September 2015

The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell MP, has today given his speech to the Labour Party conference. During the speech he referred to cutting “billion pound tax breaks given to buy to let landlords” and called for action to “control exorbitant rents.”…

Important changes have been made in real estate agents and landlords, just weeks before the politeness of the law on deregulation. The main changes actually take place in section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 or known as Section 21 Notice. Michelle Cox for the faithful readers of Eye has specially written introductions which specifically […]

Responding to the Government’s new figures outlining the scale of homelessness in England, David Smith, Policy Director for the Residential Landlords Association said: “The rise in homelessness is deeply concerning and today’s figures ultimately remind us again of the desperate needs to build more homes across all tenures. It shows also the pressing requirement for better resources for advice and homelessness services…

New research has shown that over sixty per cent of private sector landlords face being pushed from the basic to higher rates of income tax as a result of Government reforms. In his Summer Budget, the Chancellor announced that from 2020, mortgage interest relief for residential landlords will be restricted to the basic rate of income tax…

As of October 1st 2015, landlords will face a number of changes relating to service of Section 21s. To help keep landlords up to date with all these changes this guide provides answers to the most frequently asked questions around serving a Section 21 notice after the Deregulation Act. It is important to note the […]

The Government has published the Immigration Bill 2015 / 2016.This Bill carries with it a number of implications for Landlords. The Bill is intended to clamp down on illegal immigration, tackle the exploitation of low skilled workers and sanctioning those that enable exploitation. Landlords checking the immigration status of potential tenants is being seen as a way to reduce exploitation of immigrants; especially those travelling illegally, by not allowing migrants to rent their property without the appropriate documentation…

The RLA has discovered an error with key regulations recently published by Government. Sector-wide support suggests just how badly the situation is being handled in Westminster. As usual, while most complain the RLA gets stuck in and challenges what others simply allow to happen. The RLA refuses to allow Parliament to continue to target private renting indiscriminately, it is too important…

The RLA is pleased with recent changes to the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations which clarify the responsibilities of landlords. We can now say with confidence that landlords of HMOs with shared facilities will not be required to provide network notification…

A major drafting error in Government regulations affecting the private rented sector risks undermining confidence in new legislation being applied to the sector. The Deregulation Act, passed prior to the General Election, provides Ministers with the power to introduce a new standard form for landlords to complete and provide to a tenant when seeking to regain possession of a property on a no fault basis, known as a Section 21 notice…

The week 14-20 September is national ‘Gas Safety Week’. Landlords with properties that use gas for heating, hot water, and/or cooking need to comply with gas safety requirements. The RLA is here to make sure you stay on the right side of the law! The RLA has an entire webpage of guides designed to help landlords keep their properties and tenants safe. As it is gas safety week, we direct your attention specifically to these gas safety guides…