On the 20th March 2019, the government introduced the Fitness for Human Habitation Act. This law, which is also known as the Homes Act, essentially ensures that all rental properties are deemed safe. While the majority of landlords will only rent out properties that are safe, the new law protects tenants should their landlord fail to keep them safe.
The tenancy agreement is such a vital document. Yet many private landlords pay surprisingly little attention to it. They may use the same contract for years at a time. Or worse just find a free template they found on the internet. If you’re a new landlord or worried your tenancy documents may not be up to scratch, we’re going to look at the five most common mistakes landlords make in their tenancy agreement documentation. And crucially how to avoid them.
Something is damaged - should the landlord or tenants be responsible?
Whatever the reason for eviction is, you must follow the legal process. To do otherwise can lead to legal problems and financial penalties.
Whether you are in a fixed term tenancy or a periodic tenancy, giving notice in the correct way is crucial prior to ending your tenancy - if you don’t, you might risk losing your deposit or paying rent after you’ve moved out.
Most landlords will have a tale to tell about tenants who've been less than reliable when it comes to paying the rent. Or who cause damage to the property. Or both.
If you rent your property privately, it’s likely that your contract is on a fixed term. We discuss what happens when that contract ends, and the difference between periodic and contractual periodic tenancies.
As a renter, you hope your tenancy goes smoothly with no issues and an excellent landlord who's always ready to help. And most tenants enjoy that exact experience. But whatever your tenancy brings it's important to know your legal rights. And how to protect them if you need to.
From April 2019, all letting agents will need to be a member of a Government-authorised Client Money Protection scheme.
One aspect of the property being fit for habitation includes the issue of overcrowding. Here’s what you need to know about the laws and how you can prevent yourself from being fined.
If you’ve found yourself with a property through unplanned circumstances, here are some of our handy tips to ensure you’re fully prepared for being a landlord.
Including how to finance your investment and structure your property holdings from a tax perspective.
