Landlord and BTL Blog

Sunday, August 07, 2016

Top 10 property improvements

Revealed: the top 10 home improvements - and the value they add: https://t.co/NPlBaFEwT7 pic.twitter.com/TYhl399m98
— ES Homes & Property (@HomesProperty) August 5, 2016

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Cricklewood landlord fined £17,693

A landlord of a rental property in Cricklewood, London has been handed a bill of £17,693 by Willesden Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to offences under the Housing Act 2006. period

The court heard how landlord Paul Fenton rented out the flat for £1,000 a month although the flat was 'not fit to live in' due to issues of severe damp and mould, rotting doors and a dilapidated boiler.

Following an inspection of the rental flat in August 2015 by Brent Council Enforcement Officers an improvement notice was sent to the landlord with a 56 day period to comply.

Despite further warnings and visits to enforce the improvements Mr Fenton failed to undertake the works required. A final visit in May 2016 found the properties to still be in an unsafe state of repair.

The landlord argued that as he had not received any complaints from the tenants that he presumed the state of the property met their satisfaction.

The case has left Mr Fenton with a fine of £16,000, costs of £1,573 and a victim surcharge of £120.

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Saturday, August 06, 2016

Southampton HMO landlords fail to get licensed

Southampton multi-occupancy tenants 'may face eviction' https://t.co/nunsMfIGiA pic.twitter.com/47ndofpVoO
— BBC Hampshire & IoW (@BBC_Hampshire) August 3, 2016

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Friday, August 05, 2016

UK house price growth slowing says Halifax

The Halifax House Price Index for July 2016 shows -

Prices over May-July 2016 up 8.4% on same three months of 2015
Prices over May-July 2016 up 1.6% than preceding 3 months ( Feb -April)

Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, comments:

“House prices in the three months to July were 1.6% higher than in the previous quarter; up from 1.1% in June but comfortably lower than earlier in the year. The annual rate of growth was unchanged at 8.4%; the lowest since July 2015.

There are signs that house price growth is slowing with a deceleration in both the annual and quarterly rates of increase in the past few months. Nonetheless, the current rates remain robust.

July’s monthly decline largely offsets June’s increase. The month-on-month changes, however, can be erratic and falls often occur within an upward trend. Overall, it remains too early to determine if there has been any impact on the housing market as a result of June’s EU referendum result.”