February 2020

We look at the latest housing energy efficiency statistics and calls for an exemption from the shared accommodation rate for people aged under 25 who have been homeless. ECO funding data The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published the latest Housing Energy Efficiency statistics. They show that of 37,022 households in receipt of […]

The post Today in politics: Eco funding and homelessness appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Brent Council’s application to extend its selective licensing scheme in the wards of Willesden Green, Harlesden and Wembley Central have been rejected by Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP. The council had also hoped to extend the scheme to 10 new wards in the borough, following a consultation last year. However, the government has said today more evidence […]

The post Brent licensing bid rejected appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Landlords in Wales will have to provide certain information to a prospective tenant before they can take a holding deposit, from Friday. The Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Specified Information) (Wales) Regulations 2019 were originally due to come into force on 13th December 2019. However, following concerns raised by the RLA over the short amount of […]

The post Wales-Landlords required to provide THIS information to prospective tenants from Friday appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

This week we had a call from one of our members who needed advice in managing an issue they were having with one of their tenants. They had a long term tenant in one of their rental properties who had been there for a number of years, and maintained a good relationship with the landlord. […]

The post Call of the Week: Supporting a long-term tenant who struggled to pay rent last month appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Liverpool City Council has confirmed it will NOT seek a Judicial Review on plans by the Secretary of State to block its plans to renew its controversial selective licensing scheme. However, the local authority is now planning an alternative. A city council cabinet report said officers from the authority are working with the Ministry for […]

The post Liverpool plans ‘alternative’ licensing scheme appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Property surveyors will be able to broaden their knowledge of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to conduct valuation surveys in such properties, in a new training course. The classroom course, developed by the Residential Landlords Association and Appraisers UK, will see delegates learn about the additional duties placed on HMO landlords when it comes to […]

The post RLA and Appraisers UK develop HMO course for property surveyors appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

We look at a Lords’ debate on short term lets and questions on the issue of getting the homeless into accommodation and urgent repairs. Government ‘no plans’ to regulate short term lets Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Conservative) yesterday received a response to her oral question asking the Government what plans it has to discuss with local authorities […]

The post Today in politics: short-term lets, Local Housing Allowance and agents appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

On 20th March 2020 the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act will be extended to apply to existing tenancies in England. The law was introduced in March last year, to ensure rented homes are safe and secure-with tenants given the power to take their landlord to court if this is not the case. Tenants who […]

The post Fitness for Human Habitation Act extension-one month to go appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

New electrical safety rules could leave tenants in high-risk rental homes vulnerable. The regulations are due to come into force from June this year and will immediately remove the obligation for landlords to carry out electrical safety checks in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The electrical safety obligation under the new rules will not apply until […]

The post Electrical safety rules will leave tenants at risk appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

We look at Halifax figures showing how much more renters are paying out per month v homeowners, we link to the DWPs new Universal Credit guide and data on deposit levels in the UK. Renters paying more than homeowners Renters are paying up to 18% more each month than those who own their own homes […]

The post Today in politics: renters paying more, DWP update and deposits appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.