Hazard repair failures lead to fines for landlord
Watford Council prosecuted the self-managing landlord for failure to put things right after an inspection discovered conditions in the property posed a severe health risk to the tenants.
Court rules Section 21 invalid without Gas Safety Certificate
Underscoring the obligation for letting agents or landlords provide a record to tenants immediately after any gas safety check, the ruling highlights it’s not just in cases of new gas appliance installation or within the initial twelve months of a tenancy. Failing to do this could have serious consequences for regaining possession of the property.
Two firms expelled by The Property Ombudsman
The companies were ejected after failing to pay compensation to consumers, bringing the total number of expulsions in 2023 to 13, down from 18 in 2022. Both businesses were referred to The Property Ombudsman (TPO) Compliance Committee, which ruled that they should be excluded from the scheme.
Student landlord hit by £43,000 in licensing fees
Middlesborough Council who issued the charges has defended it by saying each of the 52 flats in Linthorpe Hall 248 are eligible for the fee under their current selective licensing scheme, which began in 2019.
Property court to join new unified tribunal system
A Welsh Government White Paper has set out plans to consolidate nine devolved tribunals into a single coherent system which includes both First-Tier and Appeal tribunals. The reforms are intended to create a structure that is easier for users to navigate, allows better management of cases, and more effective use of resources.
Agency fined for managing an unlicensed property
A property management and letting agency in Enfield received a £7,500 fine and was ordered to pay £1,299 in costs with an additional £2,000 victim surcharge (a total of £10,799), during a recent sentencing hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.
Unscrupulous landlords face fines exceeding a quarter of a million pounds
The two unconnected cases have resulted in penalties for failing to follow planning rules and ignoring instructions from Ealing Council's planning enforcement team and if the fines aren't paid within three months, the landlords risk a prison sentence.
No hiding for agencies that don’t have client money protection
Fines totalling £12,000 have been handed out to six letting agents in the London Borough of Haringey after a crackdown by Trading Standards.
No tolerance for HMO failings with huge fines issued
Two separate investigations in Camden and Mansfield involving unlicensed Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) led to sanctions for landlords and agents. West Northamptonshire is the latest council to announce a crackdown on unregulated and poorly managed properties.
Regulation checks to keep agents credible
Propertymark’s Compliance Team carried out 1,762 checks on member agents’ websites in 2021 to raise the industry standards and help members be compliant and avoid enforcement penalties.
New legislation to increase council tax premiums on second homes
From 1 April 2023 local authorities in Wales can increase council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties by 300 per cent.
UK Government brings forward Economic Crime Bill
The UK Government has accelerated a bill designed to prevent the laundering of ‘dirty money’ in the UK’s housing markets by introducing a register of overseas entities that highlights the owners of international companies that own properties and land in the UK.
Landlord pays tenants £2,400 after wrongful termination
The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Housing and Property Chamber ruled in favour of the tenants after landlord falsely claimed he wanted to live in the property.
Exclusions from TPO emphasise the importance of regulation
Three property agents across the UK have been excluded from the TPO for failing to pay outstanding awards. This shows how it continues to be crucial to improve the quality and reputation of the profession by regulating the property sector.
To replace or repair? That is the question (regarding tenancy deposits)
Sandy Bastin, Head of Adjudication Services at Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), a Propertymark Industry Supplier, discusses cleaning and damage to property and contents best practice given they continue to top the list of most common reasons for tenancy deposit disputes.
Landlord case makes legal history
A Wales-based landlord pleaded guilty to harassing a tenant, which is the first time a case of this nature has been brought to the Crown Court and received a six-month jail term suspended for two years.