Landlord Law brings you all the latest housing news and more. Here are some highlights that have been in the news this week.
EPC ‘C’ targets could be offset by rent increases
42% of landlords intend to increase their rents to pay for the EPC costs to cover energy efficiency improvements in order to meet the EPC target of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, according to a new survey out by Foundation Home Loans.
There also appears to be alot of confusion and uncertainty of exactly how much the improvements are going to cost landlords who are not clear on how to upgrade their properties. 92% have some awareness that work will need to be done and 67% show a thorough understanding.
In order to to achieve the required EPC ratings 71% of landlords will use their savings, 42% intend to increase their rents, 28% hope to use government grants and funding and 55 are looking to increase their mortgage or loan.
Grant Hendry director are Foundation Home Loans said
This research helps demonstrate growing awareness among landlords around this topic and highlights both the financial and planning considerations involved in meeting these requirements.
Plea to scrap 24hr notice period on inspections
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has written to the government asking for an amendment to the Renters Rights Bill to scrap the 24 hour notice period that councils currently have to give landlords before they can inspect their property. They claim that this is used by landlords as a loop hole to intimidate their tenants who have made the complaint about them.
Their statement states
At present environmental health officers must give 24 hours’ notice to landlords and tenants when inspecting property conditions under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Local authorities should be able to conduct such visits without giving 24 hours’ notice, permitting private conversations with the tenant before the local authority contacts the landlord to notify them if works are required.
However Propertymark do not agree with this decision, and feel that whilst it is there to protect against rogue landlords, it is only ‘fair’ that property owners are present at inspections, even more so as they are the ones responsible for any works that may need to be done.
A spokesperson for Propertymark said
The problem we have at the moment is that legislation is being continuously written for the exception, the unusual case, not for your day-to-day landlords.
Renters ill prepared when trying to secure properties
News out this week reveals that when renters are looking to secure properties they are not organised enough and do not have all the necessary paperwork and deposit money ready, despite having to compete in a fiercely competitive market.
A tenant app called tlyfe claims that 30% of tenants were not able to move immediately, 32% did not have a deposit already saved up and 45% had no references lined up. The report claims that this is putting tenants at a severe disadvantage where rental properties are still having ten more tenants vying per property.
CEO Adam Pigott said
This failure to prepare will put you at a severe disadvantage and will often see you overlooked by lettings agents.
Renters are knowledgeable on location and budget but often seem to fall behind in the other important factors that are key to securing their next rental property.
Manchester Council brings in more enforcement officers
Greater Manchester council has trained up thirteen new housing enforcement officers to crack down on poor housing and bad landlords. They will be checking properties all over the region. This is all part of the UK’s first Good Landlord Charter.
Private renters can report any issues to them regarding bad housing and request a housing check, once that has been carried out they can call in enforcement if required.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester said
We are taking action to drive up standards with our Good Landlord Charter, which will come into effect from May next year, and empower tenants with a right to a Property Check, followed up with enforcement action.
You can read more here.
Grenfell debate in the House of Lords
The House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord Khan of Burnley to take note of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Lord Khan is a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
In preparation for this, a briefing note has been prepared which you will find on the Parliament website.
Snippets
Rent arrears soar by 22%
Gas boilers to be banned in new build homes
Councils to get more powers over landlords of empty properties
Landlord reveals nightmare cannabis factory saga
New EVEN longer eviction court delays ‘unacceptable’ says Shamplina
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