Strong message delivered on rental reform proposals
Propertymark continues to assert there is no advantage to introducing rent controls and urges Scottish Ministers to properly evaluate the evidence both from UK and across the world. Whilst formulating our response to the most recent engagement questionnaire we hosted a roundtable with members and Scottish Government officials where the strength of feeling from agents was clearly communicated.
Agents urged to respond to Scotland rented sector reform consultation before 27 October 2023
Stakeholders have just a few weeks to add their voices to the discussion on Scottish Government plans to introduce a system of long-term rent controls for the private rented sector, strengthen tenant protections during the eviction process, enshrine the right to personalise a rented home, and make it easier for a tenant to request to keep a pet.
Unreturned keys on check out day
If a tenant fails to return the keys, this is normally taken to mean they have not given up the tenancy and therefore can be open to lots of issues for the landlord, even if the tenant has actually moved out.
Abandonment
If you encounter abandonment in an assured shorthold tenancy, follow our eight steps to appropriately handle the situation.
What methods can I use to recover rent arrears?
Recovering rent arrears in England typically involves following specific legal procedures to ensure that you have a lawful and fair process for collecting the overdue rent.
What is a Rent Tribunal?
A Rent Tribunal, also known as a Rent Board or Rent Commission, is a quasi-judicial body established by local or regional governments to address disputes and matters related to rental housing.
How does a Power of Attorney work?
In the event that a landlord dies or has mental incapacity, if a Power of Attorney (POA) has been set up, the person(s) named as the landlord’s POA can instruct on the landlord’s behalf.
How to serve a Section 13 notice of rent increase
Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 allows a landlord to raise the rent on a periodic assured or assured shorthold tenancy by giving the tenant a notice of increase in the prescribed form.
When can a tenant change the locks?
Generally, tenants do not have the right to change locks without the landlord's consent but it's crucial that tenants have their statutory right to ‘quiet enjoyment’.
Garden alterations
Find out what steps you can take if the tenant has substantially altered the garden without permission.
Letting to tenants on the Sex Offenders Register
Laws regarding renting to individuals on the sex offenders register can be a minefield but landlords may have the legitimate right to consider an applicant's criminal history when making decisions about renting a property.
Death of a tenant
Dealing with these situations can be difficult and sensitive, especially if you are aware the tenant’s passing before relatives are informed. We've outlined steps you can take to bring the tenancy to an end.
Death of a landlord
When a landlord passes away, it can have various implications for the tenancy. The specific effects will depend on factors such as the type of tenancy, regional laws, and the actions taken by the landlord's estate or legal representatives.
Tenants should have a range of payment options
Propertymark members have backed proposals to ensure tenants in Northern Ireland are given a range of ways to make rent and other related payments. The Department for Communities has been consulting on provisions in Section 12 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which would allow them to enforce regulation on the methods of payment that should be offered.
Tribunal decisions reflect increasing rental prices
Landlords could have asked for more in nearly 30% of rent increase cases, according to research into English First-Tier Tribunal decisions in the second quarter of 2023.
Only 5% of rents affordable for Local Housing Allowance tenants
Figures released by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) back up evidence given to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Commons Committee by Propertymark on 28 June 2023. Head of Policy and Campaigns Timothy Douglas warned MPs of vulnerable tenants being priced out of the market.