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    As a landlord, you have the right to evict tenants from your properties. However, there are many rules and regulations you must follow to ensure you do this lawfully. For example, you can’t just knock on a tenant’s door and demand they leave the premises right there and then. There’s a whole systematic process that needs to be followed before an eviction can legally occur and the easiest way is to

Rogue landlords in London are now going to be named and shamed online. A recent survey showed that 60% of renters in London live in properties with serious issues that landlords have a legal obligation to address. As part of a push to deal with this, the Mayor is launching an online list of residential landlords who have been convicted of illegal practices This shouldn’t worry conscientious landlords. In fact, it cou

The house has put the initiative in the rental market firmly in the hands of landlords, and while many act responsibly, there are enough exceptions to create a problem. A recent survey revealed that 60% of London’s private renters suffer from leaks, inadequate heating or infestations, with little choice but to put up with it. However, London is now set to take a leaf out of New York’s book and start naming and shamin

In last year’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced the Government’s intention to ban letting agents from charging fees to tenants. These charges, for everything from collecting references to administration costs, can add up to as much as £800, in addition to the deposit and rent in advance. This has been welcomed by tenants groups, but both landlords and some conservative MPs have expressed doubt about the pro

If you’re a buy-to-let landlord renting out residential property, you should be aware that the rules for tax relief changed significantly on 6th April, but surveys suggest that very few landlords are. Since the changes will substantially reduce your profit, it’s vital to know what’s happening, and to take what action you can. What Are the Changes? Various types of tax relief have traditionally been available to indiv

On the 6th April, new measures were introduced to penalise residential landlords who aren’t compliant with duties set out by housing legislation, notably the Housing Act 2004. Although no new obligations have been introduced, the consequences of neglecting existing ones have been significantly increased. Local authorities now have the power to impose direct financial penalties on landlords who breach the Act, rather

  Landlords in the private rental sector will be watching closely the progress of Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather’s private member’s bill to ban retaliatory evictions. The bill follows claims by housing charity Shelter that there is a crisis in the sector because landlords have been evicting tenants who complain about the standards of their property. Launching her bill, Teather said: ‘All too often tenants out

While a lot of legal changes over the years have been designed to protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords, landlords have rights too when it comes to dealing with unscrupulous tenants. This can include eviction under section 21 or section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, for which legal advice is necessary. Know your rights to possession A landlord cannot seek possession until a tenant is two months in arrears with ren

The good news if you are thinking of renting out your home instead of selling, or dipping a toe into the buy-to-let market, is that there’s plenty of advice available to the newbie. The bad news is that there are plenty of pitfalls to trap the unwary private landlord, including tenants who won’t pay their rent or deliberately cause damage to the property or the fixtures and fittings. Here are my top tips for avoiding