January 2018

As Gas Safe launches a new campaign called #dontcutcorners, the RLA is supporting the campaign by ensuring that landlords understand their obligations when it comes to gas safety. By law, landlords should ensure that if they have a gas appliance in a property that they rent out, they should also have a valid Gas Safety certificate. […]

The post Would you be able to spot the signs of a gas leak? appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The new look ministerial team at Housing, Communities and Local Government took to the despatch box for the first time, to answer MPs questions on Monday. The session was dominated by fire safety, and more specifically, the replacement of dangerous cladding. Figures showed that just 3 tower blocks had works to remove and replace unsafe cladding completed. […]

The post Week in Westminster-from cladding to the new English Housing Survey appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Just before the holiday period Trafford Council announced an “emergency” borough-wide Article 4 direction in relation to HMOs. An emergency Article 4 comes into force immediately when approved, the local authority then has to hold an official consultation before the temporary scheme, which lasts 6 months, ends. The consultation for this scheme is now open […]

The post “Emergency” HMO Restriction Introduced in Trafford appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Though Mayor Andy Burnham’s election plans to introduce a city-wide Manchester licensing scheme appear to have been abandoned by the politician, they have made a lasting impression on the council. In the same month that their second selective licensing scheme in two years came into force, Manchester City Council have predictably announced that the proposed […]

The post Even More Licensing in Manchester appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The PRS is providing homes to a fifth of the population and nearly 2 million families with children, today’s English Housing Survey finds – sparking calls for more support for private landlords. The latest figures show that the private rented sector remains larger than the social rented sector, accounting for some 4.7 million households, and […]

The post PRS is vital part of housing market appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Changes to the rules surrounding annual gas safety checks, giving landlords greater flexibility around dates, are being welcomed by the RLA. Subject to parliamentary approval landlords will now be able to carry out the compulsory checks any time in the two months leading up to the renewal date – while still retaining the existing date […]

The post RLA welcomes changes to gas safety rules appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

RLA policy director David Smith has warned the CLG Select Committee that landlords are likely to be left with increased bills when tenants’ fees are banned. Mr Smith was giving evidence to the CLG Select Committee inquiries into the PRS and the Draft Tenant Fees’ Bill. He warned that treating the whole of the PRS the […]

The post RLA warns Select Committee landlords will pick up cost of Tenants Fees Bill appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

News that the Government is creating a new Office for Product Safety and Standards has been welcomed by the RLA. The announcement comes seven months after the Grenfell Tower blaze, believed to have been started by a Hotpoint fridge-freezer, which killed at least 71 people. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will have […]

The post RLA welcomes changes on product safety – but do they go far enough? appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Welcome to ‘Buy to Let Market’, a column aimed at providing you with recent criteria and product updates within the buy-to-let lending markets. Buy to Let Market Update: Coventry/Godiva – has repriced various products to include a 2 year fixed rate at 1.39% available to 50% loan to value for both purchases and remortgages which […]

The post January’s Buy to Let Market Update appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The issue of Listed Buildings and whether they are exempt from Energy Performance Certificate requirements has been around for a long time now. The good news is DCLG – now the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government – has updated its guidance in relation to Listed Buildings and those in Conservation Areas. The bad […]

The post EPCs and listed buildings – an answer at last? appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.