February 2016

Rules surrounding shared homes in Wales have changed – with the RLA warning members to be aware of how new planning definitions could affect purchases.
Residential Landlord Association policy director David Smith has written his latest blog post outlining the changes and what they mean to Landlords – and said they could affect the number of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) available to renters in Wales.

With private sector landlords often unfairly blamed for the increase in the number of homeless on the UK streets the RLA has submitted an official response to a Government inquiry, defending its members.
The RLA believes there are many external contributing factors putting pressure on landlords that need to be highlighted when it comes to tackling the issue.

The Residential Landlords Association is reminding members who have tenancies that started on or after 1st October 2015 that they will have to use the new Section 21 form if they need to evict tenants.

RLA offering a five star service say members
February marks the two-year anniversary of the RLA’s partnership with Trustpilot, Europe’s biggest online review website for companies.

Britain’s housing crisis has further deepened, after it was revealed housebuilders have taken a beating after fears over the global economy took their toll on UK stocks.
Hedge funds have taken short positions in the sector – with Berkeley, Peer Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments stock all down this week.

The RLA’s Landlord Advice Team is on hand to offer free unlimited advice to members. Now, each week, we are featuring a call from one of members outlining their problems and how the team helped them.
This week the call concerns deposit protection – one of the hot topics for the advice team.

Landlords are being advised to avoid firms offering schemes promising to help them sidestep the new Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge.
After April 1 anyone purchasing a buy-to-let property or second home for more than £40,000 must pay an addition 3% Stamp Duty.

Households could claim up to £800 towards a new boiler thanks to two new schemes.
Boris Johnson’s London Boiler Cashback Scheme is offering £400 cashback to anyone from the capital who replaces their old boiler with a new energy efficient one.

This year is the first year of the Government’s freeze on Local Housing Allowance – the flat rate allowance paid to those who are claiming benefits.
However a closer look at the figures for 2016/17, released this week shows that in 13 areas of the country the amount being paid to claimants renting a room is actually down on last year’s figures.

The Residential Landlords Association’s Landlord Advice Team is being inundated with calls about the new Right to Rent legislation that has come in today.
Right to Rent checks for new tenancies in England require landlords to check the immigration status of all adults who will be living in their properties.
You can read more about Right to Rent here.