Entries by Joanna Plane

Are you switched on to tenant checks?

It’s great to see that more landlords are carrying out tenant checks before new tenants move onto their properties. We see so many cases of landlords coming to us for debt collection or eviction services that could have been avoided if full tenant checks had been carried out. Landlords can limit their risk of damage […]

Could new rules lead to a rise in squatters?

There are moves to make councils release details of all vacant properties and experts say this could lead to a rise in the number of squatters in the UK. In a recent case, Camden Council was forced to disclose a list of 530 empty council managed and private homes under the Freedom of Information Act. […]

Changes for social housing landlords

MOVES to pay rent to social housing tenants rather than directly to their landlords could result in many landlords withdrawing from the social housing sector. Under the new Universal Credit system set to be introduced in 2013, tenants will be paid rent, for them to pass on to their landlord. The move is intended to […]

The importance of tenant checks

News that Basildon Council is to spend an estimated £18 million removing 400 gypsies from an illegal site at Dale Farm (which some among their number own) has sent shiver down the spine of many a landlord. That’s in the region of £45,000 a head; probably far more than the rating contribution of most of […]

Illegal eviction leads to jail threat for landlord

A property developer felt the full force of the law when he ordered doors and windows to be removed from his rental flat after his tenant fell into arrears on rental payments. Cupar Sheriff Court found the landlord, Steven Simpson, “guilty of disrupting his tenant’s peace and comfort” and now faces jail. The man saw […]

Freshers’ Week warning about Landlords Insurance

September marks the influx of student tenants in rented accommodation up and down the country. If you have properties housing students – make sure you have the correct insurance in place ahead of move-in dates. It goes without saying that although renting to students can be financially rewarding, it can come with problems and they […]

Is now a good time to be a landlord?

Yes, it seems landlords think so. A wave of optimism is sweeping across the lettings industry with landlord optimism at its highest for four years, according to the latest figures. In a recent survey, 65 per cent of landlords surveyed described their own lettings business’ prospects as ’good’ or ‘very good’. Landlords are still experiencing […]

Buy to let landlord has house trashed by tenant

The recent case in the paper of a landlord who had his property wrecked by a bad tenant shows the importance of landlords insurance and the handling evictions properly. The landlord, named only as Dave, has criticised the council for rehousing a drug addicted tenant after she caused nearly £4,000 worth of damage to his […]

Guaranteeing the guarantor

Landlords frequently hear about the importance of robust tenant checks but are they checking the guarantor is being checked out too? Probably not. References must be taken out on tenants’ guarantors too otherwise there is no point in having a guarantor. With the start of the academic year just around the corner Legal 4 Landlords […]

Landlords look to invest in family homes

Landlords look to invest in family homes Landlords who have traditionally chosen to let out flats are now looking to family homes. The oversupply of flats means family homes should be considered as a good investment option as opposed to flats. There are more than 3.4 million households in rental accommodation in England alone, up […]

Renting becomes the norm

The newspapers have been full of articles about the UK’s home ownership slump as the National Housing Federation (NHF) predicts that over the next decade, it will sink to its lowest level since the mid 80s. With high property prices, strict lending criteria and the need for high deposits, many people are locked out of […]

What difference does Landlords Insurance make?

Lots of people are choosing to rent out their homes, rather than sell them and with rental costs on the up, it’s easy to see why. However, if you plan to do this you must get the right Mortgages and Finance in place. Some mortgage lenders may simply grant you consent to let and you’ll […]

What if my tenant doesn’t pay the rent?

We keep reading in the news that rents are on the increase and there’s never been a better time to be a buy-to-let landlord. In July, rental prices reached a record high of £705 a month and the average yield reached 5.2 per cent. However, with increasing costs for rental properties and the rising cost […]

Should you become a landlord?

It’s been reported that the cost of renting has risen for the sixth month in a row. We’re finding more and more first time landlords coming to us for advice and Landlord services. In July, the average rent paid in England and Wales rose by 0.6 per cent to a record £705 per month. On […]

Will more tenant evictions follow?

Well, they said they’d do it and they’re sticking to it. A council tenant has just been served with an eviction notice and it’s believed that they’re the first in the country. Wandsworth council is applying for an eviction notice for a tenant and their son, after the son was charged in connection with the […]

Should the eviction process be changed?

There are calls for the Government to speed up the eviction process following the trashing of a property owned by a North East landlord. Tenants left the property in Darlington, owned by Glenn Schofield, practically destroyed. Mr Schofield had to spend months going through the courts to try and repossess the four bedroom house. Mr […]

Is now a good time to invest in property?

News out at the weekend shows house sellers have reduced asking prices for the second month in a row. Most of the year has seen vendors putting their properties on the market for far more than the amount sellers are willing to pay, but vendors are now beginning to accept that their asking prices are […]

Are you a landlord looking to grow your portfolio?

Recent reports by the Association of Residential Letting agents (ARLA) indicate a surge in the number of properties snapped up by landlords in the past year. ‘Good news!’ we cry at Legal 4 Landlords. With demand still far outstripping supply, it makes sense to invest in property at the moment. Rents are going up and […]

Thumbs up for eviction proposals

Legal 4 Landlords is backing plans by Housing Minister Grant Shapps that aim to make it easier and quicker to evict troublesome tenants from social housing. Following the horrendous scenes of looting and riots across UK cities, many councils have pledged to take a tough stance on those involved, warning that they will fight to […]

How can I evict bad tenants?

New statistics show the number of court cases brought by private landlords increased by seven per cent last year, with cases for accelerated possession increasing by 37 per cent – back to pre recession levels. Landlords are clearly taking action to get their properties back. Of all our landlord services, our evictions service has been […]