Quick News Updates

Sir Stephen Timms says following three-council trial, 38 more are to take up powers enabling them to recoup rent from landlords who let unlicensed properties to ‘benefits’ tenants.

Local authorities have been given draconian new powers to enforce good behaviour by landlords and letting agencies, including being able to enter premises where tenancy records are kept, take evidence, including paperwork, computers and phone,s and also being able to force a landlord’s tradespeople, agent and even past tenants to hand over paperwork.

Student sector faces major disruption as new possession timetable means landlords cannot guarantee empty homes for ‘next year’s cohort’ says NRLA.

Judge rules in favour of tenants, in spite of what he calls their “inappropriate” and “highly unsociable” behaviour.

Criminal landlords and sham letting agents are exploiting a lack of enforcement by councils to create a shadow lettings market, according to new academic research.

From that day, councils gain their new investigatory powers. Not in May. Not as a gradual rollout. They begin immediately, right in the middle of the festive lull when most agents are running on reduced staff and leftover Quality Street.

The government has no idea how the Renters’ Rights Act will impact the tribunal that considers rent appeal cases, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

A recent survey found that 57% of landlords do not feel prepared for the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, with many looking to their letting agents for guidance.

Racehel Reeves is not the only one – Labour councillor Michael Situ  has now stepped down as Southwark Council’s cabinet member for housing due to licensing failures. No doubt other landlord Councillors are anxiously checking with their letting agents …

Local authorities will be handed powers to fine ‘landlords, letting agents, or anyone acting on their behalf’ when the first phase of the new tenancy rules comes in next year.

The homelessness charity Crisis is set to become a landlord for the first time in its 60-year history, declaring that Britain’s housing emergency has reached a “catastrophic scenario.”

MPs have called on the government to tighten rules for HMOs amid reports of anti-social behaviour and a lack of family homes causing frustration among their communities.