Tom

Part 1 of the article can be found here The Solution One of the main reasons I wrote this article was that I heard many tales from people how difficult they are to get rid of. I believe that in many cases, this is because the infestation has not been treated fully or properly. In…

The Common Clothes Moth (Tineola biselliella) or carpet moth as it is commonly known, has become a major pest in our area over the past few years. I have read many articles, both in print and on the internet and have been amazed at the amount of contradictory, conflicting and wrong information that is out…

It seems that few landlords understand what their obligations are for copying Right to Rent documents. So what exactly does the law and associated guidance state? read on to find out… Landlords must make a clear copy of each document in a format which cannot later be altered, and retain the copy securely: electronically or…

Changing the rent day for a tenancy very often causes confusion for parties to the agreement so here is a quick guide to explain how it works. The day rent falls due, commonly referred to as the rent day, is part of the tenancy agreement. For a typical Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) the agreement will…

Declared Value The total cost to rebuild the property including: * Foundations * Walls * Roof * Partitions * Doors and windows * Any applied finishes and decorations * Built-in fittings including fitted wardrobes and kitchens * The installation for heating, hot and cold water, gas, electricity, lighting (excluding decorative light fittings), ventilation, sanitation and…

It is not possible for an infant (minor) (a person under 18 years of age) to hold an estate in land [s.1(6) Law of Property Act 1925]. By virtue of paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 to the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 any purported grant of a legal estate to a…

Letting is as much an art as a science and there is no scientific answer to ‘How long will it take to let my property?’ One thing is certain and that is an empty property is earning you £0 and costing you to maintain (Council Tax etc.). If your property is sitting lonely and unloved…

The short answer is yes possibly… The term HMO is used in many different context by many different institutions and legislation: • The Housing Act 2004 • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) • Local Council HMO Licensing departments (Three types of licensing exist) i. Mandatory Licensing ii. Selective Licensing iii. Additional Licensing •…

As the landlord you own (freehold or superior lease) the roof space in the property but before making any decision on restricting access to the roof space consider the following: • Is the roof space a usable space such as a living space in a converted attic or a storage space in a boarded loft?…

Not specifically aimed at landlords, the third amendment to BS 7671:2011 (IET Wiring Regulations Seventeenth Edition), was published in January 2015 and includes a new regulation requiring consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in domestic premises to have a non-combustible enclosure. The wording of regulation 421.1.201 is as follows: Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units…