Articles by Sally Walmsley
Budget 2020: Action needed to halt fall in supply of homes
The Chancellor must take action in the Budget to reverse the fall off in the supply of rented housing say landlords. With landlords selling more properties than they are buying and others switching to short-term holiday lets for tax reasons, unless action is taken tenants are going to find it increasingly hard to find the housing they want, and rents will inevitably go up.
Section 21 consultation: Government reveals plans
The Government has published the consultation of abolishing Section 21, so called no fault repossessions in the private rented sector.
Housing market reopens in England
Landlords can now hold viewings and allow tenants to move in and out of rental homes, provided they follow social distancing measures.
Landlords publish new deal for rented housing
Private landlords are calling on the Government to establish a new landlord and tenant conciliation service as part of its planned changes to the private rented sector. The call, being made by the National Residential Landlords Association, comes as it publishes its proposals for the Renters' Reform Bill.
Boris to be PM, so what can we expect on housing?
Boris Johnson will become the UK’s next Prime Minister, so what does this mean for housing – and in particular the private rented sector? While both Johnson and Hunt have remained tight-lipped on plans regarding housing and the PRS, we can look to his record as London Mayor and to a lesser extent to his Telegraph column to find out more on his stance.
Coronavirus: Landlords call for tax relief on empty homes
Landlords are calling on Ministers to tell local authorities that they should not charge council tax on rented homes left empty because of coronavirus. A significant number of rented homes have been left empty because tenants have been unable to take up tenancies, or have chosen to move out to be closer to family during the lockdown.
EPCs and Listed buildings - an answer at last?
The issue of Listed Buildings and whether they are exempt from Energy Performance Certificate requirements has been around for a long time now. The good news is DCLG – now the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government – has updated its guidance in relation to Listed Buildings and those in Conservation Areas. The bad news is the legislation is still unclear.
Landlords welcome support for green improvements
Landlords have welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement that they will be able to apply for funding towards energy improvements to rental homes. The chancellor made the announcement during today’s Summer Statement.
Courts: New repossession rules
The strict procedures landlords must now follow when bringing forward possession cases have been laid out by government. Ministers announced there would be changes to the process on Friday – and have now released more details as to what landlords will need to do under new Civil Procedure Rules. Courts will reopen on August 24 following a five month ban on evictions, introduced by the government in a bid to protect renters during the Covid-19 crisis.
Whirlpool recall: Landlords urged to check white goods
More than half a million washing machines have been recalled by Whirlpool, with landlords urged to check whether white goods in their rentals are affected. Many landlords provide white goods as standard – even in unfurnished properties. And with 36% of accidental house fires caused by appliances, electrical safety is something that needs to be taken seriously.
