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Changes to the rules surrounding annual gas safety checks, giving landlords greater flexibility around dates, are being welcomed by the RLA. Subject to parliamentary approval landlords will now be able to carry out the compulsory checks any time in the two months leading up to the renewal date – while still retaining the existing date […]

The post RLA welcomes changes to gas safety rules appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

News that the Government is creating a new Office for Product Safety and Standards has been welcomed by the RLA. The announcement comes seven months after the Grenfell Tower blaze, believed to have been started by a Hotpoint fridge-freezer, which killed at least 71 people. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, which will have […]

The post RLA welcomes changes on product safety – but do they go far enough? appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

Welcome to ‘Buy to Let Market’, a column aimed at providing you with recent criteria and product updates within the buy-to-let lending markets. Buy to Let Market Update: Coventry/Godiva – has repriced various products to include a 2 year fixed rate at 1.39% available to 50% loan to value for both purchases and remortgages which […]

The post January’s Buy to Let Market Update 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.

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 issue of Listed Buildings and whether they are exempt from Energy Performance Certificate requirements has been around for a long time now. The good news is DCLG – now the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government – has updated its guidance in relation to Listed Buildings and those in Conservation Areas. The bad […]

The post EPCs and listed buildings – an answer at last? 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.

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.

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.

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.