The Department of Energy and Net Zero is to launch a consultation
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New Landlord’s guide to right to rent checks
Recently published
Government to consult on Decent Homes Standard for rented sectors
Consultation will launch “as soon as possible”, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Miliband confirms plans to raise EPC standards for private rented sector
Minimum energy efficiency standards for private and social rented homes to be EPC rating C by 2030.
Government Guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill
A summary of the measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill which was introduced to Parliament on 11 September 2024.
Government announces the Renters Rights Bill
Stating “Landmark reforms to give greater security for 11 million renters”
Grenfell Tower Incident: A Comprehensive Timeline of Events
From Anthony Gold solicitors Read more
Kumar v Kolev & Ors
An Upper Tribunal appeal of a rent repayment order. Was Mr Kumar the direct landlord of the tenants? Read more
Cross-party bid to ‘secure the future of England’s council housing’
More than 100 other council landlords teamed up at an event held in Westminster yesterday to jointly publish five solutions. Read more
The MP for Ilford South and a teachable moment
Nearly Legal Blog considers reports of poor standards at Labour MP and landlord Jas Athwal’s properties. Read more
Cost of preserving Grenfell ruins hits £340m
Grieving families say the cost of preserving the tower was emblematic of the fact that “nothing” was being done to offer closure to those affected. Read more
Providing your lettings information to the government
The various ways in which you can provide information used for Local Housing Allowance and statistics on private rent levels. Read more
Property firm to repay £19,000 in rent over unlicensed HMO
Company taken to Tribunal for failing to register house as an HMO with Camden Council Read more
London Borough continued to process landlord licence applications after both licensing schemes had ended
This was LB Hackney. What does this mean for payments made? Read more
Agency owner handed three-year letting ban
Southend-on-Sea City Council has successfully secured a 3 year Banning Order against a rogue landlord and estate agency owner. Read more
Agents warned: substantial fines if companies found to be non-compliant
Since January 2020, it has been a criminal offence to trade as a property agent without being registered with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision. Read more
Council seizes properties from landlord
Merton Council is believed to be the first in the country to seize a landlord’s properties Read more
Labour rules out giving mayors power to impose rent controls
The government has said it has “no plans whatsoever to devolve rent control powers”. Read more
Landlord fined £10,000 over lack of electrical safety certificate
A £10,000 fine for failing to provide an Electrical Safety Installation Certificate when requested by Hastings BC. Read more
Have your say – the Material Information survey
This industry-wide survey was launched last week and aims to gather real world feedback on current take up and impact, of the new Material Information rules Read more
Labour confirms minimum EPC requirement for landlords
Energy minister says landlords will need to attain an Energy Performance Certificate band C for their properties by 2030. Read more
Superprime Knightsbridge mansion seized by crime agency
Walton Street property confiscated after the owner could not provide a “reasonable explanation” about how it was paid for. Read more
Afghan Housing Portal closed
The government has closed the Afghan housing portal and will cease processing offers from members of the public who are willing to provide housing to people fleeing Afghanistan. Read more
Housing minister rejects rent controls in England
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said unequivocally that rent controls will not be introduced in England despite their adoption in Scotland and potentially in Wales Read more
Are you a letting agent?
Complete this form to help organisations lobby government about the new Material Information rules Read more
Bank Base rate cut to 5% – Industry reactions
Read about the bank base rate cut on 1 August and property industry reactions Read more
Landlord and his two agents fined over dodgy HMO
Barnsley landlord Hassan Fahri and his two managing agents have been fined a total of £17,000 for operating an unlicensed HMO, failing to provide documents, and being in breach of an improvement notice. Read more
Landlord loses long-running ‘battle of the staircase’ with council
An HMO landlord has lost his appeal against an improvement notice ordering him to update a ‘paddle staircase’ in a case that highlights the surprising lengths some councils will go to enforce licencing rules. Read more
Banning order made against Essex landlord and agent
A rogue landlord who was also a letting agent in Essex has been banned from being a landlord for three years. Read more
Report reveals huge economic value of London’s private rented sector
A report indicates that London’s PRS makes a gross value added contribution of £14.6 billion to the UK economy. Read more
Landlord’s appeal against huge rent repayment order fails
A landlord has failed in a last-ditch attempt to convince a property tribunal that he shouldn’t have to pay a rent repayment order – and has been stung with a £13,643 bill. Read more
Have your say on the London borough of Wandsworth licensing scheme consultation
Tenants, landlords, property agents and anyone with an interest in the private rented sector are invited to have their say Read more
Enfield Council launch public consultation on new additional landlord licensing scheme
If you are a landlord in Enfield you may want to make a submission with your views. Read more
Council considers ‘taking over’ unlicensed private rental properties
One of the options discussed in Council meetings in Durham where the takeup of selective licenses has been low. Read more
A Renters Rights Bill is mentioned in the Kings Speech
From the briefing notes it looks broadly similar to the Renters Reform bill that got lost at the end of the last Parliament. But we need to see the draft bill before we can really comment. Read more
Haringey couple hit with £10,000 penalty for operating an unlicensed HMO
An inspection found the property, which was originally a family home, was occupied by seven different households, accommodating nine tenants across three storeys. Read more
New Consultation paper on Contempt of Court issued by the Law Commission
Proposing a consolidation and modernisation of the contempt law. It refers to anti-social behaviour injunctions and concerns about enforcement against vulnerable people. It also proposes giving the First-Tier Tribunal a contempt jurisdiction. Read more
Landlords can now sign up to Greater Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter
This has now been launched and aims to set out clear standards to give confidence to tenants and support landlords to raise the quality of homes. Read more
Hatfield landlord fined for harassing and illegally evicting tenant
Olufemi Forseythe was fined £1,800, ordered to pay Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s costs of £750, and a victim surcharge of £72. Read more
Chung v Notting Hill Genesis
A case about the Court’s power to extend time limits. A social tenant applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against her possession order. The application was out of time and she applied for an extension. This was refused as the delay was significant and her case was considered weak.
New landlord licensing scheme launched in Lewisham
Starting from 1 July 2024. It is a selective licensing scheme meaning ALL landlords in the relevant wards must comply. Landlords applying before 20 August will get a 20% early bird discount. Read more
Landlords should be careful about council ‘Safer Renting’ schemes
Phil Turtle of Landlord Licensing and Defence has warned that these can act as a trap for landlords who may inadvertently provide information that can be used against them in the future. Read more
Landlord minister joins new Labour housing team
Rushanara Ali, re-elected in Bethnal Green and Stepney, owns two residential properties in the capital so she should have first hand knowledge of the problems facing landlords. Read more
Matthew Pennycook MP has been appointed Minister of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
It is expected that he will be in charge of new private-sector housing legislation. Read more
Angela Rayner is Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
Read more
We have a new Labour government which will be bringing in new laws
This new news service will help keep you up to date with all the changes.


