Following the implementation of the tenancy reforms in the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026, the only way that landlords can increase rent for an assured periodic tenancy in England is by following the Section 13 process, and serving Form 4A on the tenants. If the tenant does not agree to the rent increase, […]
Section 13 rent increase challenges: First-tier Tribunal process and cases View Post »
When you’re setting out as a landlord, or even when you’ve been a landlord for a while, it can be difficult to know what you should put in unfurnished rental properties. Some of it is a grey area, depending on personal preference and target market. Others are legal obligations. Undoubtedly, the more a landlord provides,
What should landlords provide in unfurnished rental properties? View Post »
At the end of the tenancy, the question arises of how much of the deposit the landlord should return to the tenant. The best result is one where the tenant leaves the property in a good and clean condition, and the landlord returns the full deposit, without any deductions. This is good for the tenant,
What can landlords deduct from a tenant’s deposit? View Post »
It’s very important to carry out regular inspections on rental properties during a tenancy, whether the landlord does it themselves or via their property manager. I personally refer to inspections during the tenancy as “maintenance visits”, as it’s more collaborative and shows the focus is on ensuring the property remains in good condition. After all,
Mid-tenancy property inspections: how often and what to check View Post »
Subletting is a very complex area for tenants and landlords to navigate. Whilst it can help a tenant who needs to move out for legitimate reasons, it also exposes landlords to a lot of risk. This risk has increased since the Renters’ Rights Act came into force, as it gives the First-tier Tribunal the power
It is vital for landlords (or letting agents) to carry out regular thorough property inspections to see whether any repairs are required. It’s also important to check whether the tenants are also holding up their end of the bargain by looking after the property and not breaking the terms of the tenancy agreement. However, it’s
Free landlord mid-tenancy property inspection checklist View Post »
What happens when a relationship between tenants breaks down and the couple splits up, sharers fall out, or one of the joint tenants simply wants to move out. Relationship breakdown is very common, with around one third of marriages in England and Wales ending in divorce. This amounts to over 100,000 divorces each year. On
What happens when one person leaves a joint tenancy? View Post »
Mice and rats can be hugely destructive, gnawing through wires, leaving a mess and making a lot of noise at night. I speak from experience, as I’ve lived in many houses over the years where mice have been a problem. I also moved into a rented bedsit in London in the 1990s where the bed
Who is responsible for pest control in a rental property? View Post »
Are you a landlord who’s looking to take over the management of your rental property from a letting agent with tenants in place? Are you wondering what the practicalities involve so that the transition is smooth? This is a practical guide that takes you through the 10 steps to follow for a smooth transfer of
Practical tips to take over management from letting agents View Post »
It sounds so compelling: “let and forget”. Hand the keys to a letting agent, and the rent lands in your bank account each month while someone else deals with the leaking boiler. Leave it to them, and you get passive income. But how much does property management actually cost landlords? While the headline cost including
How much do letting agents charge for full property management? View Post »
