Tom

Yes – If the terms of the agency/client agreement allow the agent to retain certain monies received on behalf of the principal (landlord) it is acceptable for the agent to do so consistent with the terms of the agency/client agreement. If the agency/client agreement does not allow the agent to withhold rent paid in advance…

The extraordinary story of former Bath Tory councillor Donal Hassett who used false names, references and cover stories to rent homes to create a network of cannabis farms is a reminder of the problem this can be for landlords. Read the full story here Cannabis farms in rented accommodation have been a problem for landlords…

The Homelessness Reduction Bill has received Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament. The Act places a new duty on Local Authorities to help prevent the homelessness of all families and single people, regardless of priority need, who are eligible for assistance and threatened with homelessness. Positive News for Landlords Until now a common…

The legal landscape for landlords and letting agents is ever-changing and here is a summary of what we have encountered in the last month: Landlords lose mortgage interest tax relief – Effective April 5th 2017, landlords lost the right to claim full tax relief for mortgage interest payments. Despite a year of protests and a…

Third Party means a person who has paid a Deposit in respect of a Tenancy to a Landlord on behalf of a Tenant and who is a relevant person for the purposes of Sections 212 to 215 of the Housing Act 2004. The DPS Terms and Conditions covering the landlord’s responsibility to any Third Party…

The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 set minimum levels of energy efficiency for private rented property. From 1 April 2018, all rented property (both domestic and non-domestic) which is to have a new tenancy must have an energy efficiency rating of at least “E”. This requirement also applies to all…

Why It is a criminal offence for a landlord to allow a person who does not have a ‘right to rent’ to occupy premises in England. If a landlord does allow a person to occupy who doesn’t have a right to rent, they may be liable to a fine of up to £3,000 per adult…

OK so you have done all the hard work and preparation for the new tenancy but what must you do on the first day of a new tenancy… 1. Give the tenant a copy of the energy performance certificate Reference: Part 2, Regulation 6, (5) of The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations…

Where a tenant expresses a wish to leave during a fixed term or vacate without giving the notice defined in the tenancy agreement, this is an offer to surrender. A landlord may accept or refuse such an offer. Surrender by operation of law An agreement by the landlord and the tenant that the tenancy shall…

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 were enacted on 8 December 2016 and impose statutory duties on distributors of electrical equipment. Landlords who supply electrical equipment to tenants for their use are, consistent with the definition in the regulations, considered to be distributors. The regulations tighten the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. What equipment is…