Articles by James Wood

Election manifestos: Housing pledges laid bare

With all major parties publishing their political manifestos this week, James Wood, Head of Policy at the NRLA takes a deep dive into the election pledges - and what they mean for you and your business.

Industry News James Wood 14/06/2024
Election manifestos: Housing pledges laid bare

Leasehold and Reform Act: What you need to know

Following the announcement of a General Election there was concern that neither the Renters (Reform) Bill or the Leasehold nor the Freehold Reform Bill would become law. While the Renters (Reform) Bill did not complete its passage, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act is now law, though it has not yet come into force. NRLA head of policy James Wood explains more.

Industry News James Wood 31/05/2024
Leasehold and Reform Act: What you need to know

Renters (Reform) Bill has its first reading in the Lords

The Renters (Reform) Bill took another step closer to completion this week as members of the House of Lords got their first chance to debate the legislation. No amendments are put forward at second reading, but debate did give indications of the type of changes that are likely to be put forward by Peers at committee stage.

Industry News James Wood 17/05/2024
Renters (Reform) Bill has its first reading in the Lords

Section 21 appeal could have major implications for landlords

A second appeal has been granted in the case of D’Aubigny v Khan - in which the Court of Appeal will rule on whether it's acceptable for vital documentation to be served by post. The appeal could have major implications for private landlords. Head of Policy James Wood explains more.

Industry News James Wood 09/05/2024
Section 21 appeal could have major implications for landlords

Renters (Reform) Bill - the student ground

With the Government's Renters (Reform) Bill scheduled to be debated in the Lords next week the NRLA's head of policy James Wood investigates the detail of the Bill in a new series of articles. This week he takes a look at how the changes will affect student landlords.

Industry News James Wood 09/05/2024
Renters (Reform) Bill - the student ground

Renters Reform Bill: where are we now?

The Renters (Reform) Bill has finally made its way into the House of Lords from the Commons, after nearly a year in Parliament. The protracted passage saw a number of new amendments added and it now seems likely that it will become law before the election. But what do these changes mean? The NRLA's head of policy James Wood takes a deep dive.

Industry News James Wood 03/05/2024
Renters Reform Bill: where are we now?

Court fees to rise next week

Court fees will be increasing by 10% from next Wednesday. The increase, which follows a consultation year, applies to almost all fees payable to the court.

Industry News James Wood 26/04/2024
Court fees to rise next week

Are more landlords selling up? Evidence from the courts

The question of whether landlords are exiting the market is a contentious issue even for official statistics. Here the NRLA's head of policy James Woods takes deep dive into the data – and looks north of the border to examine the impact of legislation change on the number of landlords selling up.

Industry News James Wood 14/03/2024
Are more landlords selling up? Evidence from the courts

Does your local authority tell tenants to wait for a bailiff? An update

Since the NRLA raised the issue of councils telling tenants to wait for the bailiffs when served with a Section 21 notice, we have been inundated with member stories. We have now submitted a list of local authorities to Government.

Industry News James Wood 02/02/2024
Does your local authority tell tenants to wait for a bailiff? An update

The long read: What might Labour's version of rental reform look like?

With speculation rife that a general election will happen in May, many will be wondering what will happen to the Renters (Reform) Bill should Labour come to power. Here NRLA policy manager James Wood takes a deep dive to examine what we could expect to see.

Industry News James Wood 12/01/2024
The long read: What might Labour's version of rental reform look like?