Articles by Sally Walmsley
New electrical safety rules
Five-year safety checks will be mandatory for landlords for all new tenancies from July 1 this year. This will be rolled out to all existing tenancies from April 2021. The new regulations were tabled today (MON), requiring pre-tenancy and five yearly checks of all fixed appliances and wiring. Landlords failing to comply with the new rules will face fines of up to £30,000.
Birmingham to introduce city wide Article 4 direction
Landlords who want to convert family homes in Birmingham into small HMOs will need to submit planning applications to do so under new plans revealed by the city council.
Tenant fees ban - what can I charge for?
The Tenants Fees Act comes into force in England on Saturday. In this article first published in RLA members’ magazine Residential Property Investor, we look at the latest government guidance on the new rules.The fees ban has caused huge consternation among landlords, unsure of what they can and can’t charge for once the act comes into force, and when the changes are being implemented for new and existing tenancies.
Labour Right-to-Buy plan would kill off PRS
Labour's proposal to force landlords to sell homes to tenant at below market values would kill off the private sector.
Labour plans would devastate rented housing market
Plans for rent controls, open-ended tenancies and property MOTs could close down the PRS, the RLA has warned.
Coronavirus: Buy-to-let payment holiday and eviction ban announced
Appeal court win for NRLA
Court ruling on the case of Trecarrell v Rouncefield finally provides clarity for landlords over the use of Section 21 and gas safety certificates.
GDPR: Do I really need to register with the ICO?
Following a high number of calls from members having received conflicting advice, we gain clarification from the ICO on whether landlords need to register.
Year long contracts to be made mandatory by the Welsh Government
Landlords in Wales will soon be unable to regain possession of their property for at least 12 months under a new law announced today. The new law applies unless a tenant breaches the terms of their contract. For example if they are committing antisocial behaviour or are in rent arrears, or if a tenant decides to leave.
Landlords would pay for tenants council tax under new labour plan
Renters would no longer have to pay council tax under plans being considered by the Labour Party. The charge would be replaced with a new “progressive property tax” set nationally instead of by local councils and paid for by landlords instead of tenants.
