January 2020

Plans to introduce a selective licensing scheme in Coventry have been put on hold, after councillors voted it down based on awaiting an upcoming selective licensing review. This is something the RLA warned the council about in its consultation response on the licensing plans last year. However, an additional HMO licensing scheme in Coventry has […]

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In today’s politics update we look at a new debate on the impact of LHA and Section 21 on homelessness, a new Peers’ debate on energy efficiency and new EPC figures. Opposition homelessness debate The Labour Party yesterday initiated a half day debate in the House of Commons on homelessness. Of note: In opening the debate, the […]

The post Politics update: LHA, Section 21 and energy efficiency appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Growth in the number of short-term lets across the country is a symptom of skewed policy that favours holiday homes over long-term properties to rent. A new report published today by ARLA Propertymark suggests that nearly half a million properties could be left unavailable for longer-term rent as more landlords exit the market and in […]

The post Growth in holiday lets symptom of a skewed housing policy appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

This week our advice team were able to help a member with a question they had in relation to tenants who were on a joint tenancy agreement and had recently split up. This is a fairly common question for our advice team. The situation The landlord gave our advice team a call because the couple […]

The post Call of the Week: Joint tenants parting ways appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

A new fire safety debate, support for the homeless and the latest benefits and housebuilding statistics are on the agenda in today’s daily politics update. Housing minister ‘will hold landlords to account’ on fire safety Matt Rodda MP (Labour, Reading East) yesterday initiated a Westminster Hall debate on fire risks in flats and shared housing. Of note: Kate Green MP (Labour, […]

The post Daily politics update: Fire and electrical safety, homelessness, benefits and housebuilding appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Landlords are being warned three new models of washing machines are being recalled by Whirlpool due to fire risk. An overheating door mechanism means that hundreds of thousands of machines are at risk of catching fire – many of which may be installed in privately rented properties. About 20% of the Hotpoint and Indesit washing […]

The post Whirlpool: New washing machine recall appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Today’s update looks at the MPs elected as chairs of their Select Committees and a call made by an MP for the housing element of Universal Credit to be paid directly to landlords. Select Committee The following MPs have been elected as chairs of their Select Committees unopposed following the passing of yesterday’s 4pm deadline […]

The post Daily politics update: select committee chairs, Universal Credit direct payments appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

An appeal that could have far-reaching implications for landlords’ rights to repossess their properties will be heard tomorrow (January 29th). Trecarrell v Rouncefield centres on the relationship between Section 21 notices and gas safety certificates. The landlord, Trecarrell House Limited, was initially granted an order to repossess the property using Section 21 powers, however the […]

The post Section 21 appeal to be heard appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Landlords in Brighton and Hove who want to convert family homes into small HMOs will have to apply for planning permission to do so. It comes as Brighton and Hove City council’s cabinet approved the plans earlier this month. An existing ‘Article 4 direction’ is currently in force in some parts of the city, in […]

The post Brighton and Hove to introduce city-wide Article 4 direction appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Letting agent Olympia Estates Ltd has been ordered to pay out £25,000 for illegally operating two properties, following a long-running investigation by a London Council. The Paddington-based letting agent didn’t apply for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence on the two properties and was found to be trying to evade the licensing process. The […]

The post Agent ordered to pay £25k for illegal lettings appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.