Rightmove's November 14 Price Index

Rightmove’s November House Price Index has recorded a rise of 2.6% (+£6,784) this month, despite thus the 12 monthly growth rate falls from 7.9% to 7.6%. 

Read Rightmove's November House Price Index

[Source: Rightmove Property Portal]

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Boris slammed for London Rental Standard (LRS)

London Mayor Boris Johnson has been lambasted by critics for not doing enough for renters.

This comes only 6 months on from the launch of the London Rental Standard (LRS)

The LRS aimed to have 100,000 landlords signed up by 2016 but as yet only 13,399 have joined the Scheme.  Shelter the housing charity has recently reported a 47% increase in private sector complaints since 2008. 

The London Rental Standard (LRS) was a scheme introduced to raise the standards of landlording and improve the conditions in the private rental sector in London.

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Revenge eviction bill fails

The vote on revenge evictions yesterday Friday didn't so much fail but didn't event get off the ground.

The private members bill the Tenancies (Reform) Bill 2014-15 introduced by MP Sarah Teather  was filibustered by Tory MPs Christopher Chope and Philip Davies so the bill despite having cross-party support could not be passed.

This is a relief to most landlords who foresaw tenants using any new legislation to prevent their use of a section 21 notice to obtain possession of their property.

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Hounslow landlord not 'fit and proper'

A Hounslow landlord, Ifthikar Uddin has been banned from acting as a managing agent for any House in Multiple Occupation by Hounslow Council on the grounds that he is not a 'fit and proper' person.

The decision follows the inspection of two HMO's Ifthikar Uddin managed. The pair of rental properties were described as containing 'filthy bedsits' that were 'potential death traps'.

The properties managed by Uddin were damp, mouldy and dangerous. They failed to meet basic fire safety requirements, had dangerous boilers, unsafe electrics, and failed to meet fire safety regulations.

One property, a four bedroom house was found to have 16 people crammed into it.

Ifthikar Uddin is not new to the courts. He was company secretary of a letting agents, Key Property (UK), on Bell Road, Hounslow which was fined £42,500 back in September 2013 following 15 housing offences.

Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran said:  

"We will not tolerate rogue landlords in Hounslow. Where we have the evidence and power we will crack down hard on these parasites who are making profits from vulnerable people, often on sky high rents."

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Medway landlords fined £20k

Two Medway landlords have been fined £20,000. 

Rattan Singh and Balbir Kaur admitted to 19 offences at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court after failing to comply with notices under the Housing Act 2004. 

The pair had ignored requests by Medway Council's housing team to make improvements to two rental properties they owned and managed. The Council then made a formal legal notice in December 2013, which was also ignored.

The rental properties were damp and without working heating or functioning fire alarms.

On addition to the fine, the pair have to pay £600 in court costs alongside a £150 victim surcharge.

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Nationwide reports 0.3% growth in November

 Nationwide's House Price Index has recorded 0.3% growth during their November period.

The months slowing market brings the 12 month growth figure down half a percent to 8.5%.

The average UK property is now £189,288.

 

The Nationwide's Chief Economist, Robert Gardner said:
 

“The annual pace of house price growth continued to soften in November, falling from 9.0% in October to 8.5%, marking the third consecutive month where annual growth has moderated. This is despite house prices increasing by 0.3% month on month in November.
 

Housing market activity levels have remained relatively weak in recent months. The number of mortgages approved for house purchase in September was almost 20% below the level prevailing at the start of the year and 27% below the long-term average. Similarly, housing market turnover rates are well below long-term averages. For example, the number of mortgage transactions is currently equal to around 4% of the housing stock1 - well below the long-run average of 6%."

 

Read the pdf press release for Nationwide's House Price Index November 2014

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