Renting – House Critic

Free BTL book

Diane — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:36:43 +0000

Free BTL book – limited offer but register now for a free copy of this btl book.
‘Successful Property Letting’ is written by expert property consultant David Lawrenson, ‘Successful Property Letting: How to Make Money in Buy-to-let’ (RRP £9.99) is a must-read for any potential investor. It offers easy-to-read, practical advice on every aspect of being a landlord from legal responsibilities to dealing with difficult tenants.

All private tenancies to be registered with council

Diane — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:40:36 +0000

All 257 private rented properties in the Little Ilford ward of Newham, London, have now been licensed.  The ward, which has been designated a Neighbourhood Improvement Zone, is seen as just the start by the council. It wants to extend the scheme to cover the whole of Newham. Consultation is currently under way.

In Little Ilford, the council is using the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation to tackle landlords who flout the conditions of their licences.

Story on Landlord Today

This is the same Newham council which wanted to move 500 families to Stoke!

Newham Council press release about this story – Newham Council achieved the milestone earlier this month (May) in Little Ilford. That ward – which has been officially declared a Neighbourhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) – is seen as just the start by the council. It wants to extend the scheme to cover the whole of Newham. It would become the first borough in the country to license all private landlords. Consultation is currently underway.

Will this improve rental properties in the area?
What is their overall aim of the scheme?

Is a further burden of regulation needed in the private rented sector?

Social housing TV program

Diane — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:23:36 +0000

Documentary about social housing

Series 2 of Neighbourhood Watched
Series following Britain’s housing officers. Ivan takes on an abusive tenant who claims he is being victimised, and Linda investigates a suspicious smell. (R)

Tenant is allowed to keep one pet and now has 4 lizards, a bird and a dog.

English Housing Survey shows problems

Diane — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:29:35 +0000

English Housing Survey (EHS)
Shows that a third of private rental homes ‘have safety hazards’
Government housing report says almost 40% of converted flats and older properties have category 1 hazards, which can cause death, burns and loss of limbs

Article on Guardian

Document here goes into detail of what hazards are and how to spot them – covers all sorts of things

Low EPC houses to be banned

Diane — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:48:14 +0000

“From 2016, any tenant or their representatives asking for their landlord’s consent to make reasonable energy efficiency improvements cannot be refused. From 2018, the rental of the very worst performing properties—those rated F and G—will be banned through a minimum … Continue reading →

Why landlords have no excuse not to insulate

Diane — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:38:05 +0000

It’s shocking some of the a stories people tell of landlords refusing to put in even basic insulation in lofts, let alone cavity walls.

There’s no reason why they shouldn’t as there are grants and schemes available.
The Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance page at Direct Gov is worth a look – if you’re renting and think your house needs more insulation then send the link to your landlord.

LESA is a tax allowance (not a cash payment) that allows you to claim up to £1,500 against tax every year.

Part of me wonders what other businesses are subsidies like this though.

Thousands Homeless by Christmas

Diane — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:33:21 +0000

Thousands could be homeless by Christmas

I don’t understand this quote though: “Social landlords are already reporting a rise in rent arrears following the government’s move to reduce housing benefit earlier this year.”

Do people on LHA in council accomodation also get the room rate applied? I thought ‘
LHA rates are used to calculate housing benefit for tenants renting from private landlords’ and don’t apply to social housing.

See What does the LHA scheme cover?

EU changes to BTL mortgages planned

Diane — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:38:50 +0000

Instead, EU proposals would bring Britain into line with Continental practice and force lenders to assess BTL in the same way as mortgage applications by owner occupiers on their prime residence; that is, the main criterion would be the borrower’s earnings.

Telegraph blog for the full story
Article well worth a read if you’ve got any interest in the buy to let market. This would be a huge change for many BTLers.

Interestingly there’s a Buy-to-let bounce with loans up 16% -story at landlord today

The number of new buy-to-let loans shot up by 16% in the third quarter of 2011,…

LHA to make landlords pull out

Diane — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:54:17 +0000

This is a mildly amusing article presumably aimed at frightening the government into increasing rent paid under LHA. (Local housing allowance).

3/4 of landlords will stop renting to LHA tenants says a survey by Landlord Today.

Interesting to see who they think they will be renting to.

If hundreds of landlords get rid of their LHA tenants, then who will take their places? Are there really enough working people looking for flats who will be willing to pay more?

Rogue Landlords

Diane — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:09:44 +0000

Deal with Rogue Landlords – Have you heard about a rogue landlord? Let Shelter know at this special section of their website