new tenancies has been at record levels for the past year but now the number of agents from ARLA’s 6,000 members across the... 24 Oct 2011 12:34:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2904.html 3DCA4ABE-5C46-4561-849E-D806EB5F34FC Landlords will see string tenant demand continue well into 2012 The unprecedented demand for rental accommodation has pushed up the price of the average rent in the UK and landlords have been able to increase their rental prices to record levels. This demand, says... 24 Oct 2011 12:34:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2905.html 0E83F14D-A9CC-4A61-B810-01E3F0554B9D Landlords in Leeds organise first ever conference Landlords in Leeds are organising their first ever conference to address the role of private landlords in the city. A shortage of social housing in the area is being compounded by the stagnant economy which... 24 Oct 2011 12:33:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2906.html 1FD61BBC-1DF6-4198-9A7D-9E58B66248F5 Buy to let property investment still provides good returns for landlords in the capital Buy to let landlords in the prime London rentals market have continued to see quarterly price growth in the three months to the end of September 2011. But for a second quarter growth has not kept pace with underlying house price growth, says Savills in its latest prime... 19 Oct 2011 12:43:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2897.html 47ED4F17-9A76-433A-8304-25F920D6E23B Newspaper exposes ‘Rogue landlords' who rent out 'sheds with beds' The council covering a West London suburb are considering starting an investigation following revelations in The Sun newspaper that rogue landlords are renting out ‘sheds with beds’ without ... 19 Oct 2011 12:43:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2898.html 449614C5-34DB-4914-ABC3-E6CD3DF48D2F More tenants take on their buy to let landlords in court Landlords are now facing an increasing number of tenants who are fighting eviction cases at court and also appealing judges’ decisions. The number of those defending cases has risen from 9 percent last year to an all-time high of 13 percent so far this year and... 19 Oct 2011 12:43:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2899.html B7098292-05F5-4244-87B0-6F8385BAEDB3 London landlords find their tenants getting younger and younger The average age of tenants in London is lower than anywhere else in the UK according to the latest Rental Index from HomeLet. Its research appears to show more young people than ever are moving out of the family home to rent a property in London, which in turn... 19 Oct 2011 12:42:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2900.html 13F201FE-737D-4826-98AE-0D230FB399DE Professional landlord should have known better than to ignore the law says judge When council officers followed up a complaint from a tenant about water seeping through the walls from an empty property next door it led to the discovery of three unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO). 19 Oct 2011 12:42:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2901.html 194E66E0-C595-4F86-BFA4-815A2CE704D6 Buy to let void periods are now virtually non-existent Void periods for the majority of rental properties, especially one and two bedroom homes, are virtually non-existent in the current climate says Townends estate agents. The lettings agency, which has offices in Surrey, Hampshire and London, is also advising new and existing buy to let landlords not to be... 19 Oct 2011 12:42:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2892.html 4E762077-BABD-4AFB-A44A-5FBE4481640C Buy to let property investment confidence continues to soar The overwhelming majority of landlords are planning to expand their portfolios this year to take advantage of rock bottom prices and surging rental demand according to International Property Success (IPS). Its figures show that confidence in buy to let property investment... 19 Oct 2011 12:41:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2893.html 606DC255-B2F6-4118-B388-B7E2547083EA 'Question time' at annual landlords' conference Landlords will have the opportunity to question industry experts and debate the latest government policies that affect them at the annual National Landlords Association (NLA) National Conference being organised next month (November). It will be held on Wednesday... 19 Oct 2011 12:41:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2894.html FA2E8576-925E-4ADB-9D05-00795944168F Public offered £200 to find a landlord Members of the public are being offered £200 a time by a letting agency for linking them up with landlords who are willing to join its private sector leasing scheme. Real Lettings, which has launched the landlord ... 19 Oct 2011 12:41:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2895.html C979F176-DE85-43F3-ABF4-58317F60165A Renting from a landlord is not necessarily a cheaper alternative claims Shelter Buy to let landlords and the rents they charge have again been put under the spotlight by Shelter which claims that ordinary working families are facing unaffordable private rents in 55 percent of local authorities in England. 19 Oct 2011 12:40:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2896.html 4F7628BE-DEC3-4AEE-BDFB-6148A5DB9059 Buy to let landlords need to get energy efficient or face rental ban from 2018 Private buy to let landlords whose properties have an F or G energy efficiency rating will not be allowed to rent the premises from 2018. There is also speculation that the government may even phase the measures in two years earlier if possible. 11 Oct 2011 12:47:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2887.html 8BCF5FDD-F9E0-41A1-8D80-A58F4DB743F5 NHF joins buy to let landlords in campaign against plans to cut housing benefit Thousands of people all over Britain are taking part in a week of grassroots campaigning organised by the National Housing Federation (NHF) against the Government’s plans to cut housing benefit. Landlord organisations have already expressed their... 11 Oct 2011 12:47:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2888.html 15432957-5973-4194-8063-C3B03C06D484 New code is 'UK’s first nationwide student landlord accreditation scheme' Accommodation for Students (AFS) and Unipol have teamed up to launch what they claim is the UK’s first fully-effective nationwide student landlord accreditation scheme - the AFS/Unipol Code. The code... 11 Oct 2011 12:46:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2889.html 5D949B4E-D85C-4BE9-BBCF-0BC65633BA3F New PayYours by card scheme helps landlords to collect rent What some landlords may consider the good old days, when they or their rent collectors went round and picked up rent in cash from tenants, maybe long gone. Although many payments are now made by direct debit, some landlords still prefer to collect payments... 11 Oct 2011 12:46:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2890.html 256024C6-4CFA-4B4C-B3BA-DE8C08C5029B Property investment landlord surprises students with a free ipad2 A Salford-based landlord has given 50 iPad 2s to students renting at Montgomery House in Whalley Range, Manchester. The property development company FreshStart Living had promised the first 50... 11 Oct 2011 12:45:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2891.html 9F9D38FD-32A8-49D9-969E-9D9D1D68E131 Rise in housing benefit bill is not the fault of landlords claims report A new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the British Property Federation (BPF) disputes government claims that rises in the housing benefit bill are caused by landlords increasing rents in order to take advantage of pre-determined benefit levels. 7 Oct 2011 12:35:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2882.html D7FD4C7A-1550-4217-BBC8-FD96A1E373FB Buy to let landlords confused over energy performance of their properties Landlords in the private rental sector (PRS) need to brush up on their green credentials, according to latest research from ARLA. It revealed that more than a third (35 percent) of UK landlords are unaware of the energy performance of their properties, and more than... 7 Oct 2011 12:35:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2883.html 5122DBAD-BE38-46A4-880A-5BE70CA6E265 Private rental sector boom leads to more buy to let property investment People who cannot afford to buy property may be turning to the private rental sector in their droves for somewhere to live, but this in turn is causing an increase in those considering investing in a property to rent out. 7 Oct 2011 12:35:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2884.html B49AEB9A-D70A-4F18-A361-441748E3F765 FoI ruling could give green light to squatters warns Landlord Assist A recent tribunal ruling that forced a local authority to release details of vacant properties in its area could open the floodgates for squatters, says Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction firm. The organisation raised its concerns after Camden Council had... 7 Oct 2011 12:35:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2885.html 6F81E743-305C-43CD-8B6D-2028C3CE6D7D More security for landlords who use clear window protection system Landlords are among those who can benefit from the security an innovative clear window protection system can bring say the manufacturers. A recent pilot housing regeneration scheme in south Durham used... 7 Oct 2011 12:34:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2886.html 4759E7A3-3787-4F30-A472-C0EE59994878 Buy to let landlords could be caught up in latest crackdown on empty homes Landlords who leave homes empty for long periods for various reasons could find their properties targeted in the latest crackdown by the Communities and Local Government organisation. 5 Oct 2011 11:07:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2877.html 749177E2-DC33-4EBF-85C8-A8BC83C977EB MP backs call for regulation of landlords and letting agents MP Simon Hughes has called for better regulation of the private rented sector to tackle poor standards of housing and landlords who do not prioritise the needs of their tenants. The Liberal Democrat minister made his plea during a meeting entitled ‘No place like home... 5 Oct 2011 11:06:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2878.html 134892A2-4217-44F2-B023-A612E6D0142A ‘1,477 rogue landlords’ are making tenants lives a misery Shelter is urging local authorities to crack down on rogue landlords, as the homeless charity claims its own research proves that they continue to cause misery for tenants across England. Shelter contacted every council in England to build a picture of both the scale of... 5 Oct 2011 11:06:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2879.html 2B071508-349D-498A-B1F6-65BCAAD8C80F First ever county wide meeting for buy to let landlords in Northumberland A first ever county-wide event for landlords was organised by Northumberland County Council’s housing service at the new Northumberland First and Rescue Service headquarters building recently. Its aim was to help private landlords address issues that... 5 Oct 2011 11:06:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2880.html C24595A9-02A7-4A1A-AB7F-04565B0EA101 Buy to let news - In brief A 10- week consultation has been started by Newham Council into proposals to set up a licensing scheme which would cover all private landlords in the... 5 Oct 2011 11:05:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2881.html EEDDFEA4-0D1C-43E6-BAE1-40773BA63F99 Buy to let market competition has had ‘positive benefits for landlords’ since its launch in 1996 The private rented sector has been around in one form or another for decades but the buy to let sector has just celebrated its 15th birthday according to the Paragon Group of Companies. It says Buy to let was... 27 Sep 2011 16:30:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2872.html EECC5B14-A6EE-42FE-ADCB-73B3008AF6AF Buy to let landlords enjoy higher yields due to rent increases Buy to let landlords are venturing back into the market as a result of better rental yields and a far better security than investing in the stock market or simply putting finances in the bank. The rental yields are a result of a knock-on effect caused by the recent rent rises... 27 Sep 2011 16:29:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2873.html F6721B91-DF54-4EDA-B84B-66459131A0B9 Landlords could be landed with anti-social tenants if government evicts rioters says NLA The National Landlords Association (NLA) has warned that evicting council house tenants who took part in the recent riots may shift the problem of anti-social behaviour into the private-rented sector. The Government has come under fire over plans to evict... 27 Sep 2011 16:29:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2874.html 16789DB7-6A3B-46BE-9CD6-9AF6C5BB8254 Landlords offered training day on how to prepare an inventory An Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) ‘live’ training day, which the organisers say is ideal for landlords, will cover inventories and check-in and check-out reports, plus how to deal with problem tenants. The new ‘hands-on’ workshop is on the 3 October... 27 Sep 2011 16:28:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2875.html FC78957E-CF0B-4452-9D68-B1D8E35D6CA1 Buy to let landlord doubles up on property investment in new seaside development A Dorset resident has taken advantage of the surge in demand for rental properties by purchasing two buy to let apartments at Crest Nicholson’s Poole Quarter development. Roger Tulip, aged 61, lives close... 27 Sep 2011 16:28:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2876.html D8D43ABA-756B-4022-94DD-6550B74478EB Property investment landlords benefit from rent rises but tenants start to feel the squeeze Rents in London may have reached an all-time high, but the slowdown in the increase of average salaries, means tenants in the capital are feeling the pinch more than ever, says new research. The average... 26 Sep 2011 16:40:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2867.html 884AB03F-627F-4CB0-99D9-7E6FE295CCDC Universal Credit system will force buy to let property investors away from social housing sector The new Universal Credit system which sees rental benefits paid to tenants rather than direct to the landlord will see more buy to let property investors withdrawing from the social housing sector says Landlord Assist who has joined the debate on the subject. 26 Sep 2011 16:40:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2868.html F05F7AFF-3324-4D93-BC36-CB67F91C3B66 Majority of buy to let landlords in favour of government’s Green Deal Two-thirds of private landlords would consider taking advantage of the Government’s Green Deal scheme to improve energy efficiency in their properties, according to a survey by the National Landlords Association... 26 Sep 2011 16:40:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2869.html D0F9F861-0FEC-41D1-B5E8-B0D2A5F3871C Causal landlords leave themselves open to theft It is estimated that one in four UK homeowners have become ‘casual’ landlords by renting out to tenants to help relieve the financial strain of bills, mortgages and rising food costs in the current economic downturn. But according to new research from home insurer... 26 Sep 2011 16:40:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2870.html 605D6C7B-5CE7-42A5-B4EE-A88E91BDC309 Record fine for unlicensed buy to let landlord An inspection of a property above a bar in Brighton has led to a record fine for a private landlord. Warwick Armsby-Ward pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court to for managing a house in multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence and breaching fire... 26 Sep 2011 16:39:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2871.html 3A09666B-F044-45DD-8E05-CED829D4CDDC Homeless figures rise due to tenants ending rental agreements with buy to let landlords There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people being accepted as homeless as a result of their tenancies with landlords in the private rented sector coming to an end. And research published by homelessness charity Crisis warns that the... 15 Sep 2011 16:30:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2862.html DB22B4FC-BDCC-4A7F-9489-A6C8252A3179 SAFEagent is exactly what landlords and the private rented sector need says housing ministery A new industry-led initiative launched to help combat cases where unscrupulous letting agents abscond with funds belonging their landlord and tenant clients has now gone live. SAFEagent claims it is being supported by the Government plus several other... 15 Sep 2011 16:30:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2863.html 48652932-845A-49C2-AFF2-8E7D913A42F7 Elderly who rent from buy to let landlord most at risk from CO poisoning The risk of being affected by CO poisoning is 50 percent greater in a property with a private landlord than that in either an owner occupied property or one with a social sector landlord says a report published by the Gas Safety Trust. The most vulnerable group in society... 15 Sep 2011 16:29:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2864.html B8F39641-2D55-4E13-B1F9-1CA03C9F8B04 Developers’ student rental property investment was a ‘deathtrap’ Two housing developers in Manchester have been fined more than £14,000 for risking the lives of their tenants in rented student accommodation described in court as a ‘deathtrap.’ Concerns were first raised when students attempting to move into the development found... 15 Sep 2011 16:29:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2865.html 272CC3E8-700E-430A-8074-D8D08A78F60B Buy to let news - In brief A man is facing a possible life sentence when he returns to court for sentencing after being found guilty of murdering his former landlord. 15 Sep 2011 16:29:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2866.html 72874077-074E-46A9-A6C0-82FFAC3B9189 Buy to let landlords must prepare for disputes with tenants Landlords are still not doing enough to prepare themselves for legal battles when disputes arise with tenants, says the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC). New data from The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) which shows that 60 percent of... 12 Sep 2011 12:01:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2857.html A1118C65-164E-453C-8551-E173D8E847A1 Landlord shocked by double murder at his property Police asked a landlord to help piece together the background story of the family living in his rental property after two women were found dead at the house. Mark Field, aged 48, confirmed that a Turkish family-of-six, lived in the three-bedroom, two-storey home in... 12 Sep 2011 12:01:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2858.html 665670D7-292A-4B46-988E-B023AB5F8C05 Buy to let landlords look for family-focused properties There has been a surge in the proportion of landlords planning to purchase family-focused properties according to Paragon’s Trends latest research. It shows the types of property landlords are looking to invest in during the third quarter of the year are more... 12 Sep 2011 12:01:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2859.html 20712C58-05D3-46E2-BA29-7B203EC2C4E9 Landlord’s eight year battle with council finally comes to an end An eight year battle by a landlord who wanted to restore two of his properties rather than have them bulldozed has finally come to an end after the local council agreed to pay him more than £60,000. John Rowe, of Tennis Street, Burnley, had made plans to combine... 12 Sep 2011 12:00:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2860.html 2AE1F911-1CE7-4109-8A6B-C774B39BC37C Landlords miss deadline for making repairs to dangerous property A complaint by a mother with four children about the state of her rental accommodation has led to a firm of landlords being fined more than £2,000 for failing to carry out repairs to a dangerous property. Members of North Warwickshire Borough Council’s... 12 Sep 2011 11:59:51 GMT FE0EFD09-782E-4151-9CC4-CC8576C17E7B Mortgage industry must take responsible approach to buy to let property investment Paradigm Mortgage Services, the mortgage services proposition, is urging brokers and lenders to adopt an on-going responsible approach to the buy to let market, given the growing demand and interest in the sector. With the buy to let market showing renewed... 8 Sep 2011 16:02:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2852.html 4A134CF7-C058-40D0-B31E-5AAE4F270FEB New scheme launched to combat property investment mortgage fraud Fraudsters who try to obtain finance for rental properties will face another hurdle to their illegal activities following the formal launch of a new scheme to combat mortgage application scams. The National Fraud Authority estimates the cost of mortgage fraud at... 8 Sep 2011 16:02:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2853.html 1F6A0409-745A-4528-9409-0A7147F9B4AF Students continue to offer buy to let landlords a chance to maximise returns For savvy property investors, the UK student accommodation investment industry is remaining top of the agenda in terms of maximising return on initial investment. Plus with more positive news stories emerging around wealthy foreign students... 8 Sep 2011 16:02:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2854.html D2FA8CA4-CF17-4A00-8FB7-2A5D409F0E47 Buy to let landlords courted by new partnership Properties owned and run by buy to let landlords are being targeted by a partnership between the lettings agency set up by London-based homeless charity Broadway and housebuilder Barratt Homes. The partnership is aiming to procure more properties for vulnerable clients and five graduates from... 8 Sep 2011 16:01:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2855.html C7D9AA95-1604-4BE6-A21B-E358610C89BE Lettings agency claims it predicted boom for buy to let landlords months ago A lettings specialist on the south coast is saying ‘We told you so’ following the release of recent data which showed that demand for buy to let mortgages is up to 16.8 percent, the highest it’s been this year. 8 Sep 2011 16:01:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2856.html D31FA5F3-6886-4215-AD17-5C30A79577AA Buy to let landlords must beware when throwing out items left behind by tenants Problems can arise for buy to let landlords as a result of items left behind following the end of a tenancy due to difficulties in tracing the tenants quickly and whether items require removal specialists and storage. 30 Aug 2011 11:17:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2842.html 892162ED-21D7-482C-B068-B931435058E2 Landlords often fail to offer security of tenure to older renters claims retirement specialist The increase in the number of people now looking for rental property is being added to by a growing number of older people retiring from their mortgages and renting instead suggests new figures from the Homelet rental index. In the last 12 months... 30 Aug 2011 11:17:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2843.html 2FFFC523-8780-4677-ABF0-F053728D5BD1 Buy to let property investment will be hit by rise in interest rates Many private landlords fear the impact of a potential rise in buy to let mortgage interest rates reveals the latest news from BDRC Continental’s Landlords Panel. Almost three quarters of private landlords (73 percent) have at least one mortgage on their rental property and... 30 Aug 2011 11:17:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2844.html 33C0BC04-466C-495E-9BE1-FB6E15B90E71 Welsh rugby stars caught up in clampdown on landlords Two Welsh international rugby players have been caught up in Swansea Council’s crackdown on landlords who fail to correctly licence their rental properties. Colin Charvis, who is also a former British and Irish Lions player, recently pleaded guilty to charges under... 30 Aug 2011 11:16:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2845.html 5799E2A8-CF12-445E-B3C5-06366ECAB422 Buy to let landlords told to look out for fraudsters using fake passports Landlords in a London borough have been asked to help look out for tenants who may be using false passports to fraudulently claim millions of pounds in housing benefits and job seekers allowance. Around 100 people in Islington, many of North African descent, are... 30 Aug 2011 11:16:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2846.html 977A8349-4EBF-4723-882A-E57977C82FE6 Increase in buy to let property investment driven by record high rents One of the biggest attractions leading more people to invest in buy to let properties comes from the fact UK rents have reached new record highs. This is backed up by a combination of factors including lower house prices and improving availability of mortgage finance. 19 Aug 2011 17:20:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2832.html 24C5F155-2F41-4C87-9423-4C67AFE6AA7C Buy to let loans to landlords are on the increase says CML There were 32,000 buy to let loans, worth £3.5 billion, taken out from April to June, the highest number and value since the last quarter of 2008, according to new data released from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). 19 Aug 2011 17:20:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2833.html CE18696E-88A4-43D9-99B8-584D7132064A Landlords fear HMO licence charges will rise after council consultation Landlords in Carmarthenshire are being asked to take part in a consultation process over the future of the existing mandatory and an additional licensing scheme for all houses in multiple occupation within the county. However they fear it is simply a prelude to the... 19 Aug 2011 17:19:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2834.html C94379E5-3284-4C55-9367-1984C3D1A00F Holiday home and landlord fraudsters appear on UK’s Top 10 most wanted list A campaign launched by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers to locate 10 of the UK’s most wanted fraudsters has led to the arrest of a man allegedly involved in a holiday home scam. But another one of the top 10 who is wanted for questioning in... 19 Aug 2011 17:19:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2835.html 3D01A5F2-D1B0-4F31-86FC-D94F1B20D786 Buy to let landlord continued to rent out room deemed unsafe by council A landlord has been fined for allowing tenants to live in a room which had been previously deemed unsafe by Rochdale Borough Council. Mohammed Aziz, landlord of the licensed house in... 19 Aug 2011 17:08:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2836.html 1251083D-F066-46C2-AEFD-0741B6630A2D Buy to let landlord boom reaching other parts of the UK Most of the talk surrounding the latest buy to let boom has centred on the big increases in rents that London landlords are able to charge which has led to more of them increasing the sizes of their property portfolios. 15 Aug 2011 15:09:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2827.html 8AAB53A9-0F49-46BD-BC60-80D4121DFC73 London landlords face competition from South African buy to let property investors Buy to let landlords who are considering investing in a new residential development in the heart of London have found themselves in competition with a new breed of property investor from South Africa. They have taken the majority of the apartments that were sold... 15 Aug 2011 15:08:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2828.html 09DE1E84-53C4-449A-B34A-1D16862411D9 Landlord optimism in the future of buy to let property investment continues to grow Buy to let landlords have enough confidence in the current market to increase the number of properties in their portfolios for the first time in two years. Overall, almost a quarter of landlords are feeling more optimistic about the prospects for their property portfolios... 15 Aug 2011 15:08:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2829.html 96880C9D-D773-47EE-AA27-0B3E7B1B036D Landlords told saying no to a satellite dish could violate tenants’ human rights A recent European Court of Human Rights test case involving rules surrounding satellite dishes could now affect landlords and tenants in the UK. Two Iraqi tenants and their children living in Sweden were evicted... 15 Aug 2011 15:07:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2830.html 108139B6-406B-409C-A87F-C1E73B007ECC Landlords should watch out for 'accidental letting agents' The first half of the year has been positive for buy to let landlords and property investors but there are still pitfalls to beware of warns Caroline Kavanagh, group lettings director at Townends Estate Agents. While the current state of the housing market has seen a rise in... 15 Aug 2011 15:07:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2831.html DF432119-E1BB-4B1B-9383-B67871C01057 Landlords advised to get their own valuation surveys after Appeal ruling Buy to let landlords need to commission their own surveys if they want to be legally protected in future following a recent case in the Court of Appeal warns the property specialists at a legal firm. 10 Aug 2011 12:01:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2822.html 3807BAB9-D597-42B0-B5D2-C6B3C9748E1F Buy to let landlords sent a 'clear warning' after landmark court case A landlord who failed to get a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence has become the first in 15 years to be prosecuted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The local authority says it hopes the landmark case will send a clear warning to landlords in the area... 10 Aug 2011 12:01:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2823.html 36F96993-B7E4-42D4-98F6-04B28953D89B Legal wrangling set to continue for libelled landlord Christopher Jefferies The furore surrounding the media coverage following the arrest of landlord Christopher Jefferies after the death of his tenant, landscape architect Joanna Yeates, still refuses to go away. The Daily Mirror was fined £50,000 and The Sun £18,000 after the Divisional... 10 Aug 2011 12:01:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2824.html 46EE2219-0E95-46C8-8A1F-8EED4862CC08 Rise in interest rates would have negative effect on buy to let property investment If the current state of the economy at home and abroad leads to a rise in interest rates it would have a negative effect on buy to let landlords with mortgages. This was the view of those who took part in a National Landlords Association (NLA) survey which was... 10 Aug 2011 12:00:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2825.html 8FC6DBB8-A223-4F10-8C02-12A9811FC175 OFT’s code will give landlords more protection when dealing with letting agents A Lettings Code which will give landlords and their tenants greater protection when dealing with letting agents has moved a stage closer towards full agreement. The Property Ombudsman (TPO) has successfully completed Stage One of the... 10 Aug 2011 12:00:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2826.html FDB2DDC4-6634-43AD-81B9-5787B155E2BE Relationships between landlords and tenants are improving says NLA survey Buy to let landlords and their tenants are getting on better than ever before according to a recent survey by the National Landlords Association (NLA). A total of 61 percent of landlords claimed to have ‘very good’ relations with their tenants, while a further 34 percent... 5 Aug 2011 12:46:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2817.html 5F514584-1A4B-49D4-8009-379BA5679D96 Mortgage specialists team up to offer more products for buy to let property investment The growing strength of the buy to let sector has convinced TBMC and the Yorkshire Building Society to introduce products into the market. TBMC, the buy to let and commercial mortgage specialist, has launched the new and exclusive buy to let mortgage with... 5 Aug 2011 12:46:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2818.html E7F93586-7052-4DD1-894E-38287E87FEB5 Landlord’s fine 'acknowledged the gravity of the health and safety issues' Environmental health officers found a catalogue of category one and two hazards when they inspected a landlord’s property. The inspectors were initially contacted by the tenant in July 2010 because... 5 Aug 2011 12:46:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2819.html 25AE9636-0CE3-46EC-95B4-5AD3BFB39F6F Buy to let landlords with larger properties will see increase in demand from house sharers There has been a big increase in tenants looking to house share according to the London property specialist ludlowthompsom.com. This growth in demand has been caused by what the company describes as... 5 Aug 2011 12:45:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2820.html EFEB897A-2BC5-41DA-8499-3B020C9D3DDE Happiness for holiday home landlords as comedy festivals hit towns Holiday home owners and landlords offering short lets in and around Edinburgh have already benefitted from the demand for rental accommodation for the 2011 Festival Fringe (5-29 August). But the growing number of comedy festivals being organised is also... 5 Aug 2011 12:45:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2821.html F1619A68-2FA0-4ADD-B761-B84C7B833287 Buy to let landlord Chris Jefferies accepts ‘substantial’ payout from newspapers who libelled him The landlord who found himself at the centre of a murder case has accepted what has been described as a ‘substantial’ sum from eight newspapers who published libellous stories about him. He has also been given a public apology. 3 Aug 2011 17:52:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2812.html EB73BFBB-27F7-4296-988F-C855C977F6B9 Court of Appeal leaves landlords and tenants in a muddle over deposit schemes The Court of Appeal has driven a coach and horses through the tenancy deposit scheme inserted into the Housing Act 2004, which protects tenants against the widespread abuse by landlords of the rental deposit system, claims the chief executive of the... 3 Aug 2011 17:52:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2813.html 6F554C7A-B09A-445D-97E4-A64D636B26C6 Buy to let landlords must make their properties safe during summer holidays Holiday home owners and landlords whose tenants are planning to go away during the summer should take precautions to deter burglars says Townends Estate Agents. Caroline Kavanagh, group lettings director at the company reports that burglaries have... 3 Aug 2011 17:51:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2814.html 4771A4E3-E7E4-49FD-B2C3-9BCB7C583B5F Property investment agent expelled from TPO scheme after admitting frauds A lettings agent who dealt with landlords and property investors in the Midlands has been expelled from voluntary membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme for having three convictions for... 3 Aug 2011 17:51:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2815.html 1BF4B963-56ED-41BD-997A-215ED96D6715 London landlords see rents peak again Prime London rents rose by 0.3 percent in July, taking the increase in the last three months to July to one percent, and these rents are now one percent higher than their previous peak in March 2008. 3 Aug 2011 17:51:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2816.html 733727D4-29C3-4F0A-A216-2A5F373A608C Landlord association offers 10 top tips to Olympic renters With less than a year to go until the London 2012 Olympics the National Landlords Association (NLA) has issued its top 10 tips for homeowners wishing to let their properties to people visiting London and other UK cities during the Games. 29 Jul 2011 12:59:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2807.html F9A31CB2-664D-4987-92E9-65F4C0FC15F2 Buy to let landlords offered help from the 'investor hub' The Countrywide group has reacted to the high demand for rental accommodation in the Manchester area by launching the ‘investor hub, a dedicated property investment centre, at the iconic Hacienda in the... 29 Jul 2011 12:59:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2808.html AFB3F05F-226B-4281-9A15-1205D15F4533 Letting agent reassures landlords after bailiffs move in, then out, of his office A letting agent is reassuring his landlord and tenant clients that its ‘business as usual’ after bailiffs moved into his office. A stalemate situation arose following a dispute between James Amos, of James Amos Residential, and the owner of the premises... 29 Jul 2011 12:59:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2809.html 36296AC2-9704-4E40-AE8B-80D41C1FC412 London borough draws up plans to move into property investment A local council has drawn up plans which would effectively make it a private landlord. The proposals by Newham Borough Council in London would see it buy up run down or poor quality rental accommodation... 29 Jul 2011 12:58:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2810.html 1A164120-72FB-4A3D-9D73-0241B9C4EF0F Council prosecutes landlord for letting substandard flat A private landlord has been prosecuted for letting a substandard flat to tenants after having been served a notice preventing its occupation from the Council. At Kettering Magistrates Court on Thursday 7th July 2011, Rajinder Kumar, landlord of 2a Digby Street... 29 Jul 2011 12:57:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2811.html 3ECF979E-4EE2-4627-AE84-CBDD4A1E8136 Buy to let landlords made to wait for outcome of Welfare Reform Bill The 2nd Reading in the House of Lords of the Welfare Reform Bill, which aims to simplify the welfare system by introducing a single universal credit to replace most existing benefits, including housing benefit and tax credits from 2013 has been delayed. 22 Jul 2011 13:17:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2797.html 494139DE-C11A-4AE6-9342-7A80B35A9397 Holiday home landlords are all winners at Open Golf Championship As golfer Darren Clarke made his way home after pocketing a £900,000 cheque and the famous Claret Jug for winning the Open Championship at Royal St George’s in Sandwich, landlords who have holiday homes and short lets in the area were also... 22 Jul 2011 13:17:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2798.html D1DA16B4-78BA-4EFB-9AA5-D3EAB4D2D34D Protect your buy to let property investment against fraud The recent conviction of a mortgage advisor has prompted Landlord Assist to reissue its warning to landlords to check that their properties are correctly registered with the Land Registry to help protect themselves from registration fraud... 22 Jul 2011 13:17:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2799.html 3866B672-2A72-44C4-BD3A-B718F84C9BB5 OFT tells buy to let landlords to check letting agents' terms and conditions Some landlords are unaware of a change to terms and conditions and the implications to the buy to let property investment sector brought about by a High Court ruling according to an Office of Fair Trading (OFT). 22 Jul 2011 13:16:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2800.html 3178EAC1-3AEC-4739-A5DF-FE0D711029C0 12 months jail for buy to let landlord who evaded £70,000 in excise duty A landlord, who used fake boarding cards for non-EU flights to buy duty free cigarettes and evade £70,000 in excise duty, has been jailed for 12 months. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigators discovered... 22 Jul 2011 13:15:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2801.html 1441812F-5D1C-4F60-AAEF-2FC346C1F892 Parents become buy to let landlords to help meet the costs of university education A growing number of parents are planning to invest in a buy to let property to rent out to other students to help cover the cost of their own child’s higher education according to new figures from HSBC. 20 Jul 2011 12:47:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2792.html 34130CCE-034E-41EF-A20A-0DA909BA127E ARLA calls on government to help landlords increase number of properties to rent There has been a slight increase in buying and selling activity among landlords but an undersupply of good quality property is threatening the UK rental market, according to Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). 20 Jul 2011 12:47:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2793.html 5796D184-B5D3-4C00-88BE-C35A9354AFD8 Buy to let landlords see rents hit another record high Rents hit another record high in June, surging beyond the £700 per month barrier for the first time, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. In June, the average rent in England and Wales rose by 0.7 percent to £701 per month, surpassing... 20 Jul 2011 12:47:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2794.html F1459136-02AB-44E9-81D1-EF9B6793B5D7 Rise in number of mortgage products available for buy to let property investment Average buy to let yields have risen quarter-on-quarter with vanilla products now offering 5.8 percent and complex deals offering up to 10 percent, according to Mortgages for Business, the broker and packager. The total number of buy to let mortgage products... 20 Jul 2011 12:46:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2795.html BD1DED45-55F5-4FB2-9725-253D6C6C0E77 Buy to let landlord news - In brief The National Landlords Association (NLA) has appointed Richard Lambert a Chief Executive Officer and will take up his new role on 1 October 2011. 20 Jul 2011 12:45:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2796.html B2772270-592C-4827-A2BE-600557C6B0D3 Buy to let landlords must not rely solely on a lender’s mortgage valuation Buy to let landlords should take heed of a Court of Appeal ruling which looks set to impact on rights relating to mortgage valuations warns a property law specialist at Irwin Mitchell. The Court recently upheld an appeal made by the Bank of Scotland, trading as... 15 Jul 2011 12:55:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2787.html ADA4BFCE-4B0F-461C-8FF8-7C09CA672C45 Tenants tell landlords that they want a housemate with the X-factor Landlords have been given an insight into the type of celebrities their tenants would like to share a home with through a poll organised by the Deposit Protection Service (The DPS). Singer and X-factor judge... 15 Jul 2011 12:55:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2788.html 76643F75-4068-4A39-AC83-80D2ADBA4790 Savers turn to buy to let investment for better returns on their money There has seen a rise in the number of cash buyers looking to put their savings into buy to let property investment according to an East Midlands housebuilder. Barratt East Midlands has seen an increasing numbers of first time property investors keen to find... 15 Jul 2011 12:55:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2789.html C0F71131-5445-4DC3-BF3A-49CECB573CBC Holiday home property investment reaches new high in South West Staycations in the UK has seen holiday homes and second property ownership reach a new high in the South West, despite the slide in transactions in the wider housing market. This was one of the findings in the Knight Frank 2011 New Build Second Homes... 15 Jul 2011 12:55:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2790.html DAF8FB13-C0C2-4BC7-9AC6-3A1E53F23CCD Landlord's property posed an imminent risk of serious harm to tenants A landlord who ignored warnings to carry out necessary works to improve the standards in her property to an acceptable level has been prosecuted by her council’s Private Sector Housing Team. 15 Jul 2011 12:54:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2791.html E9AB1CA6-F762-45AC-9407-92337DE597F4 Increase in university applications is good news for buy to let landlords Opportunities for landlords to tap in to the student rental market continue to increase with two more universities reporting rises in applications despite the spectre of higher tuition fees. Over the past three years student applications to The University of Sunderland... 12 Jul 2011 15:50:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2782.html 2C410EB1-F1C7-44FE-AC4D-89D83B64947C London buy to let landlords watch with interest as rents creep towards all time high More evidence of how rents for London buy to let landlords have been rising well ahead of inflation for the past year and a half has been produced by Savills. The property adviser’s latest research shows rents... 12 Jul 2011 15:50:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2783.html F57E63E4-C75D-43B0-B80A-AEA9FB6CD356 Landlord claimed her husband was meant to look after ‘dangerous’ property A landlord has been fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,216.91 and a £15 victim surcharge after one of her properties was deemed to be so dangerous that the local authority stepped in to take it over. 12 Jul 2011 15:50:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2784.html C4EE7C81-5FF1-4F1D-8490-86E24696F5FC Landlords and tenants angered by closure of property investment company A criminal fraud investigation has been launched into the activities of a sales and letting agent which suddenly closed down leaving landlords and tenants in the dark about missing keys and rental income. A sign has been put up in the window of Plymouth-based... 12 Jul 2011 15:49:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2785.html AE744D40-F941-4C4E-B217-264AD9ED1119 Success for buy to let landlords who fought against selective licensing scheme The High Court judgement in to the quashing of one of the first selective licensing schemes set up by a local authority was published recently. The ruling against Hyndburn Borough Council’s attempts to designate areas within its district as subject to selective... 12 Jul 2011 15:49:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2786.html F0E380D4-01FF-444E-A1A2-2643AFD5ECC4 Buy to let landlords suffering rise in number of tenants in severe financial difficulty Landlords are facing a rapidly rising number of tenants who are in severe financial difficulty. Nearly 8,700 more tenants are over two months in arrears, according to the latest research by Templeton LPA, the specialist practice of LPA Receivers. 8 Jul 2011 17:04:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2777.html 64DD38C1-31C0-4F75-AA12-454C20BC2C0C Mortgage availability will encourage buy to let landlords to get more properties The reappearance of several major buy to let mortgage products in recent weeks, coupled with high demand for rental properties, has led to speculation that this will encourage landlords to increase their rental property portfolios. A recent survey by the... 8 Jul 2011 17:03:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2778.html C804F793-85C8-460A-9AE2-B92E40911053 Will retired tenants have funds to pay their landlords in the future? Buy to let investors are experiencing record returns and shorter void periods due to the recession which has caused the demand for rental accommodation to soar as would-be buyers struggle to get on to the property ladder. Recent reports suggest that many ... 8 Jul 2011 17:03:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2779.html D382A2AD-E5F5-492D-BA8A-90F4145AA22B People featured on TV show ‘do not deserve to be described as landlords’ Shelter has used the publicity surrounding the recent Channel 4 Dispatches programme Landlords from Hell to highlight the charity’s claim that private tenants feel powerless when facing problems with their... 8 Jul 2011 17:03:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2780.html C31623A3-6719-457A-ABF4-ED310ED6DA28 Agent opens four more letting outlets to cope with demand from buy to let landlords Andrews & Partners has expanded its letting and management service in the South of England with the opening of four new branches. Andrews Letting & Management has added Bexhill, Mitcham... 8 Jul 2011 17:02:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2781.html D4857FD8-62A4-421B-B85F-23FEBDAFACCE Buy to let landlords suffer more rental arrears as unemployment starts to bite Buy to let landlords are beginning to see more rental arrears as rising unemployment and the increased cost of living start having an effect on the rental sector. Tenant eviction specialists Landlord Action has seen the number of instructions against defaulting... 6 Jul 2011 10:39:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2772.html C507501E-9530-4CA8-9B31-70F3776258F8 Landlords could demand up to six times the price of short term lets during Olympics Visitors from home and overseas looking for accommodation close to traditional annual events such as Henley, Ascot, Silverstone and Wimbledon are making the short let market extremely active during the summer months. 6 Jul 2011 10:38:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2773.html 57C8B482-A4E7-4FC7-A9CB-4C45340BC6CA Another two buy to let mortgages for landlords on the market Buy to let and commercial mortgage specialist TBMC has launched two new exclusive buy-to let mortgage products with Hinckley & Rugby Building Society. The products include a 3.74 percent two-year discount up to 75 percent LTV with £1,999 completion fee... 6 Jul 2011 10:38:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2774.html CE2DCD59-C7E3-4958-9B3A-24892021F814 Council impose charge on landlord’s house to cover costs of emergency repairs A landlord has had his property repossessed by a mortgage lender and a charge placed on his property after her failed to pay a council for more than £2,000 worth of emergency work it was forced to... 6 Jul 2011 10:38:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2775.html 9AB54537-D2FE-4933-8103-9733F6AFE689 Buy to let - In brief A new scheme designed to promote client money protection (CMP) and provide customers with information on letting agents they should do business with... 6 Jul 2011 10:37:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2776.html CEA5E489-23D0-4A0E-8498-B07DA3A0AC8C Call for compulsory landlord register could fall at first hurdle A call for a compulsory register of buy to let landlords by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson is unlikely to go further than its first hearing in Parliament. Wilson recently gave a speech in the House of Commons calling for a Bill to be brought in which would force private landlords. 1 Jul 2011 16:54:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2767.html 0EDE38B0-B1CD-47D3-8407-DD9C9B06A450 Buy to let landlords see increases demand from Eurozone tenants Tenants from Europe accounted for 30.4 percent of all new lets in the central London rental market between January and May this year compared with 25 percent in the same period in 2010. The probable cause is the Eurozone crisis according to the latest... 1 Jul 2011 16:54:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2768.html 317DA9F1-5E01-4CB2-9EE1-67608D260553 Buy to let rent increases force some tenants out of the market Rents in some areas of the UK have risen so sharply recently that previously affordable homes are now unattainable to many prospective tenants. And this is causing an increasing number of renters to be... 1 Jul 2011 16:53:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2769.html 973DBA77-07E4-4D5F-8914-0B9181F901E6 Agency and developer team up to launch private rental property investment business Two established property market specialists have teamed up to create a business model which they claim will deliver long term ownership of private rented housing. Savills and the privately owned construction and development company Willmott Dixon... 1 Jul 2011 16:53:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2770.html DFF78850-5D03-43B3-8897-DB60B5FA795D Buy to let - Court News A landlord who attacked a friend of one of his tenants after he saw him defecate on the doorstep of his property has been fined £100. 1 Jul 2011 16:53:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2771.html CF6FF824-47AC-4E6C-9096-A5667FE2B6DA Buy to let landlords told 'sort your paperwork out to prevent losing disputes' The majority of buy to let landlords end up on the losing side when they get into disputes over tenants’ deposits. Figures recently released by the Tenant Deposit Scheme found that only 19 percent of these disputes are won by landlords. 28 Jun 2011 14:31:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2762.html C30FF43B-1B89-4F68-91F2-032A880CA53D Manchester offers an attractive alternative to London for buy to let property investment The city of Manchester has been dubbed a top spot for property investment according to a recent report by Knight Frank. It is an attractive alternative market to London for buy to let landlords as property... 28 Jun 2011 14:31:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2763.html BABCC706-DF46-4B8A-8B59-7705CDBD9FE1 Landlord calls for professional help after tenants leave her facing repossession A landlord faces having her property repossessed because her tenants are allegedly using loopholes in the system, one of them learned while working as a Housing Officer for Lambeth Council, to withhold rent. In September 2010, after 18 months on the sales... 28 Jun 2011 14:31:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2764.html 2918C167-3AFD-4826-9789-D1C2DCE5BD0F Website simplifies unoccupied property insurance for landlords and their lawyers A new ‘quote and buy’ website jltpropertyinsurance.co.uk that lets landlords’ solicitors buy unoccupied property insurance faster and more securely online has been launched by JLT Property Insurance. 28 Jun 2011 14:30:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2765.html 3C350FF6-49EF-47F0-9865-64A1F6F88F10 Buy to let landlords see increase in activity from letting agents haart is continuing its multi-million pound quest to become the largest independent lettings agent in the UK by acquiring Northampton-based Hamiltons. Hamiltons was founded by Kay Willoughby in the early 1990s and has been run jointly with her... 28 Jun 2011 14:30:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2766.html 86D8B07E-9FA0-4DA3-A55C-4BF180043D2D MP calls for national register for private landlords The debate over whether there should be a national register for private landlords has been reignited by Labour MP Phil Wilson who recently gave a speech in the House of Commons calling for a Bill to be brought in. He claims the issue has on his agenda since... 23 Jun 2011 12:34:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2757.html 9ED587FB-0877-4934-834F-869C2C02010B Temporary buy to let landlords who fail to declare income targeted by HMRC Temporary landlords in and around the Wimbledon area who rent their houses out to cash in on the popularity of the world famous All England Championships in June could find themselves under investigation by... 23 Jun 2011 12:34:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2758.html FAE6BD78-238F-40FD-B071-1813F7598EBC Property investment in The City could be counter-productive says chief planning officer Property investors who are hoping to take advantage of the changes in planning laws in London that would allow them to convert office space into homes to rent out are facing opposition from the City’s chief... 23 Jun 2011 12:33:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2759.html EDB037D8-119B-4A2F-BD35-644D85E8D639 Buy to let landlords will cater for a new wave of private renters Housing associations should offer to help find the right solution for the new wave of private renters that will be created by the anticipated decline in home ownership. This was one of the findings by social landlord Genesis Housing Association, which... 23 Jun 2011 12:33:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2760.html 5DDE3856-AFDA-4AB2-954B-C4F6C648670C Holiday home landlords should be price conscious says Insight Survey Landlords with summer holiday homes have been told that price is the biggest influencer for 83 percent of families when browsing and bookings holidays according to research conducted by... 23 Jun 2011 12:33:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2761.html A3329E0F-49B0-4B5B-9069-EA4558D49CBE Buy to let landlord abused Electoral Registration system ‘to satisfy his greed’ A landlord used the communal mail boxes at buy to let properties he owned or was in the process of purchasing to help set up more than 30 false identities which he then used to obtain more than 200 credit cards and 50 bank accounts. 17 Jun 2011 17:04:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2752.html 2D6F1F23-E1B1-44D1-A486-1A8CE733809D Landlords experience rental gazumping due to fierce competition from tenants Rents reached a record high in May, but the general figures do not reflect some huge differences in regional fortunes says the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. There have been four successive months of rises and last month the average rent... 17 Jun 2011 17:04:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2753.html 5AC2F8A3-F691-4ED6-846F-E2D11729A845 Property investment deals between landlords are quick and cost effective Buy to let landlords are off-loading properties by selling to other investors because it is the quickest and cost effective way to do so. While many buyers in the residential sales market are locked out of... 17 Jun 2011 17:04:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2754.html A7AC85FA-55D2-464C-B14B-5FF215540121 Buy to let landlords to benefit from new university Buy to let student accommodation landlords in the Bloomsbury area of London are set to reap the rewards of a new university which it is claimed will rival the standards of Oxford and Cambridge. The New... 17 Jun 2011 17:03:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2755.html F01D5CC5-9326-4027-B854-DB3B2B5F83ED Letting agents win awards for services to landlords and tenants Independent Central London estate agency, W A Ellis will be looking for a bigger trophy cabinet after sweeping the board at the recent Lettings Agency of the Year Awards, held at The Lancaster Hotel in London recently. 17 Jun 2011 17:03:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2756.html 986001F4-B5CA-4862-818F-022EB9FD0971 Buy to let landlords given pointers to property investment by students' city rankings Potential investors in student accommodation should take note of the findings of a survey conducted by Accommodationforstudents.com, the student accommodation website. It questioned 46,000... 15 Jun 2011 17:12:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2747.html C2BCFC89-1ADA-4232-A1C7-5615722CD12E Landlords say tenants on housing benefits will lose out due to Welfare Reform Bill More than a half of private residential landlords are planning to reduce the number of properties they let to tenants on housing benefits, revealed a survey by the National Landlords Association (NLA). 15 Jun 2011 17:11:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2748.html 5669FCE0-946A-43A2-A858-1D841E507828 Buy to let landlords see more demand for larger properties says new Rental Price Index Another property specialist has launched its own survey in the form of a Rental Price Index which it claims is the most detailed report on the private rental sector to date and reveals information never seen before... 15 Jun 2011 17:11:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2749.html 14238C56-282B-4495-889F-C353E9E12503 Buy to let rental property continues to be a popular investment for landlords Landlords tend to be happy in their profession according to the latest quarterly Landlords Panel research from BDRC Continental produced in partnership with the National Landlords Association (NLA). 15 Jun 2011 17:11:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2750.html 0BE91441-F9C2-4442-9A52-87E6C513EE9B Landlords and tenants face challenges from government's new measures The Government’s Localism Bill will allow councils to push homeless families into the private sector which will have devastating outcome for children and families claims the charity Shelter. The organisation’s... 15 Jun 2011 17:11:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2751.html BC473861-699B-4007-9B46-393B953A0135 Summer events offer buy to let landlords great opportunities for short term lets With the summer holiday months approaching and events such as the Henley Regatta, a host of music festivals and Wimbledon coming up, now is an ideal time for landlords to think about renting out their properties on a short term basis. 9 Jun 2011 13:56:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2742.html 7F8FFFE2-B88F-432F-A2DE-96C8EE87F737 Landlords' buy to let accommodation better option than hotels during Olympics With some London hotels reported to be charging up to five times their usual rate during the London 2012 Olympics, privately rented homes and short let apartments are going to be a hugely popular... 9 Jun 2011 13:55:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2743.html DDC14C6F-40BD-4B99-B052-D31056324F73 Council and university agree on new Landlord Accreditation Scheme Another Landlord Accreditation Scheme is under consideration following an agreement in principal between Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the University of Hertfordshire. The scheme will be... 9 Jun 2011 13:55:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2744.html B2DE49B7-EC86-4241-93E1-06E13422B1F9 Time to find a niche in the property investment rental market The predicted growth of people who will be renting their homes in the future offers property investment landlords and lettings agents the opportunity to find a niche in the market, which means a preferential selection process or even a rental premium. The lettings market is... 9 Jun 2011 13:55:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2745.html 25A98FA7-57AF-49FF-917A-2A64041BF2FA Buy to let news - In brief A landlord who used a rogue waste disposal service to dump his rubbish has been fined £1,700 and ordered to pay Milton Keynes Council’s legal costs of £704.24.by magistrates. Imran Khan, aged 28, of Instant... 9 Jun 2011 13:55:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2746.html A01BDFAC-1E7B-4AA7-B35E-4436CBEBB414 ‘Britain will become a nation of renters within the next generation’ Britain is becoming a nation of renters according to a plethora of recent surveys. And this could have major socio-economic implications in the future. The latest two items of research were produced by moneysupermaket.com and the Halifax Bank... 6 Jun 2011 17:50:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2737.html EA4299F7-1F10-4B1A-9E0A-7D42298200D2 Buy to let landlords should have separate address for sensitive data says ARLA A failure by landlords to register property ownership online and adequately protect sensitive data has cost them millions of pounds claims the Land Registry. Liz Richards, head of Legal and Policy at the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) says... 6 Jun 2011 17:50:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2738.html D6DBBB91-CFA8-44BD-8FC2-E75B8337D5BA Buy to let property investment on the increase in northern cities Buy to let property investors looking for new locations where the key fundamentals of rental supply and demand are in place should look at some of the UK’s northern cities say two specialists. Kingston-upon-Hull in Yorkshire on the banks of the River Hull has a population of around 250,000, and is a busy port city... 6 Jun 2011 17:49:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2739.html 2AA80B96-245A-4168-ABC4-7E989BEA70CE Watch out for dodgy student accommodation landlords say risk managers There are some unscrupulous landlords who are looking to cash in on the student market and do not adhere to what the law requires of them. This was one of the bits of advice handed out by Leaseguard, risk management specialists for the rental sector, in its recently published guide and helpful tips for... 6 Jun 2011 17:49:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2740.html 926FC5C1-F024-498A-B27F-1E5B16109540 Buy to let news - In brief Landlords are legally responsible for the upkeep of the plaster of a rental property as well as the walls, reports the New Law Journal. It follows a Court of Appeal hearing after a tenant brought a disrepair claim against... 6 Jun 2011 17:49:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2741.html EE2AC3DC-4986-43E6-AD52-79E12DBCFCE6 Landlord's text messages demanding rent from tenant amounted to harassment A landlord who demanded the payment of rent arrears by sending daily text messages to one of his female tenants has been ordered to pay nearly £700 in fines and legal costs even though the messages did not contain any threats or obscene language. 1 Jun 2011 14:50:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2732.html AED2A747-6CD5-4792-9697-4C41F9EBFADC Property investment in number one spot says confidence tracker Property is currently the number one choice of investment according to 80 percent of the people surveyed in the recent Worldwide Property Group confidence tracker survey. This is the highest figure since August 2010 and the second highest figure since the survey began in August 2009. 1 Jun 2011 14:50:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2733.html EBC78865-BF7B-4DF0-A7E1-7B9BC973D7BD Buy to let landlord was not qualified to work on gas appliances in his properties A Glasgow landlord who pleaded guilty to carrying out gas work in a house and flat he owned despite not being legally qualified to do so has been was fined £800. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors claimed Mohammed Aslam had put his tenants in danger... 1 Jun 2011 14:49:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2734.html 264FC10A-CEFB-48C8-B68F-A75FE369B933 Landlords win right to oppose licensing scheme in High Court Another group of private landlords has won the right to a High Court Hearing to oppose a licensing scheme being enforced on more than 1,000 landlords by Hyndburn Borough Council in Lancashire. The 350 landlords, who have taken the action, claim the local authority... 1 Jun 2011 14:49:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2735.html 0561400D-4DE8-4E97-8830-F97FBBAD61F3 Small scale buy to let landlords return to private rental sector Rental properties are so much in demand that tenants have snapped them up within an average of 13 days in the first three months of 2011, compared to 17 days in the same quarter last year, reports the letting agent and property services group Countrywide. 1 Jun 2011 14:49:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2736.html 4779FB98-872B-466A-A96A-25030BD50FDF Four clear benefits for buy to let landlords to invest in student accommodation The view of the student rental accommodation appears divided in the current climate with some experts believing it is one the biggest growth areas for buy to let landlords while others predict that the increase in tuition fees will have a negative effect on this type of property investment. 27 May 2011 13:55:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2727.html 6C579603-BAE5-4B71-BF58-29DD15FB68F1 'Landlords will have to improve their properties or face prosecution' warns energy chief Government proposals to introduce tougher energy laws for the private rented sector have been criticised by the British Property Federation (BPF). The organisation’s comments follow a statement by Energy and... 27 May 2011 13:55:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2728.html E3DDB18F-FDA3-4761-9D59-BEA4EF96C969 Wave the blue flag for seaside property investment Buyers investing in a new development of holiday home apartments in the seaside tourist destination of Westward Ho! will have the added bonus that its beach has been awarded a coveted Blue Flag for an eighth consecutive year. The award for the two mile... 27 May 2011 13:55:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2729.html D1837B4E-0E97-4C26-BBAD-05CEC3E2115C Drug factory buy to let landlord may have to sell his properties A landlord who was jailed for drug dealing last year is may have to sell his properties to meet a recent £254,689 confiscation order made by Bristol Crown Court. Juan-Carlos Nunez, aged 45, of Leighton Road, Southville, was arrested on July 2 last year after a series of drugs warrants were executed at... 27 May 2011 13:54:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2730.html AA74B371-72B1-44DC-8CED-87A4128FB9C0 Buy to let landlord denied being contacted by the council about selective licensing A landlord who ignored safety concerns and failed to licence his properties now faces a bill of nearly £21,000. Leeds magistrates fined Martin Horsfall, from North Leeds, £14,000 for failing to licence four of his properties and for failing to provide documentation. 27 May 2011 13:54:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2731.html 44D26D16-076C-48C1-A2D1-9F10D0A4611C Buy to let landlords have a spring in their step after seasonal surge in demand Rents are still rising but landlords must keep a wary eye on the future for when the public sector spending cuts and changing employment situations start affecting tenants’ ability to meet their monthly payments. The warning comes from LSL Property Services plc... 24 May 2011 17:26:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2722.html 2D60D74A-0564-40B7-B186-C6DA2DC3B14A Landlord specialist joins in debate over future of student accommodation Student sector landlords may need to reinvent themselves over the coming months to accommodate for changes in the circumstances of their tenants, warns a landlord and tenant specialist. Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent recovery group, believes that the buy to let sector could... 24 May 2011 17:26:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2723.html F38D91A1-0694-486C-B148-83905F59914D Late rental payments will put financial strain on landlords says NLA Late rent payments is leading many landlords to take the pessimistic view that running a lettings business is going to be more difficult in the future and that housing benefit cuts will put further pressure on tenants. A survey by the National Landlords Association (NLA) found... 24 May 2011 17:26:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2724.html 03649F7E-FF98-4637-89C3-F9C1974DDDB9 Buy to let landlord denies improvement notice charges but pays the price Fire safety failings and substandard accommodation at a house of multiple accommodation in Rugby resulted in a court appearance for the landlord who owned the property. Rugby Borough Council served improvement notices on Mokhtar Mohammad Pouri following... 24 May 2011 17:25:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2725.html EAA3FF13-59B5-4C4D-A978-66175ECD5DD0 Time is right for buy to let property investment claims seaside property firm Market conditions for professional buy to let landlords have never been as good says property specialist Bournecoast who are based in Bournemouth. The 50-year-old family run company has joined a host of lettings and property experts who have gone on record... 24 May 2011 17:25:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2726.html B6D06343-26DE-4D5C-A6DE-F9B76648C39D Homeless people placed with buy to let landlords are more likely to face eviction Local authorities and organisations for the homeless must do more to help people who are given accommodation in the private rented sector (PRS) advises the Moves to independent living report compiled by Tony Warns and Maureen Crane from the... 20 May 2011 11:28:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2717.html 095094F8-F11A-4BBE-8B31-74F15E17D3F5 A perfect summer for buy to let property investment says London letting agent Lenders are becoming more keen to lend to experienced investors for buy-to-let due to high tenant demand and low property prices says Ludlow Thomson. The London letting and estate agent believes this combination makes this summer a perfect time to make a buy to let property investment in the capital. 20 May 2011 11:27:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2718.html 9B0F91A9-6A2F-4BD7-BDE7-F76E5AEA51A5 Regional city buy to let landlords cash in on student accommodation sector London may be the place where rents are currently soaring but in the student accommodation sector it is the regional cities of England and Wales which are seeing the greatest rental growth according to the latest Knight Frank Student Report 2011. This despite... 20 May 2011 11:27:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2719.html 51AA63D2-7BA9-4D4A-8238-EF336A12F169 Landlords under starters orders for communal TV solutions Landlords and property managers from across the UK recently attended events at a number of regional racecourses to find out more about communal TV solutions for blocks of flats. The events were hosted by Sky Communal TV Solution and presentations were held at Haydock Park in Manchester, Fontwell Park... 20 May 2011 11:27:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2720.html 4CBE29E1-F217-4C1C-BA5D-CFABE2AF32E7 Landlord puts the block on tenants who he says owe him thousands of pounds A landlord who claims he is owed thousands of pounds in rent arrears and legal fees attempted to stop his tenants leaving by barricading the exit from the property with skips and agricultural machinery. Simon Everingham alleges Dan and Christina Herring... 20 May 2011 11:26:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2721.html BB184640-9F3B-4C44-B6F7-4D8ECA2FA50D Buy to let landlords take concerns over squatters direct to Downing Street A petition signed by nearly 1,400 people that supports moves for squatting to be criminalised was recently delivered to 10 Downing Street by Yogesh Chandarana from Landlord Action, the organisation which specialises in helping landlords with problem tenants, and... 18 May 2011 11:25:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2712.html 750FF109-DC26-44A9-8466-6E679B92DAFD Scottish government supports large-scale property investment in the PRS The Scottish government’s ambitious plans for housing over the next 10 years include a promise to work with a PRS Strategy Group with the aim of growing and improving the private rented sector. The proposals are laid out in the recently published ‘Homes Fit for... 18 May 2011 11:24:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2713.html C5D480D7-1DC2-404A-A480-CCFB7D9C913E New buy to let landlords are ‘emerging from the shadows’ as London rents soar The private rented sector will account for one in five of all households by the end of 2016 forecasts Savills. The agent’s recent research found that tenant demand is so strong in London that rents are growing faster than sale prices. In Greater London average residential... 18 May 2011 11:24:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2714.html DECE5527-3DE6-481E-AD75-F289DC6CCB01 Lending to buy to let landlord property investors increases at start of year New buy to let mortgage lending totalled £2.9 billion across 27,600 loans in the first quarter of 2011 which is an increase on the same period last year reports the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The CML’s latest date shows that although there was a more pronounced decline of 11 percent in the wider mortgage... 18 May 2011 11:23:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2715.html 489847A3-FE8F-4AD1-9894-D0576C34B88A Landlord ordered to improve living conditions for 90-year-old tenant A landlord who left a 90-year-old tenant without any heating at the property he rented to her has been ordered to carry out a raft of improvements, after a landmark ruling. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has won a tribunal to make Barbra Mountford install heating and... 18 May 2011 11:23:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2716.html C118ADC2-5DC7-435E-8A64-5BDDA23FB553 Landlord arrested in Jo Yeates murder case considers legal action against police Christopher Jefferies, the landlord of murdered landscape architect Jo Yeates, is to sue the police force for false arrest according to reports in the national press. Friends have allegedly confirmed that Jefferies, will launch a legal action against the Avon and... 13 May 2011 11:06:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2707.html 49AC43E3-05B7-4ABF-9484-4C17F396F1AA Free tenancy deposit dispute resolution guide for buy to let landlords The common issues surrounding disputes over tenancies and deposits have been pooled and published in a new free guide by the three government authorised tenancy deposit protection schemes. This is the first time all three schemes have worked... 13 May 2011 11:06:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2708.html 1D7F6F78-B37E-420D-A404-FD5AC4D69BD7 Southern Landlords attempt to derail plans to introduce selective licensing The Southern Landlords Association has approached the High Court for a judicial review following a decision by Thanet District Council in Kent to introduce a selective licensing scheme in the seaside areas of Cliftonville and Margate. Although similar schemes are already operating in other parts of the UK there are... 13 May 2011 11:05:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2709.html FA42EF84-B96B-407D-825C-19F7D467E7D4 Landlords increase rents as buy to let property investment conditions improve Market conditions for professional landlords have never been better as the demand for rental properties shows no signs of slowing down, believes Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm. Figures from a selection of property and... 13 May 2011 11:02:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2710.html EC345F58-5FDC-4A3F-99AE-91072A29289B 200 hours of community service and suspended sentence for buy to let landlord A landlord who rented out a dangerous and sub-standard house has been prosecuted for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice served under Section 11 of the Housing Act 2004 by Coventry City Council. Steven James Boote, aged 41, of... 13 May 2011 11:02:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2711.html 561B34B0-0043-401A-8330-44EDB0EAB6A6 Jail for woman who stabbed husband in row caused by buy to let property investment A woman who stabbed her husband during a drunken row over their buy to let business has been cleared of murder but was sentenced to three years and eight months in jail after she admitted manslaughter. 9 May 2011 13:07:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2702.html 941B6821-B5D0-47A5-90BA-06F775024BD0 Average loan size for buy to let property investment creeps up Higher loan amounts have been offered to buy to let property investors during the first quarter of this year reveal figures produced by TBMC, the buy to let and commercial mortgage specialist. The Cardiff-based company’s Landlord Profile Tracking Index found... 9 May 2011 13:07:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2703.html 2AB5ACCE-056B-49E1-86A3-4614E185B896 Landlords urged to switch mortgage funding in order to save time and money A new service that claims to source affordable mortgage funding for landlords has been launched through Braemore Property Services. The Edinburgh-based firm says it can help prospective and existing landlords switch to a better deal which could save hundreds of pounds. 9 May 2011 13:06:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2704.html 15E4B0C4-1458-48FD-9F8C-8707ED951E48 Landlords association flies the flag for greener energy at European conference The National Landlords Association (NLA) explained how the UK is leading the way when it comes to improving energy efficiency across the private rented sector when representatives were invited to address the Commissioner for Energy, Gunther Oettinger, at a conference of key European officials and... 9 May 2011 13:06:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2705.html 6CBCD377-21EE-4041-9E42-8C9601A51B11 Buy to let landlords see demand from tenants continue to climb The latest set of figures from another leading letting agency highlights the increasing level of demand for rental accommodation which has been widely being reported by other sectors of the property market. Countrywide, the letting agent and property... 9 May 2011 13:06:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2706.html AD4E8DC3-12E9-488E-A5A0-6920AE69175F Lenders show a growing appetite for the buy to let property investment The future of the buy to let sector is very positive agreed a panel of leading property industry figures at the recent HSBC Great Housing Debate, hosted by the Wriglesworth Consultancy recently. The sixth annual question-time style event was chaired by... 4 May 2011 13:16:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2697.html 68C69CBC-1414-4B7E-B677-5D2093E32F7C Landlords should not have to become wheeler dealers to get their LHA income says BPF The British Property Federation (BPF) has highlighted a situation that would see council staff trying to do deals with local landlords to get them to reduce their rent in return for the getting paid Local Housing Allowances (LHA) directly. The previous situation where... 4 May 2011 13:16:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2698.html 2C9CC132-AD6F-4B83-AAD4-F089858EC8EF Buy to let landlord loses her own house due to tenant going into arrears A landlord’s six month battle to gain possession of her property after a tenant stopped paying the rent has again highlighted the crucial need to carry out thorough tenant referencing warns eviction specialist Landlord Action. The organisation helped the landlord who had... 4 May 2011 13:15:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2699.html C9514C84-30A1-4092-9ECC-AAD493CD1E60 Tenant pretended to be landlord to rent out property A landlord who visited one of his properties to chase the arrears he was owed found his tenant had rented out the flat to someone else. It led to a court appearance for 42-year-old John Gilbert who originally denied a charge of fraud but then decided to admit his guilt on the day the trial was due to take place at... 4 May 2011 13:15:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2700.html 99C87CE6-E759-4F4C-8D7B-86725D7C4FE3 London landlords continue to see big rises in rents One of the main reasons London’s landlords are being able to charge higher rents is because more people are renting for longer as they cannot move onto the housing ladder, and there is a shortage of rental properties in the capital, says letting agent Ludlowthompson. 4 May 2011 13:15:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2701.html 477E01AB-0887-4E2C-B044-6EF9B52BD305 Buy to let landlords see tenant demand rise again Tenant demand has risen for seven consecutive quarters and landlords believe this trend is set to continue in the immediate future according to the latest Private Rented Sector Trends Report from buy to let mortgage specialist Paragon. Nearly half of landlords they surveyed reported that tenant demand rose during the first quarter of 2011. 29 Apr 2011 11:40:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2692.html 9C4ED586-7920-4D3F-98CF-917C8B05FF0B Buy to let property investment in London and South East provides best annual return Yields and rents are continuing to rise according to the latest Buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc. Rents are now at their highest level since November 2010 and the average landlord in England and Wales is seeing increases of 0.4 percent which equates... 29 Apr 2011 11:40:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2693.html C5BEE3BE-5134-437D-80CE-E0FDE66307AB Landlords who specialise in student accommodation hit by tuition fee hike The lucrative student landlord market could be halved by the year 2010 if the findings of a new survey are to be believed. The survey by home insurer LV= found that the increasing costs of tuition fees will force half of those going to university or further education to study and live at home with their parents in the future. 29 Apr 2011 11:39:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2694.html 6F84EE36-3B59-42EE-8A49-B278B9CCB1BC Buy to let landlords offered chance to drag inventory process into the 21st century The manufacturers of a new digital inventory system claim it will save landlords and letting agents time by simplifying the process of collection, reporting, editing, sharing and ultimately storing the full history of a property. Imfuna Let has been designed to... 29 Apr 2011 11:39:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2695.html A4C83211-0EF6-40A6-9399-6ED0002A9F40 Residential Landlord news - In brief The Mendip Landlord Association is holding a Landlord’s Forum in conjunction with the National Landlords Association (NLA) on Wednesday, 11 May, from 6pm to 8pm at The Tramways, Wells... 29 Apr 2011 11:38:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2696.html 9FDF4186-BD42-4186-BB80-3FA769068BA0 More regulation needed to stop letting agents running off with landlords’ money There is a growing concern surrounding the activities of ‘fly by night’ letting agents who run off with landlords’ and tenants’ money says the Residential Landlords Association. It has led to a fresh call by Property Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer, for more... 26 Apr 2011 17:23:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2687.html A8F6ACD3-F011-4191-BE28-67A675E4AD87 Inflations downward turn is 'good news' for buy to let property investment The recent unexpected change in the direction of inflation - 4 percent in the year to March, down from 4.4 percent in February - is good news for landlords says Nick Carlile, founding partner of buy to let property specialists Platinum Portfolio Builder. 26 Apr 2011 17:22:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2688.html 1F7AA2CA-4FB3-47A9-8310-53FB1691D7DE Increase in the number of family size homes being rented out by reluctant landlords An increase in the number of family homes coming onto the rental market has caused an influx of higher value property in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) at the beginning of 2011 a recent study has revealed. The research undertaken by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) shows that in... 26 Apr 2011 17:22:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2689.html ECA10725-FC71-4A6F-89D3-2034DFBD2611 More private buy to let landlords could face selective licensing The local authority in Hartlepool is considering extending its licensing scheme for private landlords to include a further 1,200 homes. It was first introduced by the council two years ago and since then 550 licences have been issued. Supporters of selective licensing claim it promotes better property management... 26 Apr 2011 17:22:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2690.html E5F6EDA6-F3D9-4408-ADBF-D11E4020F3C3 Residential buy to let news - In brief A landlord who a judge said ‘snuffed out the lives of two innocent young girls’ has been jailed for two life terms. Kim Kyu Soo, aged 31, of Holborn, London, had pleaded not guilty to murdering his tenants Jin Hyo Jung, aged 21, and Song In Hea, aged 22, in 2001 but did... 26 Apr 2011 17:20:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2691.html 213B9C67-AC10-4568-A135-D0FF108AADAB Friends of the earth push to make it an offence for landlords to re-let cold homes Properties rented from a landlord or letting agency are more likely to be poorly insulated and cold says research from a leading health body. Plus, the data for England revealed that 655,800 rented homes are so cold that they are officially a health hazard. 15 Apr 2011 17:50:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2682.html C2AEA4C0-B211-4BBF-ACC8-A7FC6B45AF7D Number of buy to let mortgage products on the rise A combination of new buy to let mortgages and a return of some existing lenders to the market has more than doubled the number of products being offered to property investors since last year. In Q1 2010 there were around 142 products available to buy to let investors... 15 Apr 2011 17:50:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2683.html A7DE661F-7407-424E-8074-092440136F4B High court judge rejects bid by councils to make it harder for HMO property investment Three councils have failed in High Court bid to quash rules that make it easier for landlords to set up houses in multiple occupation (HMO), reports Inside Housing. Milton Keynes, Oxford and Newcastle put forward a case that creating more HMOs would result in more crime, anti-social behaviour, and traffic problems. 15 Apr 2011 17:49:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2684.html 2199C55E-FD65-4B28-A862-806864503AB4 Buy to let landlord’s £12,500 a month tenant was a benefit fraudster A woman whose £12,500 a month rent was paid from taxpayers’ money to a private landlord so she could live with her family in a £1.2million mansion in London has been uncovered as a benefit fraudster. Afghanistan refugee Toorpakai Saiedi, aged 38, a mother of... 15 Apr 2011 17:48:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2685.html 9726B423-7622-45A2-B8FC-EA70292C78B4 Buy to let news - In brief A trial has begun at Wolverhampton Crown Court involving a tenant who threatened her 76-year-old landlord with a replica gun during a conversation about rent that was owed. The jury heard that Kewal Krishan had feared for his life as he had no idea the... 15 Apr 2011 17:48:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2686.html 32C193BC-0DC0-4E22-B264-18A6CF66F3D7 Change to age limit will make it harder for young to find accommodation in buy to let landlord market Young people will find it even harder to rent in the private sector in the near future because of a recent decision by Welfare Reform Minister, Lord Freud, says the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). A spending review in 2010 saw a change to the age limit at which those on housing benefits can claim only for... 15 Apr 2011 13:14:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2677.html 19F86FA1-AD94-4634-9477-0708E07EB4FD Buy to let landlord ends up back in court after ignoring advice from council A landlord who had already been prosecuted and fined over failings at one of his properties found himself facing a new charge of not having a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licence for another rental property he managed. 15 Apr 2011 13:14:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2678.html 6F58388C-9909-4249-B4A1-FEB4BA7EF80F Buy to let landlord put lives of mother and children in danger A landlord was accused of endangering the lives of a family by consistently failing to provide safety records for gas appliances. It resulted in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuting Peter Brown for breaching two counts of the Gas Safety... 15 Apr 2011 13:14:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2679.html CBBC34AA-FC82-4543-B5B0-0B12C89C3EA2 Landlord association goes 'live' at Property Professional Show The Property Professional Show (PPS) being held at London’s Olympia from 10 - 11 May is featuring NLA Landlord Live, an entire section devoted to landlords in the residential sector. As well as showcasing suppliers, workshops and live auctions, NLA Landlord... 15 Apr 2011 13:13:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2680.html AF29B012-E34D-43A6-A851-E27703E48E71 Residential Landlord news - In brief Tenant eviction specialist Landlord Action and the director of Designs on Property, Kate Faulkner, are joining forces to deliver a seminar on the possibilities and pitfalls of buy to let investments. 15 Apr 2011 13:13:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2681.html E58707FA-F2C4-4395-9576-D98E98680D9B Rogue landlord danger put onto film by housing charity The housing charity Shelter has produced a comedy film for its Facebook page to back up its campaign against rogue landlords which it believes are taking advantage of the rental sector boom. The five-minute film stars comedian Sean Lock as an ‘unscrupulous’ private landlord’. 6 Apr 2011 12:01:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2672.html A6672AE9-3580-4F94-9FD0-BE1803CE026D Massive fine sends a clear message to buy to let landlords says fire chief A landlord has been told to pay more than £150,000 in fines and court costs after a fire at the property he rented out. Some of his 13 tenants had to clamber over the roofs of neighbouring properties to escape after a blaze broke out on the ground floor of the four storey premises, which had been sub-divided into flats. 6 Apr 2011 12:01:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2673.html BDA57F72-885B-436E-85E2-DFE83A96B414 Buy to let landlord claims his lack of HMO licence was a ‘genuine misunderstanding’ A landlord who housed 14 Eastern Europeans in a four-storey property that only had one functional kitchen has been fined £4,500 after admitting failing to have a licence for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Nicholas Layton, 43, of The Court, Hampton... 6 Apr 2011 12:01:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2674.html D3282A23-88B5-494F-9593-F25361DFA94C Websites aim to help property investment landlords by identifying bad tenants A nationwide poll has found that 18 percent of landlords never trust a tenant when making a financial transaction. On the other side of the coin, 15 percent of tenants surveyed said they never trusted landlords in the same context... 6 Apr 2011 12:00:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2675.html 6EEEAA67-BBA4-4AD1-8D69-6F1E20D0B544 Buy to let court news - In brief A landlord who recently had a charge for criminal damage against him dropped has hit out at the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for wasting taxpayers’ money. 6 Apr 2011 12:00:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2676.html B8F69F17-D969-416B-A0E8-C18EFEE99C0E Buy to let landlords with HMO properties get warning from city council Bristol City Council has warned HMO (houses of multiple occupation) landlords of its intention to launch a crack down on those that are responsible for properties which blight local communities, provide an unacceptably poor service to tenants and damage the reputation of... 1 Apr 2011 16:55:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2667.html A0009D69-14B2-4ECD-A7E0-49BF9716C9D4 Moves to make property investments safer from squatters welcomed by industry Government plans to make squatting illegal has been welcomed by many specialist property organisations including Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm. Proposals for a new law which were announced by the recently will mean... 1 Apr 2011 16:55:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2668.html 3F67DEEA-0048-4751-B3C0-1AF295BEFEDD Government reviews powers over buy to let investors who leave their properties empty The charity Empty Homes has welcomed the government’s recent review and re-launch of powers to request the reuse of publicly owned empty land and property, but says further changes are needed to make them really effective. Legislation is already in place that affects privately owned properties... 1 Apr 2011 16:55:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2669.html EA4786C3-C38A-4BE1-9CE4-35D4F0CA98EF Landlords' To Let boards could be attracting copper thieves Police in Lincolnshire and Northumberland are urging landlords to take action following a spate of copper thefts from unoccupied properties. This type of theft is an ongoing problem across the county, but there has been a rise in recent offences suggesting that gangs... 1 Apr 2011 16:54:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2670.html FF6E748E-D9C8-4F8C-9F0B-86DE61D8CA4F Buy to let news - In brief The Northern Ireland Assembly is supporting a new Housing Bill that will require all private landlords to sign-up to a register; introduce a scheme to protect private tenants’ deposits and will introduce fixed... 1 Apr 2011 16:54:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2671.html 7AE07B3B-DDB2-417C-9FC2-5F0628DEB1CF Chancellor’s budget proposals for stamp duty will encourage buy to let property investment Landlords and the buy to let industry in general have broadly welcomed the measures proposed by George Osborne in the Chancellor’s recent budget speech. One of the major points were the concessions on stamp duty which many believe will encourage more property investment. 29 Mar 2011 10:43:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2662.html A12C424D-6A95-4B65-9AB6-AB807E93EB49 Conditions are ‘ripe’ for buy to let landlords - but property investment is not a 'get rich quick' scheme warns specialist A specialist buy to let investment company has seen a 20 percent increase in the number of clients taking advantage of its portfolio building services in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the last quarter of 2010. Platinum Portfolio Builder believes this... 29 Mar 2011 10:43:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2663.html 880765A7-4379-4FF2-B03F-BF3ECFEC1F2F Mother and children made to live in damp and mouldy conditions by landlord A landlord has been prosecuted for breaching two counts of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 and one count of failing to comply with the requirements of an Improvement Notice served on him in August 2010. Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court... 29 Mar 2011 10:43:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2664.html 99B13EA8-A09C-44C7-A9AC-70B6291361E0 Buy to let landlords should do their homework before choosing a letting agent Two recent court cases involving letting agents who stole money that should have gone to their landlord clients has prompted a reminder from Leaders for landlords to choose their letting representatives with care. 29 Mar 2011 10:42:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2665.html 6745522E-E82F-4368-B064-066DFE37DF40 Landlord news - In brief The housing charity Shelter has called upon the Government to ensure that the growing population of people renting privately get better protection from rogue landlords... 29 Mar 2011 10:42:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2666.html 3A3BA912-AB23-4BBF-B61D-DE8DD06B085B Buy to let landlords finally get help in battle against squatters The Telegraph is claiming a victory for the newspaper’s ‘Stop the Squatters’ campaign after it reported that squatting is set to be made illegal. Under current law, it is a crime to break in to an empty property but not to enter one that has been left insecure. Once squatters are in a building, owners can only enforce their... 28 Mar 2011 14:40:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2657.html FEC693B0-72B7-4CC6-ACFC-1DCFFD0C8DA9 Landlords see positive start to New Year in lucrative London market The lettings market in the Capital has witnessed a buoyant start to the year with demand strengthening despite limited stock levels states Catherine Penman, head of research at Carter Jonas, the estate and rental agency. She said: "A significant improvement... 28 Mar 2011 14:39:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2658.html 66DFD2F7-FC29-401C-806D-A1B33770CE01 Gumtree introduces fees for landlord advertising Gumtree, the free classifieds site, has recently introduced new pricing for landlords advertising rental properties. Most private residential landlords have, until now, been able to find tenants via Gumtree without being charged, but now will only be able to... 28 Mar 2011 14:39:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2659.html 18532969-0467-4093-A875-5449EB0E4344 Buy to let landlords increase rents in first quarter of 2011 Latest research from buy to let mortgage specialist Paragon Mortgages has revealed that almost a third of landlords (32 percent) have increased rents during the first quarter of the year. One in 10 landlords increased rental income by up to 2 percent during... 28 Mar 2011 14:39:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2660.html 528A5E36-BE0E-43ED-95C1-FFFEE08C6C4F New Scottish Housing Bill will crack down on landlords who shirk their responsibilities A Private Rented Housing Bill, which provides extra powers to deal with Scottish landlords who fail to live up to their responsibilities to tenants, has been supported by MSPs at Holyrood. Under the new Bill the maximum fine for houses in multiple occupation... 28 Mar 2011 14:39:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2661.html 575F7BA0-6B04-44F6-BC20-395089BF0C9C Website lists best places for buy to let landlords to get highest rental yields If you are a buy to let landlord with a two-bedroomed property in Bootle on Merseyside you are in the best location for rental yields according to property search engine Home.co.uk. The website used its own research to calculate the best and worst performing buy to let locations in the UK based on typical returns... 21 Mar 2011 12:10:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2652.html 57D3339D-1FC0-4E71-8750-8E838211B1D0 Strong annual growth in rents counteracts slight fall in property investment prices February saw rents rising for the first time this year according to the most recent buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc, the lettings agent network. The average rent in England and Wales rose by 0.2 percent to £684 per month, making them 3.9 percent... 21 Mar 2011 12:09:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2653.html B7F61493-121B-413C-B3AB-BE4243EF258D Buy to let landlord said his mother’s illness made him put off getting selective licence A landlord has been told to fork out more than £2,600 after pleading guilty to failing to get a selective licence. It was the 16th successful prosecution by Leeds City Council against a landlord who had failed to licence their property. 21 Mar 2011 12:09:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2654.html C6F79A8D-0C66-4955-8E0F-022D32E58D35 Landlord involved in murder case may be called to act as prosecution witness Landlord Chris Jefferies, who was recently cleared by investigating police officers as a suspect in the Joanna Yeates murder case, may still be required to appear in court as a prosecution witness. 21 Mar 2011 12:09:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2655.html 1AC301E7-73F9-420F-A7BF-C069C1860E30 Landlord failed to provide safe means of escape from a fire A landlord has failed in his appeal against a Prohibition Order and improvement notice issued by his local authority. East Lindsey District Council took action against Sathavahana Vaddaram, who owns four buy to let flats in Witham Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. 21 Mar 2011 12:08:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2656.html 8F04A7AC-8D8C-4FA2-85C4-8B5011AF546B New legal kitemark will act as 'a sign post for both buy to let landlords and tenants' The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) has announced that it is opening its doors to all solicitors operating in lettings and management, with the support of the Law Society. Caroline Pickering, Chair of the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) said... 16 Mar 2011 15:35:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2647.html 67D51D4F-5883-4336-B706-7C9299D0DEDD Property investment insurance claims for damage caused by cannabis farms hits new record Insurance company Aviva is warning buy to let landlords to be extra vigilant as it reports a 30 percent year-on-year increase in claims involving residential cannabis farms, the highest level since it started recording the data in 2007. 16 Mar 2011 15:35:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2648.html 7D2ADB55-C471-4DFD-8868-1310BC282BED Tenants should be given choice on who housing allowance is paid to says Landlords Association The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has called on the governemnt to allow tenants to choose who their Housing Benefits are paid to. As MPs begin consideration of the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill, the RLA is calling for tenants to be given... 16 Mar 2011 15:34:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2649.html 94C00B58-74F0-4A58-AAA6-49E496A411CA Landlord tells court he could not remember receiving letters about selective licensing A buy to let landlord in Leeds has been fined over £2,000 for failing to licence his property properly. Samuel Arthur Cross pleaded guilty for failing to apply for a Selective Licence for his property at 3 Clark Crescent in... 16 Mar 2011 15:34:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2650.html BF5DCC96-499C-42E7-8FD0-4561B4EC485D Scottish tenancy deposit protection for buy to let landlords likely to be in force before end of year Four years after the introduction of tenancy deposit protection (TDP) in England and Wales on 6th April 2007 the draft scheme concerning tenancy deposit legislation is now before the Scottish Parliament. 16 Mar 2011 15:32:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2651.html ADCDAA8E-7D60-4712-B58F-75735AA8F906 Landlord arrested in Yeates' murder case released from police bail The landlord who was arrested and questioned in connection with the murder of landscape architect Joanna Yeates at the end of last year has been told he is no longer on police bail. After the arrest on the 30 December of 66-year-old Chris Jefferies... 11 Mar 2011 11:59:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2642.html 0346DDC7-28D8-4A04-B0A0-366E61893A73 Buy to let landlords should be kept well informed by lettings agents says ARLA president One in three tenants has never heard of an organisation which could save them from rip-off letting agents reported The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) at its annual national conference recently. ARLA President, Sue Hughes-Thomas revealed the... 11 Mar 2011 11:59:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2643.html 9083D26C-D305-4D97-94A7-4DB26C18F183 Help protect landlord's property investment from squatters says MP A Member of Parliament has stated he wishes to see an end to squatters’ rights, and a fairer system for landlords when tenants stop paying rent. Under the current system, landlords have to go through the civil courts to evict squatters or tenants. 11 Mar 2011 11:58:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2644.html 588CC684-E321-4D7C-B299-0E6A542E2AC9 New network aims to unite buy to let landlords in war on nightmare tenants A new network designed to protect buy to let landlords, local authorities and letting agents from nightmare tenants has been launched. TenantID has been created to provide those in the lettings industry with vital information about the history of prospective... 11 Mar 2011 11:58:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2645.html 9CCDDCA3-B911-47E9-A0C7-EE94631E615C Landlord failed to meet deadline for providing information A landlord has been fined £450 and ordered to pay costs of £400 after failing to provide information requested by Peterborough City Council officers carrying out an investigation into an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO.) 11 Mar 2011 11:57:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2646.html 76CC4E44-19DD-41A5-9905-8082FD995085 Buy to let landlords will continue to see high demand for rental accommodation Demand for rental property will continue to outstrip supply for much of 2011 and into next year, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). "The lack of new rental stock for the private rented sector (PRS) was the dominant factor in the market... 7 Mar 2011 14:06:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2637.html 605AF87B-9F2B-468F-9985-71968C4A4A0B Website ratings for landlords would be 'open to abuse' Specialists in property investment and the private rented sector have given a luke warm reception to calls from a consumer watchdog for a website which would give tenants an opportunity to comment on a landlord. Consumer Focus claims their recent report ‘Opening the door’ showed that the private rented sector... 7 Mar 2011 14:06:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2638.html EE27EAC9-278F-4998-97D0-335037783B56 Free forums for buy to let landlords Landlords in the Chichester area of West Sussex have an opportunity to find out about changes to housing benefit and other schemes at a special event on Wednesday, 9 March. A free Landlord Forum has been organised by Chichester District Council from... 7 Mar 2011 14:05:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2639.html 7C054BA4-FEEF-4A0F-95B6-2EA1DBEC0952 Cheaper to buy property than rent from landlords in majority of places claims Zoopla It is now cheaper to buy a property than rent in 80 percent of Britain’s town and cities according to recent research by property website Zoopla.co.uk. The research did a comparison of asking prices of two-bedroom flats currently for sale and to rent in the 50 largest... 7 Mar 2011 14:04:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2640.html 63120789-2EC5-489E-B335-2BE609B6F7DA Residential Landlord News - In brief There has been a surge in demand for good quality apartments in Ocean Village and Southampton city centre for ongoing corporate tenancies according to letting agents Leaders. 7 Mar 2011 14:04:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2641.html 1E0CF040-DA7B-407D-96C6-C7C224E06786 Landlords' two bedroom houses still the most sought after rental property UK private rental properties are being let within 15 days on average - five days quicker than a year ago, reports the letting agent and property services group, Countrywide. The latest findings from the company’s quarterly branch survey reveals that there are... 2 Mar 2011 12:38:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2632.html FB475388-CEFA-4728-9772-15BA2F6D3D04 Consumer watchdog wants to open the door on private sector buy to let landlords The private rented sector generates more complaints than almost any other claims a new report issued today by the consumer watchdog, Consumer Focus. One of the biggest issues is that private renters often know very little about their landlords before signing a... 2 Mar 2011 12:38:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2633.html 95FC4121-D35F-445C-BB30-1B24FCC409C3 Housing Survey records rise in number of people renting from private landlords The number of households renting from private landlords has risen by 1.3 million since 2001, from 2.1 million to 3.4 million in 2009/10 according to the most recent English Housing Survey (EHS) Headline Report published by the Department for... 2 Mar 2011 12:37:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2634.html 2413E7B8-DF2A-4F10-8442-EAB01BF90950 Property investment aided by better LTV but don't get too excited says buy to let specialist The 85 per cent loan-to-value mortgage now on offer by a lender is progress, but alone, will not be enough to kick start the buy to let market and should be met with caution warns a property specialist. Steve Bolton, founding partner of Platinum Portfolio Builder who... 2 Mar 2011 12:36:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2635.html 00FEED26-0E57-45AB-85C9-D864C353BFB8 Residential Landlord News - In brief Landlords across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being invited to attend workshops that look at how they can work with their public sector partners in the changing... 2 Mar 2011 12:36:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2636.html 6C831ACE-0E8E-41CE-AB7A-33912C6F30E4 High profile ‘squatters’ story acts as another warning to buy to let landlords Media reports that squatters had taken over a £6million Grade I listed mansion in London’s upmarket Fitzroy Square belonging to film-maker Guy Ritchie, highlights the growing problem faced by landlords with empty rental properties says an eviction specialist. 25 Feb 2011 16:46:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2627.html E76BBECD-32AD-4B88-8E09-01861CBFB8F4 London landlords can expect rents to grow by up to 8 percent this year Average rents in London grew by 11.5 per cent in 2010, according to latest analysis from the Savills research team. As a result, rents are forecast to grow this year by an average of 8 percent across prime London and 7 percent in the prime central zones. 25 Feb 2011 16:46:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2628.html CED84E1A-9532-48C5-B343-311AB004E269 Foreign criminals set up illegal websites in property investment scam Illegal lettings websites are targeting UK consumers and defrauding them of thousands of pounds according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). Foreign criminals have been using copies of UK lettings’ sites - a process known as ‘scraping’ - to... 25 Feb 2011 16:46:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2629.html BAABC3E1-56FF-466C-BFB3-6F1E0E384F0F Buy to let landlord’s rental property was in no fit state to be lived in A landlord has been given a £9,000 fine after ignoring rules to get a licence before renting out a house. Rashid Hussain, of Walter Lane, Blackburn, was also found guilty of renting to family when the property was in no fit state to be lived in. 25 Feb 2011 16:45:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2630.html 7CD61EA1-82F2-425B-BFBE-ABFB48D48B3F Government’s latest decision is good news for buy to let landlords and tenants The National Landlords Association (NLA) has welcomed the government’s decision to remove the additional 10 percent cut in housing benefit for anyone on Jobseeker’s allowance for more than a year as revealed in the recent Welfare Reform Bill. 25 Feb 2011 16:45:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2631.html CF8940C2-9949-4F0E-A309-22472B32D687 Criminal Code reform prevents profiteering from illegal property developments British fly to let investors who bought properties in Spain, only to find the developer had built them illegally or that the constructor had gone bust, received some encouraging news recently. At the end of December, Spain introduced reforms to the Criminal Code which increase the penalties for town planning crimes and prevent the... 22 Feb 2011 14:35:06 GMT http://www.fly-2let.co.uk/news548.html B033BA33-1D1D-4662-9638-3ADDF614E71E More demands by tenants has affect on buy to let landlord confidence Landlord confidence in the rental market fell slightly in February according to the monthly Upad Landlord Confidence survey. Out of those questioned, 61 percent of landlords said they felt more confident in buy to let which is down from a 12-month high in... 23 Feb 2011 15:05:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2622.html 2DF6D5B7-CB9E-4E9D-9761-CD77852FFE32 Buy to let landlords must be business minded says letting specialist To sustain a profitable income, more buy to let landlords need to treat their properties as a business and not simply be lured to the market by the promise of high rental income warns a letting specialist. Townends Estate Agents, part of the Badger Holdings... 23 Feb 2011 15:05:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2623.html 4AA5A3E7-D74A-47A3-A90B-DE99410C611B Scottish council to include private landlords in social letting scheme for first time West Lothian Council is developing an innovative social letting agency scheme in April 2011which will be offering letting, property and tenancy management services to private sector landlords for the first time. Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS) and other... 23 Feb 2011 15:04:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2624.html 7E484A6D-DF86-4B14-B3FD-6BE265E325D7 Landlord ignored council order to carry our repairs A private landlord has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after allowing one of his properties to fall into disrepair. Jagdish Rai, pleaded guilty that his company, Bharat Investments Limited, had failed to comply with a notice issued by the council to improve the... 23 Feb 2011 15:03:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2625.html 8ACFDCDA-B8C8-44B1-B8B5-FD37C92142CA Government funded letting agency for landlords could undercut local businesses A specialist residential letting agency is calling for government clarity on the implications of council-owned estate agencies, following the launch of a council-owned office in Wales, which also incorporates a lettings and property management business. 18 Feb 2011 12:46:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2616.html 20C8E159-4962-40BF-8BE4-C194938747E8 Buy to let landlords are failing to satisfy current tenant demand The number of rental properties coming onto the market nationally would only satisfy 16 percent of would-be tenants registering their interest in moving home. This is according to recent data compiled by national lettings agency, Sequence that found that demand for... 18 Feb 2011 12:45:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2617.html 0844C42F-1150-4865-A587-4EFAEF98FEF1 Landlords' rent increases will make millions of tenants worse off claims specialist Two million tenants in private rented accommodation will be £550 worse off this year due to half of the landlords in the UK putting rents up. These were the findings of research by money.co.uk which found that in total, the cost of living in private rented accommodation... 18 Feb 2011 12:45:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2618.html 3C346676-FD5F-4750-853B-D728E56554A7 Sky prepares buy to let landlords and for digital kick off at premiership match More than 40 property specialists, including landlords and letting agents from the Central region, attended a presentation hosted by Sky Communal TV Solutions at the Birmingham City football ground recently. The presentation, which took place prior to... 18 Feb 2011 12:45:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2619.html 0881263E-3259-4892-9E32-93141AB10388 Property investment company left with bill after failing to carry out service charge conditions A company acting as the landlord on a property made up of shops and residential flats was only able to recover a fraction of the £270,000 worth of work it carried out because the service charge consultation requirements had not been carried out correctly... 18 Feb 2011 12:44:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2620.html DFA35EA8-B4BB-4427-8DB1-2924740ABFC8 Buy to let landlords celebrate victory in HMO room sizes dispute A recent victory for local landlords of Southwark who opposed their local Council's proposed changes to room sizes in HMO’s, proves working together can achieve a positive outcome. Southwark Council had created a revised version of the council standards... 15 Feb 2011 12:59:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2611.html A9954A49-20B0-4CFC-9663-E253A2DDF0F6 Landlord questioned in Joanna Yeates murder case sent condolences to family Chris Jefferies, the landlord of murder victim Joanna Yeates, who lived in one of his flats in Clifton near Bristol, sent her family his condolences last week when they held a private funeral for the 25-year-old. Jefferies, aged 66, was originally held by the police and... 15 Feb 2011 12:59:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2612.html C98DCEA5-8C94-4D56-8C64-690A77F821C9 Property investment in central London expected to rise due to increase in rents Residential rents in Central London will grow by 3.0 percent this year, slightly ahead of the expected increase in average incomes, according to the latest forecasts from property consultants Cluttons. The company says its predictions are supported by RICS’ January... 15 Feb 2011 12:59:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2613.html 6B204049-3388-4920-B12E-0D0A665E6100 Landlords will see strong rental demand continue through 2011 predicts CML The buy to let market grew by 7 percent in 2010, according to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). At the end of the year there were an estimated 1.3 million buy to let mortgages outstanding, worth £152 billion, accounting for 12 percent of... 15 Feb 2011 12:58:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2614.html 55BA4F9D-79B0-4169-9E66-03EACAF6F3EE Buy to let landlord who ignored planning policy fined over £30,000 A landlord who pleaded guilty to three counts of ‘unauthorised change of use’ at a hearing at Watford Magistrates Court recently has been fined more than £30,000 for breaking planning laws. Watford Borough Council prosecuted Pervez Acktar after he... 15 Feb 2011 12:57:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2615.html 94FEB86D-B51F-4DFB-923E-DB6FF29EB5A6 Crime map could put downward pressure on rents says landlord specialist The launch of a new online crime map to highlight areas of antisocial behaviour in the UK could have a damaging impact on landlords in the buy to let sector, warns Landlord Assist, the nationwide eviction specialist and rent collection firm. Launched by the... 11 Feb 2011 16:48:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2606.html BB4EF5C9-D05D-4B35-B2F2-92974CC6918D Buy to let landlords get help in tracking down names of freeholders A Guilford landlady put an apartment complex back on the market by using online directory 192.com to trace missing freeholders, allowing landlords to cash-in on their flats. Mandy Oliver, aged 50, owns an apartment in a new-build block, but neither she nor the... 11 Feb 2011 16:47:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2607.html F51D7EC3-B8AE-4A9A-8B41-B0263444C1E1 More competitive mortgage rates and better LTV deals for buy to let landlords The National Landlords Association (NLA) has announced a new range of fixed and variable interest rates, which are specifically tailored to the needs of landlords. The mortgages offer competitive rates for landlords keen to raise capital to expand their... 11 Feb 2011 16:47:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2608.html AC033377-40AF-463D-9CE7-3E350D49DE2B Landlords may be forced to improve energy efficiency of properties by 2015 Landlords overseeing residential properties should consider measures to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). The Government’s Green Deal will encourage landlords to take... 11 Feb 2011 16:47:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2609.html 5AFC815F-B30F-4CEB-BC62-37CA07684FD3 New cover to help buy to let landlords with smaller property investment portfolios Legal expenses insurance provider, Arc Legal Assistance, has moved to strengthen its position in the landlord legal protection market with the launch of a commercial rental guarantee product for semi-professional landlords through... 11 Feb 2011 16:46:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2610.html D57DA76D-C745-4D74-899E-8E4B2B4D5C71 'Paucity of information' reduces a buy to let landlord's chances of being successful Mortgage companies writing buy to let mortgage business should provide more help and advice to landlords says landlord expert and author David Lawrenson of www.LettingFocus.com. And helping landlords to understand their responsibilities... 8 Feb 2011 13:16:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2601.html 113B2C99-DE97-4D4A-931D-6320D4167317 January property investment gets buried in the snow Property investment looks to be fairly static at the moment following the news that mortgage approvals shrank again in January to the lowest level since February 2009, according to figures compiled by e.surv. 39,905 mortgages were approved in January... 8 Feb 2011 13:15:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2602.html A33DD81F-B009-4428-96B4-A754C193E62D Buy to let landlords encouraged to help letting agency raise £10,000 for charity Specialist residential lettings agency Belvoir, which has 143 offices nationwide, has aligned itself with Macmillan Cancer Support, and hopes to raise £10,000 for the charity. Belvoir MD Dorian Gonsalves said: Many Belvoir offices already support charities of their... 8 Feb 2011 13:14:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2603.html EDE785A6-95D7-4FED-A319-446116D500D1 Rise in rents attracts residential landlords back into market The proven long term performance of UK residential property and a 6 percent rise in average rents in the past 12 months are beginning to attract property investors back into the market, where substantial opportunities now exist particularly for those with equity. 8 Feb 2011 13:14:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2604.html 0DAD8C7E-32C7-4094-BC5C-1F5618BF42E0 'Rogue' buy to let investor fined maximum amount for lack of action over property A landlord has been fined £10,000 for failing to comply with the requirements of two Improvement Notices served by his local authority. In 2009, officers of the Housing Regeneration Team visited 102 Grosvenor Place in Margate and found a property... 8 Feb 2011 13:13:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2605.html 04F802A3-4E95-4054-8D17-0A0CBF7B5614 Ideal market conditions for buy to let landlords in 2011 The New Year has got off to a strong start for lettings, with demand for quality rental accommodation at an all time high, claims independent letting specialist, Leaders. January is traditionally a busy month for lettings, but in the first month of this year... 2 Feb 2011 15:36:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2596.html BFE1A22D-80A4-45EC-AB61-ECDAB8798A94 Scottish landlords prepare for their own tenancy deposit protection scheme Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) in Scotland has edged a little closer to reality with the publication of the draft Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011, reports the National Landlords Association (NLA). No potential provider of TDP has been made... 2 Feb 2011 15:35:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2597.html A88B2162-40DA-4AC3-9D33-7764AD84435C Rental demand makes Poole Quarter ripe for buy to let property investment In today’s tough economic climate where bank savings are accumulating little interest, investing in property for the rental return alone is a highly attractive option. According to local estate agent Connells, Crest Nicholson’s Poole Quarter development in... 2 Feb 2011 15:35:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2598.html 82EFAD0C-2DC4-443A-9579-14728A7BB104 HMO landlords face council’s new ‘groundbreaking’ licensing scheme Oxford City Council’s new Additional Licensing Scheme which means every house in multiple occupation (HMO) in the city will need to obtain a licence, came into force on Monday, 24 January. The council, which describes its new powers as ‘groundbreaking’, already... 2 Feb 2011 15:34:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2599.html AF9A0E78-FAF9-47D6-8E9F-40FC3032F927 Lending for buy to let property investment drops for the fourth month in a row Gross mortgage lending in December was an estimated £11.0 billion, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This represents a 6 percent drop from £11.7 billion in November. December was the fourth month in a row where the monthly outturn has... 2 Feb 2011 15:34:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2600.html CEDD356D-183B-4C70-B518-29474257C83A Buy to let landlords urged to plan for rise in interest rates Thousands of landlords could struggle to keep up with mortgage payments once interest rates return to more normal levels warns Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm. And although some financial experts say interest rates may still not change until the end of the year, the company... 27 Jan 2011 11:02:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2591.html 76A6D46A-C0B0-4951-BEE5-E87DDE018D60 Mortgage broker launches its own complex study of the buy to let market Mortgages For Business, the mortgage broker and packager, recently launched its own MFB Complex Buy to Let Index. The index tracks buy to let loan size, property value, loan to value and yields and claims to focus on the previously unreported sub-sectors of the... 27 Jan 2011 11:02:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2592.html 006E234C-4CAD-4851-93D9-C2D333E448BB Police confirm landlord is still a suspect in murder case despite charging another man With national news trumpeting the fact that Vincent Tabak has been charged with the murder of Joanna Yeates, a leading criminologist is asking why her landlord still remains a suspect in the case? 27 Jan 2011 11:02:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2593.html 77016BD8-6784-43C1-ABC6-8698C028A4CA More misery for buy to let landlords as problems over cannabis factories continues The continuing problem of drugs gangs using properties belonging to buy to let landlords as drugs factories has been highlighted by another series of discoveries in the last week. In Powys, Wales, a 36-year-old man was arrested after police found nearly... 27 Jan 2011 11:01:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2594.html 7279550B-DD08-47F0-BC17-1B97D66A94B0 Changes in the way property investment is undertaken sees decline in agents Concerns have been raised about the number of pubs and bars that are closing down every week, but the figures are nothing compared to how many high street estate agents have closed their doors in the two years between October 2008 and October 2010... 27 Jan 2011 11:01:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2595.html 043FABAA-18B3-40F4-9AFD-CD1D071BAE18 Above-average rental growth for buy to let landlords over next two years is unlikely say economists While many property experts are advising buy to let investors that rental growth continues to bring in better returns that savings due to low interest rates, one company of finance experts is warning landlords... 24 Jan 2011 12:43:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2586.html 6535A523-DFB8-482D-9DBE-7C305AB76E55 Buy to let landlords use social networking websites to gather support for campaign The National Landlords Association (NLA) has launched a new social media campaign aimed at raising opposition to the proposed ‘Article 4 designation’ in Portsmouth - a measure which it claims could see a significant drop in the amount of... 24 Jan 2011 12:43:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2587.html EA71924C-570D-4B97-9C12-CB2106CA454E Landlord called in after noisy tenants forced woman to sleep in car A neighbour called in the landlord who rented out a property to a group of unruly students in Brighton in order to show him how she was being forced to sleep in her car to escape the noise they were making. The problems his student tenants caused led to them making... 24 Jan 2011 12:43:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2588.html BEF110CB-F6B7-43D8-AAED-844A19CC1D2D Buy to let property investment on the rise in Suffolk With savings attracting little interest due to the low base rate, estate agents are seeing more people are turning to buy to let properties as a way of generating a better return. Savills says an example of this can be seen at Crest Nicholson’s Larks Reach development in... 24 Jan 2011 12:43:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2589.html 9547E4A9-833E-4481-9F30-70D2F0D8806E Landlord’s fine reduced due to impending bankruptcy and ill health A landlord who obstructed a council officer from carrying out an inspection has been prosecuted for failing to comply with the conditions of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence for her property. Miss Amanda de Gonville Morrison was convicted of... 24 Jan 2011 12:42:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2590.html 8C066375-2475-42ED-BEC0-9C69C8FA8A79 'Poacher turns gamekeeper' to help buy to let landlords in deposit protection disputes A company is offering a helping hand to landlords who struggle trying to claim money back through the deposit protection schemes. A deposit protection adjudicator has set up an online service to help landlords avoid the common pitfalls and successfully claim the... 19 Jan 2011 18:13:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2581.html C8CFE3C3-CEA7-4BF4-809A-5C3AC3575EB9 Buy to let landlord shocked how easy it was to access information on tenant website Landlord Referencing Services (LRS) has acted quickly to distance itself from what it sees as a breach of data protection by another company offering information on potential tenants. It follows a complaint to the Information Commissioner (ICO) about TenantVet which... 19 Jan 2011 18:12:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2582.html 40112392-26EE-42E7-8741-F72DF4ED0503 Sky offers private landlords help in making the switchover to digital Many private landlords are still unclear about the actions they need to make to prepare for the digital switchover according to research carried out by Sky. Many regions such as the West Country, Wales and Granada have already made the switch with the remainder to... 19 Jan 2011 18:12:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2583.html 819AA789-3E13-4F78-ACB9-5A0962C0AE5D Landlord who showed a lack of co-operation with council fined more than £5,000 A buy to let landlord of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been fined more than £5,000 for running an unsafe and badly maintained property. The prosecution was made by Slough Borough Council following an inspection of the property in August last year. 19 Jan 2011 18:12:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2584.html C10E5009-EA43-428B-A4C0-6457F92B4BB6 Fixed or capped rate mortgages for property investment on the increase Although the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to maintain the base rate at 0.5 percent, borrowers are starting to turn to fixed or capped rate mortgages as increases edge closer, says Simon Gammon, Head of Knight Frank Finance. 19 Jan 2011 18:09:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2585.html 90C00231-491C-4367-8712-F2A37AD112C4 London buy to let landlords see rents rise as thin supply meets strong demand Central London residential rents rose by 2.2 percent in the final quarter of 2010 according to the latest research by Knight Frank. This rise means that rents have risen by 16 percent over 2010 as a whole and by 19 percent since the low point they reached in mid 2009 when... 17 Jan 2011 14:38:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2576.html 8DD9E5E6-E7CF-4FFE-99AB-A6FD2912C2F6 £17,000 fine for buy to let landlord after house is found in an appalling state A landlord who rented out a property that was in an appalling condition and operated without a house of multiple occupation (HMO) licence has been fined £17,000 by Leicester magistrates. Anthony Gordon, who lived at the house in St Saviour’s Road along... 17 Jan 2011 14:37:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2577.html 42E3F391-862E-4A13-9049-C1A2BB62EB83 Buy to let landlord used money from benefit fraud to increase size of rental property A landlord, who raked in thousands of pounds by renting out bedrooms in her home with its own swimming pool, has been exposed as a benefits cheat. Lynne Hampson, of Worcester Park in south London cheated taxpayers out of more than £60,000 by falsely claiming... 17 Jan 2011 14:36:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2578.html 0AB83FEB-9DDE-440C-973B-B64D0EA71A13 Vietnamese man jailed for using landlords’ houses for growing cannabis A Vietnamese man who used rented accommodation for growing drugs has been jailed after police uncovered two cannabis factories he was running in Slough and Maidenhead last year. Phuc Van Hoang, aged 29, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Reading... 17 Jan 2011 14:35:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2579.html B06F3844-EF52-4D70-8031-690EF475A1A7 Private landlords need protection from anti-social tenants thrown out of social housing The Government’s announcement that it is to introduce tougher action against anti-social tenants in social housing has raised fears that they will simply move into the private rented sector (PRS). The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) says private... 17 Jan 2011 14:33:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2580.html FA50CC14-359D-4881-9CD1-7B32A66F3B9D Buy to let landlords could face more arrears because of government cuts and credit card payments Tenant defaults could soar over the next year amid reports that many have borrowed money on a credit card to pay their mortgage or rent over the past year, warns leading tenant eviction and rent collection firm Landlord Assist. The warning comes following... 11 Jan 2011 17:26:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2571.html 3AB742F2-F8C4-490A-B4F8-54AB8552FD93 Software helps buy to let landlords to work out government's new LHA allowances A new piece of software, designed to help landlords tackle the intricacies of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA), was launched this month. The Local Housing Allowance Calculator will enable landlords... 11 Jan 2011 17:26:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2572.html B94598FB-70C2-45AB-918F-5E6926A51E87 Regeneration of Acton offers opportunities for buy to let property investment Investors and buy to let landlords looking to add properties in the lucrative London market to their portfolios could be tempted by the next phase in the regeneration of South Acton, Ealing’s largest housing estate. Countryside Properties and L&Q have... 11 Jan 2011 17:26:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2573.html 286D0BC9-4384-4ADE-A863-B83BFD4AE659 Landlords urged to get boilers marked for free to held beat metal thieves Police are appealing to landlords in Mortimer, Northumberland to take advantage of getting their boilers marked for free. Crime Prevention Advisers (CPAs) in the area have launched a boiler marking scheme aimed at deterring metal thieves who break into... MORE 11 Jan 2011 17:25:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2574.html 9E878407-C68C-4B8E-9E7D-BE83981B4F27 Buy to let news - In brief Coventry Intermediaries has launched two new buy to let products with no arrangement fees. The products are: 4.99 percent five-year fixed rate (31.03.2016) loan to value 50 percent... 11 Jan 2011 17:25:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2575.html 17FF68E6-0471-43E9-B144-1E646867C695 More buy to let lending for property investment available in 2011 Strong levels of tenant demand will continue into 2011, particularly given the Government's planned changes to social housing, and this will provide the continued stimulus for the growth of buy to let lending. This is the view of Nigel Terrington, chief executive of buy to let mortgage specialist Paragon Group, who... 6 Jan 2011 17:47:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2566.html 83AB3DDD-05B7-49B2-ACF7-B561ACB67A72 Landlord quizzed in murder investigation gets support from friends and neighbours The landlord who was quizzed by police investigating the death of Joanna Yeates is the victim of circumstantial evidence, say some of his friends and neighbours. And the legal representatives for Christopher Jefferies have also expressed concern that his chances of... 6 Jan 2011 17:47:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2567.html 3BBBB424-4B7A-4D1B-AE80-BC7983459F31 Buy to let holiday home landlords see income go up over festive break The festive period provided a great boost to property investors with holiday homes in the UK according to figures from holidaylettings.co.uk. Stratford topped the poll for the most popular place to spend the festive season overall with Edinburgh taking the top... 6 Jan 2011 17:46:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2568.html 4EA1AF37-19C6-4FFE-A638-ED31A07B9060 Landlord's deposit scheme celebrates reaching one million milestone The tenancy deposit scheme mydeposits.co.uk recently reached the significant milestone of protecting its one millionth deposit. The deposit protection was purchased by Unite, the UK’s largest student accommodation provider. 6 Jan 2011 17:46:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2569.html 46F7092C-E086-4058-B538-52B1DEF9C946 Buy to let news - In brief The threat faced by buy to let landlords from drugs gangs using their properties as illegal cannabis factories was brought home by the news that even one of... 6 Jan 2011 17:45:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2570.html 873B8602-0C0B-4123-A95B-76A81BCAD2C2 Better buy to let mortgage finance tops property investment wish list Price and rental expectations for property in London over the coming 12 months both remain buoyant. However, access to finance is still a barrier to additional PRS investment. In fact, better mortgage finance is top of investors’ Christmas wish list this year... 29 Dec 2010 16:42:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2561.html DECCB007-6E9C-4E18-A9F5-6E0B2F09C246 Buy to let landlords see average rents rise but total returns fall Rents rose for the 10th consecutive month but growth is slowing in the run-up to Christmas, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. In November, the average UK rent rose to £692 per month, squeaking ahead of October’s record high of... 29 Dec 2010 16:41:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2562.html B17085BE-8EE6-41B5-94D2-3442136C84A5 Buy to let landlord reduced living space to make room for extra tenants A landlord who decided to rake in extra cash by taking away his tenants’ communal living space so he could squeeze in two more bedrooms, now has to fork out more than £8,000 for breaching safety and housing welfare rules. 29 Dec 2010 16:41:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2563.html BB1F933B-BDCD-4CBE-93BF-4E09DDBE7360 Landlords association raises concerns over government's Green Deal The government’s Energy Bill ‘Green Deal’, which is aiming to raise energy efficiency in private rented sector properties and in turn lower gas and electricity bills for tenants, has received a lukewarm reception from the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). 29 Dec 2010 16:41:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2564.html 69366DD4-1962-43B4-B227-1A3EC77C8478 New LHA legislation unraveled for landlords and letting agents at seminar A Local Housing Allowance (LHA) seminar outlining the incoming reductions and how to reduce their impact was attended by landlords, letting agents, representatives from social housing associations, local authorities, housing charities and tenant support groups. 29 Dec 2010 16:40:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2565.html BD1D68B3-51D3-48A2-A950-E6AF485F19CA Buy to let landlords warned to minimise exposure in increasingly complex world of tenancy Research by The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning reports that between 136,000 and 269,000 households will find their rent payments unmanageable as a result of the new local housing allowance (LHA) measures. 17 Dec 2010 15:15:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2556.html 7BC14426-4069-4464-AFE5-B4732D8C718A South offers best returns for buy to let property investment Buy to let investments in southern areas make the most financial sense as the demand for residential rental properties in the south and southeast regions of England remains noticeably higher than in much of the north. 17 Dec 2010 15:14:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2557.html 84183306-60C0-41F2-8ECC-1370454D5E42 Landlord association offers its views on private rented sector in Wales The National Landlords Association (NLA) has given evidence at the National Assembly for Wales’ Community and Culture Committee Inquiry. The Committee inquiry took place on 8 December and was examining how the private rented sector can... 17 Dec 2010 15:14:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2558.html 59189EC0-5F5C-4A73-8AA2-1B5EF5988B1E New service may give buy to let landlords an early warning over rental arrears The Collect & Pay service recently rolled out nationwide by FCC Paragon to landlords and managing agents couldn’t come at a better time, says the company. This is because the cuts in funding by local councils are likely to have a knock-on effect on rental arrears and the... 17 Dec 2010 15:13:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2559.html 0E9950AB-86B8-4200-8669-104437AA8927 Lifelong rental agreements with landlords tops list for retired people The number one attraction for people who choose to rent in retirement is having a lifelong (assured) tenancy agreement, according to new research from Girlings Retirement Rentals. A third of people... 17 Dec 2010 15:11:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2560.html C45652E1-F225-48C1-ABC7-A6B71AB70093 Buy to let landlords should remain cautious over government's new stance on LHA The approach the Government is now taking to offer private sector landlords the option to choose to receive Local Housing Allowance (LHA) directly if they reduce their rents must be met with caution, warns Landlord Action. Particularly as it is only a temporary... 15 Dec 2010 12:55:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2551.html 01491978-680F-48BF-AA38-E75875A01808 New buy to let landlord insurance policies offer more choice Two new buy to let insurance policies have been launched by Hamilton Fraser Insurance which, the company says, are designed to cater for the fact not all landlords are the same. Total Landlord Insurance products allow landlords to choose the... 15 Dec 2010 12:55:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2552.html 1A3DEEF5-E46E-4CF3-B0F6-131143F556C2 Sorting out taxes for buy to let holiday home property investments should get easier Following HM Treasury's response to the furnished holidays lettings consultation published this month, the Landed Estates & Rural Business Group of UK accountancy firm Saffery Champness has highlighted two key areas that will be of interest to those... 15 Dec 2010 12:54:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2553.html A4DF7937-1A84-4B01-8E27-92365A80DBC7 Holiday home landlords should take a new look at how they market their properties says lettings expert People who rent out their holiday homes should be bold, different and prepared to try something new. That’s the message from holiday lettings expert and author Wendy Shand who is advising property owners to do... 15 Dec 2010 12:54:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2554.html E3DDEDB1-9866-44D2-BBA8-D15E1AB8C010 Buy to let news - In brief The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee decision to keep the base rate on hold at 0.5 percent last month almost slipped by unnoticed due to the fact this was the 21st month running the rate has... 15 Dec 2010 12:53:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2555.html 15837DF6-7FED-4CFE-BCA7-0AEBECD92CCC Buy to let landlords will see record levels continue in 2011 predicts lettings specialist Tenant demand is likely to remain high in 2011 and it will outstrip the supply that will be available. But factors to consider for any current and new landlords stepping into the market next year will be the increase in VAT increase and possible likelihood of interest rates rising. 10 Dec 2010 16:13:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2546.html 2895B3C2-DFE8-4EE7-A44E-CCA8480C1D37 New Student Accommodation Index shows buy to let investors how market is performing An insight into the performance of the student rental market is now available through Knight Frank, which has launched its own Student Accommodation Index. The company claims this is the first industry benchmark to accurately track the performance of this... 10 Dec 2010 16:11:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2547.html AC879A38-347C-4BB3-BC6F-F408402D65D9 Guaranteed rental return attracts buy to let property investment at new development Around a quarter of the sales in the new Welland Quarter in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, have been made by buy to let property investors who have been attracted by the current guaranteed rental yields of 6 percent. Local experts believe the increase in this kind of... 10 Dec 2010 16:11:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2548.html 5879CF05-B0D0-458E-9F19-8CD945C2142B Landlords reminded of duty to keep their tenants warm during cold snap A local authority, which successfully prosecuted a landlord for failing to provide warm habitable accommodation, is using the case to remind tenants who rent privately about their rights. 10 Dec 2010 16:11:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2549.html 84CF3E8B-59ED-469B-B1B8-C49D95081DD1 Another private landlord falls foul of new Selective Licensing scheme A third Yorkshire landlord has been convicted after failing to heed warnings that she had to properly license a rented house in Leeds. The prosecution was brought as part of a bid to crack down on anti-social tenants and poor housing in the Cross Green and... 10 Dec 2010 16:10:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2550.html 637C6FA4-FD97-4309-A672-6318FE5E780C Local Housing Allowance can be paid direct to private landlords again Local authorities are to be given discretion to make direct payment of Housing Benefit to landlords as an incentive to reduce rents. A former change in legislation, which saw the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) given to tenants first in an attempt to make them responsible for... 6 Dec 2010 15:22:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2541.html 2BC805CE-CFC5-4C76-8A20-92607B34BEE0 Buy to let landlords urged to avoid DIY evictions Landlords must seek professional help and not take the law into their own hands when reclaiming possession of a property says Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm. After recovering from the impact of the recession, the buy to let sector is... 6 Dec 2010 15:22:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2542.html FD0423C8-E88E-4319-BD07-1D77CEBF19E8 Buy to let landlords see property investment rents rise as demand outstrips supply Falling supply of new property to the rental market coupled with increased demand led to a rise in rents in the three months to the end of October, says the latest RICS Residential Lettings Survey... 6 Dec 2010 15:22:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2543.html 3FBC7C01-634D-4DDF-9C70-D58B88745BD9 Buy to let landlords sign up to get council seal of approval in Hampshire city 500 homes throughout Portsmouth in Hampshire are now let by landlords who have received a seal of approval from the city council. Some 50 landlords have applied and met the criteria of the council’s accreditation scheme, which was launch in February, which promotes and recognises good landlords. 6 Dec 2010 15:21:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2544.html 87BF992F-5EA9-41F7-95AE-59B119F64EA8 Landlord and property investment news in brief THE EXPECTED demand for holiday lets and rental accommodation from overseas visitors during the 2012 Olympics in the UK may not be as high as expected says the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA). 6 Dec 2010 15:21:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2545.html 022BCA4E-6A17-4600-BB65-53CB9200E968 RLA scoops top campaigner award for work with buy to let landlords The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is this year's top campaigner for private rented sector landlords. This official recognition of the body’s work was announced at the Landlord and Letting Awards in Birmingham and comes as at the end of one of the RLA’s highest profile years at national level. 30 Nov 2010 15:14:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2536.html AD16CF5A-CD6D-445D-9BE2-FF9647978110 Paragon pledges to widen property investment lending for landlord The Paragon Group has announced it is expecting its buy to let lending programme to expand even further due to high demand in the private renting sector. The company posted interim profits marginally better than expected, with the figure standing at... 30 Nov 2010 15:14:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2537.html 7EBA558D-07D8-485D-8D7D-20ECDB95AC40 Bill to force buy to let landlords to install fire alarm fails to get support A private members bill aimed at making all residential landlords install smoke alarms in their properties has failed. The bill to introduce working, mains powered smoke alarms in rented homes will not now... 30 Nov 2010 15:14:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2538.html 45FD66BE-AE78-42B8-B35B-71E239C3AA62 Buy to let landlords' hand over petition demanding changes to eviction system A petition demanding changes in the current legal system for evicting tenants has been handed in to Downing Street. It is signed by almost 5,000 landlords in response to a campaign by Paul Shamplina, founder of eviction specialists Landlord Action, and... 30 Nov 2010 15:13:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2539.html 810E3504-13DD-48E3-B609-39C65FF3AEE7 Website service tailors property search to landlords' needs A new website service has been launched that matches investors with chain free properties suited to their individual circumstances. Property specialist Move with Us, which works with independent, accredited estate agents across the UK, feels landlords... 30 Nov 2010 15:13:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2540.html F0300959-63FE-44D0-A4C3-5B925A7C45E8 Buy to let landlords celebrate falling arrears as rents rise again Rents have reached an average £691 per month after nine consecutive months of rises, according to the new Buy to Let Index from LSL. The new statistics show that tenant arrears have fallen for the second month in a row, 0.1 percent from an all-time low. 23 Nov 2010 17:46:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2531.html 798D4FA5-35F0-4C0B-BF7E-92ABB89CFC5E Better buy to let deals will provide the key to unlocking property investment supply The current shortage of rental properties can only be addressed if banks ease their lending restrictions and improve their buy to let deals, according to Landlord Assist. The tenant eviction and rent recovery firm is concerned that over the past year the buy to let... 23 Nov 2010 17:46:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2532.html B1039B55-FB29-4985-8E9E-64C28CCD1282 Winter checklist for landlords who want to keep properties ticking over during cold spell Landlords are being warned to take care of their investments this winter as figures reveal £2.03 billion of damage was done to UK properties last year during the cold snap. As temperatures start to drop and... 23 Nov 2010 17:45:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2533.html C3E2B30F-18DD-4325-8698-9C1A3B24F88D Gas safety checks and boiler services for landlords at wallet warming price HomeServe is offering landlords the essential CP12 Gas Safety Check with boiler service for a price busting £2.99 a month. All UK landlords are legally required to conduct a CP12 every 12 months on rental properties, which can prove to be a significant added cost. 23 Nov 2010 17:43:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2534.html BFE74141-FF86-49ED-82E4-7490D2591D2F Emergency prohibition order placed on landlord's flats Nine tenants have been moved out of their flats and the building condemned due to the landlord not taking proper fire safety precautions. Teignbridge Council and the fire service shut down flats in Newton Abbot, Devon saying it bordered on ‘negligence' to allow... 23 Nov 2010 17:40:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2535.html 8E0E615E-C028-49D1-9F6B-3250B95B53D7 Buy to let property investment continues to improve as rental demand soars There was an increase in investment into the buy to let market in the third quarter of this year thanks to a strong demand for rental property. A total of £2.8 billion was advanced to landlords in the three months to the end of September, 33 percent more than... 18 Nov 2010 18:10:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2526.html 98679AA0-5381-42B3-A960-46FAC48577A9 London landlords see value of their properties increase All 33 London boroughs are recording annual house price increases with landlords who own detached properties seeing the biggest rises in the value of their portfolios. According to the LSL and Acadametrics survey, there are now six boroughs in... 18 Nov 2010 18:10:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2527.html D65600C1-1D8B-4BD3-8F0F-8E2DF28F973A Politicians at loggerheads over licensing of private buy to let landlords A row is brewing over the issue of mandatory registration for landlords in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has accused Social Development Minister Alex Attwood of opting for a "light touch" when dealing with the issue in West Belfast. McCann said that while... 18 Nov 2010 18:10:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2528.html 21054F65-3418-4C16-ADC3-9E7A5304E33C Gambler who was ‘trusted’ as rent collector frittered landlords’ cash away A group of landlords lost £1,800 in rent to a heavy drinker who gambled most of it away, a court has heard. Terry Underwood, aged 59, was a rent collector trusted to pay bills for property developers but instead he gambled some of the cash in the hope of winning... 18 Nov 2010 18:09:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2529.html 11EE2009-D0D4-4934-BBD8-BF0EE0065C63 Confidence in property investment remains high New research from the Worldwide Property Group reveals a 50/50 split among those in the property industry regarding the potential direction of UK interest rates. Results from the company’s October confidence tracker survey show that respondents are... 18 Nov 2010 18:09:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2530.html 54C75094-E4D1-4B64-A046-192F3A6B73C3 Property investment still an attractive proposition - if you have the spare cash Property investors concerned about the value of their portfolios are being advised that average house prices registered a 0.3 percent increase in October, marking a steady rise for the sixth consecutive month. However the latest LSL and Acadametrics property... 16 Nov 2010 16:49:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2521.html 525C75C1-9E7E-46D0-9D46-54CD9251E103 Buy to let landlord pleads guilty to failing to meet fire safety standards A landlord is waiting to find out his sentence after admitting to multiple breaches of fire safety regulations. Lazlo Banki, who owns a property in Scarborough, pleaded guilty to eight contraventions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at the... 16 Nov 2010 16:48:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2522.html 9D3A7242-7833-4B6C-910B-5F4442D78F03 Buy to let landlords warned of dangers from the 'silent killer' The National Landlords Association is using the CO-Awareness Week which started on Monday to issue a timely reminder to landlords that they are legally required to have gas appliances they supply in their properties checked annually for safety and to prevent... 16 Nov 2010 16:48:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2523.html 810AF7D4-BC70-4875-8687-A0938D724028 Money worries are knocking landlords’ confidence, says survey Fears over their finances are overwhelming landlords and causing them to lose confidence says a market report. The Upad Landlord Confidence Index shows just 54 percent of landlords are more confident in the rental sector than last month, down from... 16 Nov 2010 16:47:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2524.html F189DD5F-640E-4303-B95E-112DE95FBF13 Landlord News - In brief Landlords are being offered free advice and information at a new event being organised by City Council, East Devon Council, Mid Devon Council and Teignbridge District Council... 16 Nov 2010 16:45:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2525.html 502AD8B0-2312-4712-942E-5E6140C617C5 Buy to let Landlord's property torched in Guy Fawkes attack Guy Fawkes weekend saw temperatures and tempers rise for one landlord who saw his furniture torched on a bonfire. Yobs stripped buy to let investor Barry Lightburn’s vacant property in Merseyside of wood and set fire to it. 12 Nov 2010 13:03:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2516.html 8572B9E6-0347-4E93-B9AB-5F5A1EF1A0F7 New Isle of Man bill targets buy to let landlords who allow overcrowding in property investments A new bill, if introduced, will crack down on landlords who try to overcrowd their buy to let properties. The Isle of Man’s Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will pinpoint a property investor’s responsibilities and also protect tenants from having to live in... 12 Nov 2010 13:03:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2517.html 3EEF0F99-ECC1-4275-822F-43919C7F4E50 Minister blames greedy landlords as housing benefit row boils over Landlords have made "excessive gains" out of housing benefit and must slash their rents, claims a government minister. Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud spoke out as ministers launched an extraordinary attack... 12 Nov 2010 13:02:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2518.html 9AE733F1-A306-4F8C-A4F3-4D397326C318 Letting agent jailed for stealing from landlords and tenants A letting agent who stole £137,000 from landlords and tenants has been jailed for a gross breach of trust. David Sole ran a Belvoir agency in Norwich until his arrest in December 2009. He handed himself into the police after evidence began to emerge that... 12 Nov 2010 13:02:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2519.html 058652F1-1B1C-4245-BB58-46BE38BE1EE0 Buy to let landlords encouraged to sign up for free tenant finder service More landlords are being sought to sign up to a new letting scheme that matches up private properties and tenants. Solihull Community Housing (SCH) has launched a Rent Deposit Scheme to benefit many tenants who may be threatened with... 12 Nov 2010 13:01:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2520.html 8AD00967-198B-4EAE-A048-EEECA02197EF Strong growth in tenant demand boosts landlords' buy to let confidence Landlords' confidence in buy to let has risen in the last three months, according to the latest survey by LSL Property Services. Just under half of landlords (48 percent) think now is a good time to invest in property, an increase of six percent from... 10 Nov 2010 13:23:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2511.html 642F1B4E-84F4-4936-BE6C-D1AC7B5F97DA Buy to let landlords consider legal action over council’s new HMO controls A consortium of buy to let property owners and managers may challenge Oxford City Council in the High Court over its decision to introduce extra powers to control houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). It is doing this by imposing special planning and... 10 Nov 2010 13:22:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2512.html 6E8B0964-74FA-41A9-A876-4442B4D8C9A9 Landlords' savings must be greater than costs to cut energy loss, says RLA The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is supporting moves to improve energy efficiency in residential property, announced by Energy and Climate Change secretary Chris Huhne. Chairman Alan Ward announced that the RLA is to set up a... 10 Nov 2010 13:22:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2513.html B0C6E250-8262-4993-B2C6-4A2165E4474F Buy to let property investment could be 'irresistible' in 2011 says Savills A ‘lost generation' of first-time buyers will force down prices of starter homes, but push up rental growth for residential landlords, according to property consultancy Savills. The company made this prediction in its latest annual house price forecast and says... 10 Nov 2010 13:22:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2514.html 5B17A820-9B5E-414B-AB76-D93C68D6357B Campaign to give landlords improved rights over problem tenants gathers momentum A campaign, 'Rebalancing the Law' spearheaded by Landlord Action has gained the support of over 2,000 landlords in just one month. The campaign is aiming to improve the legal process for landlords by making the tenant eviction for problem tenants easier... 10 Nov 2010 13:22:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2515.html A6B1EF2E-A901-4E08-BE92-AB973E232484 Reluctant buy to let landlords return to the rental market The number of ‘reluctant landlords’ in the private rental sector is on the rise again. Lack of borrowing and demand has forced homeowners to let their properties due to a lack of buyers. According to research by the Association of Residential Letting Agents... 5 Nov 2010 12:31:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2506.html 1551B863-20F6-43B8-B015-ABC11603435E Lawyers lend weight to campaign for buy to let landlords to get speedier evictions A law firm is supporting calls for the eviction system to be speeded up for residential landlords with troublesome tenants. Mace & Jones, which has offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Knutsford, Cheshire, is supporting a campaign launched this month by private... 5 Nov 2010 12:30:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2507.html 8F93BFA2-B2C0-46BC-8B68-A7F39AA10033 MP wants all property investment rental homes to have a fire alarm An MP is hoping to push a new Bill through parliament that will force landlords to fit fire alarms to their properties. Devon politician Adrian Sanders’ Fire Safety (Protection of Tenants) Bill is due to go for its second reading in the House of Commons on... 5 Nov 2010 12:30:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2508.html C06517F7-C1CB-43A1-B5D6-ADCF211D06D0 New buy to let mortgage products on the market Precise Mortgages has launched a buy to let range featuring two-year tracker rates from 4.89 percent and lifetime tracker loans from 4.99 percent. Product highlights include no early repayments charges, cashback and free standard valuation... 5 Nov 2010 12:29:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2509.html 1D9D6737-6A47-41DB-A9B2-4DCAA3F6A3E0 Residential Landlord News - In brief Sequence Lettings has acquired Atwell Martin’s residential lettings portfolio consisting of around 300 properties in Wiltshire. The announcement follows... 5 Nov 2010 12:28:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2510.html 4A126469-E776-46DF-BE86-69EFCBE2B4B4 CML claims mortgage market review will hit buy to let property investment Proposed reforms to the mortgage market could devastate the housing industry from top to bottom warns the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Michael Coogan, the body's director general, has attacked the Financial Services Authority (FSA) over its... 1 Nov 2010 12:58:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2501.html B4CE4628-D136-4128-844C-B0F082C93C53 Government's housing policy puts buy to let landlords in the firing line claims RLA The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) claims the Government’s housing policy is about to "collapse into shambles". It says the cap on benefits, coupled with other measures, will have serious consequences for housing provision in the UK. 1 Nov 2010 12:57:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2502.html C8B69AAB-C277-4C1F-8A97-696E8C373117 Mayoral hopeful angers buy to let landlords with call for rental cap London mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone has promised to cap private sector rents throughout London if he wins the next election. He would not allow tenants to pay rents higher than landlords pay for mortgages, and added: "Tenants should not be paying more... 1 Nov 2010 12:57:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2503.html C7EDF057-6606-4D60-851F-5C4106E97098 House price surveys under the microscope as landlords receive conflicting statistics Property prices experienced the single biggest monthly drop on record in September, according to the Halifax. It says prices decreased by 3.6 percent last month, with the average price of a home in the UK now standing at £162,096. 1 Nov 2010 12:56:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2504.html 656CE7F1-4367-4D89-914D-767550B47B91 PRS will grow but buy to let landlords still face huge challenges The private rented sector (PRS) will be the one and only part of the housing market to experience growth in the foreseeable future. That was the overwhelming message from the Future Housing conference organised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 1 Nov 2010 12:56:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2505.html AA6858B0-D3BD-4406-9F2F-64E7D793DB4A Buy to let landlords lobby government for changes to Local Housing Allowance Landlord Referencing Services (LRS) is in discussions with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in an attempt to stop tenants spending their Local Housing Allowance (LHA) before it reaches their landlord. Current legislation does not provide any legal... 26 Oct 2010 12:15:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2496.html C63EDF83-58BA-49D5-A136-4CBBA3F45B90 Buy to let landlords are enjoying security of longer lets says property investment specialist There is an abundance of opportunity for landlords looking to invest for the long-term across the South at the moment, according to letting specialist Leaders. The agency reports that demand for rental properties has been extremely strong over the last year, with... 26 Oct 2010 12:15:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2497.html A832E49D-5E6D-4116-BF01-E2D6F5E97099 Property investors should prepare for job cuts says Landlord Assist Eviction and rent collection firm Landlord Assist is advising landlords to consider the impact of tenants who could lose their jobs due to government cutbacks and to take preventative measures. More than 800,000 jobs have been lost during the recession, and with... 26 Oct 2010 12:14:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2498.html AE53B444-BC25-4B53-AF3B-A652D0375440 Social housing cuts will put 'dangerous' strain on PRS say landlord groups The Chancellor's decision to cut the social housing budget in England by more than 50 percent has led to calls for the Government to do more to increase supply and ensure buy to let funding is dramatically increased. 26 Oct 2010 12:14:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2499.html 050F9018-C880-4E9F-9A9B-F39461C14D89 High Court ruling defines HMO boundaries for landlords Landlords should be aware of a new High Court ruling which held that the landlord of a shared property was not liable for council tax and that the liability remains with the tenants. Goremsandu v London Borough of Harrow is now seen as a test case for what actually... 26 Oct 2010 12:13:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2500.html C5723D04-EF61-40B8-81C1-03276F74B482 Buy to let mortgage sizes are on the up thanks to landlords with cash to splash There has been an increase in both loan size and loan-to-value for buy to let mortgage offers during the third quarter of this year. This is the main finding of TBMC’s latest Landlord Profile Tracking Index. The commercial and buy to let specialist has also... 22 Oct 2010 13:21:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2490.html 6B26B390-E9C8-4C56-862D-EC7FEF97D6D8 Healthy yields and high demand paint pleasant picture for buy to let landlords Tenant demand continues to strengthen according to Paragon Group’s latest Private Rented Sector (PRS) Trends report. Over the third quarter of this year 36 percent of landlords saw rising levels of activity, compared to six percent who said it was falling. 22 Oct 2010 13:20:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2491.html A845AE5B-2B68-4ADE-8D80-06DDD6B9DF21 Landlords fined for breaching rules and regulations Landlords have been fined in two separate cases for not complying with the necessary rules and regulations. Susan Howson from Blackburn has been ordered to pay £1,370 for illegally evicting a tenant from her property. 22 Oct 2010 13:19:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2492.html 2CD96F68-C9C3-4146-880E-A0AAB988A0FE London Mayor joins landlords to lament housing benefit cuts London Mayor Boris Johnson has expressed concern that the capital’s private rented sector will suffer badly due to the planned housing benefit cuts. The coalition government is already facing a landlord backlash over plans to slash the £21 billion housing benefit bill, which has doubled in the past decade. 22 Oct 2010 13:19:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2493.html 1F11A195-C243-435A-BE31-6858F5F27E57 Networking debates offer landlords advice on property investment Landlords enjoyed an opportunity for debate during the Private Rented Sector Summit hosted by the National Landlords Association (NLA) recently. Direct payment of local housing allowance to landlords and greater local authority engagement were key issues... 22 Oct 2010 13:18:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2494.html 9BE922C0-093B-4831-87D8-4C57433E50DC Rising rents reach record high for buy to let landlords Rents have reached an average record high of £689 per month following eight consecutive months of increases. London rents are up by two percent to reach an all-time high and are seen as a driving force behind UK rental inflation in 2010. 19 Oct 2010 11:57:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2485.html F3B540E1-D3AE-46B1-B6D1-1558AB9FDAD7 Buy to let landlords not buoyed up by tenant demand Although tenant demand and rent income is currently high, these factors have not boosted landlord confidence in buy to let, according to the October 2010 Upad Landlord Confidence Index. In fact landlord confidence in the market is decidedly shaky, with only... 19 Oct 2010 11:57:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2486.html 8FD80791-7F91-4F75-9C96-F3D29E75907E Report accuses landlords of making property investments to rip off housing benefit system New figures suggest private landlords will pocket almost £8.5 billion of taxpayer money this year through housing benefit. This is more than a third of the total £21.5 billion bill, according to figures from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). 19 Oct 2010 11:56:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2487.html 78D816BC-C592-4F7C-AFB9-6C0234ED7EA6 Scheme aiming for landlord self-regulation The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has launched an initiative striving towards self-regulation for the UK’s private sector residential landlords. The body’s Accreditation Scheme creates a new partnership between local authorities and responsible... 19 Oct 2010 11:56:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2488.html 49E124CC-E780-4A9E-9193-D221D4EFC8D1 Landlord fined for excessively cold properties A landlord has been fined £15,000 for failing to ensure that three properties were sufficiently heated. Relay Arch, a company which owns rental properties in Norwich, was found guilty in its absence at the city’s Magistrates’ Court of three breaches of a section 11 improvement notice. 19 Oct 2010 11:56:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2489.html 28B584BB-84BD-4210-BE59-1BBF1704200A Rental demand has reached a record high for buy to let landords The number of tenants seeking rental properties has reached an eight-year high, according to research from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). Across the UK lettings agents have reported a significant shortage of available rental properties as tenant... 15 Oct 2010 16:57:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2480.html C2CFD16A-0FC5-4362-A6B4-92AB623BDAA5 Mortgages for buy to let landlords are down but not out New statistics show the number of available mortgage products for landlords is still markedly lower than when the market was at its peak. Despite new services being launched by Aldermore and Paragon recently, Moneyfacts reports there are now... 15 Oct 2010 16:56:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2481.html 2BE8E3EE-FBD6-40FD-86D5-464E30ADFF53 Aldermore launches new buy to let property investment products Landlords now have access to a fresh wave of buy to let mortgage products being offered by Aldermore. The bank is expanding its range in this sector and is targeting those looking for low interest rates. An unknown error has occurred. 15 Oct 2010 16:56:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2482.html 8D608B7B-C34E-4E86-847E-742451F0100C Saturated market driving down property investment prices but surveyors remain positive Buy to let investors should be keeping an eye on the value of their assets as it would appear an influx of new property on the market is putting pressure on house prices. According to the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey, September saw many... 15 Oct 2010 16:56:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2483.html 962E3341-B495-4256-BFDD-577B3008441A Landlords dominating the market ahead of first-time buyers Buy to let owners are the winners in a market that will fail first-time buyers for the next 20 to 30 years, according to a report on Channel 4 News this week. Property investors look set to benefit the most from the current market, the programme suggested. 15 Oct 2010 16:55:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2484.html D2E8D42A-8AF7-41FF-9766-DCF84B49128D Property investment specialists prepare for Property Investor Show & OPP Live The Property Investor Show & OPP Live is returning to London’s Excel this week promising an even bigger programme packed with 40 seminar speakers and more than 175 expert exhibitors. Last year the show drew a crowd of almost 6,000 high-end and first time investors, savvy second-home buyers and the property... 12 Oct 2010 12:43:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2475.html 3971B66B-1A64-410A-98B3-F7BAF6F4A766 Ultimate guide for buy to let landlords The 'ultimate guide' for landlords has been published by Harriman House. The Landlord’s Handbook, endorsed by the Residential Landlords Association, has been written by Residential Landlord editor Leon Hopkins, who has drawn on the hard won experience of the website’s many faithfuls. 12 Oct 2010 12:43:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2476.html E2AC6AFE-8F25-4817-B519-CA3ECF29195D Uncertain future for buy to let investors according to new house price index A new house price index reveals activity in the market picked up by more than three percent in September. The data, gathered by LSL Property Services and Acadametrics, pinpoints this as a rise in transactions of 11.5 percent compared to the... 12 Oct 2010 12:42:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2477.html CC47E257-883E-4F66-85C9-86AD638432F3 Housing benefit cap could drive up prices and demand for London landlords Private landlords in London could soon see boroughs in the city competing for their properties. According to David Lawrenson, director of private rented sector consultancy www.LettingFocus.com, property investors with homes in less affluent areas of the capital will... 12 Oct 2010 12:42:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2478.html B79EFBD8-2FE7-4B0A-AB8B-55B662F37A48 Another landlord's nightmare as property is turned into cannabis factory A landlord stumbled upon a cannabis factory at his rented house when he made a surprise visit to the property. Police seized a total of 474 plants from the house in Bridgwater, Somerset after the owner discovered an elaborate... 12 Oct 2010 12:41:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2479.html 70BF3A10-0C8E-407C-879B-924CF933482D Buy to let landlords to challenge HMO licensing powers A scheme aimed at protecting thousands of tenants from rogue landlords may be unlawful the High Court is to be told. Oxford City Council will be the first in the country to introduce stringent new Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) rules for around 5,000 rented homes in... 8 Oct 2010 17:30:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2470.html 6D49079D-B4C8-4A6A-B73E-3E488ED0C4FF Buy to let landlords missing out by rejecting LHA tenants Landlords are missing out on a significant percentage of the rental market by refusing to accept tenants who are in receipt of housing benefit, says Landlord Assist. Under the current Local Housing Allowance (LHA) system, instead of rent being paid directly to private landlords to cover housing costs, it now goes straight to... 8 Oct 2010 17:30:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2471.html A81E8857-3182-467E-96B6-C3B26591BA0D Confidence to make property investment in housing market is falling Confidence among property owners about the outlook of the market has fallen sharply amid concerns over mortgage availability, according to a new survey. The Zoopla.co.uk Housing Market Sentiment Survey reveals that only 63 percent of owners now expect... 8 Oct 2010 17:29:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2472.html 8E0EF71C-B664-4855-80C2-FAD8AD300241 Rogue Scottish landlords face hefty fines under new government proposals Rogue landlords could be fined up to £50,000 and banned from operating for up to five years under tough new Scottish proposals to help tenants. Housing Minister Alex Neil has said the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Bill would protect the reputation of... 8 Oct 2010 17:29:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2473.html EA6EFD81-19E6-48DE-9FDD-7C189B454E8B Landlords fined more than £8,000 after putting their tenants in danger A landlord couple has been fined more than £8,000 for serious breaches of the gas safety regulations. Attulkulmar Patel, 55, and Chetna Patel, 51, from Brynmawr near Ebbw Vale appeared before Bristol magistrates after officials from the Gas Safe... 8 Oct 2010 17:29:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2474.html 429600C2-19B3-49E3-B97E-335E4E9FEBD5 Buy to let landlords can save money by keeping an eye on the detail The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is warning landlords that getting just one date wrong on a form could cost them an average of more than £15,000. The association says the number one headache among UK landlords is falling foul of legislation... 6 Oct 2010 13:50:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2465.html FA902C78-C5A7-4E84-920B-5E171D8ED9BB Buy to let landlords back Paragon's new property investment lending schemes The National Landlords Association (NLA) has given its backing to Paragon over the mortgage lender’s decision to return to the buy to let market. Paragon’s new product range is targeted at professional landlord investors in an effort to widen choice and competition in the buy to let mortgage sector. 6 Oct 2010 13:50:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2466.html 66728595-FAF4-43D6-AC1B-197DFCC54168 Landlords' money is safe with the TDA, agrees forum of lettings agents The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) is sound financially and will continue to offer cost-efficient deposit protection for agents and their landlords, was the message at the ARLA Advisory Forum. TDS chairman Professor Martin Partington told representatives of the scheme’s... 6 Oct 2010 13:49:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2467.html 6905BF31-A8DB-49A6-93BE-BAFF28B220B2 Students have to move out of property after landlord faces accusations over safety Dozens of students were left homeless when their multi-millionaire landlord was accused of failing to meet fire safety rules. They were kicked out of the new apartments after inspectors claimed the building had not had the necessary safety checks. 6 Oct 2010 13:49:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2468.html 37E52913-6F8C-4731-B403-AD6A9466D999 New tool will help landlords calculate threat of housing benefit cuts The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has launched a new tool to help landlords calculate how much housing benefit their tenants are likely to lose in planned government reforms and assess the risk of vulnerable tenants falling into rent arrears. 6 Oct 2010 13:48:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2469.html 26369543-B358-451E-9838-9D386EA5D09B Last chance for landlords to check AST status Landlords are being urged to take heed of important changes to AST rental thresholds which take effect from 1 October. Previously, in order for short term residential tenancies to be assured short hold tenancies (ASTs) the rent payable could be up to £25,000 per annum, or £2,083.33 per month. 1 Oct 2010 17:42:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2460.html 5A14F7CD-2DFC-4C46-8761-FE1158F94DCA Landlord confidence in buy to let falls for a variety of reasons Uncertainties in the housing market, a gloomy economy, finance problems and worries about unemployment are all affecting landlords’ confidence in the buy to let market. That is the conclusion of the September Landlord Confidence Index survey from Upad.co.uk... 1 Oct 2010 17:42:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2461.html F4E483C9-D1C6-46C0-8D22-564279A155D6 Paragon returns to lending in professional buy to let property investment market A range of new buy to let mortgage products has been launched by Paragon targeted at professional landlord investors. The group aims to widen choice and competition in the buy to let mortgage sector as it feels this is an area of the market... 1 Oct 2010 17:42:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2462.html 9633F29E-A383-4BC5-A0A0-E409BFCA6F91 Live-in landlord figures hit record high - and they are still going up A record number of homeowners turned into would-be landlords in August by advertising for tenants on flat and house share website Spareroom.co.uk. According to the site, the surge reflects cash-strapped homeowners continuing to look at ways to supplement their... 1 Oct 2010 17:41:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2463.html CA79CD3E-D0D9-4878-9650-5660666055D8 Landlord receives record fine for breaching HMO regulations A residential landlord has been handed a record fine for letting a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence and in breach of fire regulations. Warwick Armsby-Ward pleaded guilty to the charges at Brighton Magistrates Court and was fined... 1 Oct 2010 17:41:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2464.html AFA8E989-E386-4E2C-BAF6-78D8455AEAFB Last chance to receive free buy to let landlord survey feedback From the 1st September 2010 to 30th September 2010 ResidentialLandlord.co.uk has been running the Landlord Survey 2010 in Partnership with Rent Officers from the Valuation Office Agency. The survey responses are forming a valuable insight into the... 28 Sep 2010 11:26:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2455.html F443F341-294B-402D-B03D-DE169CDD480D 'Mature debate' over loans could affect buy to let property investment says RLA The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has voiced concerns over a call for powers to reintroduce old style credit controls on real estate investors. The RLA says it acknowledges the need for responsible lending but takes issue with Lord Turner, Chairman of... 28 Sep 2010 11:25:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2456.html 73BDC395-A583-4BD6-A14D-887115208726 There is no excuse for dishonest landlord behaviour say legal eagles Legal 4 Landlords is joining housing charity Shelter in warning the private property sector and tenants to be aware of dodgy landlords. Shelter’s new research suggests around one million people in Great Britain have been financially duped by... 28 Sep 2010 11:25:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2457.html 420526F8-F076-4A84-B392-26E313CFA2D2 Landlord claims he did not understand HMO regulations Tenants are being urged to report any safety fears after a landlord appeared in court for allowing someone to sleep in a three-storey property that did not have a fire escape. City of York Council housing department has called on tenants in houses in multiple... 28 Sep 2010 11:24:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2458.html 5BFAD558-A3D2-4341-922D-5130DADBCB43 Pensioner becomes victim of bogus buy to let landlord as he walks dogs A bogus letting agent leased a pensioner's home to a Lithuanian family while he was out walking his dogs. George Pope, 72, was unable to get into his council house when he returned because the locks were changed. 28 Sep 2010 11:24:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2459.html 4964BE0E-83B6-455E-8414-D443313B04DE Landlord and property investment associates jailed over mortgage racket A property investor who built up his portfolio by making fraudulent mortgage applications has been jailed. His independent mortgage adviser and another man have also been given prison sentences for their roles in the multi-million pound mortgage racket.... 24 Sep 2010 13:10:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2450.html 2C882D98-1F42-446A-8AC1-7DBEB19E2015 Buy to let landlords still not happy with small HMO regulation changes Landlords in different parts of the country will face varying regulations about whether planning permission is necessary to change a one-household property into a shared one. Housing minister Grant Shapps has introduced new houses in multiple occupation... 24 Sep 2010 13:10:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2451.html AF6753DA-901F-4972-BE3B-B8B0E6426E42 Mixed messages for buy to let landlords hoping to cash in on 2012 Olympics Holiday homeowners in and around the capital are in two minds about whether they are going to benefit from the 2012 Olympic Games. On the one hand they expect a boost from people looking for accommodation during the events. 24 Sep 2010 13:10:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2452.html 750413B7-91CE-4A90-B919-AEDB6C0F1F28 City landlord pleads guilty to failing to maintain properties A landlord has been fined £14,000 for failing to properly maintain some of his properties. James Warner from Leeds was fined £8,000 after pleading guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court to 13 separate charges and was ordered to pay £6,000 in costs. 24 Sep 2010 13:09:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2453.html 24211A02-195D-4B93-B99D-7B8E866AF9B4 Buy to let lender cuts down borrowing options for landlords The Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s biggest buy to let lenders, is introducing further restrictions for landlords. Landlords who approach the bank will only be offered loans for up to three properties, or up to a limit of £2 million. 24 Sep 2010 13:09:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2454.html 9798BD79-74E6-49DD-8E65-1C9DF6420C74 Buy to let landlords see rental voids hit eight-year low The average void period has fallen to its lowest level for eight years as demand for rental property remains high. The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) says that according to a survey of members, the average void period has fallen from 3.6 weeks to 3.2... 21 Sep 2010 11:59:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2444.html 613D788A-F954-4B9F-B03B-E338E977BF1F Property investment can earn you energy saving tax breaks Property investors should take advantage of a government initiative helping them to improve the energy performance rating of their homes and reduce the amount of tax they pay in the process says tenant eviction and rent collection firm Landlord Assist. 21 Sep 2010 11:59:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2445.html 46217100-400D-4F62-91C1-6675708CB168 Landlord organisations and lettings agents risk legal action over data protection says privacy watchdog The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is concerned that some lettings and estate agents are failing to notify the privacy watchdog that they are handling people’s personal financial information. It is a legal requirement under the... 21 Sep 2010 11:58:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2446.html A5952218-DF63-413F-843B-18CD93BF142A Property investment values fall again for third month running Property investors have seen the value of their portfolios dip again after property prices in both England and Wales fell for a third consecutive month in September. All in all they have lost half of the total gains they made in the first six months of the year, a new survey has... 21 Sep 2010 11:58:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2447.html 69193DB3-8784-4C65-8DF6-F81D3BFE9E87 London buy to let landlord back in court for having no HMO licence A London landlord has been hit with a hefty fine just two months after being forced to repay £37,000 in rent. Rizwan Ahmed rented out a nine-bedroom property in Fulham but did not have the House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) license needed to rent a... 21 Sep 2010 11:57:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2448.html A3097CAF-A176-4776-B5DD-7AB1220E6570 ARLA issues advice to new buy to let landlords as demand soars With 70 percent of ARLA (the Association of Residential Lettings Agents) member offices reporting that demand is outstripping supply, the body is releasing fresh advice to landlords new to the market. Ian Potter, operations manager at ARLA, wants new property investors to be aware of the essentials they should... 17 Sep 2010 17:41:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2438.html 5E929506-0399-4FA7-8582-18B0112F317B Graduates offered management training in property investment market Five of the country’s most promising graduates are celebrating after landing places on a top management training scheme run by Spicerhaart Residential Lettings. The scheme, now in its fourth year, is designed to cover every aspect of the residential lettings business from induction to management. 17 Sep 2010 17:41:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2439.html 9FC3A42D-39CC-4EB3-B6CF-6B9961E4D4BB Rogue landlords have fleeced a million tenants claims housing charity Almost one million people have fallen victim to landlord and private tenancy scams in the last three years, according to new research. YouGov surveyed 2,234 UK adults and two percent admitted a bogus landlord had duped them. 17 Sep 2010 17:40:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2440.html D0228246-6E42-410B-97D0-86B0EE477F68 Buy to let landlords urged to target students by Upad Upad is advising landlords to embrace the opportunity of letting to students as the new university year gets underway. Although with fewer undergraduate places up for grabs this year, landlords will have to work harder to attract the best tenants to their properties. 17 Sep 2010 17:40:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2441.html 8B425179-F515-481B-92FC-9614D82661D4 Four charged in alleged buy to let Four men have been charged with participating in a fraudulent business after the collapse of a property development business in York. 17 Sep 2010 17:40:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2442.html 86B06734-19D3-4F76-B9A6-9ED089CBAEA0 More property investment red tape on the horizon for private landlords Private landlords face new red tape from next month and hefty fines if they do not comply with changes to Assured Shorthold Tenancies. Until now, many tenants paying more than £25,000 a year, the equivalent of about £2,085 a month, fell outside the AST classification, but from 1October the threshold increases to £100,000. 14 Sep 2010 17:03:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2433.html 7616E1C3-4E60-4491-A3CE-BD845549A042 Survey exposes nightmare tenants for buy to let landlords Growing cannabis plants in the airing cupboard and building an extension without permission are just a few incidents involving UK tenants in the last 12 months, a new survey reveals. The Video Inventory Agency’s (TVIA) top 10 worst incidents include a tenant who... 14 Sep 2010 17:03:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2434.html 06266E4E-8962-445E-9B1C-70F551EE5931 Protect yourself with a reference website says fed up landlord A despairing landlord is urging others to use new website www.dodgytenants.org.uk to do a search for information on their prospective tenants. Launched by TenantCheck (Nationwide) Ltd, the website’s blurb claims it ‘avoids data protection issues by... 14 Sep 2010 17:03:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2435.html 1A674762-B1D6-4243-8F7D-B856FF328EBD Landlord says person who moved in 60 dogs to his property was 'tenant from hell' A landlord has branded a woman allegedly found with 50 cats, 10 dogs and a squirrel in her home ‘the tenant from hell’. RSPCA officers made the bizarre discovery at a home in Anlaby, East Riding recently, where many of the cats were reportedly found in cages and with... 14 Sep 2010 17:02:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2436.html ABDEB8E6-0FA9-4404-8238-6380FE748A9C Councils must crack down on 'small but dangerous group' of landlords says NLA Local authorities must prosecute landlords who wilfully ignore laws aimed at protecting tenants, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). A new investigation by the housing charity, Shelter, found that a ‘small but dangerous’ group of landlords are... 14 Sep 2010 17:01:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2437.html E01198E4-676E-4D5D-B5AB-86902AF2723D Supply-demand imbalance in property investment causes a flat market House prices are 'stagnating' and seem likely to fall over the next few months, according to the Nationwide building society. The news comes when experts are predicting house prices will fall in real terms to 2003 levels by 2015. 10 Sep 2010 15:33:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2428.html B59FA107-1709-4BA9-84D7-42ADEC2F0177 Buy to let landlords accept invitation to lay down the law Private residential landlords have listed the top law reforms they feel would revitalise the private rented sector. They have submitted their wish list to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in response to the Government’s invitation to identify laws that... 10 Sep 2010 15:32:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2429.html 34A94FD5-F1B4-4396-8F1A-58648065A18F Buy to let landlords lobby government over county court closures Private sector landlords are joining forces in a bid to save the UK’s network of county courts. The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is lobbying the government to re-think its plans to scrap some of the UK’s courts and RLA members are also individually lobbying the Ministry of Justice. 10 Sep 2010 15:32:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2430.html 806FB772-6649-402B-840D-4F30B488F467 Landlords could be trapped in negative equity for another four years warns NHF Landlords who bought during the housing boom face another four years of being trapped in negative equity, according to a new forecast by the National Housing Federation (NHF). Investors who purchased a property at the peak of the market in 2007 would have... 10 Sep 2010 15:32:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2431.html C61879B6-4CB6-42DA-83BC-16C30C5C4537 Landlords prefer plain English when its comes to documents The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is marking a decade of document approval from the Plain English Campaign. The association has just received formal support for the latest batch of simplified tenancy documents 10 years after breaking... 10 Sep 2010 15:31:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2432.html 44F4160A-2AAF-407C-9633-B347FB1A6156 More buy to let property investment needed to satisfy buoyant lettings market UK rents are increasing as tenant demand and a shortage of properties dominate a buoyant lettings market, according to a new report. For the second consecutive quarter lettings demand has risen at a pace above the long run average, says... 6 Sep 2010 12:58:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2423.html 3D82590D-E3F2-491A-BEE9-E40AE05BD372 Buy to let landlords pick up more tenants as 'golden age of home ownership' comes to an end Experts believe this is an excellent time to buy to let as yields and portfolio values are holding steady. The number of private rented properties in the UK currently stands at 3.2 million as ‘the in-betweens’, those on incomes between £12,000 and £25,000, struggle to purchase their own property... 6 Sep 2010 12:58:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2424.html C820157B-0A90-40A6-B19C-7FC0103C0AF9 Bogus landlord who tried to sell luxury rental property jailed for three years A tenant who posed as a landlord to sell a luxury property he was renting has been jailed for three years. Forty-three-year-old Steven Rice fraudulently sold the home in London’s Kensington and Chelsea for £1.47 million, which was just half of its real value. 6 Sep 2010 12:57:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2425.html A3753B8E-4D74-4D79-877A-D49F62977866 Letting agent up for four gongs in 2010 awards Lettings agent Countrywide has announced it has been short listed as a finalist in four categories for the 2010 Negotiator Awards. The firm has been nominated for National Estate Agency Chain of the Year, National Lettings Chain of the Year, Residential... 6 Sep 2010 12:57:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2426.html DA7A476E-344D-456D-BEC6-0122CBB6DA79 Landlord fined for breaching fire regulations in student accommodation A landlord was ordered to pay £8,500 in fines and £2,287 in costs for breaches of fire safety and environmental health regulations at his rental property. Peter Teifion Jones, from Swansea, was also hit with... 6 Sep 2010 12:57:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2427.html FA3729BA-E935-4E0D-9F56-F8F29143C2A8 Landlords stay positive as rise in rents helps overcome falls in capital gains Landlord confidence has taken a hit in the last three months, according to a survey, but 42 percent still think now is a good time to invest. Increasing tenant demand has fuelled optimism and cushioned slower capital gains, said property services company LSL... 1 Sep 2010 15:37:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2418.html B1F1A80F-DF31-4D66-9CE7-4FB84F994BD0 Any buy to let landlord offering unregulated lease options could be heading for disaster, says expert A property expert is warning tenants to stay away from landlords and companies that provide unregulated schemes offering the chance to rent a property with an option to buy it. David Lawrenson of Lettingfocus.com, a private rented sector consultant, has... 1 Sep 2010 15:36:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2419.html B605D445-3765-49A7-B707-404030E04C38 For property investment portfolio profit head to a university town Private landlords with properties in university towns may discover their portfolios are of greater value, according to figures from Lloyds TSB. The statistics show the majority of cities that are home to educational establishments have seen increased house prices... 1 Sep 2010 15:35:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2420.html 3C6474EE-AF1A-4731-B91C-C64E30A7B2F8 New scheme provides back-up for buy to let landlords A West Country company leading an initiative to combat rogue tenants has received backing from lettings agents and landlords. TenantVet, which is based in Swindon, Wiltshire, has developed a database system telling agencies whether a prospective tenant has... 1 Sep 2010 15:35:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2421.html 6AF419F7-B593-4D4F-9DAA-F6114F0A0AFE Landlords see slowdown in value of their properties but - prices continue to rise Average UK property prices were 6.1 percent higher this July than last, currently standing at £200,913. The figures published in the Assetz House Price Watch are collated from five leading house price indices - Halifax, Nationwide, RightMove, CLG House Price... 1 Sep 2010 15:35:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2422.html CC27F36E-585C-474C-9CA6-876DD9BCFD62 New landlord partnership aims to promote best practice A new initiative to bring local authorities and residential landlords closer together has been launched by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The Local Authority Network is designed to involve local councils, share information and promote best practice. 27 Aug 2010 18:18:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2413.html 847B3948-C79A-47E4-8813-ADE73935DEC2 Tenants under pressure as buy to let landlords continue to increase rents Landlords have pushed up rents for the sixth consecutive month according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services. Prices were raised by 0.5 percent in July, which means the average UK rent is now £676 and stands 2.3 percent higher than a year ago. 27 Aug 2010 18:18:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2414.html E54C421F-04E5-4CBF-81F5-211820AA50F4 Property investment activity is on the rise but right advice is essential says expert Residential property company homes4u has reported a substantial increase in investor enquiries, signalling the property market is getting back on its feet. But at the same time the Manchester-based company is calling for caution among those new to investing, following... 27 Aug 2010 18:17:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2415.html 2F2845E6-D9E7-4083-9BE1-2E127047B3CE Buy to let landlord fights back against power-stripping legislation A landlord with more than 100 properties in his portfolio is fighting back against what he calls ‘one-sided legislation against landlords’. Paul Routledge says that poorly thought-out legislation has meant landlords and their agents have become totally defenceless against rogue tenants. 27 Aug 2010 18:17:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2416.html DF5E5C8D-0556-432D-8FBC-1E2DECF544B5 TV show warning landlords of renting pitfalls features record rent arrears case Landlord Action founder Paul Shamplina has appeared in a television programme which featured cases where rogue tenants owe landlords thousands of pounds in unpaid rent. The ITV Tonight's Nightmare Tenants gives a stark warning to landlords about the dangers... 27 Aug 2010 18:11:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2417.html 2262C010-BF1A-4FB8-81BD-E6AF87C5300E Landlords should be tempted to invest more in buy to let, urges Countrywide Soaring demand for rental accommodation has led to calls for more incentives to encourage buy to let landlords to invest in the market. According to Countrywide, tenant demand is at a record high with up to nine tenants competing for each property. 23 Aug 2010 13:09:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2408.html 3065698E-9854-4771-AA59-AEE72E7A1F31 Now is a great time to be a landlord, says expert A lettings specialist is claiming there is no better time to be a landlord and advises homeowners struggling to sell a property to rent it instead. But Andrew Youd, area manager for Andrews Letting & Management in the South East recognises that the market still still has its challenges. Only 18 months ago the lettings... 23 Aug 2010 13:09:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2409.html 5D7761AE-6B13-48E6-925C-7FAB7CD1427C Buy to let loan approvals still not affecting whopping rates faced by landlords Massive mortgage fees are still being asked of landlords despite the fact there has been a surge in loans being approved. In the second quarter of 2010 there were 24,900 buy to let mortgages granted, which represents a 13 percent increase on the previous quarter. 23 Aug 2010 13:08:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2410.html E9A4B12F-9C77-44C6-BC0C-980917B8E0D0 Buy to let landlords to benefit from revised property portal A new Google-powered free to use property portal claims it will help make landlords’ lives easier. The Big Property List, an independent business, initially came under fire for publishing estate agency sale and rental listings under a Google map viewing format. 23 Aug 2010 13:08:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2411.html 1EE0612A-5907-4555-BB23-476B822717B4 Rent arrears is financial headache for landlords in more ways than one says NLA Nearly a fifth of private residential landlords had tenants in rent arrears during the second quarter of this year according to recent research published by the National Landlords Association (NLA). The new figures reveal that while one third of landlords had never sought to... 23 Aug 2010 13:07:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2412.html EF24C1C7-1875-4405-B1D6-51BA9771AA37 Online rental market soaring as buy to let landlords browse beyond the high street The buy to let market is looking buoyant for lettingaproperty.com as it has reported a whopping 938 percent growth in activity. The independently owned rental website has seen rental demand rocket since January this year with the unique number of... 10 Aug 2010 12:17:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2403.html 7D405197-B32D-4929-9ADD-8BC775FD4B38 Buy to let landlords less confident about the rental market Landlords are less positive about the future of the buy to let market than they were six months ago, according to new research. The survey by CHL Mortgages involved 622 landlord respondents and revealed that although the majority (64 percent) was still positive... 10 Aug 2010 12:17:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2404.html 5042DA89-5651-47D4-AFB4-34D753A352AA City council wins victory over student landlord in HMO licence case Birmingham City Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord who failed to obtain House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licences. David Delaney Hall from Edgbaston was found guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court of failing to apply for HMO Licences for... 10 Aug 2010 12:17:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2405.html 1665E215-2EBB-406D-B722-49928064E2CD Peers back landlords over tax rule changes for holiday home property investment The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has teamed up with a group of House of Lords peers to lobby the government on tax rule changes for furnished holiday lettings. The association has written to the peers, led by Baroness Gardner of Parkes, to welcome... 10 Aug 2010 12:17:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2406.html 10E47C6B-7D6E-44A0-AC24-8B7986AFC954 Number of live-in landlords rising as country continues to feel the pinch A record number of cash-strapped landlords are tackling the new mood of austerity by looking to turn part of their property into rented accommodation. The flat and house-share website Spareroom.co.uk has seen over 6,000 new live-in landlord adverts flood the site in... 10 Aug 2010 12:15:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2407.html 6784EBDB-E0AB-4AE6-89CD-E7024AEEED73 Buy to let landlords in strong position as rental levels hit a record high There has been some good news for landlords after one property specialist reported that demand for rental accommodation has reached record levels in the second quarter of the year. Countrywide plc has recorded that 50,480 new tenants registered with them for... 6 Aug 2010 17:38:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2398.html 64979865-91BD-4698-B7D5-65846598746C Landlords must hurry to bag a bargain before Olympics drives up prices Landlords looking to jump on the Olympics bandwagon must act fast as property prices in east London are set to increase faster than anywhere else in the capital in the run up to the 2012 games. Research for Lloyds TSB has found property prices in 14 postal districts of... 6 Aug 2010 17:37:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2399.html D25D0721-4F6B-40B4-A028-D7D97DC76060 Suspected gas leak kills two teens at rented buy to let holiday home Two teenagers have died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a holiday home in Northern Ireland. Police and Heath and Safety experts are now examining why Aaron Davidson and Neill McFerran, both 18, died at in a rented seaside apartment block in Castlerock. 6 Aug 2010 17:37:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2400.html 69AD1DA3-E718-4FEB-8813-575ECB30D50C Are you a landlord thinking of selling? Think again says agent Letting specialists Leaders are urging landlords considering selling a property to think again. The agency says the rental market is seeing exceptionally high demand and not enough rental properties to go around. According to Leaders this situation is pushing rents up and void periods are virtually... 6 Aug 2010 17:37:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2401.html 5CC5ED64-B1F4-4B2F-BD9B-FFE2017C2D58 Rental increases put Belfast on the prime portfolio map for property investment Belfast rents were pushed up an average 3.7 percent in the second quarter of 2010 says a new report. A combination of fears over jobs, worries of continued declines in house prices across Northern Ireland and a lack of bank lending are responsible for... 6 Aug 2010 17:37:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2402.html DF1F1DB3-639D-45C6-86C5-91CD96113FDF Tax overhaul could favour UK rather than European holiday let property investment Property investors are being warned to keep an eye out as furnished holiday let tax is due for a huge overhaul in the next budget. Around 20,000 owners will lose tax breaks that let them set off holiday home losses against other income... 4 Aug 2010 14:38:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2393.html EE303F65-9399-458B-A0DA-F8D2EB1D5349 Bogus buy to let landlords targeting tenants on Gumtree website A new scam on online classified website Gumtree has been uncovered by the National Landlords Association (NLA). Potential tenants, usually from overseas, reply to advertisements on the website for rental accommodation in the UK. After supposed satisfactory emails, tenants are asked to send money to the ‘landlord’... 4 Aug 2010 14:38:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2394.html C69B79AD-BB18-49F6-9444-7AC3271BC87C Buy to let landlords may decide it's best to come from a broken home Landlords thinking outside the box could consider the increasing trend of splitting their own homes in two to rent the other half. According to the most recent data collated by Communities and Local Government (CLG), there were 18.5 million separate owner... 4 Aug 2010 14:38:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2395.html C81AF519-1781-4CD9-A586-A29C2553F7C1 New loan package helps buy to let landlords bridge the gap Buy to let and commercial mortgage specialist TBMC has launched a semi-exclusive bridge-to-let scheme with Tiuta. The deal comprises a six-month bridging loan up to 75 percent of the open market value at 1.65 percent per month, while works are carried out, followed by a two-year 6.99 percent fixed buy to let mortgage. 4 Aug 2010 14:37:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2396.html BD139C2D-B311-44E8-B220-C2B372502334 Landlord refused family access to their rented accommodation on farm Forest of Dean District Council has successfully prosecuted a woman who illegally evicted a family from a property in Newent. Judith Barrington, 52, of Gunns Mill Farm, Mitcheldean, pleaded guilty to illegal eviction when she appeared at Gloucester Magistrates’ Court. 4 Aug 2010 14:36:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2397.html 201DD3F2-4189-41A1-8338-4A0511627E66 London buy to let landlords to cash in on tourist rentals during 2012 Olympics New figures suggest savvy property investors stand to make an average £4,500 renting out their homes during the London 2012 Olympics. Online firm HomeAway Holiday-Rentals say buy to let and holiday home owners could expect to generate a healthy £2,000 a... 30 Jul 2010 18:11:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2388.html F557ADC6-B902-4AFD-B218-0BB23D6A79A7 Property investment gets a boost as experts predict low interest rate is here for three years Landlords concerned about the cost of keeping up with multiple mortgage payments will welcome predictions from economists that low rates of interest are here for at least another three years. According to experts associated with Ernst & Young, the Bank of... 30 Jul 2010 18:11:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2389.html BEBD94C3-1322-4148-BEF8-B41C18B5EAFB Buy to let Landlords concerned about 'no-go HMO zone' threat for shared housing Local authorities may soon have the power to declare their own ‘no-go’ zones for privately rented shared houses. This would replace the current need to obtain planning permission if a landlord wanted to rent out an existing family home to a group of tenants such... 30 Jul 2010 18:11:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2390.html 5F8978F7-97FF-4D23-8F1B-D4154D0ACD28 Buy to let landlords in luck as mortgage struggle drives up Scottish rentals First time buyers struggling to get on to the property ladder are helping to drive up Scotland’s rental market, according to Citylets. Research from the lettings portal suggests rents across the country are continuing to rise, while the typical time needed to let a property... 30 Jul 2010 18:10:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2391.html B9BC1A1D-94B9-4296-99F0-C38084A0FE1A Landlords' financial restrictions could impact on student population A lack of mortgage finance for landlords could hit students hard, according to Landlord Assist. The tenant eviction and rent collection specialist is expecting a shortage of student lets for the 2010/11 academic year, as buy to let lending remains tight... 30 Jul 2010 18:10:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2392.html B731862E-510E-40C3-AB0B-F797507CBF1F Government moves to simplify tax rules affecting buy to let property investment A move by the Coalition Government to simplify the taxation system will undoubtedly be welcomed by residential landlords, says Alex Huxley of Potential 2 Lettings in Ellesmere. Many buy to let landlords have struggled to keep up with the numerous... 26 Jul 2010 12:36:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2383.html 5A0F8488-76D7-4831-897B-D92F3F90692C Landlords see significant drop in tenant rent arrears during Q2 A fifth of private-residential landlords have had tenants in rent arrears over the last three months, according to new research published today by the National Landlords Association (NLA). During Q2 2010, just over 21 percent of landlords experienced rental arrears. 26 Jul 2010 12:36:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2384.html C6593155-841F-4F55-BEB7-869803B46FAB London buy to let landlords see conditions improve in prime residential areas Rents in London’s prime residential market are on the rise, up 9.2 percent in the 12 months to the end of June 2010 according to the Knight Frank London Lettings Index for Q2 2010. The improving picture for landlords continued into the second quarter of 2010, with a rise of 2.6 percent in the three months to June. 26 Jul 2010 12:36:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2385.html AF3CC24C-15BC-4722-A4C3-4C4FB7C6BFEA City council gets tough on landlords and letting agents Private housing landlords have been warned that Peterborough City Council does take matters seriously when landlords fail to comply with housing enforcement notices that require properties to be brought up to a suitable living standard. 26 Jul 2010 12:35:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2386.html 1A6A973D-03B1-4AA8-A650-13CD7D9E94DF Landlord fined after failing to clear up rubbish A landlord who refused to clean up a ‘grot spot’ behind his property has been ordered to pay nearly £900. Mohammed Sharif, aged 41 and of Keppel Road in Chorlton, pleaded guilty to not complying with a legal notice, during a hearing at Manchester... 26 Jul 2010 12:35:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2387.html 735D5B65-1F40-402D-BF07-3DE2148A480A Economic downturn stops buy to let landlords financing new student accommodation A lack of finance deals available to landlords will lead to a severe shortage in student accommodation for the forthcoming academic year warns Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm. 21 Jul 2010 12:21:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2378.html 8529A6CF-789C-4405-884D-2E4E4510EF67 Rise in tenant demand boosts buy to let landlord confidence Nearly three times as many landlords reported that tenant demand was rising rather than falling during the second quarter of the year, Paragon Mortgages’ PRS Trends Report has revealed. The quarterly snapshot of the private rented sector and buy to let market... 21 Jul 2010 12:21:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2379.html A94BF8AF-589C-4C7E-BBD5-11430F6EA650 Landlords get more benefits and free advice fits from new accreditation scheme Halton Borough Council is introducing its own Landlord Accreditation Scheme to help support the Private Rented Sector and the essential role landlords play in providing housing for the residents of Runcorn and Widnes. 21 Jul 2010 12:20:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2380.html 84078F5B-540D-457D-82B3-99F8D0BEF9BB Lack of property investment in rental properties could contribute towards housing shortage warns ARLA The dearth in available rental properties is worsening, according to research produced recently by the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). Almost three quarters (70 percent) of ARLA member offices say that there are more tenants than... 21 Jul 2010 12:20:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2381.html FA11D503-F0D5-4F71-B258-425C938EEF10 Tenancy deposit firm works with landlords to draw up wear and tear guide With so much confusion among the landlord community about the rules surrounding fair wear and tear, a government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme has created a guide for landlords, offering advice on how to make a fair judgement call at the end of the tenancy period... 21 Jul 2010 12:20:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2382.html F583F700-9AD8-4214-96E1-F02459E48E16 Rental income now accounts for an increasing portion of buy to let landlord's total return The average rent in the UK rose by 0.5 percent to £667 per month in May, according to the latest Buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc. Rents have risen for four successive months, and are 2.7 percent higher than a year ago. The average UK rent is now... 16 Jul 2010 20:03:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2373.html 0C5A7F9B-9AD7-4F0E-9075-9C2E923D7320 Tenants left without hot water and heating after landlord failed to pay gas bill A ‘house of horrors’ has left the landlords at a property firm facing a bill of more than £21,000. When Leeds City Council officers made a routine visit to 61 Gathorne Terrace, Chapeltown, in August they discovered a defective fire alarm system, seriously damaged... 16 Jul 2010 20:03:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2374.html 0D5C865E-14EE-4141-B1C1-206CDDF47B13 ARMA draws up guide to help landlords cope with rules and regulations A new guide to good practice and related issues when letting leasehold flats has been published. Despite the downturn the letting of leasehold flats is continuing at a level that still gives cause for concern where the letting is not done properly... 16 Jul 2010 20:02:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2375.html 41DCCDB6-24BD-4B1E-BF60-C4A71E544680 Forum offers advice to landlords on how to make the most out of their property investment A free Landlord Forum for private residential landlords and letting agents in the Oxfordshire area has been organised for Thursday 29 July at 1pm, at the West Oxon Council Offices in Woodgreen, Witney. Topics being covered at the event include the legal pitfalls... 16 Jul 2010 20:02:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2376.html E24D7902-2273-4B24-8C30-DE84F02AC5E1 Good news for landlords in Manchester as tenant demand reaches all time high The number of tenants looking for rental property in Manchester City Centre with a local letting agent reached an all time high this month, providing further evidence that the Manchester property market is returning... 16 Jul 2010 20:01:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2377.html 0861A35C-D2DE-4AE6-9145-B3FCCA63CAEF Homeowners unable to sell their property investments should become landlords says letting specialist Homeowners with properties they are unable to sell in the current climate are being encouraged to become landlords until the market picks up again by letting specialist Leaders. Some property experts believed that the rise in ‘accidental landlords’ was now on... 13 Jul 2010 18:09:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2369.html 6EF9DAAE-F9B2-446E-BFF3-49BEEAF399D7 Buy to let landlords fear lose of rental income due to company administration Buy to let landlords who have been using a lettings agency based in Stafford are concerned that their rental income could be in jeopardy. Confusion appears to surround exactly what has happened to GDH Property Management Services, which it is feared has... 13 Jul 2010 18:08:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2370.html CCF1C6B2-E882-44E5-B0CA-77494E6294D3 Finance minister announces changes to landlord allowance in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland finance minister, Sammy Wilson, has announced proposals to reduce the landlord allowance on rates collection. The Article 21 allowance, which provides a discount to landlords who volunteer to collect all rates due on their properties and pay for... 13 Jul 2010 18:08:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2371.html EECBF08C-3981-432D-A5B2-16ACF81C298D Buy to let andlord who left house in disrepair is fined £2,000 in his absence A landlord has been fined £2,000 for failing to carry out improvements to a house that was left in a state of disrepair. Wajid Hussain, aged 35, of Redlam, Blackburn, was charged with breaching an improvement notice contrary to section 30 of the Housing... 13 Jul 2010 18:08:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2372.html 80E70C15-6D46-4A88-AEF5-9277C46F2A7C Landlord prosecuted to the tune of £42,000 for HMO failures A firm that suffered significant management failures and allowed appalling conditions at two of its HMO properties has been twice prosecuted by a city council. Premier Properties in Bradford has been rapped by Liverpool City Council over the state of two homes the... 9 Jul 2010 13:35:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2364.html 5DD5AFE9-D46B-45A3-9F1C-40D5168B4DC1 Buy to let landlords losing millions in rows over substandard inventories Poorly prepared inventories are costing private landlords millions of pounds every year in lost claims, according to shock new figures. Since the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme (TDPS) in 2007, the onus has been firmly with the landlord to... 9 Jul 2010 13:35:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2365.html 86767769-987B-4A97-8E1C-A591349C8058 Landlord who held his tenant and pregnant wife at knifepoint is jailed A landlord and his friend have been jailed for eight months for threatening a tenant with a knife and saw. Buy to let owner Paul Adams went with Simon Viggars to Adams’ property in Tunstall, Staffordshire at 3.30am and threatened the tenant and his... 9 Jul 2010 13:34:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2366.html E99876D1-F744-44C6-90CB-EA20987A042C Bogus buy to let landlord leased woman's home while she was on holiday A person claiming to be a buy to let landlord managed to illegally lease a woman’s home to eight Romanians while it was on the market to be sold. The owner Gretel Malcolm then found herself locked out of the house in Tottenham, London by the people... 9 Jul 2010 13:34:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2367.html 716D04AE-BE26-40B7-80F9-DE2473512A69 Small rises in mortgage rates causes property investment confusion Many of those with property investments are unaware of the costs of small rises in mortgage interest rates, reveals a new report says Assetz. The research conducted by the Consumer Financial Education Body discovered that three-quarters of property owners could not calculate the effect on their budget of a... 9 Jul 2010 13:33:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2368.html 4D669C59-4197-4A97-8BC5-15E89F071A13 Landlords' rents set to soar according to new quarterly report Average rents have risen a reassuring four percent in the last quarter, according to FindaProperty.com’s latest report. And with the Bank of England warning of a coming mortgage famine, landlords could be see the number of first time buyers priced out of the market and... 6 Jul 2010 17:54:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2359.html ADB4F843-BF35-4D41-938D-12628A46A921 Buy to let landlords with housing benefit tenants may have to cut rents Private landlords may have to decrease rents on their buy to let property portfolio if they have tenants who are affected by the Chancellor’s housing benefits cuts. More than one million families who currently receive housing benefit will have to find extra money in order to... 6 Jul 2010 17:53:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2360.html 04825C82-1EB2-45BB-9B74-181BB7DF0BA1 Shortage of student bed space provides opportunity for private property investment The reduction in key strategic funding will soon force universities to consider the transfer of non-core services such as student rental accommodation to private sector owners claims Savills' annual Student Housing Report... 6 Jul 2010 17:53:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2361.html 7E7607A1-07EA-426E-A3F1-59BDFF2FAA79 Buy to let landlords in London and Essex could benefit from new lettings merger Property chain Countrywide is continuing to expand and has bought the Letmore Group, a specialist lettings agency with seven offices in east London and Essex. Founded in 1999, The Letmore Group contains three lettings businesses; PMS Letting & Management Services, Forest Bureau and Churchill Lettings... 6 Jul 2010 17:52:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2362.html 737130D1-A41B-4F3A-8A03-2D2333B70332 Landlord loses credit license for failing to declare lengthy criminal record A landlord with an ASBO has had his credit license stripped from him after it was discovered he hid his criminal past. The Office of Fair Trading revoked Peter Hall’s license after learning he has 23 unspent criminal convictions, including GBH, theft and... 6 Jul 2010 17:52:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2363.html CC2D0CB7-AA96-4B87-A1AD-1D4E6567501A Modern day Cinderella wins top NLA accolade for female landlords Rags to riches survivor, Juliet Ashton-Taylor has claimed the title of the National Landlords Association’s Property Woman of the Year 2010. The buy to let entrepreneur from Gateshead threw herself into property investment after she lost everything when her marriage... 2 Jul 2010 14:17:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2354.html C8EE1E42-E0F3-4D5E-BBEE-0E87397B318C Buy to let landlords looking to increase their property investment portfolios warned about weakening market Buy to let investors will be disappointed at Bank of England figures released this week which suggest the housing market recovery may be flagging as mortgage approvals stall. The bank statistics reveal there were 49,815 loan approvals for house purchase in... 2 Jul 2010 14:17:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2355.html 0F82EC77-E90B-4AB4-8CE0-E4A4F7677531 Landlords worried about rental arrears can make use of a new insurance product A new Rent Guarantee insurance product for landlords has hit the market from Martin & Co and lettings insurance specialist HomeLet. Called the Martin & Co Promise, the scheme provides cover for missed rental payments, with 100 percent of the monthly rent... 2 Jul 2010 14:16:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2356.html 52ED8543-1FA3-41EA-9148-3F1F2688278B Buy to let landlord forced to repay rent in first case of its kind in West Midlands Birmingham City Council has obtained its first Rent Repayment order against a private landlord, recouping £7,500 of housing benefit rents collected, after he failed to secure a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence. The Residential Property Tribunal’s... 2 Jul 2010 14:16:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2357.html 848BEC3D-D743-4AF9-86DC-36706ECE6436 Landlord agrees to pay £3,500 after being reported to Equality Commission A gay man who claimed a landlord evicted him from his property because of his sexuality has accepted a settlement of £3,500 after taking his case to the Equality Commission. The case was referred to the commission by the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association... 2 Jul 2010 14:16:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2358.html B7499C35-8E43-4766-9001-86B9A87FAB23 Buy to let landlords warned to get paperwork in order as the taxman launches a crack down on property profits Buy to let landlords are again being reminded to ensure they include cash raised from property sales in their tax returns, by accountants UHY Hacker Young. The firm says it is aware HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is thoroughly investigating Land Registry records... 29 Jun 2010 16:43:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2349.html 1126C2AA-4F56-421D-9707-29441335C10C Landlord sets up new referencing service to help identify problem tenants A landlord with a portfolio of more than 100 properties is fighting back against what he calls ‘one-sided legislation against landlords’. Paul Routledge of Cadogan House Investment Properties in Weston super Mare has created www.landlordreferencing.co.uk so that landlords... 29 Jun 2010 16:43:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2350.html 5BC951B1-CD6E-49F0-941B-EB5B1316BE19 Buy to let is back with a bang as stats show mortgage lending is starting to improve The buy to let industry is surging back to health after the recession according to financial and property specialists thanks to favourable mortgage deals and rising demand. Three years ago there were 3,650 mortgages for landlords. This fell to under 180 late last year. 29 Jun 2010 16:43:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2351.html D28431EF-E678-403F-AF98-6F9ACE3B0249 Buy to let landlord fined £4,000 for renting out sub standard home A Lancashire landlord must pay more than £4,000 in costs and fines for letting his property in a sub-standard condition. Council officials visited the buy to let home in Rishton after neighbours complained and they discovered broken windows, peeling paintwork... 29 Jun 2010 16:42:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2352.html 5804600C-D23A-41B2-8EDA-3AF72CC2315C Property investment company fined over buy to let home's safety breaches A property company has been fined more than £2,000 for renting out a home with a long list of healthy and safety breaches. North Warwickshire Borough Council brought a prosecution against Berrywell Properties Ltd over its failure to carry out essential repairs and... 29 Jun 2010 16:42:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2353.html 5D0E6D71-2396-4FC7-9D21-FAE254AE3BFB Landlords react to the emergency Budget’s effect on the buy to let property market The Chancellor's emergency budget announcements have received a mixed response from those in the know in the property sector. The rate of Capital Gains Tax has risen from 18 to 28 percent for higher rate taxpayers but remains at 18 percent for basic rate taxpayer... 25 Jun 2010 12:27:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2344.html 1D6CD7EE-0754-41C6-B3B6-7BB148905233 UK buy to let property investment outstripped by Asian landlords in capital Buy to let landlords with property in the capital may be enjoying higher rental incomes but investment yields appear to have a glass ceiling, according to a new international investment report. Knight Frank has discovered Asian property investors are now... 25 Jun 2010 12:27:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2345.html 1C08BD3A-C417-4EBD-8D3A-A29A664B5EF7 Buy to let landlords poised to be cornerstone of future housing needs Privately rented homes are likely to be an even more significant key to future housing needs by the end of this decade, says the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The RLA’s comments come as a new report suggests one in five households could be... 25 Jun 2010 12:26:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2346.html ADE1B9B5-501E-4707-A891-760277499356 Landlord found guilty after failing to turn up in court Rugby Magistrates Court has fined a private landlord £10,000 after Environmental Health Officers discovered very poor living conditions and very poor management practices at a significant number of her properties. Rugby Borough Council brought the prosecution against Gillian Woods, of... 25 Jun 2010 12:26:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2347.html 7B61C958-4E60-4EAE-9E26-0CA7037BC20F Lettings agency picks up three top trophies at annual awards ceremony W.A. Ellis was a triple winner at the 2010 Lettings Agency of the Year Awards, held in association with The Sunday Times and The Times and Belvoir also picked up a top trophy. The event, hosted by Estate Agency Events at the QII Conference Centre in London. 25 Jun 2010 12:25:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2348.html 1CFC4D0B-2558-46D2-A59F-35F539431808 Rising rents provide boost to landlords threatened by planned hike in CGT Landlords concerned about the effect of a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rise on their property portfolio returns will be pleased to hear the average rent in the UK is increasing. The average rental price rose by 0.5 percent to £667 per month in May, according to the latest Buy to let... 22 Jun 2010 17:45:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2339.html 0F8BC372-4BAF-4B67-835A-D32EB15FD444 Property investment near new London rail link will not fall foul of government spending cuts Buy to let landlords who have already invested in or are considering buying a Birmingham property to take advantage of the proposed high speed London rail link have been reassured it will not fall victim to the government’s cost cutting plans... 22 Jun 2010 17:45:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2340.html 35EBE6CB-6C9C-463B-83CE-B1276CE6AF1A ARLA urges government to lessen the impact of a CGT rise on buy to let landlords The Chancellor must ensure landlords are not driven from the market by any rises in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in his first Budget, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). ARLA is calling on the government to treat private rented property as... 22 Jun 2010 17:44:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2341.html 62284998-B23D-41DF-8DB1-8155F39B23E8 No hiding place for rogue landlords in Glasgow says Scottish government A package of measures, backed by £1.8 million from the Scottish Government, is being introduced to tackle rogue landlords and revitalise Glasgow's Govanhill. A total of £1.5 million is earmarked to refurbish and redesign the backcourts of Govanhill tenement blocks... 22 Jun 2010 17:44:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2342.html 0BF113F7-165A-41B8-8F1F-9471BCB604D6 Landlord prosecuted for falling short of safety standards for HMO tenants Renting an unlicensed house that posed a significant fire risk has left two companies and their director facing a fine of £32,400. Camden Council in London kick-started the prosecution, which is believed to be the first in the borough where a defendant has been... 22 Jun 2010 17:44:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2343.html 9FA98D82-9CB5-4C2D-AB0A-2BFFFAFE42C7 NLA praises decision to drop 'well-meaning but flawed' register of landlords The National Landlords Association (NLA) has welcomed news that a register of landlords proposed by the former Labour government is to be ditched. But the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) believes private tenants and property investors will continue to suffer as it says the current system allows rogue... 18 Jun 2010 11:18:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2334.html 403C9B8B-A12C-4476-A82F-DC0AF5E1A60B Buy to let landlords could see property investment values rise as market responds to abolition of HIPs Buy to let landlords could see the value of their property investment portfolios increase due to the abolition of Home Information Packs (HIPs), according to new research. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) says 22 percent more surveyors reported... 18 Jun 2010 11:18:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2335.html E4220A47-5CF9-45C6-96B5-A3FE1F0BD853 Landlords left with hefty repair bills after more cannabis factories are discovered Three more landlords have been left with massive repair bills after discovering their rental properties were being used as cannabis factories in the past week. In Leicester a landlord found two of his houses were being used to grow the illegal Class C drug just two... 18 Jun 2010 11:18:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2336.html 0479B752-BBAF-4FD6-8FC5-7B1DFF7698E6 NLA calls upon Government to hold firm on LHA pledge to buy to let landlords The National Landlords Association (NLA) is urging the government to stick to its Local Housing Allowance (LHA) promise, enabling tenants the chance to have their rent paid direct to their landlords. Introduced in 2008 to replace Housing Benefit, LHA was intended to... 18 Jun 2010 11:17:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2337.html 7ABEC9A2-3A30-4F8E-9079-8554D3AB5D6A Jailed landlord faces £2m compensation claim by tenant who almost burnt to death A court order freezing the assets of a landlord jailed when one of his tenants nearly died in a fire at his property has been extended as the victim has launched a £2m compensation claim. Twenty-year-old Norwich woman Layla Skalli has launched the claim in... 18 Jun 2010 11:17:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2338.html A7249591-A6F3-4E2F-8FE5-F42E514804B3 Government promises buy to let landlords there will be no more red tape and regulations affecting property investments Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced he will scrap plans to introduce new regulations on private landlords and letting agents. But although the announcement has been welcomed by buy to let property investors, who believe they are already... 15 Jun 2010 17:47:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2329.html C2237300-6C30-4D47-A137-035AA6501E4F Buy to let landlords call for an end to Government's plan to raise CGT Private landlords have called on the Government to abandon plans to increase Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and instead work to reduce red tape swamping the lettings industry. That's the finding from Upad's latest Rental Confidence Index survey, which asked... 15 Jun 2010 17:47:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2330.html 709582E1-8C41-4D29-A82A-10B1A346220D Specialist claims the buy to let market will remain a strong investment for landlords Buy to let will remain a popular property investment option even if the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rises, according to independent lettings specialist Leaders. CGT is currently set at a flat rate of 18 percent but there has been speculation this will be... 15 Jun 2010 17:47:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2331.html 057B15DB-FFEF-46B0-94B2-D344FDA159D5 Good news for property investors as interest rate is put on hold again Landlords keeping an eye on interest rates payable on their property investments have seen the Bank of England keep the base rate on hold at 0.5 per cent for June. The rate has remained unchanged for 15 consecutive months and there is also no... 15 Jun 2010 17:46:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2332.html 497322BC-5DED-437A-8238-06B4802F711E Landlords being monitored as residents complain over buy to let student HMOs A city council is monitoring landlords and the buy to let market due to residents’ concerns there are so many rental properties it is affecting whole communities. New figures reveal more than half a street in York is solely occupied by students in buy to let accommodation. 15 Jun 2010 17:46:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2333.html 9BBAD515-7F58-4CB2-A168-94BA0426F5CB Landlords who rent out properties for stag and hen parties could be given ASBOs ASBOS could be imposed on buy to let landlords in Edinburgh's who allow their properties to be used as 'party flats' under new plans to crack down on raucous stag and hen groups. Labour MSP Sarah Boyack, representing the city's Central district, said... 11 Jun 2010 14:00:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2324.html 77DE76AE-0140-4AF2-927A-D607560524C5 Wealthy overseas students make West End property investment an attractive proposition A new trend for overseas students coming to study in London with increasingly high accommodation budgets is leading to an increase in landlords' rental prices. Specialist West End estate agency, LDG, has noticed there is a lack of good quality rental properties within areas such as Bloomsbury. 11 Jun 2010 13:59:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2325.html C0FF9D1A-C225-4283-BCC1-9CBE66949EE8 Landlord failed in his legal and moral duty regarding his tenants' health and safety A landlord who pleaded guilty to six charges relating to a house of multiple occupation (HMO) has been fined a total of £6,758. Wycombe District Council recently brought the case against Itlaf Hussain who rents out the property in Oakridge Road, High Wycombe. 11 Jun 2010 13:59:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2326.html 26DE5C0C-5782-4277-B412-E91F202FE348 New lettings company offers 'networking' service to buy to let landlords and tenants Landlords with a buy to let property investments in Manchester are being offered what is claimed to be a hassle-free rental and management service by Yourshack, a new lettings business. The company has developed a package which it says will... 11 Jun 2010 13:59:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2327.html 2D088216-F025-4AEA-8CAE-F234721C8DFB New guide is a 'vital tool' for landlords and letting agents A new guide has been produced for landlords and letting agents by Oxford City Council's Environmental Development service. The authority says 'Oxford Landlords: A Good Practice Guide' provides all the information needed to be a good landlord and... 11 Jun 2010 13:58:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2328.html A4D2D1C8-6B63-4667-9C0A-1C06876B66C7 Tributes paid to landlords' letting agent killed by Whitehaven gunman Tributes have been made to Belvoir lettings agent James Clark, aged 23, who was one of the victims gunned down by cab driver Derrick Bird in Cumbria last week. The reasons why Bird went on the rampage, randomly killing a total of 12 people in towns and villages around Whitehaven before finally turning the... 9 Jun 2010 18:35:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2319.html 9BF871EE-4438-4DA5-9DEA-F269319D8A6B Government should consider service provided by buy to let landlords as a business says MD As buy to let investors await the expected rise in Capital Gains Tax (CGT), due to be detailed in the emergency Budget on Tuesday 22 June, one property specialist believes the move will have a damaging affect on the housing market as a whole. 9 Jun 2010 18:35:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2320.html E1F6A1DC-0F51-4799-AA91-D2656228A23B Landlords seek to attract tenants by making homes more energy efficient Buy to let landlords have been taking steps to make their rental properties increasingly energy efficient, according to new research. Following reports from the Energy Saving Trust that people find homes with a high rating on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) a more appealing proposition... 9 Jun 2010 18:35:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2321.html A03E1784-5227-4B4C-AF4A-64EAB7BD5C0C Buy to let landlords with studio flats offered guaranteed rent by charity for homeless Brighton Housing Trust (BHT), a charity for the homeless, based in the seaside city, has launched a new and innovative scheme for landlords who rent out studio flats. BHT is directly leasing studios from landlords and agents, and are able to provide... 9 Jun 2010 18:34:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2322.html 2498D53F-503C-4DF4-BA6F-16F3FAC8C81A Landlords can help overcome negative attitude to UK's social housing situation The majority of tenants waiting on council house lists would rather consider options that allowed them to rent from a private landlord says research carried out to identify current attitudes towards social housing and view’s on how the situation is likely to develop in... 9 Jun 2010 18:34:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2323.html F6C8E25F-E3A4-4E8F-A64D-4BCABB90998E RLA chairman calls for more buy to let landlords to join CGT battle More than 1,000 landlords have already taken action to join the campaign launched by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) against the coalition government’s plans to increase Capital Gains Tax (CGT) by 40 percent in the budget on June 22. But chairman Alan Ward has warned that a slight glitch on... 4 Jun 2010 17:04:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2314.html 8664D9E2-C342-43D9-9056-BBAB0F156174 Buy to let landlord ordered to turn flats back into a family home A landlord who breached planning rules by converting a family home into three flats, has been told he must restore the property back to its original state. The owner of the two-storey terraced house in Gilbey Road, Tooting, London, must carry out the necessary re-conversion works or face legal action... 4 Jun 2010 17:04:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2315.html 7E4797E5-6B7B-4E3E-A36A-3BD97EFB9574 Landlords and holiday homeowners invited to open up their homes during 'Big Kick Off' A group of estate agents is expecting thousands of landlords and homeowners to sign up for the 'The Big Kick Off', an Open House event taking place on 5 and 6 June. Property services group Countrywide is coordinating the two-day event with 1,200 estate agency and lettings branches. 4 Jun 2010 17:03:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2316.html 549FE6D0-76F0-4781-A723-003F61C7B8AC Private rental market is stabilising but it's too early to refer to this as a 'recovery' Optimism among private landlords has risen for the fifth consecutive quarter and is now at its highest level since the financial crisis hit in 2007 says the latest study by BDRC Continental, an independent market research agency. Almost a third of the 500 landlords... 4 Jun 2010 17:03:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2317.html A0C72C57-13A4-44B7-8D10-C83AB0B5D1F4 Residential Landlord News - In brief Scottish landlords must act quickly if they want to attend the last NLA Landlord Expos being held at the Inchgarth Community Centre, Aboyne Place, Aberdeen, on 4 June, from 12-7pm... 4 Jun 2010 17:02:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2318.html A5D5051B-9CCD-493A-8956-69E05D3FB725 Decline in supply of buy to let properties pushes rents up says RICS survey A lack of supply is pushing rents higher signalling a revival in the lettings market, says the latest RICS Lettings Survey. The net balance of chartered surveyors reporting rising rather than falling rents rose from zero to 30 percent - a marked contrast to April last... 1 Jun 2010 17:34:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2309.html 764D4BA5-157F-4330-9258-6EF36C18C664 Buy to let landlords form new association to help meet demand for housing Rugby Borough Council is helping local private rented landlords form an association that will be known as the Rugby Landlord Association (RLA). It will enable accredited landlords to receive referrals from the authority. The new group wants to meet with... 1 Jun 2010 17:34:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2310.html 80DB703F-7E29-4B0B-AEA3-022A6B4EC1B4 Landlord's rent decreases will be ‘non-existent in 2010’ A lack of rental stock is pushing up the values of houses for rent and this is good news for buy to let landlords reports The Move Channel. It says that latest statistics show that at the end of March stock levels were down 41 percent on a year-by-year comparison but that demand for properties went up by 20 percent after... 1 Jun 2010 17:34:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2311.html FFBB1FD9-9932-43AA-8758-F55BA30F0DE4 Buy to let landlords with HMOs may face more licensing legislation Oxford City Council is considering introducing an Additional Licensing Scheme for landlords with Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) to cover the whole city. Council chiefs have started a 10-week consultation process on the proposed scheme that finishes on 21 June 2010. 1 Jun 2010 17:33:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2312.html ADFE7BE3-1A0D-4BEA-A828-42C42CB9F8D7 Housing scheme expanded to included buy to let landlords Private buy to let landlords are being invited to join a scheme in Bournemouth that has been expanded to give residents more choice and more opportunities to find a suitable home to rent in the area. HomeChoice, Bournemouth Council’s lettings service, was... 1 Jun 2010 17:33:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2313.html 813D4BF0-4990-43B7-954E-C411C5B58759 Value of landlords’ property investment portfolios accelerates The general improvement in UK house prices is reflected in the value of residential property investor’s portfolios, claims Paragon Mortgages in its latest ‘Trends’ research. It showed that the average value of landlords’ portfolios jumped 6.1 percent during... 28 May 2010 12:44:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2304.html DA7EED88-4A0E-4A08-A006-DEB13F2867A8 Buy to let landlords with HMOs may face more licensing legislation Oxford City Council is considering introducing an Additional Licensing Scheme for landlords with Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) to cover the whole city. Council chiefs have started a 10-week consultation process on the proposed scheme that... 28 May 2010 12:44:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2305.html 28E946C2-A09D-4E9C-8533-51D394025A2A Local authorities get behind launch of landlords accreditation scheme The recently launched national roll out of the National Landlords Association (NLA) Accreditation coincides with the news that 173 local authorities from across the United Kingdom have expressed a strong interest in moving forward with the scheme. 28 May 2010 12:44:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2306.html 288A9D04-48C1-480D-BE3D-13F93A7E5589 Mortgage experts get more precise about buy to let landlords Exact Mortgage Experts has launched a brand new lender called Precise Mortgages, focusing on the buy to let market. It will advance mortgages to investment landlords who have at least a 25pc deposit. Ian Lonergan, CEO said: "Over the last two years a fundamental mortgage shortfall has... 28 May 2010 12:43:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2307.html 28DD9238-DB48-44A9-83AC-CEF611E921FF Jailed landlord pays £20,000 compensation to tenant who almost died in fire A landlord serving a 30-month prison sentence, after his tenant almost burnt to death when she was trapped inside his property, has had his jail term reduced after he paid her £20,000 in compensation. Michael Billings, aged 55, of Ashman’s Hall, Barsham, Beccles, Suffolk, was... 28 May 2010 12:43:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2308.html D5948EEF-3872-41C9-AEBE-2CA2B1B1A21F Property investors welcome suspension of controversial HIPs scheme The suspension of Home Information Packs (HIPs) by the new coalition government has been broadly welcomed by buy to let investors and the property industry in general, although sellers will still require an energy performance certificate (EPC)... 25 May 2010 15:10:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2299.html 1838CE25-CCD6-4EAB-8D18-C740EABBB390 Residential landlord increases property investment after going back into profit Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed specialist residential landlord, has returned to profit according to its financial results for the six months ending 31 March 2010. It had an operating profit of £48m, an increase of 16 percent over the same period in 2009. Profit before tax improved to £3.5m. 25 May 2010 15:10:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2300.html B7101B07-5807-4D87-BC17-5792E1D8D32B Landlords see increase in buy to let mortgage products Having been hit hard by the recent credit crisis, the buy to let sector is fighting back according to the financial comparison site Moneyfacts.co.uk. At its lowest point in September 2009, 95 percent of the 3,662 buy to let products that were available at the peak of the market in August 2007 had been withdrawn. 25 May 2010 15:09:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2301.html 6297B5A5-2A3F-4F7B-AD28-56BCE7F652E9 Buy to let landlords must react to what modern day students want says survey The 88 percent of university students (1,180,185 approx) currently living in privately rented accommodation, provide a huge market of tenants for buy to let landlords. However, a recent survey suggests that the days of roughing it in ‘digs’ are long gone, and... 25 May 2010 15:09:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2302.html 054E6506-E3F8-44C4-8E60-969CA88164F7 New president urges landlords to use ARLA agents ARLA-licensed agents are the only way to ensure both landlord and tenant are protected says Sue Hughes-Thomas who has just been named as the letting association’s new president. She became a letting agent 24 years ago and has since worked her way... 25 May 2010 15:09:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2303.html F6F4E87C-53B5-4372-8D71-692EBA241DF4 Buy to let landlords see their rents and yields go up Landlords are celebrating improved total returns over the last 12 months as rent rose and house prices maintained their recovery in April, according to the latest Buy to let Index from LSL Property Services plc. Plus latest research from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) revealed that almost... 21 May 2010 13:26:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2294.html 6E509858-9DFC-4B23-AE9F-EE5731119A60 Value of property investments makes landlords feel better about the future Landlord optimism is at its highest since 2007 but remains fragile, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA) Landlords’ Optimism Index, published for the first time recently. 57 percent of landlords rate overall prospects for their lettings business over the next three months as good or very good. 21 May 2010 13:26:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2295.html E5A10A81-9C56-43CD-8B15-D1E3D63F2620 Increase in CGT will deter future investment by buy to let landlords says ARLA The newly formed Coalition Government’s proposal to increase the rate of Capital Gains Tax by a possible 22 percent presents a grave threat to landlords and the Private Rental Sector (PRS), according to the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). 21 May 2010 13:25:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2296.html A422710A-8B60-4561-8839-D7188266F04A Kensington sets its sights on buy to let landlords with more than one property Mortgage company Kensington has launched into buy to let with products it says will provide new opportunities for existing landlords to expand their portfolio. Kensington is targeting experienced landlords who already have at least two buy to let properties. 21 May 2010 13:24:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2297.html 2CF7A3E9-C364-4ED6-848F-4A08FF04E985 More landlords find cannabis factories in their properties The widespread problem of rented accommodation being used by criminals to cultivate cannabis plants continues with buy to let landlords having to pick up the bill for the destruction left behind. A landlord in Walton, Surrey, became concerned recently when he... 21 May 2010 13:24:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2298.html ED0F5519-20BF-4C79-9ED3-3E12234A425A Buy to let lending settles into a period of stable, low-volume activity Buy to let mortgage activity in the first three months of this year settled back to former levels, following a modest upturn in house purchase by investors at the end of last year triggered by the stamp duty holiday, according to data recently released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). 18 May 2010 17:56:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2289.html 757421C0-12FB-48A3-9178-5547B51FA36A Landlord association urges new housing minister to repeal shared housing laws The appointment of Grant Shapps MP as the new Minister for Housing in the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) in the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government has been broadly welcomed by the property industry. 18 May 2010 17:56:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2290.html 1D7D5942-339A-43AD-9241-2157AD7E5793 Buy to let property investment could bear the brunt of CGT increases warns BPF The new government’s announcement that they intend to increase capital gains tax from 18 percent to 40 percent is going to hit individual investors in buy to let properties. The British Property Federation (BPF) has reacted to the news by calling for target rollover relief from... 18 May 2010 17:55:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2291.html AFEE18A5-2901-495B-BCC1-B6FA8CF275D7 Landlord says jail may be the only answer as he has no money to pay fine A landlord told magistrates they should send him to jail as he had no way of paying a £20,000 fine they imposed after he pleaded guilty to a series of charges involving the condition of his rental properties. Magistrates heard that Ahsan Khan, aged 53, had been renting out bedsits in the Bradford area for more than 30 years. 18 May 2010 17:55:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2292.html 96662B8E-2971-4513-A745-C149F77965C2 University students are seeking out off site landlords Buy to let owners with properties in university towns and cities will be benefitting from the fact that many students in Britain are choosing to live off-campus. A recent investigation by China’s Global Times newspaper recently found that students are turning their... 18 May 2010 17:53:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2293.html 7014BEB0-3542-4767-9EE1-A3B35884F81E Property investment in buy to let market is good for the economy agrees expert The rental market is set to grow from around 12 percent at present to 20 percent in 10 years’ time. This was the consensus of the panel make up of property specialists taking part in The Land Data Great Housing Debate hosted by The Wriglesworth Consultancy recently... 14 May 2010 17:28:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2284.html E26C1CB1-F317-423C-8522-320184DD7A7B One-stop-shop on gas safety advice for buy to let landlords All the information buy to let landlords and property investors need to meet their legal duties on domestic gas is now available in one place with the launch of a new website. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with support from the National Landlords... 14 May 2010 17:28:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2285.html BB77946A-20E2-45F5-B792-AF4F0AF2D9F3 Lending for buy to let property investment set to triple by 2014 predicts analyst Gross buy to let lending is set to triple from £8.5bn in 2009 to £25.6bn by 2014 says research company Datamonitor. The company makes the forecast in its latest report UK Mortgages: Buy-to-Let Mortgages and the Rental Sector. 14 May 2010 17:28:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2286.html 90CF727E-5790-4285-90B4-DAC2F7E6E389 Buy to let landlords should beware of conflicting advice says ARLA president Letting Agent Lucy Morton of W.A. Ellis, who is also president of ARLA, is concerned that private residential landlords are getting confusing and conflicting advice from agents. "The market is very hard for some agents to call as rents have risen sharply over the last... 14 May 2010 17:27:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2287.html DDC2DD8C-3627-41E2-B324-7D75D4980C2F Female landlords gather in London for NLA awards night Business-savvy women are defying the recession, with their hard work and determination, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA), which today announced the finalists in the NLA Property Women Awards 2010. The awards highlight the most dedicated women in the private-rented sector... 14 May 2010 17:25:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2288.html 2AC18DEE-B72F-40DA-BE41-0044421D96F7 Buy to let landlord jailed after his tenant nearly burns to death in raging inferno A landlord has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after a fire in one of his properties left a teenage tenant so badly burnt she was given less than one percent chance of survival. Only pioneering skin grafting techniques saved Layla Skalli’s life after she suffered... 12 May 2010 14:20:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2279.html 3E994A46-1BD5-4F44-BC5D-C00441A16A22 Property investment still the best option says confidence tracker survey A huge 88 percent of respondents named property as the best option for investment in the latest monthly survey carried out by the Worldwide Property Group. Gold was second, with all other investment options, including shares, barely receiving a mention at all... 12 May 2010 14:19:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2280.html D6A883C6-90A8-4ED0-9DD8-864D89AAE97E TMW offers buy to let landlords up to 80 percent LTV as part of new product range Buy to let landlords and property investors believe there could be a reaction from other mortgage specialists following the news that The Mortgage Works (TMW) has increased the loan to value of its core Buy to Let mortgages. The lender, which is part of Nationwide, is offering a new product range, part of... 12 May 2010 14:19:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2281.html 7E57C8EF-0215-4CAF-A9BB-FE08597FE209 Landlord put the lives of many people at risk says fire chief A landlord who pleaded guilty to five offences under fire safety legislation has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community service. Esther Bartlett, of Plymstock, was also ordered to pay a total of £6,929 in costs by Plymouth Magistrates Court after a hearing recently. 12 May 2010 14:18:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2282.html D29F94FF-FF50-4112-8D76-53EF8D65A507 Northampton meeting first for buy to let landlords and letting agents in Midlands Private-residential landlords across the East Midlands have the chance to get free advice and find out more about changes to the law at the National Landlords Association (NLA) Northampton Branch Meeting on Monday 17 May. The meeting is the first of.... 12 May 2010 14:18:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2283.html 21D4C438-CC00-4520-88B1-E161E852B86E First ever Webinar urges buy to let landlords to act more professionally Landlords in the UK should adopt a proactive and professional approach to marketing their properties if they want to achieve business success and avoid losing money. This was one of the main conclusions drawn from the ‘Avoid the Voids’ webinar, the industry’s first event of its kind, hosted by online lettings... 8 May 2010 16:26:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2274.html A66D9234-3489-468A-9B97-5B752027180C Experts unite to air their opinions on future of PRS property investment More buy to let property investment is needed to help meet demand for housing, but if this is to be encouraged new sources of equity finance need to be found. This was one of the observations made by The Property Industry Alliance in its response to the HM Treasury consultation paper on Investment in the UK... 8 May 2010 16:26:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2275.html 9927997F-7715-4AD2-A69B-D05D83702861 Future of renting for Scottish landlords on the agenda at roadshows Buy to let landlords across Scotland have the opportunity to meet property experts during the NLA Scotland roadshows being held throughout June. With the Scottish Government intending to bring forward more changes for the private rented sector, the National Landlords Association says... 8 May 2010 16:25:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2276.html E8F5821E-F307-4003-AE5E-A5DB4FD80086 Buy to let landlord fined after ignoring Environmental Health Officers' advice A landlord who rented out dangerous and sub-standard flats has been prosecuted for failing to comply with an improvement notice served under Section 12 of the Housing Act 2004 by Wyre Borough Council. 8 May 2010 16:25:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2277.html 28885DD5-38C6-4E99-9FAA-D9323AE97838 Residential Landlord - In brief Potential tenants and buy to let property investors have been given an insight to the benefits of the new high speed commuter service from Ashford International in Kent directly to London's St. Pancras main... 8 May 2010 16:25:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2278.html AF1DB7DF-4460-40E4-BAE5-E1ED88F6F049 Buy to let landlords happy to wait before cashing in on property investments Many buy to let landlords have seen their mortgages revert to base rate trackers and are now earning significantly higher net rental income than a few years ago. As a result, most can easily afford to wait for prices to recover further before selling says... 4 May 2010 18:07:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2269.html 0FE7D82C-62BA-4DB2-8959-527439F32C64 Lack of supply, BBC, Greeks and wealthy students combine to help landlords in London's West End The rental market in London’s West End is experiencing a boom in prices, with rents increasing by around 5-8 percent from last year due to a lack of supply says LDG, one of the area’s specialist sales and lettings agents. The company also believes the redevelopment... 4 May 2010 18:07:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2270.html 0FF897A1-B3ED-4FB6-8FA7-DB58AC1D0F0E First ever ‘Question Time’ for private buy to let landlords and letting agents A first-ever Private Landlords Question Time event was hosted by Rossendale Council recently at The Riverside in Whitworth. Although Rossendale Landlords events are already held regularly, it is hoped that the ‘ Question Time' event will become a recurring feature. 4 May 2010 18:07:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2271.html 4688284D-E085-46EF-A2B1-9D2023C455E6 Lettings company taps in to city social scene to help landlords and tenants A Manchester city centre based property lettings business has developed what it claims to be a revolutionary approach to property rental by re-inventing the way tenants and landlords engage with their letting agent. ARLA registered Yourshack is the... 4 May 2010 18:06:47 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2272.html 3E03C9F2-1C65-4C58-AC76-3362D9B4AA66 BPF welcomes proposals to encourage landlords and property investment The British Property Federation (BPF) has welcomed Labour’s new housing manifesto, saying it offers a realistic and broad array of measures which could help nurture the UK’s private rented sector. The manifesto, says the government ‘would like to see more... 4 May 2010 18:05:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2273.html D4E6F416-D0D8-4A4E-9258-D860EE07BA88 Buy to let landlords use savings to meet shortfalls in mortgage repayments Void periods for rental property remain high but have stabilised, according to new figures from the National Landlords Association (NLA) supplied by research consultants BDRC Continental. In March 2010, 52 percent of landlords had experienced voids in... 30 Apr 2010 16:59:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2264.html 0218A59D-F112-44C4-9E57-43E4C88604A6 Buy to let landlord acted quickly to rectify breaches of fire safety but still faces fine A landlord was sentenced to a fine of £3,500 and ordered to pay £2,549 costs for breaching fire safety regulations despite correcting the situation within 36 hours of being alerted to the problems. Philip Penprase pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court... 30 Apr 2010 16:58:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2265.html 13C206A2-9C86-458A-AB7A-ADA3109AFDDD Relaunched landlord forum gets thumbs up The relaunch of West Lindsey District Council's Landlord Forum has been hailed as a huge success. Around 35 landlords attended the forum, which was organised by the private housing renewal team at the council. Rachael Hughes, Private Housing Renewal Team... 30 Apr 2010 16:58:43 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2266.html 8EADE240-ACA8-41A6-86A1-2EA8DAC58013 Seaside landlord threatens to end any further property investment A decision by Brighton and Hove City Council to turn down another planning application from the largest private landlord in the area has resulted in a threat never to build in the city again. Affinity Sutton’s latest proposal was for a new doctor’s surgery and flats on a... 30 Apr 2010 16:58:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2267.html 983DBCDE-889C-47F8-A749-E7058A80E710 £16m landlord registration scheme has failed in its objectives says SLA The Scottish Landlord Registration scheme which was launched to tackle rogue landlords has failed in its objectives according to a briefing paper produced by the Scottish Association of Landlords (SLA). All Scotland’s landlords have been required to register as a landlord before letting property since... 30 Apr 2010 16:58:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2268.html DE4032C0-7801-45EE-9EA3-7C184BE083BD Buy to let landlords see big rise in demand from tenants during March A record 48,332 new tenants registered for rental accommodation with private landlords in the first three months of the year, according to Countrywide, the lettings agent and property services group. Applicants in quarter one 2010 rose by 48 percent since Q4 2009 and... 28 Apr 2010 12:14:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2259.html 6E465A17-FD86-400B-AB53-4EE4FFC9BCD8 Property investment confidence grows but buy to let landlords keep a wary eye on interest rates and tax breaks Landlords across the country are confident about prospects in the buy to let mortgages sector over the coming year, according to new research from SimplyBusiness. Almost 80 percent of those questioned said they were confident about buy to let over... 28 Apr 2010 12:13:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2260.html 5C2BDA4E-E0A6-49BD-B8D2-BBADEBFD1E7A Landlords and tenants offered assistance after collapse of lettings office Humberside police have been called in to investigate whether there are any criminal charges to answer following the collapse and subsequent closure of The York and Hull offices of Belvoir, one of the franchises which formed part of the national letting chain. 28 Apr 2010 12:13:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2261.html 9706F6BB-BAB5-4CBC-BE31-B9BEA33B21DE Letting agents are failing to give landlords advice on rent guarantee insurance Only half of all letting agents discuss rent guarantee insurance with their landlords and under one-third offer to arrange it according to a survey by Let Insurance Services. This, says the company, not only fails to safeguard the interests of their landlord clients... 28 Apr 2010 12:13:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2262.html 75233B0D-0003-423E-A948-8F8201C83095 Landlord workshops held for first time in Gateshead Gateshead Private Landlords Association is holding its first Landlord Event day in Bewicks Restaurant at Gateshead Civic Centre from 10am - 3pm on Saturday, 15 May 2010. 28 Apr 2010 12:12:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2263.html 8490CF54-1945-435B-9DF5-2C5E7BAD8F14 Tenant demand sends buy to let landlords back into property investment market A growing proportion of landlords are planning to purchase residential property for investment purposes, Paragon Mortgages’ PRS Trends Report reveals. The quarterly snapshot of the private rented sector and buy to let market shows that 12 percent of landlords... 23 Apr 2010 13:43:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2254.html 224C3A55-3EF9-4F16-ACA6-EF9EE1368454 Buy to let landlords with large family homes in London see uplift in rents Large family homes are driving up rents in the capital according to the latest data from property consultants Cluttons. This is particularly true of Central West and North West London in typically family friendly areas such as Holland Park and St John's Wood. 23 Apr 2010 13:43:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2255.html 0BB870A9-75E3-4B77-BB7D-D835DBDA49FF Landlords invited to take part in first ever online 'webinar' Private buy to let landlords are being invited to take part in a free interactive debate entitled ‘Death of the Amateur Landlord - How to run your property as a business’. The Webinar, which claims to be the first of its kind, aims to tackle the problem of void periods by helping... 23 Apr 2010 13:42:51 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2256.html 1BD7F154-F56F-4CCD-BC48-583581823C1A Landlord ignored requests from HSE to check gas appliances A Sheffield landlord who failed to ensure gas appliances at a property he rented out were safe and fit for purpose has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Mohammed Ikram, of Shiregreen Terrace, Shiregreen, exposed a tenant living on... 23 Apr 2010 13:42:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2257.html A452435E-C36F-4CF3-9737-EBF0267A0F3B Student accommodation specialist in price war with private landlords Unite, the lettings company which specialises in student accommodation, is attacking the market share of private landlords by offering big discounts in several major cities according to a story on the studenthousing.co.uk website. It reported that the Unite price war is aimed at corporate rivals offering student flats but this... 23 Apr 2010 13:42:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2258.html 7D63F165-3265-4341-B8B0-95962C49BF83 Banks must be more flexible in supporting buy to let landlords says ARLA There is not enough rental property to meet consumer demand in the UK and the situation is worsening, according to Q1 research from the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). Insufficient supply of good quality property means that the private... 20 Apr 2010 16:46:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2248.html 0D67FD92-6C50-4C98-BB2F-2417F898B382 Buy to let landlords see 'beginnings of the seasonal spring surge' Landlords are enjoying changes in the buy to let market, with rising rents, rising house prices and falling arrears, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. The index states that the average rent in the UK rose 0.1percent in March to £659 per... 20 Apr 2010 16:46:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2249.html 3E6B911B-2C17-4EC7-990A-5DC4A3DA55CD Conservatives would offer best support to private rented sector states landlord survey With election fever starting to heat up, the majority of residential landlords believe that that a Conservative government would bring them the greatest benefit according to the latest Young Index survey of residential investment sentiment. 20 Apr 2010 16:46:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2250.html C7F1A0AC-EF08-4221-83A3-AAE7C5D260CD Number of loans for property investment rises but remortgaging still remains weak Although a recent landlord survey found that the majority believe access to mortgage finance will prevent them from investing in additional property, the number of loans advanced for house purchase increased by 12 percent in February, according to figures released... 20 Apr 2010 16:45:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2251.html 26D944DF-DAB5-4C8C-A1ED-ACFEB9DA51BB Shared housing debate causes row between landlord group and minister The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, has waded into the shared housing row by accusing David Cameron of "doing favours for the National Landlords Association (NLA) rather than listening to residents’ concerns." 20 Apr 2010 16:45:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2252.html 28BF7C74-8048-4D6F-B33D-E0379CAA0DBD Buy to let landlords turn to Facebook to help fight government's Use Classes Order The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is using the power of the social networking website Facebook to help tackle the government over its new planning laws that affect rented accommodation. The laws are designed to change the way that rented... 15 Apr 2010 14:31:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2243.html E25E9FE5-29A2-4BC9-AB40-2ACAE633BE41 Landlord confidence in rental market remains positive for second month running Although there was no rise in the number of landlords feeling more confident about the buy to let sector this month the outlook generally is still upbeat. Upad.co.uk’s latest Rental Confidence Index survey found that 61 percent of those surveyed said they felt more... 15 Apr 2010 14:31:03 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2244.html E4D240CF-5CC0-47D4-A066-2B1A97AD4A1E Buy to let property investment crowds out first time buyers claim campaigners A secret briefing to the then Labour leader Tony Blair revealed that a generation of first time buyers were being priced out of the market by buy to let investors, but the government chose to do nothing about it, claims a campaign group. PricedOut, the campaign for... 15 Apr 2010 14:30:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2245.html F535C3C1-64E8-4A86-B839-ACE98900765D Landlord caught breaching HMO licence after fire failed to set off alarm A buy to let landlord whose tenants only discovered that the fire alarm in their home wasn't working when a fire failed to set it off is facing a bill of more than £14,000. Azmat Anwar of 8 Brudenell Mount, Headingley, Leeds, pleaded guilty to six breaches of her House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) licence, including... 15 Apr 2010 14:30:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2246.html E4F79D3B-3977-402B-8619-F8962A055138 Residential Landlord - In brief A landlord who has almost 40 properties in Scotland has had four of his HMO licences revoked after failing an Edinburgh City Council ‘fit and proper’ person test... 15 Apr 2010 14:29:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2247.html E304370F-7B28-4E90-8708-D216365975B2 Buy to let holiday home owners could see record lettings this year Property investors with buy to let holiday homes will have seen a surge in bookings due to more people deciding on a ‘staycation’ this year claims a holiday lettings company. Wight Locations on the Isle of Wight reported a 32 percent rise last year... 12 Apr 2010 12:09:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2238.html BA6E63DD-392E-4812-AA92-9F0C647CCF71 Many landlord and letting agent agreements are out of date says student law team Students should check the tenancy agreements supplied by landlords and letting agents with a solicitor or their National Union of Students’ (NUS) office advises a report from Student Housing. It followed a survey that showed many students are signing documents that fail... 12 Apr 2010 12:09:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2239.html 247C383B-69AC-45A5-A09D-A8403BF7511E Buy to let landlords should protect their investments says advisory service The Leasehold Advisory service (LEASE) report a growing number of calls from resident leaseholders who are trying to improve their building or the way it is managed but come unstuck because buy to let owners are not willing to participate in exercising the... 12 Apr 2010 12:08:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2240.html E70F6A69-3B21-47A0-A97B-787D9D7E7610 Buy to let investors need higher level of protection says property ombudsman Britain’s property ombudsman has recommended that government ensure more effective regulation of letting agents, reports the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). Ombudsman Christopher Hamer sees this as a way to offer residential landlords... 12 Apr 2010 12:08:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2241.html C7A5BAC6-7A2A-4951-B47A-2322B4527E0E Tenant tried to claim extra benefits by lying about rents he was paying his landlord A 26-year-old Yeovil man forged details on a rent certificate and lied about the amount he was paying to his landlord in order to claim benefits, a South Somerset District Council investigation has revealed. At Yeovil Magistrates Court recently, Timothy Seddon... 12 Apr 2010 12:07:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2242.html 564C6170-CF04-4FC2-907D-8118CAB961DD Buy to let landlord petition attracts more than 1,000 signatures in 24 hours The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has praised Conservative leader David Cameron for his opposition to government proposals to use planning legislation as a way of breaking up the areas of shared student housing that surround the UK’s... 7 Apr 2010 16:23:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2233.html 9291A68C-70F8-4677-8151-A6B8225DD9D1 Forget property investment - we'd rather rent long term, say tenants The UK lettings sector is moving towards a European model that sees tenants rent over the long term as part of a lifestyle choice, according to lettingsearch.co.uk. A recent poll conducted by the lettings only portal reveals that 41 percent of current tenants cannot raise... 7 Apr 2010 16:23:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2234.html 70A495ED-C9C8-4325-812E-39B81FB3AC33 Landlords' tenancy deposits moved to new company by letting agents The recent deadline for letting agents to re-subscribe to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) brought news that Countrywide Residential Lettings has decided not to rejoin. Instead the ARLA member which has 200 offices throughout the UK, has decided to give its... 7 Apr 2010 16:23:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2235.html AF74094E-AC0F-4837-8BC7-1D44387E33C4 Buy to let landlord stripped tenants of their dignity by making them live in squalor A Fulham landlord, accused of forcing his tenants to live in squalor, has had his bid to overturn an order prohibiting him from renting out the same property dismissed. At least five people rented space from Rizwan Ahmed at 796 Fulham Road, but a... 7 Apr 2010 16:22:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2236.html 54B53DCC-709E-4378-A08B-09F05BFC5A49 Landlords and property investors offered support to help deliver quality housing A recent event designed to improve quality in rented accommodation by working with private landlords across the Selby district has been branded a success. The free event run by Selby District Council in partnership with the National Landlord Association NLA)... 7 Apr 2010 16:21:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2237.html 3226E11D-A518-423C-BEA7-C27BA85CDF40 Tory leader joins landlords in opposition to Town and Country Planning Order Conservative leader David Cameron has raised the issue of shared housing in Parliament by calling for the Town and Country Planning Order, which would limit access to shared housing, to be revoked. The government plans have previously been widely criticised by landlords, lettings agents due to... 1 Apr 2010 17:03:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2228.html 1C78E074-A456-4005-A44B-4A247486B3BC Buy to let landlords set up their own lettings company to avoid 'extortionate fees' Two landlords who are fed up with ‘fat-cat letting agents’ have teamed up to provide what they claim is a revolutionary new service. David Plaister, who is also a former letting agent, and Michael Martin, who is CEO of Quadron Environmental Services Ltd... 1 Apr 2010 17:03:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2229.html 57BF608A-D5C9-4E4B-80F2-2DF4F4301F19 Landlords charge students higher rents as they demand more claims agent Two landlords and a gas service engineer have been fined a total of £19,000 after a mother and her six-year-old daughter were severely affected by carbon monoxide. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently brought a case against brothers Robert and David Watts... 1 Apr 2010 17:02:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2230.html 9D553025-EEA2-4C77-8EBB-14C415ADFDDF Buy to let landlords providing better evidence in tenancy deposit dispute cases While 99.4 percent of private tenants’ rent deposits are returned without problems at the end of the lease period, there has been a marked shift in the outcome of disputes in the remaining cases, with landlords being more successful with claims than a year ago. 1 Apr 2010 17:02:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2231.html 8E3CE3FF-EB10-4A09-A826-9437C66D0868 Residential Landlord - In brief A landlord has been ordered to pay more than £800 in fines and costs after failing to comply with building regulations. Balvantbhai Patel of Hayward Avenue, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to five charges... 1 Apr 2010 17:02:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2232.html F5C7C934-6015-44F9-8F47-5BF60F9446F1 Election fever hots up but buy to let landlords are left out in the cold by Budget With an election on the horizon, the recent 2010 Budget was always going to have plenty of political significance, but what did Chancellor Alastair Darling have in it for landlords and property investors? Not a lot according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). 30 Mar 2010 17:57:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2223.html 98588E72-83E8-42E4-B18E-34AE29038BE7 Chancellor accussed of missing his chance to freshen up property investment market The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has accused Chancellor Alistair Darling of missing an opportunity to create jobs and add prosperity in the housing market through fiscal stimulus in his Budget.... 30 Mar 2010 17:56:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2224.html 5B5685F5-0C45-4C1B-9784-85963C908EB0 Tenants poisoned after landlords failed to service boiler Two landlords and a gas service engineer have been fined a total of £19,000 after a mother and her six-year-old daughter were severely affected by carbon monoxide. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently brought a case against brothers Robert and David Watts... 30 Mar 2010 17:56:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2225.html CDEA40E8-4295-4A0F-89D1-44965D3C2AC5 Buy to let landlords need more government help to encourage property investments The UK is in dire need of good quality rental accommodation, according to a survey at this year’s Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) annual conference. The organisation conducted the poll to assess the state of the Private Rented Sector... 30 Mar 2010 17:55:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2226.html 06A01CFE-D945-49F3-8BB5-B7DD6A5A1565 Increasing amount of red tape causes landlords to turn to management companies There has been a huge increase in demand for landlords and property investors who want to have their rental accommodation managed, claims one of the UK’s letting agencies. Townends Estate Agents, part of the Badger Holdings Group, says an ever... 30 Mar 2010 17:55:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2227.html FCEAA782-39C0-4AAE-86EA-F9043E5A242E Election and budget must not hold back buy to let property investment says ARLA The election must not be an excuse to hold back the growth of the Private Rented Sector (PRS), according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). The organisation has stressed that the PRS is a key element of the Government’s future housing... 26 Mar 2010 13:57:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2219.html C2AC6FAB-F012-4F4D-ABA1-BB8DBBF4480F Essex property investment ready for take off as airport prepares to expand Property investors with holiday homes or rental accommodation in Essex were given an Olympic boost recently following news that plans have been approved to extend the runway at Southend Airport. The proposed improvements at the airport will also assist in the regeneration of the area which in turn will... 26 Mar 2010 13:57:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2220.html 730FB456-D838-40E9-B592-DCFFAD13FC66 Landlord register to be introduced in Northern Ireland for first time Plans to significantly raise standards within the private rented sector in Northern Ireland have been announced by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. The new plans include: A mandatory landlord registration scheme, which will see landlords provide... 26 Mar 2010 13:56:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2221.html E661A930-DB2D-4D22-894A-D41A3F21143E Buy to let landlords welcome council clamp down on illegal sub letting Buy to let residential landlords in Oxford who are losing out on potential tenants due to people illegally sub letting their social housing are being given a hand by the City Council. The authority has created a new role to tackle tenancy fraud after successfully bidding for... 26 Mar 2010 13:56:33 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2222.html A4E6E9B1-7F97-47AE-A0EF-9E65F610153E Landlord told to repay £6,000 of rent paid out of taxpayers money A Salford landlord prosecuted for failing to get a licence for a property he rented has been ordered to pay back more than £6,000 of taxpayers' money. It is the first action of its kind taken by the city council and comes at the same time that three other landlords have been fined for not having the licences they require. 26 Mar 2010 13:56:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2218.html F37DB5F9-B4F0-4325-9DD8-8069BB04EC95 TLC for landlords please Darling says NLA Next week’s Budget should be firmly focused on housing and changing the tax system to encourage further investment in private residential accommodation, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). Recent Government figures showed that between 2001 and 2008 the number of people renting... 24 Mar 2010 14:39:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2214.html F44D86A2-BBC2-40A6-A550-A25636469C3F Resurgence of buy to let property investment from prospective landlords There has been a resurgence of interest in buy to let in the South, with an increase in enquiries from prospective landlords considering buying properties to rent out for the first time and those wanting to extend their portfolios, says an independent letting specialist. 24 Mar 2010 14:38:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2215.html 67D194CC-FA50-4E7B-A1BD-68AE033895F5 Landlords and letting agents get together to celebrate forum's 15th birthday Around 40 private landlords and letting agents from across Arun in West Sussex gathered to toast the 15th anniversary of their Landlords Forum this month. Glasses were raised and a celebratory cake in the shape of a house was cut by Arun’s Chairman-elect Cllr Dudley Wensley as he officially opened... 24 Mar 2010 14:38:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2216.html BCBB8D2D-570D-4D89-A8E3-F6CA856DEDFA Buy to let Landlord fined £5,000 after admitting 23 HMO offences A landlord who rented a London property in which tenants lives were routinely put at risk was told by a judge it was one of the ‘worst cases’ he had seen. Stratford Magistrates’ Court heard how Devinder Jalaf, aged 53, rented out the home for three years... 24 Mar 2010 14:37:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2217.html 6F5C8912-6260-49D0-B29F-184287D162BD Landlord told to repay £6,000 of rent paid out of taxpayers money A Salford landlord prosecuted for failing to get a licence for a property he rented has been ordered to pay back more than £6,000 of taxpayers' money. It is the first action of its kind taken by the city council and comes at the same time that three other landlords have been fined for not having the licences they require. 24 Mar 2010 14:37:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2218.html 6EB7A6CE-338A-4B6C-9958-508C7858691B Spring comes early for buy to let landlords as rents begin to rise Rents rose 0.3 percent in February, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services plc. The average rent in the UK reached £658 per month, 3.2 percent higher than a year ago, roughly in line with inflation. 18 Mar 2010 17:51:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2209.html 3146C1CD-08EA-4588-9479-2605786AB628 Retrospective rise in AST threshold could catch landlords with buy to let property investments on the wrong side of the law The Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) threshold will rise to £100,000 on 1 October 2010 and this rise will apply retrospectively according to information given to the National Landlords Association (NLA) by the government. The proposal to increase the... 18 Mar 2010 17:51:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2210.html 0F90FC6C-2B5A-4265-95F7-3C9EB33D1C4F Joint landlords both fined for failing to carry out repairs in ‘mouldy’ flats A father and son were made to pay more than £7,500 for allowing tenants to live in a damp house peppered with cracks and mould. Stratford Magistrates' Court heard were told that the four-storey house had been converted into four separate flats. 18 Mar 2010 17:51:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2211.html 95239879-27F3-4C0A-BA4F-AF114682B687 Landlords asked to rise up against government plans The Residential Landlords Association (RL) is attempting to mobilise the property industry into action to oppose government plans being introduced at the start of next month that it believes will have a negative affect on the Private Rented Sector. 18 Mar 2010 17:50:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2212.html 9E065675-6BF1-49CA-B1CF-27CF495A9395 Some buy to let investors still struggling to meet creditors' demands A sharp rise in buy to let investment casualties has seen increasing numbers of people looking for serious debt advice, warns debt solution comparison site IVA.com. The company, which has just published its latest (March 2010) data, reported a 53 percent leap in distressed buy to let investors struggling to pay their creditors. 18 Mar 2010 17:49:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2213.html 9CFE9FD0-6BD6-48F4-B5D5-E63B4611FC0E Philip Schofield would make a perfect celebrity landlord say tenants Landlords are assuming the role of surrogate mothers as new research shows tenants are making their renting decision based on the ability to offer a friendly shoulder to cry on, rather than price. Surprisingly, it is women who are more interested in traditional landlord skills... 15 Mar 2010 17:53:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2204.html C17891A2-074F-4F0F-A220-D590CE42BAF8 Buy to let landlord loses High Court battle to overturn conviction in land registry case A landlord who claimed that his local city council targeted Asian property investors has failed in his attempt to have a conviction brought by the authority overturned in the High Court. Sabz Ali Khan of Oakfield Road, Newport, had previously been found guilty of failing to... 15 Mar 2010 17:53:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2205.html 58BD93C9-DEEF-4120-938A-1D884FB9867C Seminar to help buy to let landlords deal with LHA hailed a success The first in a series of seminars on the Local Housing Allowance system given by tenant eviction specialist Landlord Action has proved a great success with a considerable number of delegates attending the event held at The Holiday Inn, London Kensington Forum last month. The seminar, held in response to... 15 Mar 2010 17:53:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2206.html 9F918A81-8D1E-42CA-BE8E-48256F0D74E5 Company targets property investors with million pound holiday homes in Cornwall Cornish Gems, is launching a new service dedicated to managing multimillion pound holiday homes owned by buy to let property investors. The properties will rent in the region of £2,000 - £8000 per week, and many have attractive luxury facilities such as home cinemas, swimming pools, saunas, gyms and... 15 Mar 2010 17:53:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2207.html E445A7E2-C93D-4FA3-882F-BF718D149B40 City landlords taken to court for failing to have the right licences A Salford landlord prosecuted for failing to get a licence for a property he rented has been ordered to pay back more than £6,000 of taxpayers' money. It is the first action of its kind taken by the city council and comes at the same time that three other landlords have been... 15 Mar 2010 17:52:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2208.html 57EC30CD-E7C1-44BB-88F5-79E822FDBCCE Buy to let landlords welcome regulation as long as it is proportionate The majority of landlords support stronger regulation of buy to let mortgages and advice, according to a survey conducted by LSL Property Services plc. But not all landlords are the same, so the Treasury and FSA must resist the temptation to impose ‘one size fits all’... 11 Mar 2010 17:47:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2199.html ADEB7D63-E3D4-419B-8880-0CFEC9CC4B57 Government must support property investment in private rented sector The British Property Federation (BPF) is holding up the recent findings of English Housing Survey as another reason that the UK should have a more professional rental market similar to Europe and America where large rental blocks exist, much like retail parks or... 11 Mar 2010 17:46:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2200.html D27F73D6-A385-4412-8229-69A88AA63F06 Buy to let remortgaging among landlords and investors continues to decline The proportion of buy to let landlords remortgaging their investment properties continued to decline in the final quarter of 2009, research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed. Paragon Mortgages’ Financial Adviser Confidence Tracker (FACT) Index, a... 11 Mar 2010 17:46:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2201.html F43C2D74-C073-40FD-851B-168C56608571 Landlord faces £25,000 bill due to his 'cavalier attitude to fire safety' A landlord and owner of rental accommodation has been fined £15,000 plus £10,000 towards costs, after pleading guilty to seven charges relating to inadequate fire safety standards. Proceedings were brought following a visit to the property in Shirley Avenue, Southampton, by members of Hampshire Fire and Rescue... 11 Mar 2010 17:46:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2202.html 53214FEE-879C-4E2C-BA79-3E610C93321C Tenant sits 'at home' to highlight new landlord accreditation scheme A Portsmouth councillor set up home in the city's main square last month to promote the local authority’s new Landlord Accreditation Scheme. Cllr Steven Wylie, Cabinet Member for Housing on Portsmouth City Council, sat in an armchair in a temporary... 11 Mar 2010 17:45:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2203.html D4DA7AC5-1C81-4F82-98D4-C5565BEFDE1B Property investment could suffer when voters go to the polls for election It could be swings and roundabouts for property investors if there is a good turnout in the coming election as history shows that this tends to cool the housing market according to estate agents Your Move. 5 Mar 2010 16:15:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2194.html DC0DF6C9-344E-4F4E-BFC1-2FA891CC336F Buy to let landlords welcome proposals to make homes more energy efficient Private renters and landlords should benefit greatly from the latest Government plans to encourage householders to make their homes warmer and cheaper, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). The Pay as You Save scheme proposal announced this week will provide cash in the form of loans to residential... 5 Mar 2010 16:15:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2195.html 9A6F1AC3-74F1-4676-AAFA-28DA614D3664 Buy to let landlords who rent out Scottish 'slums' could be targeted by 'hit squads' Special ‘hit squads’ should be set up by the local authorities in Glasgow to break the back of the slum landlord problem in Govanhill. This is the view of Scottish Housing Minister Alex Neil after an evidence session on the slum housing in the area was held at... 5 Mar 2010 16:15:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2196.html EE5B2587-E6D1-4A85-BD17-9394CA191FF5 Marital aids continue to top list of items left behind for landlords to clear up Sex toys are still the number one item left behind by tenants when they move out of a property, according to a new survey by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS). In a poll of more than 1,000 landlords across the UK, sex toys were the most frequently left behind item landlords had to dispose of. 5 Mar 2010 16:14:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2197.html 3D8B1023-0184-48F0-A54F-785229D0CB84 ARLA unveils bespoke buy to let mortgage comparison website The Association of residential letting Agents (ARLA) has launched a free online comparison site specifically for landlords and the buy-to-let market. The ARLA Mortgages service was unveiled at the 2010 ARLA Conference in conjunction with sister products... 5 Mar 2010 16:14:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2198.html A6852DC7-FE7C-46A8-9F7D-A457438FF2C1 Associations back RICS claim that national landlord register does not go far enough The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) have united in their support of a recent RICS report into Transparency in Professional Fees and how they affect landlords in the Private Rental Sector (PRS). 2 Mar 2010 17:11:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2189.html 16F518DB-003A-49B0-8F2B-5DD5C19A52D6 Lack of property developments in capital helps maintain buy to let rental values Buy to let landlords in the London area will enjoy greater yields in 2010 and are well positioned to take advantage of the current market say two property specialists. Residential property investor David Pearl and letting agent Stephen Ludlow, Director of ludlowthompson.com, agree that the fall in house prices have made... 2 Mar 2010 17:11:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2190.html 8B58B0AA-913D-47F0-A38E-D22490F65946 February sees property investments slip in the snow but prices should edge up Residential property investors saw the value of their portfolios slip in the winter snow during February with house prices falling by 1.0 percent month-on-month in February according to the latest figures from Nationwide. But the company’s chief economist... 2 Mar 2010 17:10:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2191.html 35378B5D-25F3-425A-9862-ADC40D65859A Seaside town tops list of best places for buy to let yields Blackpool is the place to be for buy to let landlords as the seaside destination topped a list of 100 towns that provide the best yields. A survey carried out by FindaProperty.com for This is Money, concluded that buy to let investors looking for the best returns... 2 Mar 2010 17:10:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2192.html 0F4FBBC6-B0E0-4C5B-8021-13AB5B4B8C51 CAB sees sharp rise in tenants who need help after getting into debt with landlords The number of enquiries from tenants seeking advice on what to do after getting into rent arrears with private landlords went up by 25 percent in the last quarter of 2009 says the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB). The charity organisation is now seeing record numbers of... 2 Mar 2010 17:10:11 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2193.html DCA6599E-C5C0-4275-BC41-D1501C41A6B1 Tenants turn to private buy to let landlords due to decline in homeownership The number of people renting privately from buy to let investors in the current economic climate continues to grow as government figures recently published in the English Housing Survey show that just 67.9 percent of English households now own their home, the lowest percentage since 1991. 26 Feb 2010 16:24:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2184.html DD517F3D-689C-4487-9CEA-8DBB49D47250 Rise in number of buy to let holiday home customers Buy to let holiday home rentals will continue to grow in popularity in the coming year, according to HomeAway UK, the holiday rentals specialist. In its latest Marketplace Report the company found that 89 percent of travellers surveyed plan to stay in a rental in 2010. 26 Feb 2010 16:24:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2185.html C7F63CA8-94BF-4109-898F-E0049A6A6CB3 Public Protection Team looks out for property investments in disrepair A team dedicated to cutting the number of sub-standard homes in Liverpool has successfully prosecuted a landlord who defied enforcement action. He is one of 514 property owners to be served with similar notices in the last year. 26 Feb 2010 16:24:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2186.html 2D3A8AAC-CD97-4CF9-8A1B-B80AA2FA978A Property investment confidence begins to recover in Scotland House purchase activity in Scotland continued to pick up in the final three months of 2009, according to new data released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders today. There were 14,200 loans for house purchase in the fourth quarter (worth £1.6 billion), up... 26 Feb 2010 16:23:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2187.html 66E3BA73-6A66-481E-AB3A-3FB946CA66A6 Property specialist goes on tour to help landlords with LHA problems Paul Shamplina, director and co-founder of Landlord Action, has received so many calls from frustrated landlords regarding issues with Local Housing Allowance tenants that he has decided to hit the road. The company, which specialises in providing... 26 Feb 2010 16:23:17 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2188.html B2C2BDDC-BD18-49F3-BEE3-44F33B1EF0A1 Government must stop tying buy to let landlords up in red tape The buy to let sector is becoming over-regulated says tenant eviction and rent recovery specialists Landlord Assist, one of a growing list of organisations who are concerned by the growing amount of red tape. The firm’s comments come following potential measures outlined by the Government’s housing minister... 24 Feb 2010 11:22:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2179.html 24F58B31-36F8-4718-A6F9-F4B59164BE83 Foxtons order has wider implications for letting industry and landlords says OFT The OFT has secured a final High Court order against Foxtons Ltd preventing the agency from using certain terms concerning sales and commissions in its letting agreements with consumer landlords. More widely, the OFT is also writing to a number of letting agents... 24 Feb 2010 11:22:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2180.html 5ED4809F-C8DF-484F-997A-6E409BC9E8C1 Landlord fined for renting unlicensed student digs with inadequate fire safety A buy to let landlord who rented a house to six students that was only suitable for four people has been fined £3,000. Medway Magistrates recently convicted George Partou of operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). 24 Feb 2010 11:21:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2181.html FEEC8CDE-E821-419F-8D19-93854F2C28A9 No room for landlords in Birmingham who fail to comply with the law says councillor A private buy to let landlord who was fined after failing to obtain House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licences from Birmingham City Council also turned down the opportunity to apply for the right documentation when offered the chance after the court case... 24 Feb 2010 11:21:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2182.html F04C114E-5BA8-46D1-B9C8-CEC07D3D775A Two buy to let investors prosecuted after claiming benefit for non-existant tenants A Luton landlord has been given a 12 month Conditional Discharge after being convicted of a benefit fraud offence. Alan Brown, aged 66, of 17 Runley Road, Luton, appeared at Luton Crown Court recently and pleaded guilty of a charge of failing to notify a change... 24 Feb 2010 11:19:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2183.html C4A89E90-8A12-4FCA-94DA-988CEA080012 Buy to let lending increases but still way down on previous years New buy to let lending increased for the second consecutive quarter in the last three months of 2009, according to figures released from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There were 25,800 new loans advanced in quarter four, up from 23,700 in the third quarter but down from... 19 Feb 2010 16:49:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2174.html 2B8E7E60-8B0F-4ED0-83E5-1DA035B65C90 Landlord allowed HMO to be used in a dangerous and dirty condition A landlord has been convicted and fined a total of £5,700, including costs, for keeping a house in a dangerous and dirty condition for tenants. A £15 victim surcharge was also imposed. Greenwich Magistrates Court’s decided that Janet Osei, the landlord of the house in... 19 Feb 2010 16:49:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2175.html 6041B42D-A2FB-4A31-897E-3316A5AC65A6 Phantom buy to let landlords fleece prospective tenants The Citizens Advice organisation has issued a warning about an internet scam in which ‘landlords’ get prospective tenants to make a ‘secure’ money transfer to start renting a property which then turns out not to exist. The national charity is urging people to take extra care when searching for rooms or property... 19 Feb 2010 16:48:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2176.html 10ACFC6D-06A8-44FC-8860-DD3682CF3893 University funding cuts will affect students looking for buy to let rental accommodation Buy to let landlords could lose out through the cut in University funding as it could alter the type of accommodation demanded by students as tuition fees and the number of international students increases to alleviate funding shortfalls, new research from... 19 Feb 2010 16:48:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2177.html 7A0A1FC9-194F-4BD2-8A39-684CEA5E222E Buy to let regulatory proposals for property investment 'are barking up the wrong tree' The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has come out against a proposal to extend ‘conduct of business’ regulation to buy to let lending which was suggested following a Treasury consultation which would... 19 Feb 2010 15:00:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2178.html C289ED98-3D7D-48A2-8806-ED1606A4DF16 Steady rental income and capital growth is the way forward for buy to let landlords Yields on residential property fell to 4.75 percent in January as rents slipped while property prices powered ahead. This is the lowest level since August 2008, according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services, which operates a network of UK... 15 Feb 2010 18:35:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2169.html 02932783-31A9-424D-8AF7-B95510270C55 Landlord fined £15,000 for unsafe conditions at HMO A landlord who attempted to claim that it was exempt from HMO licensing regulations has been fined £15,000 after Lewisham Council prosecuted him for leaving his rented property in unsafe and dangerous conditions. Paul Banks who owns a four-storey house in... 15 Feb 2010 18:35:15 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2170.html C8ABCE05-FBF0-45E9-A58A-C12986421688 Plans for private rental sector are impractical says Landlord specialist Landlord Assist has joined the growing list of property specialists who are critical of the Government’s latest proposals to make the private rental sector more transparent. The organisation says the plans aimed at providing private tenants with more help and protection, which include setting up a new housing... 15 Feb 2010 18:34:58 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2171.html 3BDB647F-E244-4D12-B677-AED63569C7D3 Landlords' confidence in buy to let market continues to grow Landlords and property investors are feeling more confident about the buy to let market says the latest Rental Confidence Index compiled by Upad.co.uk. Its poll found that 57 percent of UK landlords are more upbeat about buy to let market in... 15 Feb 2010 18:34:41 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2172.html 8CDBBCF5-C231-4AA8-8A4F-45FCE798DCD1 Rental demand means more opportunities for buy to let property investment There has been an increase in demand for rental accommodation at the start of 2010, with demand outstripping supply in parts of Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Dorset, reports letting specialist Leaders. 15 Feb 2010 18:34:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2173.html 9273D120-94C1-4653-B54C-F8D375CE1A97 Increased criminal activity in buy to let properties leaves landlords out of pocket Landlords’ properties are being targeted by criminal gangs as a cover for illegal activity, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). Privately-rented homes across the UK are being used as a smokescreen to grow cannabis in homemade ‘factories’, and produce the harmful drug... 10 Feb 2010 10:44:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2164.html 46F7000D-892F-4807-97C4-297BB44A672F Buy to Let Landlords still facing growing arrears claims eviction specialist Tenant evictions instigated by buy to let property investors ARE on the increase despite recent statistics saying the contrary claims Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection service. According to statistics released earlier this... 10 Feb 2010 10:44:00 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2165.html 088B8431-6888-469C-AC8E-937C31780BF3 New buy to let property investment mortgage to help with refurbishments A new buy to let mortgage product aimed at investors looking to purchase or refinance properties in need of refurbishment has been launched by Mortgages for Business. The Refurbishment Mortgage will, says the company, provide a one-stop-shop deal for this... 10 Feb 2010 10:43:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2166.html 5E85AE2C-01D2-45C0-BE06-3E117800035D It's going to be a lucrative 2010 for buy to let landlords says letting specialist A lack of available properties to let is making prospective tenants make decisions quicker and the most sought after buy to let properties in the current market are one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom houses, according to the lettings department at... 10 Feb 2010 10:43:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2167.html AFEF9215-2B1F-43AC-8F53-B1F517A23949 Property investment specialist and his family attacked in their home A buy to let property investment specialist, who reportedly became a multi-millionaire before part of his company collapsed last year with massive debts, has been the target of a violent assault and robbery. A masked gang of six forced there into the Lancashire home of... 10 Feb 2010 10:39:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2168.html E414E929-0FDA-44B3-BCDA-2F8D65FC1C3F Landlord association accuses government of 'jumping its own gun' over HMOs Deplorable and draconian is how the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is describing new government measures that will have an affect on how and where people can live. The Association has joined a growing band of organisations which are... 5 Feb 2010 17:19:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2159.html F85A435B-603E-499C-B2AE-E3ABCCA8A346 Buy to let landlords relax payment rules to keep their properties occupied In the current housing market, landlords are doing all they can to keep tenants in their properties - even if it involves more leniency towards late rent payments, claims a new survey by easyroommate.co.uk. From 2004 until 2008, the number of tenant evictions rose... 5 Feb 2010 17:19:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2160.html A5EB0DD2-687A-4475-9AE2-4A748116AB5D Landlord put tenants’ lives at risk by ignoring gas defects warning A landlord put his tenants’ lives at risk by allowing carbon monoxide from a kitchen boiler to leak into his rental property even though he had been warned there were defects by a gas installer. Graham Barnes, aged 49, from Bicester Road in... 5 Feb 2010 17:19:10 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2161.html FCEF105B-7586-46B8-895D-290599C226E6 National Park will attract more customers for buy to let holiday home owners Buy to let holiday home owners from East Hampshire, and East and West Sussex are set to benefit from an increase in tourism and a significant rise in the value of their properties when the new South Downs National Park is created on 31 March this year. 5 Feb 2010 17:18:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2162.html FF800607-F718-4D57-AFBC-395DB7150D31 Residential Landlord - In brief Despite the furore surrounding the price increases being imposed by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the legislation introduced in April 2007 is working, according to the National Landlords Association (NLA). 5 Feb 2010 17:18:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2163.html EF3482FB-12E3-4C0C-A04F-675CA7E8A996 Buy to let landlords find it difficult to find property investment finance Half of landlords who want to expand their portfolios are being frustrated by the lack of mortgage finance according to a survey conducted by LSL Property Services. The poll found that 49 percent of landlords surveyed said the current market is attractive for... 2 Feb 2010 12:44:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2154.html BFBBD2E4-C87E-424E-B8AC-F37358FF5AC8 Government is using a 'sledgehammer to crack a nut' over HMOs claim landlords The National Landlords Association (NLA) has roundly condemned the Government’s recent announcement which will reduce the supply of shared housing. In a statement, Housing and Planning Minister John Healey MP revealed plans which will require planning... 2 Feb 2010 12:44:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2155.html 222A7CFB-37CA-4802-B3ED-CA011398073B Clarification needed over how courts deal with buy to let repossessions The danger that courts may order outright possession to lenders if landlords fail to pay a buy to let mortgage raises cause for concern says the Residential Landlords Association. The organisation made its comments after the recent second reading of Bolton MP Dr Brian Iddon’s private member’s bill which is aiming to... 2 Feb 2010 12:43:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2156.html 032C3E7F-10C4-49BF-90CF-57D11A1972E2 New guidance released by FSA on sale and rent back property investment The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has welcomed the new rules and guidance to provide full protection for consumers in the sale-and-rent-back market which were recently published by the Financial Services Authority (FSA)... 2 Feb 2010 12:42:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2157.html 826C90CF-3533-421D-A0B8-102052D9CDCC Letting agents consider making formal complaint over new TDS fee structure Another lettings specialist has criticised the new Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) fee structure and the way it has been introduced to the people and organisations it will affect. While the TDS maintains that the new charging system is necessary to... 2 Jan 2010 12:42:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2158.html 69E1DBF2-8FE5-45D4-96BA-4D1B2D47AC90 Buy to let investors are crucial part of UK's future housing needs says BPF Private rented landlords will be called on to fill Britain's housing gap, delegates were told at this week’s British Property Federation (BPF) annual housing conference in London. The latest research from Hometrack found that the gap between social housing and home ownership has increased significantly... 29 Jan 2010 14:13:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2149.html 38BAF18A-979F-41BC-917A-0064750FF8DB More powers over HMO landlords to be introduced New powers to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords are to be introduced. The announcement was made this week by Housing and Planning Minister John Healey who confirmed that... 29 Jan 2010 14:13:40 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2150.html 364170D7-F79D-4633-8958-8B439C267A5E Absent buy to let landlord ignored improvement notices A buy to let landlord has been fined £2,000 for failing to carry out an improvement notice served on a house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Wales. Carmarthenshire County Council brought a prosecution against Balasubramanian Pulendrathasan and he was... 29 Jan 2010 14:13:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2151.html DAE4F9CA-63FF-484B-9FA7-0C621EFE877D Record fine for landlord whose property posed threat to mother and her children A record fine of £6,000 has been imposed by St.Helens Magistrates on a buy to let landlord for not dealing with housing hazards at his rented property. Paul O’Shaughnessy, of Grange Road, Haydock, rented a house in the same town to a young... 29 Jan 2010 14:12:57 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2152.html 36D7FA31-14EE-48CF-8A5F-D055BDFA3E2C Residential Landlord news - In brief A man who converted part of his shop into flats and rented them out without adhering to building regulations has been ordered to pay out more than £1,500... 29 Jan 2010 14:12:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2153.html DF679EEC-BA4F-4691-B2BB-A6C2C0537E05 New TDS pricing structure confuses letting agents and buy to let landlords The National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) is calling for urgent and unequivocal clarification for its firms with regards to the new pricing structure being introduced by TDS (The Dispute Service). Caroline Pickering, Chair of the organisation, said... 27 Jan 2010 16:16:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2144.html EBC4353E-73FE-47CF-808F-EDDB9538D0A8 RLA declares war on bogus statistics that 'darken the reputation of landlords' One of the UK’s leading professional bodies for private sector landlords has launched an attack on often ‘downright false’ statistics that it says can darken the reputation of landlords. The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) cites the example of how... 27 Jan 2010 16:15:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2145.html A4F96EF4-831D-41D7-9C3E-7C31521A022C Reluctant tenants are being forced to rent rather than buy say landlords The UK housing market is experiencing a trend of ‘reluctant tenants’, following a shift in supply and demand for properties, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). ARLA’s research, conducted across UK letting agents and landlords... 27 Jan 2010 16:15:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2146.html 5C50612B-F65D-4204-819D-296EAF6A9D84 Study student property investment and reap buy to let rewards Where can buy to let landlords find high yields, strong nationwide rental demand and a sound cash-generative investment. The answer is by investing in student accommodation says property specialist Assetz. Student accommodation has always been one of the... 27 Jan 2010 16:14:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2147.html CD5C49B7-D03A-4A29-BBE1-1D55425C5072 Landlord converted house into flats and rented them out without permission A landlord who illegally converted a Haringey house into four flats and rented them out has been fined £3,000. Costas Charalambous, of Maida Vale, London, W9, was also ordered to pay £1,780 in costs by Haringey magistrates... 27 Jan 2010 16:05:09 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2148.html AF262F7B-E626-4A75-BA88-1E846133DF11 Buy to let landlords risk financial ruin or prosecution warns London Fire Brigade Buy to let landlords who own houses of multiple occupation (HMO) should beware as the London Fire Brigade believes many of them still don’t have enough understanding of how changes in the law made three years ago affects their premises. 22 Jan 2010 17:22:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2139.html B06C4E3A-AB40-44F7-A0EE-CF4946065114 Tenants deny murdering landlord whose dismembered body was found dumped The gruesome details of how a landlord was stabbed to death, hacked to pieces and then had his body parts scattered across two counties have been described to a jury in the murder trial involving two of his tenants... 22 Jan 2010 17:22:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2140.html BA5F1966-263A-4F26-B15E-FFDE0DD04DBA BPF conference raises property investment questions for buy to let landlords The question over whether buy to let mortgages should be regulated will be among the topics being discussed at The British Property Federation Residential Conference being held on Wednesday, 27 January, at Allen and Overy, 1 Bishops Square, London. 22 Jan 2010 17:22:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2141.html 72861701-395D-4253-9B33-D6C2EB390AB5 Landlord asked to help find 'tenants' after flat fire uncovers cannabis factory Police have asked a landlord who owns flats in Dorset to assist with information on the tenants after a recent fire uncovered what has been described as a ‘large scale cannabis factory. What appears unusual about the operation is that it involved a number of flats in... 22 Jan 2010 17:21:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2142.html F8F24E98-2A12-47BF-924F-307D7AF700E8 No price rises on 2010 Mydeposits assures buy to let landlords Mydeposits.co.uk, the pay-as-you-go insurance-based tenancy deposit protection scheme, has told buy to let landlords in the private rented sector that it has no plans to increase prices during 2010 despite an announcement by The Dispute Service (TDS) that its costs are going up by 23 percent... 22 Jan 2010 17:21:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2143.html 53E8AC02-BCAA-4AF5-BF42-9B36FCE58FA6 Interesting year ahead for buy to let market says property investment company Landlords enjoyed a 7.6 percent annual return on their investments by the end of December 2009 according to the latest Buy to Let Index from LSL Property Services. The value of their properties rose 3 percent in the year while rental income after void periods added a further 4.6 percent. 19 Jan 2010 17:53:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2134.html 59B35AC7-0E5D-461B-918A-7445013E0C36 Student union wants more protection from dodgy buy to let landlord practices Leeds University's student union has welcomed a decision fine a rogue landlord who showed a disregard for housing regulations but still believe tougher legislation is needed to safeguard tenants. The union’s comments follow a court case involving... 19 Jan 2010 17:53:36 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2135.html 1A0DE851-BACE-4B63-A643-847F8AA790B3 Sharp rise in cases of overcrowding and sub letting in buy to let accommodation A tenant eviction specialist has seen a 15 percent increase in the number of overcrowding cases it has had to deal with during the last year and believes it is a direct result of the recession. Landlord Action also says that London has more cases than anywhere else in... 19 Jan 2010 17:53:21 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2136.html 2B3E6622-F20D-48F4-A7AB-709FC8044588 Property investment in student accommodation set to pay dividends An unprecedented demand for student accommodation has resulted in the Liverpool Beacon Hill privately owned Hall of Residence being sold out within two days. The 45-unit building generates net yields of 10... 19 Jan 2010 17:52:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2137.html CA68C9BB-3DD8-41E2-B4E8-29AA21E9EE88 Landlord told he could face jail if fines are not paid A London landlord has been warned he could be given a jail sentence if he fails to pay a £13,000 fine imposed for not having the necessary licences for his bedsits. It follows an unsuccessful appeal by Chuba Obi of Avenue Road, Enfield to overturn the outcome of an earlier hearing in July last year which found him... 19 Jan 2010 17:51:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2138.html 3EBDC9A1-C6CD-4A20-B1D0-743446427AF8 Britons turning to buy to let says minister Fewer Britons are choosing to own a residential property and are turning to private landlords and the rental sector for accommodation said Housing Minister John Healey when he addressed the Fabian Society recently. The Minister also announced the government is to release a further £290 million to help build almost... 15 Jan 2010 15:24:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2129.html 74DE8B16-7601-425F-B72A-6A337C1C1BCE Property investment red tape continues to head list of concerns for landlords Regulation tops private rented sector landlords’ list of concerns for 2010, research from Paragon Mortgages has revealed. Nearly six out of 10 (58 percent) landlords said that they were worried about the level of regulation required in relation to the running of their property... 15 Jan 2010 15:24:05 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2130.html 55D1F40D-FE8D-4C88-B219-6CFF18A1B706 'Tidy returns' for buy to let investors in 2009 says property services company Buy to Let is back as a property investment class according to David Brown commercial director of LSL Property Services following the release of the recent DCLG House Price data. Brown said: "Landlords lost £23,000 in capital in 2008 on each property. 15 Jan 2010 15:23:18 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2131.html 5E91FE50-156E-4AF1-9183-A26A5E2EE6DE Record fine for landlord after he fails to put right 'catalogue of housing hazards' A landlord has been fined a record £6,000 by St.Helens Magistrates after the court heard of a catalogue of housing hazards at the property the rented out in Haydock to a young woman and her two children. St.Helens Council’s Environmental Health... 15 Jan 2010 15:22:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2132.html B15B2142-C5D5-4EA3-A2C0-873EE0DA3C12 E.ON's Landlord's pack can help make properties more energy efficient E.ON UK, the power and gas company, has become a Recognised Supplier of the National Landlords Association (NLA). Landlords can also take advantage of E.ON’s new Landlord pack. It is an online tool that highlights how landlords can benefit from... 15 Jan 2010 15:22:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2133.html 02BAEE71-685B-44A9-9498-19C25B8B2C09 Landlords face triple whammy over right to obtain possession of property A landlord's right to obtain possession automatically under Section 21 is being called into question according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). Since the 1980s a Landlord who has followed the correct procedures has been able to obtain possession once the tenancy has ended and, says the RLA. 12 Jan 2010 17:34:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2124.html 1BF1D4DF-01AC-4FFF-B9F3-5A2BA77AD314 Majority of buy to let property investors still positive about future of market Specialist lender, CHL Mortgages, has revealed the results of its first quarterly survey of landlord customers in which they were asked their views on the current state of the buy to Let market, thoughts on the future of the sector. 12 Jan 2010 17:34:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2125.html A3933473-1A22-4554-A668-ABE9C411FB3C Landlords face backlash from tenants who have used 'plastic' to pay rent Tenant defaults could soar over the next year amid reports that up to one million households have borrowed money on a credit card to pay their mortgage or rent over the past year, says tenant eviction and rent collection firm Landlord Assist. 12 Jan 2010 17:33:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2126.html 4C02EA41-CABA-4438-BFAA-CD1CBDCEF56C Buy to let Landlord fined for not checking safety of gas fire The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has again warned landlords to be extra vigilant in ensuring the properties they own contain safe gas appliances that are correctly checked and certified. It follows the recent sentencing of landlord Helen Jayne Beckett, of... 12 Jan 2010 17:33:34 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2127.html AB3B8C28-C1DC-42A4-9631-1F3A0B427FE0 Suspended sentence for landlord who tried to illegally evict student tenants A landlord who has been letting properties to students for 30 years has been handed a hefty total of fines and a suspended sentence for not maintaining the standards of the shared accommodation and for failing to have the necessary licences for two of the 30 properties... 12 Jan 2010 17:32:54 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2128.html 71EE6C8D-C69E-49FB-B0AA-DB20B481A694 Fall in house prices brings new cash-rich investors to buy to let market The fall in property prices, and meagre returns from savings accounts due to the current interest rates, have attracted people who are cash rich to become new landlords in the buy to let property investment market. 8 Jan 2010 17:48:45 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2119.html 1114E209-EA0E-46B2-AE0B-CFD24EC6B902 Homeowners consider selling their property investment due to 'worry and stress' Around 1.75 million homeowner's state they would now consider selling their home and renting because of the affect the housing market crash has had on property investment, according to new research from Unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website. 8 Jan 2010 17:48:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2120.html 4A32C18A-6F16-4B55-B17F-2C4B8A5FBE02 Buy to let market remains consistently strong says Leaders After an eventful 2009, January is still proving to be a busy time for landlords in the Buy to Let market according to letting agents Leaders. The independently owned company has found that although the sales market picked up during the course of 2009... 8 Jan 2010 17:48:14 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2121.html 386186F8-E3B2-47B1-8485-0A285BDEA6F3 Time landlords have to wait to reclaim housing allowance rent arrears cut in half Residential landlords who rent to housing allowance claimants can now start action faster against those who fall into rent arrears. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has ruled that when a tenant has already skipped one month’s rent. 8 Jan 2010 17:46:31 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2122.html 2E24E178-BE3B-4174-8F2B-B9B243A961FB Foxtons makes plans to appeal decision over 'unfair' renewal fees for landlords Any hopes that But to Let landlords and property investors would be able to claim back 'unfair' renewal fees charged by agents following last year's high court ruling against Foxtons have been put on hold for the time being as the letting agent's has announced it plans to appeal against the decision. 8 Jan 2010 17:45:20 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2123.html EA43AE79-65DA-4896-B04F-6EA4920B60DE A year in the life of being a landlord - 2009 reviewed The National Landlords Association (NLA) has taken a sideways glance at the ups and downs in the private-rented sector over the last 12 months. JANUARY: The beginning of 2009 sees difficult conditions in the property sales market. As sales grind to a halt increasing numbers of ‘reluctant landlords’ enter the private-rented sector. 5 Jan 2010 12:11:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2114.html 55D0A6E2-679B-4D4C-BDE7-316C1242A165 Buy to Let landlords find out if they are winners or losers Buy to Let landlords and investors who have been selling their properties have been given an insight by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) into whether they are winners or losers as far as the stamp duty holiday is concerned. 5 Jan 2010 12:11:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2115.html D4F3349D-35B6-4C40-ABBD-79B62C13E2FC Value of property investment begins to rise after 'annus horribilis' As 2009 drew to a close, speculators in property investment were able to breathe a sigh of relief compared to this time last year due to the fact that property values across the nation rose by £39.1 billion in 2009. Although on the face of it, this increase is... 5 Jan 2010 12:11:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2116.html 342A8098-F5D8-40DD-9F3B-CF11560BA9AE Landlord fined £1000 for accommodation with a catalogue of problems A landlord has been fined for renting a house to a young female tenant even though the property had a catalogue of problems including rotten windows, damp, lack of heating and broken fittings. 5 Jan 2010 12:11:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2117.html 2D89FCBA-1159-4830-B90A-C4128AEA4A5A Residential Landlord - In brief Grant Bovey, whose company Imagine Homes and its subsidiaries went into administration with debts of more than £50m last year, has been ordered to pay back more than £1m to creditors of his failed buy-to-let empire according to a report in The Times newspaper. 5 Jan 2010 12:10:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2118.html C45CB669-CF7D-458D-8006-06E4A5C67033 2010 set to be a strong year for buy to let landlords 2009 saw buy to let re-emerge as an attractive investment for landlords, according to LSL Property Services, which owns the UK lettings agent network which includes Your Move, Halifax, and Reeds Rains. 21 Dec 2009 15:44:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2109.html 6958507A-4105-4736-9F06-201D69ADD18C Government to consider reinstating right to have LHA rent paid direct to landlord The National Landlord Association (NLA) has welcomed the announcement that the Government will explore the reinstatement of tenants’ right to choose if their rent can be paid directly to their landlord. ‘Supporting people into work: the next stage of Housing Benefit reform’... 21 Dec 2009 15:44:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2110.html Landlords are becoming more confident in future of buy to let says new poll Are you more confident or less confident about the buy to let market than you were last month? This is the question Upad put to 233 UK private landlords as part of its first ever Rental Confidence Index. 21 Dec 2009 15:43:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2111.html 366B96DA-1B3E-42A2-B062-AC5E51AF0B87 Landlords see value of property investments start to increase A modest increase in the number of properties coming up for sale is having little effect on the housing market, as prices continue to rise, says the recently published RICS UK Housing Market survey. For the sixth consecutive month, more Chartered Surveyors are reporting that the number of new... 21 Dec 2009 15:43:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2112.html 4CAEE829-B51B-4904-9601-B8EAE2E75966 Tenant was illegally evicted by landlord's son A Pendle landlord’s son has pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court to unlawfully evicting a tenant from his Nelson property. Junead Hussain of Nelson admitted to forcibly removing Peter Boothman from his father's rented property on Vaughan Street in the early hours of 3 December 2008. 21 Dec 2009 15:20:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2113.html A4CA47D5-B80B-49FA-A33B-D49AD4E1EA26 Buy to let returns exceed deposit accounts for first time since credit crunch began Landlords have seen the mini-boom in the rental market over the summer pause for breath, says LSL Property Services in its latest Buy to Let Index. The company, which claims the UK's largest lettings agent network, reports that while house prices in November chalked up their seventh successive monthly gain... 16 Dec 2009 12:51:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2104.html A94F76C4-5610-4DD1-9606-77FECDD0CAD2 Landlord standards will become an even greater issue in 2010 says ARLA While 2009 was a difficult year for the entire property market, 2010 looks likely to present an even greater challenge for buy to let landlords in the private rented sector (PRS), according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). 16 Dec 2009 12:51:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2105.html A5813E5B-4338-4F63-A4C5-B1EBE0D505A1 Unchanged CGT in pre budget report gives glimmer of hope to buy to let investors Comments continue to pour in about the chancellor’s pre budget report and how it will affect the buy to let landlord, and the property industry. Many mention the disappointment over the removal of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday as it had been hoped that. 16 Dec 2009 12:51:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2106.html 14AB0B23-04D8-40CF-864F-C775C029E635 Property investors face a two speed mortgage market The number of loans for house purchase in the UK reached 55,000 in October, its highest level since December 2007, according to new data released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The amount of buyers has risen from a trough in January 2009 when only 23,000 loans were advanced. 16 Dec 2009 12:50:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2107.html C9935F54-ACCB-4F7E-9E04-A5E7ABA065C5 Stamp Duty and EPCs are private landlord 's most hated laws The latest findings from research agency BDRC’s quarterly survey of 500 private landlords reveal that. If you are a private landlord, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SLDTand Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are your two least popular pieces of legislations according to... 16 Dec 2009 12:47:50 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2108.html 798B43A6-A241-4E62-9824-D6A9733D0CF5 Pre-Budget Report will not encourage property investments says FMB The Pre-Budget Report doesn’t provide property investors with the tools to fulfil the Government’s ambition to make the UK’s 26 million existing homes greener and more energy efficient, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said... 14 Dec 2009 11:48:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2099.html B4FA1E3B-6289-42D3-8002-7BEA87381CF6 Christmas cheer for landlords in lettings market Landlords and letting agents are experiencing high levels of activity in the run up to Christmas, with 65 percent of consumers currently looking for new lettings accommodation still hoping to move in before the end of the year, according to a poll conducted by... 14 Dec 2009 11:48:23 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2100.html DA2B12BC-0DE7-4F2A-BED6-B6B1F5D7A56F Urgent overhaul of LHA needed says National Landlord Association The National Landlord Association (NLA) is still pressing the Government to make immediate major changes to Local Housing Allowance (LHA). The latest research carried out by the NLA shows that total rent arrears across the UK relating to LHA could be as high as £220 million. 14 Dec 2009 11:48:06 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2101.html BA0252E2-22ED-474C-820B-C4059F841249 Recession and legislation helps improves image of buy to let landlords The traditional image of the ‘greedy’ buy to let landlord has improved as a result of the recession says Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction firm. During the property boom period, the public perception of landlords was one driven by greed, with many UK... 14 Dec 2009 11:47:48 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2102.html 8F5F89B5-A892-41A8-BB42-991A3097870C Buy to let landlord's property turned into a brothel A woman who rented a property from a buy to let landlord in Leeds has been using it to run a brothel under the guise of a massage parlour. It was discovered after a police decided to search of the Phoenix Massage Parlour after seeing it advertised as a brothel on the... 14 Dec 2009 11:47:24 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2103.html 4EBEF051-3911-4F56-8581-AA9B54A17699 Buy to let investors can expect rents to start rising says RICS Lettings Survey Surveyors expect to see rent rises in the New Year as the number of rental properties coming onto the market fell for the first time since January 2008, according to the recently published RICS Lettings Survey (3rd quarter 2009). 7 Dec 2009 13:45:49 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2094.html C7900DBF-A735-429C-813D-A552F4DEEFD8 Tenants should prepare for the return of a landlord's market Tenants who have managed to negotiate rental discounts or taken the opportunity to trade up over the last 18 months should prepare for the return of a landlord ’s market, says FindaProperty.com. According to their November Rental Index, the average UK rent rose by 0.1 percent to... 7 Dec 2009 13:45:27 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2095.html 798BA21D-BC91-4F9B-AADE-ABCDDC2EA510 Landlord pleads guilty to failing to provide safe access for pregnant woman A private landlord has been prosecuted for persistently ignoring enforcement action prohibiting the use of one his rented flats in Derby. Rajinder Narroya, aged 36, was letting a flat that could only be accessed via a steep 'makeshift' metal staircase to a pregnant woman. 7 Dec 2009 13:45:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2096.html DE2EE58D-0D4D-4AAD-A115-A0C0F689CED5 Government launches crackdown on tenants who sublet council homes Tenants who are fraudulently earning thousands of pounds a year by unlawfully subletting their council properties at higher rental rates are facing the first ever national crackdown. The fraudsters often use the money raised to live somewhere else but... 7 Dec 2009 13:44:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2097.html D4BF958D-84B4-429C-BE81-9178495DF0E8 Scottish council exceeds average number of buy to let landlord registrations Fife Council's Private Landlord Registration Team registered more than 7,000 landlords in Fife in 2008/09, the local Housing Partnership was told at its recent meeting. Housing and Communities Committee and Fife Housing Partnership Chair, Cllr. Brian Goodall, expressed his delight at the... 7 Dec 2009 13:44:32 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2098.html 1B2D054B-5C34-44B6-8297-7DC0DF497E26 British Gas teams up with buy to let investors as a recognised supplier British Gas has joined forces with the National Landlord Association as part of the NLA’s Recognised Supplier Scheme. The firm will join 17 other NLA Recognised Suppliers in providing landlords with the products and services they need to run their lettings business and ensure they meet their legal requirements. 2 Dec 2009 15:39:35 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2089.html 947FBECC-72A7-450B-AA36-5AE5111FD5E1 Top tips to help landlords keep their properties rented out In the current market buy to let landlords are keener than ever to ensure their properties are rented out. And it is equally important to all landlords to keep costs down while finding good quality tenants. To help landlords, the online company Rented! has drawn up... 2 Dec 2009 15:39:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2090.html 2047195E-0D49-4737-9BEA-7113CB08E5E3 Letting specialist makes a bid to help property investors buying at auctions What mistakes do property investors often make at auction? How can buy to let landlords spot a bargain? And, how can you ensure that you’re investing in a money spinner - not a money pit? The specialists at Belvoir Lettings have come up with some advice on tips to help investors avoid the auction pitfalls. 2 Dec 2009 15:38:59 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2091.html 1FAF7E72-8642-4385-ADCC-AF8B2CBB4455 NALS encourages buy to let landlords to offer 'Lets With Pets' The UK is well known for being a nation of animal lovers, with more than 43 percent of the population owning pets. And, there's now a great opportunity for lettings agents to encourage a landlord to embrace ‘would be’ tenants that they might have previously... 2 Dec 2009 15:38:37 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2092.html 3B756C50-C342-42C4-9E74-00259DC00352 Residential Landlord - In brief The rental market is in the middle of a rectification adapting to supply and demand as the sales market continues to see further improvements. Caroline Kavanagh, Group Lettings Director at... 2 Dec 2009 15:38:16 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2093.html 095EFF60-8C42-40B7-A47E-CC5507F9B3A1 Landlords and agents angered by TDS subscription increases The starting gun has been fired on a deposit protection price war, according to mydeposits.co.uk. The recent announcement by The Dispute Service (TDS) of the ‘likely severity of the subscription increases’ will cause concern for letting agents and landlords... 30 Nov 2009 13:01:19 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2084.html C7ECC54E-E0AA-4F87-84FB-EAB1B651A753 Landlord chief tells minister - 'If you think regulation, think again' Ian Austin MP, Minister with responsibility for the private-rented sector, was rigorously questioned about government plans to introduce a national register of landlords after his speech at the National Landlord Association (NLA) conference this week. Landlord delegates from around the country were... 30 Nov 2009 12:59:44 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2085.html 93385DE0-657B-4BC2-B7F3-04B8F617B78A FSA regulatory scope over buy to let mortgages is unclear claims CML The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has a mixed response to Treasury's proposals to extend the scope of FSA mortgage regulation to cover second-charge mortgages, buy to let mortgages, and the sale of mortgage books to third parties. 30 Nov 2009 12:59:29 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2086.html A4ADB762-CCBA-4982-8BBD-54CBC7F5542B Good news for buy to let investors as demand continues to rise Early indicators for 2010/11 show that student rents will continue to rise by 5 percent while high-end studios, particularly those in London, will remain static without any falls. These are the predictions reported in the Knight Frank Student Property Review 2009 which said these findings compare favourably to other... 30 Nov 2009 12:59:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2087.html 9DD259CB-2C47-4D7A-B5B2-726F7EC72713 Landlords must learn from 2009 taking advantage of 2010 opportunities Although falling house prices in 2009 offered some potential for landlords to develop their portfolio, overall it was a challenging year for the private rental sector according to James Davis, founder and CEO of Upad.co.uk, the online lettings agent. 30 Nov 2009 12:59:02 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2088.html 4B66EBF1-5522-4361-98E4-0AF8C46118C0 Buy to let landlords must meet demands says power company People looking to rent homes are becoming increasingly energy savvy, according to new research from E.ON, one of the UK’s energy suppliers. E.ON’s poll revealed that 75 percent of UK tenants see the energy efficiency of a home as the key factor when it comes to choosing somewhere to live... 25 Nov 2009 15:54:01 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2079.html 53D3CFF6-5088-44EB-912D-46A0D45FA5FE Plumber handed suspended jail sentence after giving landlord false information A plumber who signed the landlord’s gas safety record using a false CORGI registration number has been given two suspended prison sentences and 100 hours community service for endangering homeowners’ lives in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. 25 Nov 2009 15:53:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2080.html 769AF628-D90D-4EFF-9233-71A25D75BEB7 Don't take a chance over fixtures and fittings says National Landlords Association Inventories should not be seen as an optional extra says the National Landlord Association (NLA), which has just launched a new service to help with this aspect of the rental business. By not taking a proper inventory at the start of a tenancy, landlords are taking risks with their money, warns the NLA. 25 Nov 2009 15:53:28 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2081.html 3E282DD0-8DF9-4812-9A3C-9C5DC075F270 Buy to let investors team up with property organisations to campaign over Stamp Duty The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) and the National Landlord Association (NLA) have teamed up with several other property organisations to campaign for the government to modernise Stamp Duty. Other partners in the 1808 Coalition... 25 Nov 2009 15:53:12 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2082.html 47502844-1A59-4D5A-B095-B3CDC6BDE150 Landlords given advice on how to tell if a property is being used as a drugs den At what point do you start to suspect your tenants of using your property as a cannabis factory? This is the question Jonathan Daines, co-founder of website lettingaproperty.com put to a Merseyside landlord who recently found out his tenants were in fact... 25 Nov 2009 15:52:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2083.html 879F22CA-733E-4BE0-8AA6-E3482BBE72D3 Buy to let landlords see rents increase due to strong tenant demand Rental supply has plunged by 20 percent in the last quarter due to the market going through a sharp correction in the balance of supply and demand, according to figures from a leading lettings chain in the UK. Over the last two years there has been a... 22 Nov 2009 15:29:07 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2074.html AA3E797C-0343-44AE-A9E7-C66AEEED1022 Landlord costs set to increase warns eviction specialist Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction firm, fears new regulations for social housing landlords could lead to a similar approach - and therefore more bureaucracy - in the private rental market. The Tenant Services Authority has announced plans to introduce a new ‘regulatory framework for social housing’, which details the standards required of landlords. 22 Nov 2009 15:28:46 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2075.html 5DE379BC-BBE4-4AC9-BE41-DDDA4F15B695 Investors wait to see what effect end of stamp duty holiday will have on prices Buy to let investors face a return to the previous bands for stamp duty when the current holiday ends on the 31 December 2009. But this could have a detrimental effect on the recovery of the housing market in regions that are already lagging behind, according to the latest... 22 Nov 2009 15:28:25 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2076.html F3135815-2197-40B8-A820-5CD7330AECD4 Man who helped form NLA stands down as director The National Landlord Association (NLA) vice chairman John Socha is stepping down as a director of the organisation at its Annual General Meeting on 20 November. Socha joined the Small Landlords Association (SLA) in 1996 and became its... 22 Nov 2009 15:28:08 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2077.html B4079E3D-3FDF-409A-95AF-3181C35BB582 Buy to let investors are avoiding new build properties claims letting agent Although buy to let investors are increasingly optimistic about the recovery of the housing market they are avoiding new build flats more than ever, reveals research by one of London’s lettings agents. 22 Nov 2009 15:27:53 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2078.html 984A1B72-5B27-48E8-9838-9AEBE2C5489F Latest CML figures prove that buy to let 'is here is to stay' Gross lending in the buy to let mortgage market grew in the third quarter for the first time in two years, according to data published today by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). At £2.1 billion, lending was 10 percent higher than in the previous three months. The third quarter also saw a similar first increase in... 17 Nov 2009 16:04:55 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2069.html 6B554629-87AB-4B28-9C3C-A07AF5CA1A22 Landlord group criticises North East city councillor for vendetta against students The National Landlord Association (NLA) has strongly criticised Cllr. Ron Armstrong (Liberal Democrat, North Jesmond) for continuing his vendetta against the City's student population. It follows his explanation published on the Jesmond Residents' Association... 17 Nov 2009 16:04:39 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2070.html 08B71D0E-A91A-40AB-AF21-9622C2236791 Letting agent expelled for not protecting deposit paid by tenant to landlord A London agent has been expelled from the Property Ombudsman scheme after a complaint concerning the rental side of the business resulted in a £1,600 fine which (at time of writing) the agent has not paid. The firm, which lists properties both for sale and rent... 17 Nov 2009 16:04:22 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2071.html 6AD17E00-6AB3-4842-8D88-331F5E05F603 Housing minister reaffirms that property repossession must still be the last resort The Government is increasing its efforts to help struggling property owners get a grip on their finances and avoid the trauma of repossession, by extending a campaign offering impartial free advice, tightening rules to ensure repossession is always the... 17 Nov 2009 16:04:04 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2072.html E7688975-0C23-4C87-8D2B-3ACA0764E617 Buy to let landlords with higher earning tenants bear brunt of economic slowdown Residential landlords who rent out more expensive flats and homes to tenants with higher incomes are facing growing arrears, according to Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection service. While it is easy to assume that lower income... 17 Nov 2009 16:03:42 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2073.html 6F1BEF1F-5242-42AD-B585-E24C03C94D7C Council tells buy to let landlords with empty properties - use them or lose them Haringey Council has stepped up enforcement action on owners of empty houses that have been abandoned for a long time, telling landlords that if they don't use them they might risk losing them. The authority has issued its warning to landlords prior to this year's... 13 Nov 2009 17:24:52 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2064.html F5E606BD-DA10-41B1-A2D9-3FB9EBCF444B Landlord opened new block of flats for students without HMO licence The Unite group, the UK's largest student accommodation landlord, has admitted it cannot explain why the company did not apply for a full HMO licence for a block of flats already being used in Scotland. Tenants started moving in to the 81 flats, which are... 13 Nov 2009 17:24:30 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2065.html FC9FABF7-F6FE-4B03-91E7-56C965DF440B Anger over proposals to make landlords responsible for tenants’ unpaid water bills Landlord Assist, the nationwide tenant eviction and rent collection firm, is outraged by the Walker Review of Water Charging which suggests that residential landlords could be made liable for unpaid water bills left by departing tenants. 13 Nov 2009 17:24:13 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2066.html 82ECDD23-156E-4993-9DCF-A8210E92B541 Buy to Let investors offered advice on how to reduce void periods in winter December is historically the quietest period of the year for Landlords and Letting Agents and one specialist operation says it is already seeing signs of the rental market slowing. There has been a gradual decline in property searches over the months of... 13 Nov 2009 17:23:56 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2067.html 6C370951-5BAE-4677-9D32-2BFC58E114F5 Property investors with IVAs may be forced to extend terms of their contract Property investors forced to take out IVAs due to the slump in the economy and housing market are among those being urged to seek advice as falls in property values may affect their ability to discharge their debt. Debtors who were relying on the equity in their... 13 Nov 2009 17:23:38 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2068.html 9ECA8C28-8143-4455-B6B5-687CAB8ADBCD 2010 Buy to Let and rental market will be governed by borrowing ability Landlords will need to be increasingly open minded as unemployment remains challenging and some tenants may well be in a position where they do not have a spotless credit history. This is one of the conclusions from Caroline Kavanagh, Group Lettings... 11 Nov 2009 16:26:26 GMT http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/news2059.html CE6820D0-2A08-412A-8405-DBCE82E28372 Welcome to a new world of 'socially aware' buy to let landlords says newspaper The economic downturn has unearthed a new type of ‘socially aware’ landlord which is good news for tenants, claims a recent article in The Times newspaper.