July 2019

Vulnerable tenants at higher risk of rent arrears will be hit hardest by plans to change the way landlords can repossess properties. According to one of the largest ever non-government surveys of landlords and agents 84% said that plans to scrap Section 21, ‘no explanation’ repossessions would make them “more selective” about the tenants they rent […]

The post Section 21: Vulnerable will be hit by squeeze on the rental market appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Andrea Peacock is a landlord and a letting agent based in Devon. In more than 30 years of being a landlord, she has only ever served a handful of Section 21 notices and these have all been for antisocial behaviour issues. Having recently put one of her HMO properties on the market, Andrea says that […]

The post Section 21: Read Andrea’s story appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The proportion of income spent by private tenants on rents has fallen over the past year, according to new official figures. Updated figures in the English Housing Survey, show that tenants are spending less of their income on housing, with this figure standing at 33%, down from 34% the previous year. The updated English Housing […]

The post Costs down, tenancy length up in the private rented sector appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Lui Renzo is a landlord with five properties that he rents out in Hull and Cleethorpes. He has been a landlord for 18 years and manages his property portfolio alongside holding down a full-time job working in manufacturing. Here, Lui explains why he once relied on using Section 21 to gain possession of his property quickly, […]

The post Section 21: Read Lui’s story appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The government has confirmed it will make changes to its Housing Health and Safety Rating System, used to assess health and safety in the home. Council officers use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess if rented homes have hazards that could put tenants’ health at risk and can take action against landlords […]

The post Government to shake up health and safety standards appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

A cap limiting landlord spend on energy efficiency improvements to £3,500 could be scrapped, with a new £5,000 figure proposed. Under the Government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) landlords with properties in the lowest energy efficiency bands (F or G) are expected to contribute up to £3,500 towards the cost of bring them to an […]

The post Smart tax needed to support energy improvements appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

New tests effectively banning fire-risk fridges come into force today, with consumer groups warning of the dangers of the plastic-backed appliances. The Grenfell Tower fire started in a fridge freezer with flammable plastic backing, and an electrical fire expert stated in a report for the inquiry that plastic casing is combustible and will contribute to […]

The post Frozen out?: ‘Banned’ fridges and freezers could still be on sale appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Real leadership is needed if councils are going to prioritise work to bring empty homes back into use, says the RLA. The association’s vice-chair and director for Wales Douglas Haig addressed the Welsh government’s Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee inquiry into empty properties at the Senedd today, calling for the issue of empty homes […]

The post Empty homes – RLA Wales addresses Senedd appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

The consultation on increasing the minimum notice period for a no fault eviction has now been launched by the Welsh government. Plans – which the RLA says will introduce 12- month contracts by default – were announced by housing minister Julie James AM last week. In documents released today it was revealed the government is consulting […]

The post Welsh government launches possessions consultation appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

With holiday season round the corner, it is a good idea to think about how you can make sure your property is secure while your tenants are away on holidays. With the majority of burglaries taking place when no one is at home, here’s what you can do to make sure your property is safe. […]

The post How to: Keep your property secure if your tenants go on holiday appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.