Minimum rooms sizes proposed for HMOs

Minimum rooms sizes have been proposed by the Government to tackle overcrowded homes and drive out rogue landlords in England. Also included is an extension of mandatory licensing parameters, a tougher ‘fit and proper person’ test and storage requirements. The proposals form part of the Government’s consultation paper Houses in Multiple Occupation and residential property […]

Bad news for lettings sector in amended Homelessness Bill

An industry group has analysed changes made to the Homelessness Bill and has concluded that far from being something it could support, it is now bad news for the private lettings sector. The Bill, which shortly goes for its second reading in Parliament, was moved by Bob Blackman MP and had been supported by industry […]

Shelter research reveals four in 10 UK homes are not habitable – but who is to blame?

The failure of landlords to renovate their properties has created a “snowball effect” that has resulted in homes not meeting acceptable living standards, according to a London estate agent. Jon Werth, managing director of LiFE Residential, said: “The main culprits are private landlords across the nation, and their complacency towards the housing market. They fundamentally […]

Up to 70% of eviction notices could be illegal, says law firm

A large share of buy-to-let landlords trying to evict tenants are being delayed in doing so by defective Section 21 and Section 8 notices, a law firm has claimed. Danielle Hughes from North West solicitors Kirwans has seen a sharp rise in the number of private landlords facing delays, in some cases of more than […]

Council takes property off rogue landlord

Waltham Forest Council has taken the unusual move of taking over a property due to the landlord’s ‘complete refusal to operate responsibly’. The Interim Management Order (IMO) means the council will now manage the property on a day-to-day basis. It took the decision due to overcrowding – more than 16 people lived in the property, […]

Calls for the government to drop stamp duty

Independent estate agent, Haart, is calling on the government to cut stamp duty in order to provide a boost for house buyers and get the property market moving. The call accompanies publication of the latest haart market monitor. According to the latest report from Haart, house prices in September have fallen slightly by 1.1%, pushing […]

Buy to let rebellion gathers pace against council licensing plans

Agents and landlords in one of the country’s most politically-volatile cities are preparing to meet the local council to protest at a string of licensing schemes – and the buy to let investors say they will take their case to the Local Government Ombudsman if required. In recent months Bristol’s Labour council has introduced a […]

Disappointment for landlords as court rejects full judicial review of BTL tax

Landlords represented by Cherie Blair have failed in their legal battle against planned government tax relief changes for buy-to-let homes set to be introduced next year. The campaign group Axe the Tenant Tax, led by private landlords, Chris Cooper and Steve Bolton, went to court seeking a judicial review because they believe that attempts to […]