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Insights
Hot Weather Property Maintenance Tips for Landlords
As a nation we still tend to struggle with any form of prolonged extremes of weather. The trouble with a heatwave is that, as the mercury rises, so various property-related issues come out of the woodwork. Landlords may find themselves experiencing issues that wouldn’t usually surface. Let’s take a look at what some of these issues are, and how to tackle them.
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London Borough of Culture 2023 a Boon for Croydon
Introduced by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in 2017, the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture award offers more than £1m of funding for boroughs to host a range of cultural events, activities and initiatives over a whole year. In spring 2019, the mayor announced that Croydon had won the award for 2023. As the celebrations draw closer, we look at how this important accolade will make a difference to the borough, and potentially make it more attractive to buy-to-let investors.
Landlord Advice on Moving Out Self-Isolating Tenants
The government has recently made it clear as to how landlords and letting agents should deal with the issue of self-isolating tenants who are due to move out of a property. Junior Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has said that accommodation providers are ‘strongly urged’ to be flexible when it comes to extending tenancies and delaying moving tenants out if they are isolating due to COVID-19.
Right to Rent Checks Now Mandatory for ALL New Tenants
From 1 July 2021, all landlords must check the immigration status of prospective tenants, no matter their nationality. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and members of their families must now hold an immigration status in the UK, just the same as any foreign national. Whilst an EEA passport or national ID card was previously adequate to prove a right to rent, these can no longer be relied upon.
Making Tax Digital for Landlords Explained
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for landlords has been in the pipeline for a while, but soon the time will come for property investors turning over £10,000 a year or more to start reporting tax on a quarterly basis and filing online. The key date is 6 April 2023, which may sound a way off yet, but preparation is crucial. Here’s what you need to know as a landlord about Making Tax Digital so that when the time comes, you’re all set to comply with the new rules.
A Landlord’s Solution to Preventing Duplicate Keys
One of the most worrying issues for landlords has to be unauthorised key duplication. It can be a significant security risk, not just for the property owner, but also for inbound tenants. Thankfully there is a solution. Registered key systems prevent duplicates being made without an authorised signature. Let’s take a look at how they work, and how this security measure can provide peace of mind for landlords.
Letting to Disabled Tenants: A Landlord’s Guide
Landlords must comply with the Equality Act 2010, and should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding disabled tenants who may need alterations made or be provided with some form of assistance to allow them to live comfortably in the home they are renting. But just what should landlords be doing to accommodate disabled tenants and comply with the law?
Tenant Referencing Crisis on the Cards as COVID Damages Thousands of Credit Scores
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is warning of a looming tenant referencing crisis as thousands of tenants are facing damaged credit scores caused by legal action over rent arrears in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As this crisis intensifies and no government help seems forthcoming, landlords are wise to seek a reliable way to guarantee their rent.
Blind Safety in Rental Property: What Landlords Need to Know
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), at least 35 young children across the UK have died because of looped cords on blinds since 2001. Whilst new blinds are manufactured to improved safety standards, it is reckoned that there are millions of older blinds in homes across the country. For this reason, it is crucial that landlords take steps to ensure blind safety, particularly when renting to families with children.
Landlords Encouraged to Seek Alternatives to High Rent Advance Demands
According to a Radio 5 podcast, increasing numbers of landlords are asking tenants with a poor credit score or lack of renting history to part with six months’ rent in advance. The situation has been made worse by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with incomes hit hard. But the NRLA advises against demanding such high advances, suggesting that an alternative guaranteed rent solution is sought.
