Industry news
NRLA calls for Swansea additional licence postponement
City and County of Swansea will be pushing ahead with an additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in the St Thomas electoral ward, and to renew the scheme in the Castle and Uplands wards, it has been announced.
Green Homes: What do you think?
Landlords are being asked for their experience of the Government’s Green Grants Scheme as part of an inquiry into energy efficiency. The Environmental Audit Committee is asking anyone who has tried to access the scheme how they have found the process and whether they have been successful.
Green Homes Grant: Lockdown guidance
Green Homes Grant installers can continue to work in people’s homes during the national lockdown, the Government has confirmed. The news comes as official guidance was updated to reflect the introduction of the new restrictions which will see pubs, restaurants, gyms closed as of November 5, with people advised to stay home wherever possible.
Lockdown: Government clarifies position on possession cases
The Government has provided important clarification about the enforcement of possession cases during the second national lockdown. In a letter to the High Court Enforcement Officers Association the Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, has confirmed that during the lockdown there will be no enforcement of Possession Orders except for the most serious cases.
NRLA gives evidence to Government committee
The Government's Environmental Audit Committee has heard evidence from the NRLA as part of its investigation into the energy efficiency of homes in the UK. As of this year all rental properties (other than those with valid exemptions) must have an EPC rating of E or higher to be legally rented out.
Right to Rent: Online system to be available later this month
New guidance on Right to Rent has been published this week. The legislative changes enable landlords and letting agents to use a new Home Office online checking service, available from 25 November, to undertake right to rent checks for non-UK nationals.
England lockdown: Furlough scheme extended and house moves can still go ahead
New agents course goes live
A new nationally recognised agent qualification is being launched by the NRLA. The Managing Property and Residential Lettings Level 3 award is the equivalent of an A level for new and existing letting agents and property managers who want to develop their skills.
Court reform vital before Section 21 can be axed report warns
Section 21 should not be scrapped until Section 8 is reformed and a new specialist housing court is created, a new report published this week has warned. The Lettings Industry Councils (TLIC) Beyond Section 21 report was commissioned following the Government consultation on axing Section 21, which ran last year and received more than 20,000 responses.
Coronavirus: Updated guidance for landlords
