May 2016

The decision to introduce a new power to impose electrical safety standards on the PRS was a key late amendment to the Housing and Planning Act. In his latest blog post RLA policy director David Smith discusses the new legislation and the potential impact of the changes. He said: “As with much of the Act […]

Rogue landlords can be banned from renting homes under new rules brought in by the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill.
New legislation also includes plans for the creation of database of criminal landlords and agents – as well as powers to impose civil penalties of up to £30,000.

RLA policy director David Smith has produced a new document updating landlords on new Right to Rent legislation following the introduction of the Immigration Act 2016.
On May 12, the Immigration Bill became the Immigration Act 2016.

Councils should be given the power to limit “skyrocketing” rent increases, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said, as he set out Labour’s approach on the economy.

The number one reason that new members call the Landlord Advice Team is that they have received a letter telling them their deposit was incorrectly protected and that they cannot evict their problem tenant.
Usually in these cases, the landlord has not protected the deposit at all and our advice is always to return the deposit and serve a fresh notice in these cases.

The Landlord & Letting Show will be in Manchester next month, with the RLA leading a panel discussion on the Northern Powerhouse – and what it means for housing.

RLA trainer and Universal Credit expert Bill Irvine returns with information about new problems arising through the Government’s new Universal Credit welfare reforms. He highlights issues with tenant mandates and data sharing rules – plus the potential impact of cuts to benefit payments if tenants break their claimant commitment.

The RLA is calling for the Government to delay bringing in new energy efficiency targets for the PRS – warning the move could see rents shoot up.

Homeowners are abusing holiday lettings site Airbnb by illegally offering properties to rent long term.
They are using the site to avoid the legal responsibilities of renting out property by advertising it as a holiday let on Airbnb and similar sites.

Criminal landlords and letting agents can now be banned from renting out homes after the Government’s controversial Housing and Planning Bill was granted Royal Assent yesterday.
Under the new act a blacklist of landlords and letting agents operating illegally will be drawn up – with the new legislation also including the power to serve them with six-month banning orders – with fines of up to £5,000 if they are breached.