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Desmond is the MET office’s fourth named storm this season and with the average cost of flood damage to homes estimated as between £30,000 to £40,000 the Residential Landlord’s Association is encouraging members to make sure they are prepared for extreme weather. Landlords are advised to keep an eye on weather forecasts and ensure properties are regularly checked for potentially dangerous trees or branches and that drains and gutters are kept clear.

Vulnerable tenants will find it more difficult to access housing following the passing of the Welsh Government’s Renting Homes Bill.

The Financial Stability Report, released yesterday, claims strong growth in the buy-to-let lending has been driven by an increase in demand for rented property caused by a number of factors, including potential first time buyers struggling to raise a deposit and immigration.

Criminal landlords, evictions and licensing plans were all on the agenda when representatives of the Residential Landlords Association met with prominent MPs and Peers to campaign on behalf of members last month.

Landlords are being reminded the time to start new checks under the Government’s Right to Rent scheme is drawing near.

The Residential Landlords Association is backing an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill, proposed by ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) to protect money received from clients and held by agents, such as rent due to landlords.

TODAY’S announcement of a higher stamp duty on the purchase of buy to let homes will only worsen the current shortage of accommodation and drive up the cost of rents say landlords.

After the measures contained in the Summer Budget received Royal Assent last week, RLA Policy Manager, John Stewart, speculates on what tomorrow’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement will hold for landlords.

Registration and licensing applications will open for ‘Rent Smart Wales’ on Monday 23rd November 2015. Landlords will be able to register with Rentsmart Wales and begin their licensing applications. Agents will also be able to begin their licensing applications. Landlords letting property in Wales have one year to comply. ..

Local authorities that charge landlords for licences solely to collect information on the number of landlords in an area have been exposed for doing so without reason. A new letter sent to all councils in England from the Department for Communities and Local Government has made it clear that they already have the power to ask tenants for information about a property’s tenure and landlord identity. This enables every local authority to build a register of landlords.