Welcome to our weekly Newsround, let’s see what the team has spotted in the housing new this week.
Landlord EPC Grants launched by Government
The Government has launched this week its New Homes: Local Grant Scheme for landlords in England with properties rated EPC D to E. Landlords can get up to £30,000 for energy efficiency improvements on their first rental property and £15,000 for any other additional rentals.
There is strict criteria in order to apply:-
- The grants are only available to tenants on low-incomes below £36,000 pa
- It only applies to certain post codes which are here
- It is only available to universal & housing benefit tenants
- EPC improvements will not result in an increase rent paid by the tenants
There is no limit on the number of properties that can be applied however there is a £315,000 limit on funding, including any funding from previous grants for upgrades. Authorities will carry checks and can remove support to the PRS if they detect that a rent increase has been imposed.
Rental homes are unaffordable for benefit claimants
Crisis has claimed this week that only 2.5% of rentals in the private sector are affordable to those who are on housing benefits, and that is down from 12% in 2021 to 2022.
Crisis fear that as the housing benefit rates are frozen until 2026 this will only force more tenants out of the PRS and into homelessness. They are calling for the government to raise benefits as that will reduce poverty, improve public health and stop tenants being pushed into temporary accommodation.
Over 1.5 million households claim LHA who rent privately and two thirds of them now have a shortfall between when their payments are paid to when their monthly rent is due.
Matt Downie of Crisis added
It also risks completely overwhelming local authorities who are already struggling to cope with the demand for support and will leave more people stuck in unfit temporary accommodation that damages their health and wellbeing.
Monaco based landlord hit with record rent repayment order
A billionaire landlord based in Monaco has been ordered by a tribunal to pay more than £260,000 in rent repayment orders following a five year legal battle.
Forty six previous and current tenants from fifteen different flats took him to court for operating unlicensed HMO’s. They were represented by The London Renters Union who said that the tenants were living in hazardous conditions with very little safety measures in place and a at great fire risk.
The judge said that the landlord ‘can only be characterised at a rogue landlord’. The ruling is thought to be highest rent repayment to date. Sadly though it is possible that the tenants will not see any of the money due to them as the landlord, Mr Christodoulou, is trying to liquidate his companies.
Student Lets sector could diminish
Propertymark has claimed this week that the Renters’ Rights Bill will have a massive impact for students trying to find and secure their accommodation, because student landlords have serious concerns over the ending of the fixed-term tenancies and the banning of taking rent in advance, which many foreign students rely on and some claim will now discriminate against them.
The financial burden will only increase for student landlords, one student landlord says
The Renters’ Rights Bill could further shrink the student rental sector, as landlords would have no guarantee that their flats would be available to rent at the start of the academic year. Many landlords may leave the market due to increased risks, further reducing supply and pushing up rents for students.
Propertymark are calling for the government to look at ways to maintain private student accommodation.
Snippets
Estate agent director fines after damp and mould complaint
Council boasts of £45,000 fines levied on private landlords
Average rents in England rise for the third month in a row to £1,213 in March
Landlords must be given time to adjust to Renter’s Rights Bill
Senior Tories and big landlords discuss ways to thwart renters’ rights bill
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week