January 2018

MPs have unanimously voted for The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill to progress to the next stage. The Bill, put forward by Karen Buck MP, will give tenants the power to take their landlord to court if their homes are deemed not fit for purpose at the start of, and […]

The post Buck thanks RLA for support as Bill passes to next stage appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The RLAs opposition to a mandatory national landlord register was mentioned during a debate on the subject on Wednesday. MPs debated Labour MP Phil Wilson’s proposal to introduce a mandatory national landlord register, to help to tackle the issue of landlords who neglect their properties. Mr Wilson opened the debate by stating that while the ‘majority […]

The post RLAs opposition to mandatory landlord register quoted by MP in debate appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The Government’s “How to Rent” guide has been updated today. Landlords entering into tenancies, will have to give this new version to their tenants as of today or they are leaving themselves at risk, as a section 21 notice is not valid unless the correct How to Rent guide has been provided to the tenant. […]

The post Landlords, you MUST read this: How to Rent guide update appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

A landlord recently posted on our forum inquiring as to whether there is a way if he could check his tenant is up to date with paying his bills and council tax for a property he is renting. Our forum users were quick to respond to the member, with some raising concerns over data protection. […]

The post Forum Spotlight: Can I check my tenant is paying his bills? appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Even though it’s been 11 years since the deposit legislation came into force, it is still one of the most popular topics for callers to the Landlord Advice Team. Often, landlords are surprised to discover that their tenancy began after the deposit legislation came into force and are dismayed to find that they are liable […]

The post Call of the Week-Deposits and older tenancies appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Landlords should be able to use mileage rates in order to calculate their allowable deductions for motoring expenses, MPs agreed when discussing the Finance Bill at committee stage yesterday. Trading businesses have been able to use mileage rates since 2013. Using mileage rates gives individuals the ability to use fixed rates per business mile, in […]

The post Finance Bill: MPs back changes to landlord motor expenses appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill will receive its second reading on Friday. Tabled by Karen Buck MP, it gives tenants the power to take their landlord to court if their homes are deemed not fit for purpose at the start of, and throughout, their tenancy. So why, I hear […]

The post Why the RLA is supporting Karen Buck’s Bill appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

While the vast majority of landlords provide properties which are safe, legal and secure, there is a minority that brings the sector into disrepute. That is why the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is supporting Karen Buck MP’s Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability of Housing Standards) Bill. Under current arrangements, where defects are found in a […]

The post RLA Chairman Alan Ward on the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Have you completed your self-assessment tax return yet? The deadline is in two weeks time (31st January) so if you haven’t already done so, make sure you fill yours in to avoid facing penalties. What kind of things can I claim expenses for? A huge number of things may be deducted from your rental income […]

The post Help completing tax self-assessment ahead of deadline appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

It was supposed to be all change at the start of the new parliamentary session, as Prime Minister, Theresa May promised a major Cabinet reshuffle. Instead, we saw almost the entire Cabinet stay put, albeit with a little juggling of responsibilities. In Communities and Local Government, housing was added to the title, and Department changed to Ministry, […]

The post View from Westminster this week appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.